Ebook: Reintegrating Fragmented Landscapes: Towards Sustainable Production and Nature Conservation
- Tags: Agriculture, Forestry, Ecology, Soil Science & Conservation
- Year: 1993
- Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
Social historians will look back on the 1980s as a period when a global consciousness of the environment developed. Stimulated by major issues and events such as oil and chemical spills, clearing of rainforests, pollu tion of waterways, and, towards the end of the decade, concern over the greenhouse effect, concern for the environment has become a major social and political force. Unfortunately, the state of the environment and its future manage ment are still very divisive issues. Often, at a local level, concern for the environment is the antithesis of development. The debate usually focusses on the possible negative environmental impacts of an activity versus the expected positive economic impacts. It is a very difficult task to integrate development and conservation, yet it is towards this objec tive that the sustainable development debate is moving. The issues in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia are typical of the environment versus development debate. It is undoubted that the development of the area, which involved clearing the native vegetation, has had a major impact upon the original ecosystems. Many of the natural habitats are threatened and local extinction of flora and fauna species is a continuing process. Moreover, there are clear signs that land degradation processes such as dryland salinity are depleting the land resource.
The study of landscape ecology is growing rapidly in importance. This book examines the serious problem of landscape deterioration due to extensive agricultural development, focussing on a detailed study made of the wheat belt of Western Australia. The degradation of the landscape is considered with respect to loss of animal diversity, vegetation, and soil cover. The authors consider integrated land use planning in terms of agricultural production, water use, and nature conservation.
The study of landscape ecology is growing rapidly in importance. This book examines the serious problem of landscape deterioration due to extensive agricultural development, focussing on a detailed study made of the wheat belt of Western Australia. The degradation of the landscape is considered with respect to loss of animal diversity, vegetation, and soil cover. The authors consider integrated land use planning in terms of agricultural production, water use, and nature conservation.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Introduction....Pages 3-9
History of Landscape Development....Pages 10-22
Social History and Impact on Landscape....Pages 23-62
Front Matter....Pages 63-63
Changes in Biota....Pages 65-106
Changes in Soil Properties....Pages 107-145
Changes in the Hydrologic Cycle....Pages 146-186
Front Matter....Pages 187-187
Landscape Reintegration: Problem Definition....Pages 189-208
Integrating Economic and Ecological Considerations: A Theoretical Framework....Pages 209-244
Determining the Long-term Costs and Benefits of Alternative Farm Plans....Pages 245-278
Conservation Management in Fragmented Systems....Pages 279-296
Front Matter....Pages 297-297
Conclusions. Can We Reintegrate Fragmented Landscapes?....Pages 299-309
Back Matter....Pages 311-332
The study of landscape ecology is growing rapidly in importance. This book examines the serious problem of landscape deterioration due to extensive agricultural development, focussing on a detailed study made of the wheat belt of Western Australia. The degradation of the landscape is considered with respect to loss of animal diversity, vegetation, and soil cover. The authors consider integrated land use planning in terms of agricultural production, water use, and nature conservation.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Introduction....Pages 3-9
History of Landscape Development....Pages 10-22
Social History and Impact on Landscape....Pages 23-62
Front Matter....Pages 63-63
Changes in Biota....Pages 65-106
Changes in Soil Properties....Pages 107-145
Changes in the Hydrologic Cycle....Pages 146-186
Front Matter....Pages 187-187
Landscape Reintegration: Problem Definition....Pages 189-208
Integrating Economic and Ecological Considerations: A Theoretical Framework....Pages 209-244
Determining the Long-term Costs and Benefits of Alternative Farm Plans....Pages 245-278
Conservation Management in Fragmented Systems....Pages 279-296
Front Matter....Pages 297-297
Conclusions. Can We Reintegrate Fragmented Landscapes?....Pages 299-309
Back Matter....Pages 311-332
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