Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine).

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.1079/cpc.16378.20210100326 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julissa Rojas-Sandoval ◽

Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Historical Evidence ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Invasive Weed ◽

Cryptostegia Grandiflora ◽

Invasive Status ◽

Lag Period ◽

Future Risk ◽

Semi Arid

Abstract C. grandiflora is a highly invasive weed in semi-arid natural ecosystems, especially dry or monsoonal rainforest. It has the potential to spread much further, especially in Australia where it poses a threat to national parks. The historical evidence suggests that there is a significant lag period before the plant assumes an invasive status. Thus, those countries where the plant has been cultivated as an ornamental or as a crop, but where it has not yet become invasive, are at future risk of invasion.

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Landscape-scale disturbances and regeneration in semi-arid woodlands of southwestern Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc940214 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 214 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Colin J. Yates ◽

Richard J. Hobbs ◽

Richard W. Bell

Keyword(s):

Tree Mortality ◽

Landscape Scale ◽

Eucalyptus Species ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Fragmented Landscapes ◽

The Past ◽

Adult Tree ◽

Western Australian ◽

Semi Arid

Woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus salmonophloia occur both in the fragmented landscapes of the Western Australian wheatbelt and in the adjacent unfragmented goldfields area. We examined the responses of the unfragmented woodlands to landscape-scale disturbances caused by fire, floods, windstorms and drought. Sites known to have experienced disturbances of these types over the past 50 years all had cohorts of sapling-stage E. salmonophloia and other dominant Eucalyptus species. Sites disturbed either by fire, flood or storm during 1991-92 displayed adult tree mortality and extensive seedling establishment, although rates of establishment and survival varied between sites. No regeneration was observed at equivalent undisturbed sites. These results indicate that landscape-scale disturbances of several types are important drivers of the dynamics of these semi-arid woodlands. Lack of regeneration of fragmented woodlands in the wheatbelt is likely to be due to changed disturbance regimes coupled with altered physical and biotic conditions within remnants. We argue that it may be difficult to identify processes which are important for the long-term persistence of natural ecosystems in fragmented landscapes without reference to equivalent unfragmented areas.

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Lepidium draba (hoary cress).

10.1079/cpc.10621.20210099967 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Philip Weyl

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Animal Health ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Wide Range ◽

Low Latitudes ◽

Hoary Cress ◽

Alkaline Conditions ◽

Noxious Weed ◽

Lepidium Draba ◽

Pathogenic Agents

Abstract Lepidium draba is found in a wide range of habitats ranging from roadsides (highly disturbed sites) to rangelands, meadows and pastures, cultivated fields, home gardens, national parks and wasteland. It exists at high and low latitudes, above and below sea level. It is found under irrigation and in soils of high moisture content and also exists in arid regions. It invades all soil types, although it prefers alkaline conditions and can germinate in saline soils. All of these characteristics and adaptations provide exceptional advantages for this noxious weed and reflect its high potential to invade different agricultural systems. The absence of L. draba plants from plantations or sites where it has not been reported may not be due to the species' ability to invade, survive, grow or develop in these sites but rather to the absence of initial infestation. The weed can invade both agricultural and natural ecosystems (Larson et al., 2000). In summary, L. draba is a serious threat to agriculture and the environment. It is of a high ecological tolerance and is potentially harmful to human and animal health. Its ability to invade and reproduce by different means and to host plant pathogenic agents make this weed invasive with significant problems to man and natural resources.

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Partnerships and Stakeholder Participation in the Management of National Parks: Experiences of the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe

Land ◽

10.3390/land9110399 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 399

Author(s):

Walter Musakwa ◽

Trynos Gumbo ◽

Gaynor Paradza ◽

Ephraim Mpofu ◽

Nesisa Analisa Nyathi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

National Park ◽

Stakeholder Management ◽

Stakeholder Participation ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Community Relations ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Parks Management ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

National parks play an important role in maintaining natural ecosystems which are important sources of income and livelihood sustenance. Most national parks in Southern Africa are managed by their states. Before 2007, Gonarezhou National Park was managed by the Zimbabwe Parks Management and Wildlife Authority, which faced challenges in maintaining its biodiversity, community relations and infrastructure. However, in 2017 the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Zimbabwe Parks Management and Wildlife Authority formed an innovative partnership under the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GCT). This study examines the relationship between GCT management, Gonarezhou National Park stakeholders and communities as well as the impact of the relationship on biodiversity and ecosystems. The study also highlights challenges faced and lessons learned in managing Gonarezhou as a protected area. To obtain the information, key informant interviews, Landsat satellite imagery, secondary data from previous studies and government sources were utilized. The results indicate that the concerted efforts of the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust to manage the park are starting to bear fruit in improving biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management and engaging communities. However, challenges such as governance obstacles, problematic stakeholder management, maintaining trust in community relations, ensuring sustainability, managing the adverse impacts of climate change and human-wildlife conflicts must still be navigated to ensure the park’s sustainable management. Notwithstanding challenges, we argue that a partnership arrangement such as the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust is a desirable model that can be applied in national parks in Zimbabwe and Africa for better biodiversity management and tourism.

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Evaluation of Prioritized Natural Landscape Conservation Areas for National Park Planning in China

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12051840 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1840 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ao Du ◽

Weihua Xu ◽

Yi Xiao ◽

Tong Cui ◽

Tianyu Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

National Park ◽

Landscape Conservation ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

Natural Landscape ◽

Priority Areas ◽

Park Planning ◽

Natural Landscapes ◽

Four Levels

Protecting representative natural ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and unique natural landscapes are the main considerations in China’s national park planning. Here, we mapped the distribution of China’s natural landscapes and evaluated their protection values for national park planning and construction. Grading evaluation methods combining standard comparison, inventory method, and expert consultation were used, and four levels of natural landscapes were identified. Furthermore, priority areas for national parks establishment were also proposed. Of all the landscapes evaluated, 76 were extremely important, 481 were important, 2070 were moderately important, and 1213 were slightly important. A total number of 67 priority areas for natural landscapes were identified with a total area of 1,218,000 km2. They comprised land and sea areas of 1,148,000 and 69,000 km2, respectively. We suggest strengthening natural landscape protection by establishing natural parks in priority areas. Our study will contribute to the effective protection of natural landscapes in China.

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Proposal of a System for Assessment of the Sustainability of Municipalities (Sasmu) Included in the Spanish Network of National Parks and Their Surroundings

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences10080298 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 298 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Javier Martínez-Vega ◽

David Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽

Francisco M. Fernández-Latorre ◽

Paloma Ibarra ◽

Maite Echeverría ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Environmental Economic ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Habitat Loss ◽

National Parks ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Efficient Tool ◽

Target Value ◽

Network Scale

It is usually considered that Protected Areas (PAs) are an efficient tool for policies to conserve biodiversity. However, there is evidence that some pressures and threats arise from processes taking place both inside them and in their surroundings territories—habitat loss, changes in land use, fragmentation of natural ecosystems. In this paper, we aim to test the hypothesis that municipalities located in the Socioeconomic Influence Zones (SIZs) of the fifteen National Parks (NPs) in Spain are more sustainable than those in their surroundings or, conversely, that the municipalities of their surroundings are more unsustainable. To measure their sustainability, we propose a system for assessment using fifteen indicators selected by experts. The methodology is based on the normalization of the data of each indicator, comparing them with a desirable target value defined in terms of sector policies and strategies. We then aggregate the indicators for each group in three indices that cover the classic dimensions of sustainability—environmental, economic and social. On a network scale, the results show that municipalities inside the SIZs are 1.594 points more sustainable environmentally, 0.108 economically and 0.068 socially than those of their surroundings. A system for assessment of the sustainability of municipalities (SASMU) may be a useful tool for NP managers, and for local and regional administrations, when setting priorities for policies, projects and compensation for regulatory restrictions related to NPs.

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Assessing the impacts of land use and land cover changes on soil functions using landscape function analysis and soil quality indicators in semi-arid natural ecosystems

CATENA ◽

10.1016/j.catena.2019.02.021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 177 ◽

pp. 260-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mojdeh Safaei ◽

Hossein Bashari ◽

Mohammad Reza Mosaddeghi ◽

Reza Jafari

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Land Cover ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Function Analysis ◽

Land Cover Changes ◽

Soil Functions ◽

Soil Quality Indicators ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Landscape Function ◽

Semi Arid

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Environmental Role of National Parks

Journal of Sustainable Development ◽

10.5539/jsd.v9n1p1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Molla Mekonnen Alemu

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Well Being ◽

Food Sources ◽

Extensive Literature ◽

Spiritual Values ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Weather Events ◽

Access To Food

The natural ecosystems are endangered due to human behavior; the razing of forests is diminishing the world’s oxygen supply and potentially irreplaceable natural resources. Wetlands are being drained, eliminating breeding environments for millions of birds and reproducing grounds for fish; cherished fauna and flora species are being endangered from extinction. Clean water, clean air, access to food sources, buffers of weather events, cultural and spiritual values, and raw materials for consumers, are some of the ecosystem services that ensure the well-being of humanity. Well-managed protected areas are a proven mechanism in the protection and conservation of healthy ecosystems and the services they provide. National Parks are essentially planned to shelter the lasting "wilderness" of a given country and have principally dedicated on the maintenance of extraordinary areas or emblematic species. This paper is aimed at exploring the environmental role of national parks by having an extensive literature review and come up with recommendations which can help the conservation of national parks.

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Preface - The British contribution to the SCOPE Programme on the Ecology of Biological Invasions

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1986.0069 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 314 (1167) ◽

pp. 503-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Keyword(s):

Biological Invasions ◽

National Parks ◽

Mediterranean Climate ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Native Forests ◽

Natural Extensions ◽

Biogeographical Regions ◽

The Subject ◽

Micro Organisms ◽

The Impact

SCOPE, the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment, analyses such problems by means of programmes leading to published reports on the state of knowledge. The meeting reported here was the major British contribution to the SCOPE Programme on the Ecology of Biological Invasions. It is a slightly unusual programme for SCOPE in that the subject is an entirely biological one, and also in that, although most of the problems are caused by invasions induced by man, some can arise as a result of natural extensions of range. Such effects are often acute in ecosystems with a mediterranean climate away from the Mediterranean itself, that is to say in California, South Africa and Australia. These mediterranean zones are in different biogeographical regions, so the organisms native and introduced to them have, in general, no evolutionary experience of each other. Species introduced from one such region to another have frequently spread in semi-natural and natural ecosystems. The SCOPE programme arises from concern about the impact and management of such pests in particular. The preamble to the programme (Anon. 1985) therefore talks about ‘ the introduction of plants, animals and micro-organisms to regions remote from their centres of origin. ’ It goes on to say that the ‘ areas include a wide variety of non-agricultural, non-urban land such as native forests and rangelands, and protected areas like National Parks and Ecological Reserves.’

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