Australia's National Reserve System
Encyclopedia
Australia
's National Reserve System is a network of more than 9000 Commonwealth plus state and territory
protected area
s which, in combination, on a nation
al scale, are hoped to enable more than 89 million hectares (greater than 11% of the continent
's) unique biodiversity
and most significant ecological landscapes to be protected and preserved for future generations.
, as part of the nation's commitment to fulfilling the objectives of that convention. In particular, after signing and ratifying the convention in 1992 the then Prime Minister announced
Within the first 4 years (1992–1996) $11.2 million was spent establishing the system and, with the cooperation and agreement of the Australian States and territories
5 600 properties (covering almost 60 million hectares) were included within the system and a new Indigenous Protected Area program was initiated to include some of the most valuable and rare ecological landscapes on indigenous Australian owned lands.
Within the next 10 years (1996–2007), with further substantial investment (through a National Heritage Trust) an additional 30 million hectares were added to the National Reserve System, two thirds of which were Indigenous Protected Areas. During this time, starting in 1999, Tasmania
took a lead investing in partnerships to create protected areas on other private lands; and by 2005 all the States and territories re-affirmed their joint commitment to what was to be described as a national 'flagship in biodiversity conservation'
The National Reserve System continues to be an Australian Government priority, with continuing funding "target[ing] areas with low levels of protection, including the sub-tropical savanna from Cape York
to the Kimberley, the Mitchell grass
country of north-west Queensland and arid central Australia
; continuing investment in indigenous protected areas; plus a new National Reserve System strategy identifying priorities and actions to be taken over the next 20 years.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's National Reserve System is a network of more than 9000 Commonwealth plus state and territory
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
protected area
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
s which, in combination, on a nation
Nation
A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...
al scale, are hoped to enable more than 89 million hectares (greater than 11% of the continent
Australia (continent)
Australia is the world's smallest continent, comprising the mainland of Australia and proximate islands including Tasmania, New Guinea, the Aru Islands and Raja Ampat Islands...
's) unique biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and most significant ecological landscapes to be protected and preserved for future generations.
History
The move by the Australian Government to establish this National Reserve System was triggered by the international Convention on Biological DiversityConvention on Biological Diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity , known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is an international legally binding treaty...
, as part of the nation's commitment to fulfilling the objectives of that convention. In particular, after signing and ratifying the convention in 1992 the then Prime Minister announced
"The establishment of a comprehensive system of protected areas is vital if we are to retain our status as a region of megadiversity. Besides being ecologically viable these areas must represent the full range of ecosystems. The Government is committed to the development of a national comprehensive system of parks and reserves. This will be achieved in cooperation with States and Territories."
Within the first 4 years (1992–1996) $11.2 million was spent establishing the system and, with the cooperation and agreement of the Australian States and territories
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
5 600 properties (covering almost 60 million hectares) were included within the system and a new Indigenous Protected Area program was initiated to include some of the most valuable and rare ecological landscapes on indigenous Australian owned lands.
Within the next 10 years (1996–2007), with further substantial investment (through a National Heritage Trust) an additional 30 million hectares were added to the National Reserve System, two thirds of which were Indigenous Protected Areas. During this time, starting in 1999, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
took a lead investing in partnerships to create protected areas on other private lands; and by 2005 all the States and territories re-affirmed their joint commitment to what was to be described as a national 'flagship in biodiversity conservation'
The National Reserve System continues to be an Australian Government priority, with continuing funding "target[ing] areas with low levels of protection, including the sub-tropical savanna from Cape York
Cape York
Cape York may refer to:* Cape York , a cape at the north-west coast of Greenland, in northern Baffin Bay* Cape York meteorite, meteorite found in 1894 near Cape York, Greenland...
to the Kimberley, the Mitchell grass
Astrebla
Astrebla is a small genus of xerophytic grasses endemic to Australia. They are commonly known as Mitchell Grass.Species in this genera are:*Astrebla elymoides; Hoop Mitchell Grass*Astrebla lappacea; Curly Mitchell Grass...
country of north-west Queensland and arid central Australia
Central Australia
Central Australia/Alice Springs Region is one of the five regions in the Northern Territory. The term Central Australia is used to describe an area centred on Alice Springs in Australia. It is sometimes referred to as Centralia; likewise the people of the area are sometimes called Centralians...
; continuing investment in indigenous protected areas; plus a new National Reserve System strategy identifying priorities and actions to be taken over the next 20 years.
See also
- Indigenous Protected AreasIndigenous Protected AreasAn Indigenous Protected Area is a class of protected area formed by agreement with Indigenous Australians, declared by Indigenous Australians, and formally recognised by the Government of Australia as being part of its National Reserve System....
- Protected areas of AustraliaProtected areas of AustraliaProtected areas of Australia include Commonwealth and off-shore protected areas managed by the Australian government, as well as protected areas within each of the six states of Australia and two self-governing territories , which are managed by the eight state and territory...
- Protected areas of the Australian Capital TerritoryProtected areas of the Australian Capital TerritoryThe Australian Capital Territory contains 8 separate protected areas with a total land area of 1,230 km² . They are managed on territory level by Environment ACT.-Nature Reserves:*Bullen Range Nature Reserve*Canberra Nature Park...
- Protected areas of New South WalesProtected areas of New South WalesThe Protected areas of New South Wales include both terrestrial and aquatic protected areas. At 30 June 2010 there were 776 separate terrestrial protected areas with a total land area of . 189 of these are national parks, totalling...
- Protected areas of the Northern TerritoryProtected areas of the Northern TerritoryThe Northern Territory contains 95 separate Protected Areas with a total area of 53,505 km² . Ten of these are National parks, totalling 19,622 km² . Four are Aboriginal National Parks, totalling 5,315 km²...
- Protected areas of QueenslandProtected areas of QueenslandQueensland is the second largest state in Australia. It contains 470 separate Protected Areas with a total land area of 69,388 km² . 223 of these are National parks, which is the highest number of any Australian state or territory, totalling 65,871 km²...
- Protected areas of South AustraliaProtected areas of South AustraliaSouth Australia contains 324 separate Protected Areas with a total land area of 216,310 km² . Eighteen of these areas are National parks, totalling 43,374 km² .-Conservation Parks:...
- Protected areas of TasmaniaProtected areas of Tasmania-Conservation areas:*Adamsfield*Alpha Pinnacle*Ansons Bay*Arthur-Pieman*Asbestos Range*Badger Corner*Bay Of Fires*Bernafai Ridge*Boltons Beach*Bouchers Creek*Briggs Islet*Brougham Sugerloaf*Burnie Fernglade*Calverts Lagoon*Cape Portland*Cat Island...
- Protected areas of Victoria
- Protected areas of Western AustraliaProtected areas of Western AustraliaWestern Australia is the second largest subnational entity in the world. It contains no fewer than 1224 separate Protected Areas with a total area of 170,610 km²...
- Wild rivers