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Birds, buffers and bicycles : a review and case study of wetland buffers
journal contribution
posted on 2009-01-01, 00:00 authored by Mike WestonMike Weston, Mark Antos, Hayley GloverWetland buffers separate wetlands from surrounding land uses that are incompatible with wetland values. Buffers are established to fulfil a variety of needs. However, not all functions which are attributed to buffers are mutually compatible. In particular, their use as major recreational zones is not necessarily compatible with reducing disturbance to wetland wildlife, such as birds. This paper examines the buffer around an urban wetland at Altona, Victoria, which is extensively used by recreationists. The presence of a bicycle trail within the buffer might effectively reduce its size and effectiveness, and cause ‘buffer creep’ whereby the effective separation distance between people and birds is reduced. It might also unintentionally facilitate unauthorised access into an otherwise ‘off-limits’ wetland. While social support is critical for wetland conservation, the existence of recreation in buffers does not automatically confer high awareness of local wetlands. The success of buffers as a conservation tool will depend upon setting a clear objective for buffers, careful design and management, and evaluation of effectiveness to optimise the potential benefits for wetlands and their fauna.
History
Journal
Victorian naturalistVolume
126Issue
3Pagination
79 - 86Publisher
Field Naturalists' Club of VictoriaLocation
[Melbourne, Vic.]ISSN
0042-5184Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal; C Journal articleCopyright notice
2009, Field Naturalists Club of VictoriaUsage metrics
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