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Note: This project was finalised in March 2006 and is updated with new reports as they become available.

Aim and outcome of the study

Guidelines for identification of MPAs

As detailed in the Strategic Plan of Action for the NRSMPA (December 1998) p10.
See the full guidelines at the Deptartment of Environment and Heritage's website.

Representativeness

Will the area:

  • represent one or more ecosystems within an IMCRA bioregion, and to what degree;
  • add to the representativeness of the NRSMPA, and to what degree.

Comprehensiveness

Does the area:

  • add to the coverage of the full range of ecosystems recognised at an appropriate scale within and across each bioregion;
  • add to the comprehensiveness of the NRSMPA.

Ecological importance

Does the area:

  • contribute to the maintenance of essential ecological processes or life-support systems;
  • contain habitat for rare or endangered species;
  • preserve genetic diversity ie is diverse or abundant in species;
  • contain areas on which species or other systems are dependent, eg contain nursery or juvenile areas or feeding, breeding or resting areas for migratory species;
  • contain one or more areas which are a biologically functional, self-sustaining
    ecological unit.


International or national importance

  • Is the area rated, or have the potential to be listed, on the world or a national heritage list or declared as a Biosphere Reserve or subject to an international or national conservation agreement.

Uniqueness

Does the area:

  • contain unique species, populations, communities or ecosystems;
  • contain unique or unusual geographic features.

Productivity

  • Do the species, populations, or communities of the area have a high natural biological productivity.

Vulnerability assessment

  • Are the ecosystems and/or communities vulnerable to natural processes.

Biogeographic importance

  • Does the area capture important biogeographic qualities.

Naturalness

  • How much has the area been protected from, or not been subjected to, human induced change.

[10 December 1998]

Updated: 18/04/11

 
 

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