strategy
Protecting indigenous habitats
Description:
Protecting indigenous habitats and their biological diversity by: a) maintaining and enhancing the net area of remaining indigenous forests and enhancing the ecological integrity of other remaining indigenous ecosystems; and b) promoting the conservation and sustainable management of biological diversity so that the quality of indigenous and productive ecosystems is maintained or enhanced. Context:
Indigenous vegetation has been defined as that vegetation which evolved to a large extent within a country, and hence existed here before the first human settlement.Indigenous species are mainly conserved through in situ conservation. Sites range from national parks and reserves and local government parks and reserves, through to sites of remnant vegetation on private land, often with no formal protection.
Implementation:
During the 1980s and early 1990s, New Zealand protected significant areas of indigenous forest, or required its sustainable management. More effective protection is now possible for wetlands and many other lowland habitats under the provisions of the Resource Management Act. Broader:
Conserving wildlife habitatDeveloping indigenous resourcesProtecting indigenous biodiversity Narrower:
Promoting indigenous treesPreserving old growth forestsGrowing native landscape plantsDeveloping inclusive water resourcesChoosing indigenous breeds for developmentInvolving local people in water managementIncorporating sustainable indigenous management systems for land resources Facilitates:
Creating wildlife habitatsHarvesting local tree varietiesHarvesting native fauna and flora for foodSearching for plants with medical properties Facilitated by:
Valuing indigenous resourcesMonitoring critical habitat statusConcluding habitat preservation agreementsProducing declaration on habitat preservationResearching ecological effects of climate changeStrengthening traditional sustainable agricultureIntegrating indigenous knowledge on natural resourcesEstablishing a database for indigenous livestock breedsUsing traditional knowledge for agrobiodiversity conservationStrengthening role of indigenous communities for sustainable development Problems:
Destruction of wildlife habitatsSubjects:
Geography → WildSociety → Minority, indigenous groups
Societal Problems → Protection
Type Classification:
E: Emanations of other strategies