Applying ecological theory for conservation management

TY - JOUR

T1 - Applying ecological theory for conservation management

AU - Fazey, I.

AU - McQuie, A.

N1 - Applying conservation theory in natural areas management Ioan Fazey1 & Andy McQuie2 1Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Email: [email protected]. 2Parks & Wildlife Division, NSW Dept. of Environment and Conservation, PO Box 39, Coonabarabran 2357, Australia Key words: conservation theory, ecological theory, conservation management. Introduction Theory is essential for effective conservation because it helps people understand the complexity of the real world by providing a summary of the way that some part of it works. Conservation theory can be theory that: (1) summarises our knowledge about how the biophysical and biological world works (ecological theory); (2) summarises our knowledge about how the natural world works when influenced directly or indirectly by humans (conservation-specific ecological theory); or that (3) is derived from non-biological disciplines, such as economics or business management, which is directly applied to achieve conservation outcomes (Fazey 2005). Scientists need theory to generate questions and hypotheses, build frameworks of understanding, design studies, integrate different types of information, and help them understand ecological processes (Picket et al. 1994). Practitioners need theory to help them build a picture of how the world operates, guide their actions and help them understand how the results of those actions fit within the context of the problem they are addressing. Conservation has been criticised for not basing its science on theory (e.g. With 1997) and for not providing theory that is useful to practitioners (e.g. Hobbs 1997; see also discussion about validity versus usefulness of conservation theory in Fazey 2005). A starting point to addressing some of these issues is to begin to (1) determine how conservation theory is applied and (2) the possible constraints to this process. This paper therefore explores these questions by interviewing staff of the Environment Protection and Regulation Division, Department of Environment and Conservation in New South Wales, Australia (referred to herein as DEC).

PY - 2005

Y1 - 2005

U2 - 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2005.230-6.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2005.230-6.x

M3 - Article

SN - 1442-8903

VL - 6

SP - 147

EP - 149

JO - Ecological Management and Restoration

JF - Ecological Management and Restoration

IS - 2

ER -