An Introduction to Protected Landscapes

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An Introduction to Protected Landscapes

• Raewyn Peart

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What is landscape?

• Landscape is an interface between nature and
  culture. It reflects
• The consequence of human presence in the natural
  environment and
• The imprint of the natural environment on the
  culture and way of life of residents, past and
  present
• (PHC Lucas, Protected Landscapes, 1992)

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What is landscape (contd)

• The environment we experience the interaction
  of natural resources and peoples needs
• (International Federation of Landscape
  Architects)
• Reading the landscape is like a collage,
  interweaving the patterns of ecology and the
  fragments of history with footprints of the
  personal journey.
• (G Park, Nga Uruora The Groves of Life)

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What is the purpose of protected landscapes?

• To reinforce the positive aspects of the
  people/nature relationship
• Avoid or mitigate negative influences which may
  destroy harmony between people and environment
• Provide opportunities for the public to visit and
  experience the area while enhancing the local
  economy and preserving natural, cultural and
  social values
• (PHC Lucas, Protected Landscapes, 1992)

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Categories of Protected Areas

• Scientific Reserve/Strict Nature Reserve
• National Park
• Natural Monument/Natural Landmark
• Nature Conservation Reserve/Managed
  Reserve/Wildlife Sanctuary
• Protected Landscape or Seascape
• Resource Reserve-Interim Conservation Unit
• Natural Biotic Area/Anthropological Reserve
• Multiple-use Management Areas/Managed Resource
  Areas

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Protected Landscape or Seascape (IUCN Category V)

• Area of land, with coast and sea as appropriate,
  where the interaction of people and nature over
  time has produced an area of distinct character
  with significant aesthetic, ecological and/or
  cultural value, and often with high biological
  diversity.

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Difference between National Parks and Protected
Landscapes

• National Parks
• Extensive natural areas
• Protected from exploitation
• Protected from occupation
• Responsibility of Government
• Land publicly owned

• Protected landscapes
• Outstanding semi-natural landscapes
• In productive use
• Inhabited
• Mainly responsibility of local government
• Land mainly privately owned

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Benefits of Protected Landscapes

• Conserve both wild and agricultural diversity
• Conserve human history alongside nature
• Support and reward stewardship of natural
  resources
• Sustain rural communities
• (Category V Protected Landscapes Task Force)

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Application of Protected Landscapes

• Key conservation management tool in Europe for
  over 50 years, e.g.
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (England
  Wales)
• Regional Nature Parks (France)
• Now widely applied throughout the world, e.g.
• Japan (Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park)
• USA (The Pinelands)
• Poland (Jurassic Landscape Park)

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Protected Landscapes in NZ

• Protection primarily through publicly owned
  national parks, reserves and conservation areas
• Strong emphasis on biodiversity protection
• RMA planning has failed to adequately grasp the
  concept of protected landscapes
• QEII National Trust supports open space covenants
  over private land (1500 covenants registered over
  55,000 ha)

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Conclusions

• The protected landscape concept has been applied
  overseas for many years
• It is a valuable tool for protecting important
  living working landscapes
• It is time to consider its application in New
  Zealand, particularly in areas such as the
  Waitakere Ranges, which would qualify under the
  IUCN definition