A scheme for assessment of the nature conservation value of wetlands.

Abstract

A scheme for the assessment of the relative nature conservation value of wetlands was developed for a study of the regional value of the wetlands of the Tomaree Peninsula at Pon Stephens, NSW (Shonland Wetlands Centre 1988). The scheme involves the use of a decison tree using special features, representativeness, alteration and vegetation/habitat as the main attributes, with the rating for vegetation/habitat being determined using a number of parameters. Separate vegetation/habitat rating processes were developed for estuarine and freshwater dunal wetlands, both of which occurred in the Tomaree Peninsula study area. It is not intended that this assessment scheme be considered as definitive, but rather as an example developed for a specific purpose. It is presented here only to encourage continuing discussion on the subject. An alternative approach to the assessment of the conservation priorities of wetlands is also briefly discussed.