Over the past thirty years since the Great Barrier Reef was recognised as a World Heritage Site, it has been estimated that coral cover has declined by over 50%. Today, a lethal cocktail of climate change, ocean acidification and coastal development threatens the conservation and preservation of the Great Barrier Reef for both present and future generations. Despite this outlook, the Australian Government has approved plans for a project, colloquially described by environmental organisations as the “world's biggest coal port”, to be built adjacent to the World Heritage Site. This development at Abbot Point, and the associated construction of new coal mines in the Galilee Basin, will facilitate the release of an additional 900 Million tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum. As well as contributing to climate change, the dredging required for this project will also have an immediate, direct impact on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, yet marine scientists contend that the long-term effects of this dredging activity remain unclear. This factual background raises the question as to whether international biodiversity law offers adequate protection to the Great Barrier Reef. To address this question, two further questions must be asked. First, as two major pillars within international biodiversity law, are the Australian Government in breach of their obligations to protect and conserve the Great Barrier Reef under both the World Heritage Convention (WHC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and secondly, are there adequate enforcement mechanisms under both Conventions?
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is 344 400 square kilometres in size and is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. This comprehensive guide describes the organisms and ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the biological, chemical and physical processes that influence them. Contemporary pressing issues such as climate change, coral bleaching, coral disease and the challenges of coral reef fisheries are also discussed. In addition,the book includes a field guide that will help people to identify the common animals and plants on the reef, then to delve into the book to learn more about the roles the biota play. Beautifully illustrated and with contributions from 33 international experts, The Great Barrier Reef is a must-read for the interested reef tourist, student, researcher and environmental manager. While it has an Australian focus, it can equally be used as a baseline text for most Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Winner of a Whitley Certificate of Commendation for 2009.
Overview of the history and management of the world's largest marine park and first marine-based World Heritage area, the Great Barrier Reef. Traces the park's history from its inception during the environmental activism of the 60s and 70s, through its recognition as a World Heritage site, to the current operations of the Marine Park Authority. Includes discussion of the past and current issues that affect the area such as development, fishing, native title, water quality and the explosion in tourism. Includes colour photos, references and index. Lawrence is an anthropologist who has managed environmental projects with the Marine Park authority. Kenchington, who is a marine scientist, and Woodley, a geographer, were part of the team that established the current GBRMP zoning and management plan.
'Humanity has been gambling for generations with the extent to which it can degrade nature and continue to prosper. Now the environmental debt is being called in and the ability of international diplomacy and law, government policy and political will to deal with the issues is being tested. Conservation, Biodiversity and International Law is a must read for any practitioner in the high-stakes business of restoring our ability to live in harmony with the natural world that sustains us.' – Alastair Morrison, Department of Conservation, New Zealand 'Biodiversity is the cornerstone of life – our plants, animals, and ecosystems are essential for livelihoods and have shaped our culture and traditions around the world. However our precious biodiversity is at risk as never before. Global targets to reduce biodiversity loss have not been met and we continue to lose biodiversity at an unprecedented rate. In fact we are currently in the middle of an extinction crisis and scientists have advised that one species from our planet is being lost every 38 minutes! The nature of this crisis and the actions taken to address it are clearly and articulately put forward in this landmark book by Professor Al Gillespie. This book is particularly useful in documenting the many policy and legal actions that have been taken to address these issues, and how the application of these instruments can be improved. Although focused on the law, the book covers a range of disciplines including science, philosophy and policy which lay the foundation for international law. This book makes a major and highly valued contribution to the disciple of environmental law and policy and is an invaluable reference for policy makers, practitioners and academic audiences.' – David Sheppard, CEO of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) 'This book is written by a prominent and influential scholar who also has the benefit of first hand knowledge of practical working of environmental regimes, having participated in several important negotiations. Gillespie's monograph therefore stands out among other publications on the subject of conservation, combining thoughtful and scholarly approach to issues raised with un-parallel insights into the working of environmental law and the conservation of biodiversity. The book is very original in its presentation of this subject, especially in the selection of topics and the approach which is not only legal but also scientific, philosophical and political. This book is evidence of the great erudition of the author not only in the field of conservation but also in international environmental law and general international law, an example of which can be his analysis of the precautionary principle, trade and a very complex issue of the exception for indigenous peoples and science. Mention also must be made of his detailed approach to various multilateral treaty regimes such as Ramsar Convention and the World Heritage Convention. Gillespie wrote an exceptional book which is a must for international layers, both practitioners and scholars. It is a thought-provoking, very well researched and original monograph, which due to its all- encompassing approach will retain its importance for a very long period of time.' – Malgosia Fitzmaurice, Queen Mary, University of London, UK 'A major work: this book provides a comprehensive picture of the international legal challenges of natural heritage conservation. Truly an indispensable tool for policy-makers, experts and students. The book offers a complete guide to the complex world of treaties that regulate conservation at the global scale.' – Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture This important and timely book provides a rigorous overview of the defining issues presently facing conservation at international level. The author provides detailed coverage of topics ranging from the classification of species right through to access and benefit sharing, drawing on his personal experience at intergovernmental level. Each question is examined through the prism of dozens of treaties and hundreds of decisions and resolutions of the key multilateral regimes, and the law in each area is supplemented by the necessary considerations of science politics and philosophy – providing much-needed context for the reader. Combining expert scholarship and first-hand insight, Conservation, Biodiversity and International Law will be an invaluable resource for researchers and practitioners in international environmental law, as well as providing an accessible guide for students.
The central aim of this publication is to consider the key elements of a modern, comprehensive, and effective legal framework for successful management of protected areas. They provide practical guidance for all those involved in developing, improving, or reviewing national legislation on protected areas, be they legal drafters and practitioners, protected area managers, interested NGOs, or scholars. These guidelines include fifteen case studies, eight dealing with the protected area legislation of individual countries and six cases dealing with specific sites providing fundamental solutions that stand the test of time.
IUCN's Protected Areas Management Categories, which classify protected areas according to their management objectives, are today accepted as the benchmark for defining, recording, and classifying protected areas. They are recognized by international bodies such as the United Nations as well as many national governments. As a result, they are increasingly being incorporated into government legislation. These guidelines provide as much clarity as possible regarding the meaning and application of the Categories. They describe the definition of the Categories and discuss application in particular biomes and management approaches.
The IUCN Academy of Environmental Law Research Studies' third colloquium of 2005 brought together more than 130 experts from 27 nations on nearly every continent. This book brings together a number of the papers presented there and offers a global perspective on biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of sustainable cultures. It addresses issues from international, regional, and country-specific perspectives. The book is organized thematically to present a broad spectrum of issues, including the history and major governance structures in this area; the needs, problems, and prerequisites for biodiversity; area-based, species-based, and ecosystem-based conservation measures; the use of components of biodiversity and the processes affecting it; biosecurity; and access to and sharing of benefits from components of biodiversity and their economic value.
Provides synthesis of current scientific knowledge on coral reef resilience and resistance to bleaching, and highlights resilience and resistance factors and some knowledge gaps. Discusses tools and strategies to enhance resilience, including the use of well-designed networks of marine protected areas and integrated coastal management.
