Local and Regional Strategies of Climate Change - Dirk Hartog

Question 1

What is the return to 1616 project?

Answer 1

This project aims to return the Dirk Hartog Island of the coast of shark bay to how it was before it was first visited by dirk hartog in 1616.

Question 2

What land cover change occured on dirk hartog island?

Answer 2

• Deforestation
• The expansion and intensification of agriculture after sheep and goats were released on the island

Question 3

What did this land cover change cause on DHI? give an example.

Answer 3

soil erosion and degradation, loss of habitat and biodiversity - Dirk Hartog island contained 13 native mammal species - only 3 remained after the introduction of goats, sheep and cats

Question 4

What were the aims of the DHI program?

Answer 4

recover ecosystems, manage the weeds and restore vegetation and habitats

Question 5

How did they achieve the aims of the DHI project? (5 points)

Answer 5

• tracked and removed introduced species
• introducing native species to the island to restore ecosystems
• eradicating or controlling weeds which were displacing natural vegetation
• introducing harsher protection measure
• making it a national part in 2009

Question 6

how did the removal of introduced species benefit DHI?

Answer 6

increased vegetation by 35%

Question 7

What were the social impacts of dirk hartog island strategy?

Answer 7

• development of interactive web-based program for students to get them involved, as well as a news article which gave update which increased community involvement.
• involvement of albany regional prisoners to make boxes for transport of rats and mice - gave them a cert ii in furniture making
• increase in tourism on the island
• agreement with First Nations people to make sure aboriginal heritage is preserved, and an area of land was given to them to teach the culture
• employment opportunities for aboriginal people

Question 8

What are some economic negatives about DHI?

Answer 8

• overall the estimated budget for the project is 16.7 million dollars
• $150 per goat removed
• $10,000 - $20,000 per dog which was used to hunt cats
• Cost of employed personals such as the zoologist, project managers etc.

Question 9

WHat are some environmental positives about the strategies?

Answer 9

• Introduction of 10 native species on to the island, an example is in 2019, 36 dibblers were reintroduced into the island
• The island was also turned into a national park, which protects native animals and allows for tourism.
• Sheep have been eradicated at a rate of 99.9% and goats have been eradicated at 96.9%
• No cats detected in the last 24 months.
• 35% increase in vegetation

Question 10

WHat are some environmental positives about the strategies?

Answer 10

• Introduction of 10 native species on to the island, an example is in 2019, 36 dibblers were reintroduced into the island
• The island was also turned into a national park, which protects native animals and allows for tourism.
• Sheep have been eradicated at a rate of 99.9% and goats have been eradicated at 96.9%
• No cats detected in the last 24 months.
• 35% increase in vegetation

Question 11

Evaluate the return to 1616 project

Answer 11

It was quite effective as there were many environmental and social benefits, however there were a number of economic negatives, to make this more sustainable they could increase tourism or contribute to biodiversity value.

Question 12

What is the wheatbelt and what is occuring there?

Answer 12

It is an agricultural area north of perth, it contributes to 50% of the states agricultural output. Due to the intensification and expansion of agriculture there has been a change in the environment due to the clearing and compacting of land -

Question 13

How much habitat has been lost in the wheatbelt?

Answer 13

70-90%

Question 14

What are the aims of the strategy?

Answer 14

It aims to create a 200 km long green corridor and restore natural vegetation - this will increase wildlife (by increasing habitat and food), it will increase carbon sequestration, increase rainfall and decrease soil salinity.
They are also making more sustainable agriculture - such as using compost as a sustainable fertiliser

Question 15

What are some ways they are achieving these aims?

Answer 15

• aiming to make farming more sustainable (encouraging farmers to use compost, the use of sandalwood to sequester carbon)
• identifying habitats and connecting them to allow species to migrate
• seedling and planting native vegetation (some plants are grown in nurseries prior, that mimic the natural conditions)

Question 16

What are some social benefits to the strategy?

Answer 16

• increases local employment, training and education opportunities through training session (since 2008 over 400 casual jobs have been created - some of which are for indigenous Australians)
• They have partners with eleven local organisations such as WWF and Murdoch University indigenous organisation which find work opportunities for local indigenous residents
  · Through the strategy 5 sites of Indigenous importance have been identified and registered
  · There has been increased community engagement, mental health benefits from connections and the development of new skills and knowledge

Question 17

What are some economic positives to the strategy?

Answer 17

It is estimated that this project has contributed to $63 million dollars in biodiversity value and contributed to $30 million directly into regional economic impact
· Carbon Neutral launched a program whereby people can by carbon credits (planting trees) to offset emissions
· $12.8 million dollar have been invested to the local economy
· There are plans in place for ecotourism

Question 18

What are economic negatives to the strategy>

Answer 18

· The cost to establish trees and sandalwood cost around $4.8 million
· Because the area is remote it may be hard beginning this tourism.

Question 19

What are some environmental benefits to the strategy?

Answer 19

· Increasing vegetation by reforesting areas that have been cleared - 30 million shrubs have been planted (66 native shrubs introduced) - protected for 100 years
· Through this reforestation 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide have been captured.
· The increase in trees can increase evaporation and rainfall and reduce soil salinity - improve ecosystem
· By connecting the habitats this has encourages the migration of animals around the coat to migrate more inland