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What are the policy priorities for sustaining ecological processes? A case study from Victoria, Australia
Author(s) -
McGregor Ann,
Coffey Brian,
Deutsch Carrie,
Wescott Geoff,
Robinson Jim
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
ecological management and restoration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.472
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1442-8903
pISSN - 1442-7001
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2011.00598.x
Subject(s) - environmental resource management , ecosystem services , government (linguistics) , ecological systems theory , biodiversity , process (computing) , ecology , environmental planning , legislature , function (biology) , business , ecosystem , geography , environmental science , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , evolutionary biology , computer science , biology , operating system
Summary Developments in ecological theory indicate that ecological processes have major implications for sustaining biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services. Consequently, conservation actions that focus solely on particular species, vegetation communities, habitats or sites (‘assets’) are unlikely to be effective over the long term unless the ecological processes that support them continue to function. Efforts to sustain biodiversity must embrace both ‘assets’ and ‘process‐oriented’ approaches. Existing knowledge about ecological processes, incomplete though it is, has not been adequately considered in government decision making. It is, therefore, necessary to consider how to build consideration of ecological processes into legislative and institutional frameworks, policy and planning processes, and on‐ground environmental management. Drawing on insights from interviews, a facilitated workshop, and a literature review, this paper identifies a suite of policy priorities and associated reforms which should assist in ensuring that ecological processes are given more attention in policy‐making processes. It is concluded that a multi‐pronged approach is required, because there are no ‘silver bullets’ for sustaining ecological processes.