Thde debate over the hypothetical introduction of the Alberts Lyrebird is a
significant one for those of us concerned with the creation of national parks,
the formation of wildlife corridors and the management of those reserves.
If Tim Low is to be believed the design of national parks in the past was
intentionally to create islands of nature, set apart from the surrounding
countryside, so that outside influences such as feral pests, could be kept to a
minimum. That was not smart conservation, of course, and we are now suffering
the consequences as we scramble to create wildlife corridors in areas long
since degraded. Many National Parks and other natural areas are small, isolated
and have large perimeter boundaries that cause management headaches for all
land managers.
But even worse is that governments still do not take the threat of climate
change seriously and that local extinctions are a probability. Species
migration is not possible for many within these ecosystems and even small
shifts in the balance of nature can directly affect the whole.
For birdwatchers this is important. We could well see many once common birds
disappear, and very quickly.
I do not think translocation is the answer. There are many problems with
genetic movements like this and to move one species in will inevitably impact
on established species ... nature does not create vacuums!
But we can be more proactive in placing pressure on governments to take a more
serious look at the big issues! And that is where our energies should now be
placed.
Brian Everingham
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