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Cornerstones of biodiversity conservation? Comparing the management effectiveness of Kruger and Kakadu National Parks, two key savanna reserves

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Abstract

How effective are large, well-resourced protected areas at achieving biodiversity conservation goals? In this study we critically review biodiversity research and management practice in two of the world’s premier savanna reserves (Kruger National Park, South Africa and Kakadu National Park, Australia) by exploring management approaches to three shared conservation issues: fire, alien species and threatened species. These management approaches contrast sharply between the two reserves, with Kruger having notably more detailed and prescribed planning for biodiversity conservation. Overall assessment of the effectiveness of management is hampered by limited available information on trends for native species and threatening processes, but in general it is far more straightforward to understand the management framework and to measure biodiversity conservation performance for Kruger than for Kakadu. We conclude that biodiversity conservation outcomes are most likely to be related to the adequacy of dedicated resources and of monitoring programs, the explicit identification of clear objectives with associated performance indicators, and the considered application of management prescriptions. In Kakadu particularly, conflicting park objectives (e.g., biodiversity and cultural management) can reduce the effectiveness of biodiversity efforts. However, we recognize that for the long-term persistence of these large conservation areas and hence for biodiversity conservation, it is critical to include consideration of social context.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to SANParks and Parks Australia for supplying relevant information; particular thanks go to A-M Delahunt, H. Biggs, L. Foxcroft and N. Govender. C. Bradshaw provided stimulating discussion on feral animals in Kakadu. We thank G. Cook, A. Andersen and an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments on an earlier version of the paper. C.L.P. thanks the Trapnell Fund for funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Tropical Ecosystems Research Center, PMB 44, Winnellie, NT, 0822, Australia

    Catherine L. Parr

  2. School of Geography and the Environment, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK

    Catherine L. Parr

  3. Biodiversity Unit, NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sports, PO Box 496, Palmerston, NT, 0831, Australia

    John C. Z. Woinarski

  4. School for Environmental Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, 0909, Australia

    John C. Z. Woinarski

  5. Scientific Services, Kruger National Park, Private Bag X1, Skukuza, South Africa

    Danie J. Pienaar

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  1. Catherine L. Parr
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  2. John C. Z. Woinarski
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  3. Danie J. Pienaar
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Correspondence to Catherine L. Parr.

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Parr, C.L., Woinarski, J.C.Z. & Pienaar, D.J. Cornerstones of biodiversity conservation? Comparing the management effectiveness of Kruger and Kakadu National Parks, two key savanna reserves. Biodivers Conserv 18, 3643–3662 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-009-9669-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-009-9669-4

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