Indicators for Ecosystem Assessment

Heritage sites on public land (natural)

Department of Sustainability and Environment Department of Primary Industries Heritage sites on public land (natural)

Ecosystem services – Cultural – Educational

An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and the nonliving environment interacting as a functional unit. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. To undertake an integrated assessment of Victorian landscapes, the focus is on linkages between ecosystems and human well-being.

Key messages Rationale for selection Cultural heritage places and objects are a tan- As a consequence of its capacity to structure an integrated gible link to the past. The landscape itself forms assessment of ecosystem services and human well-being, a spiritual and cultural place for many people. A the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework (MA) diversity of natural elements in the landscape, was used to identify social, environmental and economic (e.g. wetlands, old forests, ) are considered indicators that could guide an integrated assessment of of significant value. the condition and trends across a range of Victorian land- scapes (Fitzsimons & Cherry 2008). Indicator definition Cultural heritage places and objects are a tangible link to Heritage can be defined as those things that we value and the past. These irreplaceable resources evoke a strong want to pass from one generation to the next. They may spiritual connection to the past for many people. The be a site, structure, artifact or story and may be natural landscape itself forms a spiritual and cultural heritage or artificial. place for many people and reflects deep spiritual connec- tions to traditional lands or country.

A large part of cultural heritage is associated with the landscape with special features such as historic artefacts, ceremonial sites, traditional hunting or accommodation lands, and unique remnants of historic events. These landscape elements provide a sense of continuity and understanding of our place in the natural environment. Human culture is strongly influenced by ecosystems and any change in them can have an impact on cultural iden- tity and social stability.

Moreover, forests provide a wide range of economic and social benefits to humankind. These include the hosting and protection of sites and landscapes of high cultural, spiritual or recreational value. Maintaining and enhancing cultural function is an integral part of sustainable forest management.

- Indicators for Ecosystem Assessment - Policy context Key related indicators Indicators assist governments to report on environmental To provide an integrated assessment of the dynamic condition and trends. Each indicator provides guidance interactions between people, living organisms and the to strategic Victorian Government documents and this built environment, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment indicator has specific relevance to the following policies framework (MA) seeks to identify changes affecting eco- and strategies: system services and to evaluate their impact on human well­-being (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005). Growing Together (2005) Assessing the condition of ecosystem services and the driv- • Protecting the environment for future generations ers of change requires a range of data and information.

Victoria’s Heritage: It is recommended that you use the following indicators Strengthening Our Communities (2006) to assist in an integrated assessment of landscape condi- • Direction 1: Recognise the richness and diversity of tion and change. Victoria’s cultural and natural heritage • Direction 2: Create new life and a sustainable future Human well-being for well-loved places and objects • Changes in land tenure • Direction 4: Tell Victoria’s stories to the community and visitors Ecosystem services – Provisioning • Forest cover and condition • Index of stream condition

Ecosystem services – Cultural • Recreational usage of forests • Visitors to parks • Heritage sites on public land (indigenous) • Heritage sites on public land (non-indigenous)

Ecosystem services – Supporting • Land use diversity

- Indicators for Ecosystem Assessment - Heritage sites on public land (natural)

Ecosystem services – Cultural – Educational

Statewide analysis There are 17 locations in Victoria on the National Heritage list – those marked (*) below have a more The statewide analysis of condition and trends was under- natural element. taken by scientific experts. • Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape – Tyrendarra Information on sites of natural heritage significance is area* collected, analysed, evaluated and published by various • Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape – Mt Eccles organisations. The process is ongoing. The recognition of Lake Condah area* several categories such as Heritage rivers and catchments, • Royal Exhibition Building National Historic Place Ramsar listed wetlands, and national parks, reflects the • Eureka Stockade Gardens diversity of natural elements in the landscape, which we • Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park* consider of significant value (Figures 1 and 2). The rea- • Glenrowan Heritage Precinct sons for their value are also many and varied. • Newman College • Sidney Myer Music Bowl The Natural Heritage Trust was created in 1997 at a • ICI Building (former)/Orica House national level to help restore and conserve ’s envi- • HMVS Cerberus ronment and natural resources. The Trust’s objectives are • Melbourne Cricket Ground to conserve biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of natural • Point Nepean Defence Sites and Quarantine Station resources and assist community capacity building and Area institutional change. The Trust supplies funds for environ- • Rippon Lea House and Gardens mental activities, supporting management and rehabilita- • Flemington Racecourse tion works in regions across Victoria, which closely align • Grampians National Park (Gariwerd)* with the Catchment Management Authorities. • Yea Flora Fossil Site* • Wharf Heritage Rivers Act 1992 The Heritage Rivers Act 1992 identifies 18 heritage Ramsar wetlands areas and 26 natural catchment areas in Victoria (Table Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity 1 & 2). The Act protects public lands in specific parts of Conservation Act 1999, a Ramsar wetland is either an heritage rivers or river catchment areas, which have sig- Australian wetland on the List of Wetlands of International nificant recreation, nature conservation, scenic, or cultural Importance kept under the Ramsar Convention, or heritage attributes. The Act prohibits some land – and a wetland declared to be a Ramsar wetland by the water – related activities in heritage river areas, including Commonwealth Environment Minister. The Ramsar listed constructing artificial barriers and structures which may wetlands in Victoria are shown in Figure 2. In addition to impact on the passage of water or fauna or significantly the above, there are protection categories for our natural impair the area’s recreation, nature conservation, scenic heritage as defined by threatened species and ecologi- or cultural heritage attributes. The Act also restricts or cal communities under the Environment Protection and prohibits the diversion of water in some areas, some Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. clearing practices, plantation establishments and domes- (see www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/) tic animal grazing. Data quality Data seems to be poorly coordinated at the statewide level. It proved difficult to find anyone responsible for Heritage Rivers for example, other information was gleaned from various sources.

- Indicators for Ecosystem Assessment - Figure 1. National and state parks of Victoria 2007 (Source: DSE/DPI CGDL)

- Indicators for Ecosystem Assessment - Heritage sites on public land (natural)

Ecosystem services – Cultural – Educational

Figure 2. Natural heritage sites - RAMSAR wetlands and heritage rivers of Victoria (Source: DSE/DPI CGDL)

- Indicators for Ecosystem Assessment - Table 1. Victorian heritage river areas and natural catchment areas as indentified by theHeritage Rivers Act 1992

Mitta Mitta River Heritage Area Heritage Area Heritage Area Big River Heritage Area Heritage Area River Heritage Area Heritage Area Bemm, Goolengook, Arte and Errinundra Rivers Heritage Area Heritage Area Suggan Buggan and Berrima Rivers Heritage Area Upper Heritage Area Mitchell and Wonnangatta Rivers Heritage Area Heritage Area Heritage Area Heritage Area Heritage Area Heritage Area Heritage Area

Table 2. Natural Catchment Areas as indentified by theHeritage Rivers Act 1992

East and Coastal Stream Catchment Area and Mountain Creek Catchment Area Catchment Area O’Shannassy River Catchment Area Log Bridge Creek Catchment Area Mount Tabor Creek Catchment Area Banimboola Creek Catchment Area Devils Creek Catchment Area Yarrarabula Creek Catchment Area Long Jack Creek Catchment Area Williams Creek Catchment Area Double Creek Catchment Area Genoa River Tributary Catchment Area Winnot Creek Catchment Area Errinundra River Catchment Area Gattamurh Creek Catchment Area Wallaby Creek Catchment Area Mount Gelantipy Creek Catchment Area Musk Creek Catchment Area Catchment Area Stony Creek Catchment Area Catchment Area Blue Rag Creek Catchment Area Pinnacle Creek Catchment Area Punchen Creek Catchment Area Mount Vereker Creek Catchment Area

- Indicators for Ecosystem Assessment - Heritage sites on public land (natural)

Ecosystem services – Cultural – Educational

References Fitzsimons PJ, Cherry D (2008) Placing people at the centre of landscape assessment. In ‘Landscape analysis and visualisation: spatial models for natural resource management and planning.’ (Eds. C Pettit, W Cartwright, I Bishop, K Lowell, D Pullar, D Duncan) pp. 277–304 (Springer: Berlin).

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Series (Island Press: Washington DC, USA).

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment & Department of Primary Industries Melbourne, August 2008. © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment & Department of Primary Industries 2008. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 Australia.

ISBN 978-1-74217-021-3

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