Abstract
Problems arising from application of the representative criterion for conservation and natural heritage evaluation are discussed. An ecological basis to this criterion is suggested that focuses on those key environmental factors dominating biotic response. A methodology is proposed that utilizes computer-based methods of establishing and interrogating spatial data bases (geographic information systems), environmental modeling, and numeric analysis. An example is presented illustrating some of the advantages and limitations of classification and dimension reduction techniques in both defining bioenvironments and displaying their spatial distribution. The advantages of this method for representativeness evaluation are that it maximizes the utility of available data, is explicit and repeatable, and enables large areas to be analyzed at relatively fine scales.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Austin, M. P., and C. R. Margules. 1984. The concept of representativeness in conservation evaluation with particular relevance to Australia. Technical Memorandum 84/11. CSIRO Division of Water and Land Resources, Canberra, 43 pp.
Belbin, L., C. Marshall, and D. Faith. 1983. Representing relationships by automatic assignment of colour.Australian Computer Journal 15:160–163.
Belbin, L., D. P. Faith, and P. R. Minchin. 1984. Some algorithms contained in the numerical taxonomy package NTP. Technical Memorandum 84/23.CSIRO Division of Water and Land Resources, Canberra, 31 pp.
Bolton, M. P., and R. L. Specht. 1983. A method for selecting nature conservation reserves. Occasional Paper 8. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra, 32 pp.
Booth, T. H. 1985. A new method for assisting species selection.Commonwealth Forestry Review 64:241–250.
Bristow, K. L., G. S. Campbell, K. S. Saxton. 1985. An equation for separating daily solar radiation into direct and diffuse components.Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 35:123–131.
Busby, J. R. 1986. A biogeoclimatic analysis of Nothofagus cunninghamii (HOOK) Oerst in eastern Australia 1.Australian Journal of Ecology 11:1–7.
Christian, C. S., G. A. Stewart. 1953. General report on the survey of Katherine-Darwin region, 1946. Land Research Series 1. CSIRO, Melbourne, 156 pp.
Clements, F. E. 1928. Plant succession and indicators. H. W. Wilson, New York, 453 pp.
Dale, M. B. 1975. On objectives of methods of ordination.Vegetation 30:15–32.
Dasmann, R. E. 1973. A system for defining and classifying natural regions for purposes of conservation: a progress report. IUCN Occasional Paper 7. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Morges, Switzerland. 47 pp.
Gleason, H. A. 1939. The individualistic concept of the plant association.The American midland naturalist 21:92–110.
Gower, J. C. 1971. A general coefficient of similarity and some of its properties.Biometrics 27:857–871.
Hutchinson, C. E. 1957. Concluding remarks: Cold Spring Harbour symposium.Quaternary Biology 22:415–427.
Hutchinson, M. F. 1984. A summary of some surface-fitting and contouring programs for noisy data. Consulting Report ACT 84/6. CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics and the Division of Water and Land Resources, Canberra, 24 pp.
Hutchinson, M. F., and R. J. Bischoff. 1984. A new method for estimating the spatial distribution of mean seasonal and annual rainfall applied to the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia.Australian Meteorological Magazine 31:179–184.
Hutchinson, M. F., T. H. Booth, J. P. McMahon, and H. A. Nix. 1984. Estimating monthly mean values of daily total solar radiation for Australia.Solar Energy 32:227–290.
Kalma, J. D., and P. M. Fleming. 1972. A note on estimating the direct and diffuse components of global radiation.Archiv für Meteorologie, Geophysick und Bioklimatologie [B] 20:191–205.
Kruskal, J. B., and M. Wish. 1978. Multidimensional scaling. Series: quantitative applications in the social sciences, number 07-011. Sage, Beverly Hills, California, 93 pp.
Laut, P., C. Margules, and H. A. Nix. 1975. Australian biophysical regions: a preliminary regionalisation. CSIRO Land Use Research. AGPS, Canberra, 89 pp.
McIntosh, R. P. 1967. The continuum concept of vegetation.Botanical Review 33:130–187.
Minchin, P. R. 1986. How to use ECOPAK: an ecological data base system. Technical Memorandum 86/6. CSIRO Division of Water and Land Resources, Canberra, 138 pp.
Nix, H. A. 1982. Environmental determinants and evolution in Terra Australis. Pages 47–66in W. R. Barker and P. J. M. Greenslade (eds.), Evolution of the flora and fauna of arid Australia. Peacock, South Australia.
Nix, H. A. 1986. A biogeographic analysis of Australian elapid snakes. Pages 4–15in R. Longmore (ed.), Atlas of elapid snakes of Australia. Australian Flora and Fauna Series No. 7. AGPS, Canberra.
Nix, H. A., and M. P. Austin. 1973. Mulga: a bioclimatic analysis.Tropical Grasslands 7:9–21.
Northcote, K. H., with G. G. Beckman, E. Bettenay, H. M. Churchward, D. G. van Dijk, G. M. Dimmock, G. D. Hubble, R. F. Isbell, W. M. McArthur, G. G. Murtha, K. D. Nicolls, T. R. Paton, C. H. Thompson, A. A. Webb, and M. J. Wright. 1960–68. Atlas of Australian soils. Sheets 1–10, with explanatory booklets. CSIRO and Melbourne University Press, Melbourne.
Rowe, J. S., and J. W. Sheard. 1981, Ecological land classification: a survey approach.Environmental Management 5:451–464.
Specht, R. L. 1981. Foliage projective cover and standing biomass. Pages 10–21in A. N. Gillison and D. J. Anderson (eds), Vegetation classification in Australia. CSIRO/ANU, Canberra.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mackey, B.G., Nix, H.A., Hutchinson, M.F. et al. Assessing representativeness of places for conservation reservation and heritage listing. Environmental Management 12, 501–514 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01873263
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01873263