Julian Clifton

Planning for Sustainable Ecotourism: The Case for Research Ecotourism in Developing Country Destinations

Research ecotourism is a relatively new component of activities within the ecotourism industry, providing research opportunities for visitors focusing on aspects of the natural environment which are principally located in developing countries. This paper is directed towards identifying the nature and causes of socio-cultural impacts of this strand of ecotourism using a case study from Indonesia. The positive nature of socio-cultural impacts perceived by host communities alongside the irregular nature of economic benefits to host communities is analogous with the altruistic surplus theory of individual recognition of communal benefits. Certain characteristics of research ecotourists are identified as contributing towards host reactions towards visitors which reinforce the contention that this is a desirable form of ecotourism in similar locations.

Prospects for co-management in Indonesia's marine protected areas

This paper uses the case study of a recently designated marine protected area (MPA) in Indonesia to demonstrate the range of institutional and cultural obstacles which hinder effective resource management and which serve to highlight the suitability of collaborative approaches to management. The study explores the implications of recent constitutional reform in this regard and presents evidence supporting the case for enhanced efforts to promote co-management of Indonesias MPAs.

An investigation into the efficiency of particle size separation using Stokes’ Law

The accuracy of gravimetric fractionation as a means of obtaining size fractions from marine sediments has been explored. Analysis of the particle size distribution and sediment properties of fractions obtained using this method was undertaken. This has highlighted the extent to which experimental artefacts rather than variations in sediment characteristics may adversely affect the efficiency of the fractionation process.

Science, funding and participation: key issues for marine protected area networks and the Coral Triangle Initiative

The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) in south-east Asia offers a new opportunity to address marine conservation in this global biodiversity hotspot. This commentary offers an analysis of the concept of networked marine protected areas (MPAs) which form the cornerstone of this agenda. Attention is drawn to the value of the scientific rationale for implementing such a network, along with the ability for component MPAs to be self-financing and managed in accordance with local environmental conditions and the needs of resident communities. It is concluded that the current model of MPA networks as represented in the CTI needs to build upon existing MPA practices, recognize the varied socioeconomic, political and environmental characteristics of the region and adopt an adaptive approach to MPA implementation if it is to offer genuine prospects for conservation.

Culture, Conservation, and Conflict: Perspectives on Marine Protection Among the Bajau of Southeast Asia

Conservation programs in developing countries emphasize the need for participatory and collaborative approaches to resource management. While indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities are frequently perceived as allies of conservation efforts, their inclusion in these initiatives remains a problematic process. The Bajau, an indigenous group of southeast Asia, are highly dependent upon marine resources and constitute a key stakeholder group with regard to current international conservation activities in this region of high marine biodiversity. In this article, we explore various cultural and socioeconomic attributes of Bajau society that inform their views of the environment. These are shown to be grounded in a specific worldview reflecting socioeconomic status, perceptions of environmental causality, and spiritual belief systems. Until such views are recognized and integrated into resource management initiatives, we argue that groups such as the Bajau will continue to occupy a peripheral role in conservation, thereby undermining these policies and programs.

Relationships Between Radionuclide Content and Textural Properties in Irish Sea Intertidal Sediments

Intertidal sediments from a range of depositional environments in the eastern Irish Sea have been analysed with regard to their radionuclide content, particle size distribution and magnetic properties. Concentrations of241Am and137Cs are highly influenced by the abundance of sediment finer than 32μm in fine-grained sedimentary environments, whilst radionuclide activity in coarser sediments is less dependent on particle size. Investigation of the magnetic properties of these sediments highlights a similar association between this size fraction and magnetic remanence, the latter being shown to offer strong potential as a grain size proxy in monitoring137Cs concentrations in fine-grained sediments. Analysis of particle size fractions indicates the extent to which137Cs may be enriched in the clay size fractions of both tine and coarse sediments.

Marine Conservation in the Azores: Evaluating Marine Protected Area Development in a Remote Island Context

In the Archipelago of the Azores, over 110,000 km2 of marine areas presently benefit from some form of protection, including a suite of coastal habitats, offshore areas, seamounts, hydrothermal vents and large parcels of mid-ocean ridge. These areas are integrated in the recently established network of marine protected areas (MPAs), which stands as the cornerstone of Azorean marine conservation policies. This article describes and analyses the process of MPA establishment in the Azores and the current network of protected areas. Three phases of MPA development are identified, progressing from individual MPA establishment with little scientific support in the 1980s, the increasing scope of scientific research during the 1990s under European Union initiatives and the gradual implementation of an MPA network in the 2000s. Expert critical evaluation of the contemporary situation demonstrates that this network must be integrated within a wider regional marine management strategy, with MPA success being contingent upon the implementation of management plans, appropriate enforcement and monitoring, and bridging gaps in scientific knowledge.

Funding and Facilitation: implications of changing government policy for the future of voluntary Landcare groups in Western Australia

Abstract Landcare groups in Australia work to increase biodiversity, eliminate invasive species and promote sustainable land-use practices. With the implementation of the Rudd governments ‘Caring for our Country’ policy during 2008–09, financial and organisational resources available to these groups diminished. This paper examines whether the National Landcare Programs initial intentions—that agency support could be provided to ‘kick-start’ the community groups into action with the Landcare groups quickly becoming independent bodies—are ultimately realistic. The results show that the majority of Landcare groups continue to be reliant on government-sourced funding and Landcare facilitators, and that those groups which do not have access to support have reduced their activity levels accordingly. Landcare groups were suffering from a reduced volunteer base, with static or decreasing numbers of participants, an inability to set regular meetings and a lack of volunteers to take up leadership positions. The reliance of Landcare groups on government support suggests that Landcare was an unsuccessful form of state-sponsored community participation, making Landcare groups similar to other volunteer organisations in terms of their functional characteristics and reliance on externally sourced funds.

Compensation, conservation and communities: An analysis of direct payments initiatives within an Indonesian marine protected area

Conservation practitioners are increasingly faced with the need to compensate resource users because of restrictions imposed on access and use of natural resources. The idea that direct payments may facilitate compensation more effectively than a programme based upon income substitution is questioned through examining two direct payments initiatives in an Indonesian marine national park. Elite capture of the direct payments process was facilitated in a context characterized by malleable state institutions and powerful private business interests, thereby disadvantaging key resource-dependent groups. The ecological benefits of direct payments initiatives and of protected areas were compromised through the emphasis on business priorities rather than environmental criteria. These difficulties were mitigated through taking account of existing practices regarding resource access, ensuring equal distribution of benefits and introducing new systems gradually over a period of time through trusted individuals, thereby facilitating the acceptance of direct payments initiatives amongst key user groups.

Assessing postgraduate student perceptions and measures of learning in a peer review feedback process

Peer review feedback, developed to assist students with increasing the quality of group reports and developing peer review skills, was added to a master’s level Climate Change Policy and Planning unit. A pre- and post-survey was conducted to determine whether students found the process a valuable learning opportunity: 87% of students responding to the post-review survey indicated they saw benefit in both developing and receiving peer review feedback. Peer review design minimising the potential for plagiarism resulted in low levels of student concern surrounding plagiarism. Marks allocated by students were valid (consistent with the lecturer) and were generally reliable; however, distribution of marks had a higher variance where group report quality was low. Training on completing the peer review template could result in more reliable feedback. Consistent with the literature, the feedback developed during the peer review process focused on style and presentation preferentially to content. Seven out of eight group reports improved between report submissions, with all groups responding to peer review feedback. Peer review feedback and changes made to group reports indicated students had limited capacity to judge the quality of referencing and critical analysis.