Wilderness information systems for education : a proposed management framework.
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Date
2004
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Abstract
South Africa's well-established history of formally protected areas has resulted in it
becoming a global leader in resource conservation and a pioneer of new management
techniques. Roughly thirty years ago, South Africa became one of the earliest countries
in the world to legislatively recognise wilderness. Since the first wilderness areas were
designated, use and management issues have become increasingly complex as managers
strive to balance the biological and social values of wilderness areas. Consequently, it is
imperative that management techniques and strategies evolve to preserve wilderness
values and resources in South Africa.
Wilderness visitor education and information programs are a critical part of an effective
wilderness management strategy. To ensure that wilderness education and information
systems are inclusive and able to evolve over time three elements are needed. A
management framework must be in place to ensure that a system-wide approach is
established and maintained. Once a system-wide framework is established, wilderness
education and information systems can be inventoried and monitored against established
management goals. This information can then be used to continually refine and improve
wilderness information and education systems as they evolve through increased
understanding of use and management Issues. Lastly, increased wilderness-specific
research and continued testing of current research in the South African context is needed,
to ensure that management strategies stay relevant and adaptive. These adaptive
management strategies will serve as the foundation for wider coordination of wilderness
management and research at the provincial and national levels, further developing South
Africa's leadership role in protected area management in Africa and the global
community.
Description
Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
Keywords
Wilderness areas--KwaZulu-Natal--Management., Wilderness areas--KwaZulu-Natal--Recreational use--Study and teaching., Wildlife mangement--KwaZulu-Natal., Environmental education--Activity programmes--KwaZulu-Natal., Wildlife-related recreation--KwaZulu-Natal--Study and teaching., Theses--Environmental science.