Ecological and Cultural Understanding as a Basis for Management of a Globally Significant Island Landscape

Abstract

Islands provide the opportunity to explore management regimes and research issues related to the isolation, uniqueness, and integrity of ecological systems. K’gari (Fraser Island) is an Australian World Heritage property listed based on its outstanding natural value, specifically, the unique wilderness characteristics and the diversity of ecosystem types. Our goal was to draw on an understanding of the natural and cultural environment of K’gari as a foundation on which to build a management model that includes First Nations Peoples in future management and research. Our research involved an analysis of papers in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, original reports, letters, and other manuscripts now housed in the K’gari Fraser Island Research Archive. The objectives of the research were: (1) to review key historical events that form the cultural, social, and environmental narrative; (2) review the major natural features of the island and threats; (3) identify the gaps in research; (4) analyse the management and conservation challenges associated with tourism, biosecurity threats, vegetation management practices, and climate change and discuss whether the requirements for sustaining island ecological integrity can be met in the future; and (5) identify commonalities and general management principles that may apply globally to other island systems and other World Heritage sites listed on the basis of their unique natural and cultural features. We found that the characteristics that contribute to island uniqueness are also constraints for research funding and publication; however, they are important themes that warrant more investment. Our review suggests that K’gari is a contested space between tourist visitation and associated environmental impacts, with an island that has rich First Nations history, extraordinary ecological diversity, and breathtaking aesthetic beauty. This juxtaposition is reflected in disparate views of custodianship and use, and the management strategies are needed to achieve multiple objectives in an environmentally sustainable way whilst creating cultural equity in modern times. We offer a foundation on which to build a co-management model that includes First Nations Peoples in governance, management, research, and monitoring.

Trouble in paradise: When two species of conservation and cultural value clash, causing a management conundrum

“…Further details on the nature of the study site can be found in Wardell-Johnson et al (2015) and Walker et al (2022).…”

“…Many indigenous people across Australia have a long and shared history and strong affinity for dingoes (Hytten, 2009; Koungoulos, 2021; Rose, 2000; Smith & Litchfield, 2009), including Butchulla people (Carter et al., 2017; Phoenix‐O'Brien, 2002). Contemporary society also highly values dingoes (Van Eeden et al., 2020), and those on K'gari are a major drawcard for over 400,000 tourists visiting the island each year (Thompson et al., 2003; Walker et al., 2022). Dingoes on the island are also a genetically distinct population (Conroy et al., 2017, 2021), and a substantial amount of resources and funding are devoted to conserving and protecting K'gari dingoes (Behrendorff, 2021; Tapply, 2018).…”