Geodiversity of the South Coast Region, New South Wales
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University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health - Honours Theses University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2012 Geodiversity of the South Coast Region, New South Wales Michelle Grierson University of Wollongong Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/thsci University of Wollongong Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorise you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the author. Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. 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For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Geodiversity of the South Coast Region, New South Wales Abstract The South Coast Region National Parks and Wildlife Service encompasses a range of geodiversity features. This research project was developed in conjunction with staff from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and addresses whether conservation of geodiversity is adequately covered within the South Coast Region NPWS Plans of Management (PoM) and existing reserve system. Results gained through a systematic review of 27 reserves PoM revealed that geodiversity is not mentioned, and what is discussed in relation to geodiversity is inadequate when compared to the level of attention paid to biodiversity. In depth acknowledgement of geodiversity and its conservation within Plans of Management is required in order to improve the conservation of geodiversity within the existing reserve system. The existing reserve system only covers 33% of all documented geosites within the region, with 67% lying outside of reserve boundaries. It is essential for NPWS to assess and plan for the management of sites across the wider landscape, and not just within the reserve system. A major finding is the need to undertake a geological survey of the entire region and include all geosites of significance within one location, such as a corporate NPWS geodiversity database. A Geodiversity Site Assessment Technique (GSAT) was created to objectively and systematically assess the inherent value of individual geosites in terms of scientific, economic and cultural importance. The development of a comprehensive site assessment technique such as the GSAT provides important information on geosites and could guide future management strategies that will adequately conserve geodiversity within the South Coast Region. Degree Type Thesis Degree Name Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) Department School of Earth & Environmental Science Advisor(s) Solomon Buckman Keywords geoconservation, geoheritage, geosite, National Parks Illawarra This thesis is available at Research Online: https://ro.uow.edu.au/thsci/40 Geodiversity of the South Coast Region, New South Wales By Michelle Grierson A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of HONOURS BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM FACULTY OF SCIENCE THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG October 2012 The information in this thesis is entirely the result of investigations conducted by the author, unless otherwise acknowledged, and has not been submitted in part, or otherwise, for any other degree or qualification. Michelle Grierson ii Abstract The South Coast Region National Parks and Wildlife Service encompasses a range of geodiversity features. This research project was developed in conjunction with staff from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and addresses whether conservation of geodiversity is adequately covered within the South Coast Region NPWS Plans of Management (PoM) and existing reserve system. Results gained through a systematic review of 27 reserves PoM revealed that geodiversity is not mentioned, and what is discussed in relation to geodiversity is inadequate when compared to the level of attention paid to biodiversity. In depth acknowledgement of geodiversity and its conservation within Plans of Management is required in order to improve the conservation of geodiversity within the existing reserve system. The existing reserve system only covers 33% of all documented geosites within the region, with 67% lying outside of reserve boundaries. It is essential for NPWS to assess and plan for the management of sites across the wider landscape, and not just within the reserve system. A major finding is the need to undertake a geological survey of the entire region and include all geosites of significance within one location, such as a corporate NPWS geodiversity database. A Geodiversity Site Assessment Technique (GSAT) was created to objectively and systematically assess the inherent value of individual geosites in terms of scientific, economic and cultural importance. The development of a comprehensive site assessment technique such as the GSAT provides important information on geosites and could guide future management strategies that will adequately conserve geodiversity within the South Coast Region. iii Acknowledgements I must first extend my most sincere thanks to my thesis supervisors, Solomon Buckman and Rowena Morris, for your enthusiasm with this project, your technical help and feedback and your invaluable insights. I am extremely grateful and this project would not have happened without your help. Also thanks to my industry supervisor, Phil Craven, for providing a wealth of information on the National Parks and Wildlife Service and advice throughout this project. Thank you must also go to Armstrong Osborne, for going out of his way to help with this project. Armstrong provided an extremely important database used within this project and also photocopied countless pages of documents and journals to assist with increasing my knowledge of geodiversity. Thank you immensely. Thank you also to Heidi Brown, for your statistical analysis genius and increasing my knowledge of ArcGIS. To my amazing uni friends who went through this with me, in particular Maddie, Melissa, and Ronni. I would have been completely lost without being able to chat with the three of you. It makes things a lot easier when you have others close to you knowing exactly how you’re feeling. Finally, thank you to my family. Your encouragement and support throughout this year was always appreciated, even if you may not have known it at times. iv Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... xi List of Tables .......................................................................................................................... xiv 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction to Geodiversity ................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose of the study ............................................................................................... 2 1.3 Study objectives ....................................................................................................... 3 2. Review of Geodiversity ................................................................................................ 3 2. 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Origin of the Term ................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Geodiversity, geoconservation, geoheritage and geotourism .................................. 4 2.3.1 Geodiversity ..................................................................................................... 5 2.3.2 Geosites ............................................................................................................ 5 2.3.3 Geoconservation ..............................................................................................