Biodiversity and Community Values
of the Ravensthorpe Range

 Technical Report on Biodiversity and Resource Use Stakeholder Values for the Ravensthorpe Range Project

Funded by South Coast Natural Resource Management (Inc)

Implemented by Curtin University of Technology

The Ravensthorpe Range has been described as a biodiversity hotspot falling within a biodiversity hotspot. Scientists have identified 34 places of exceptional biodiversity globally and the south coast of Western Australia is one of them.

A biodiversity hotspot is exceptional because of the high number of species, high number of unique plants not found elsewhere (endemic), and the large number of threats to which it is exposed. For example salinity and vegetation clearing.

In addition to its high biodiversity values, the Range is also recognised as having many other values, such as its various recreational uses, tourism, mineral exploration and mining and the scenic landscape of Ravensthorpe. South Coast Natural Resource Management (Inc) has contracted Curtin University of Technology to undertake research into the Biodiversity and Community Values of the Ravensthorpe Range.

The aim of the Ravensthorpe Range Biodiversity and Community Values project is to produce a baseline report which can then be used as a source of information for future land use and resource planning for the Range. The main parts of the project include:

• Assessing and documenting the biodiversity and biological values of the Range;
• Consulting with the community about their values and uses of the Range;
• Analysing the relationship between the biodiversity data and community values and how this impacts on the Range.

The first part of the project, the biodiversity assessment of the Range will be completed by bringing together existing available data. The second aspect of the project, the community values of the Range, will be conducted through a community survey which will gather information on the values the community associates with the Range. This will be completed in late November 2007.

More information will be distributed about the the community values survey in the coming weeks, and the bringing together of these aspects in consultation with local expertise/knowledge will be the subject of a forum to be held in early 2008 which will be the final part of the project. The project is expected to be completed by mid 2008.

The team from Curtin University, includes both social and environmental scientists. The project team will be based in Perth but will be working in and around the Ravensthorpe Shire area, throughout the project. The Curtin team has recently undertaken an initial field trip to the Range, and is currently raising awareness about the project. The Curtin team looks forward to working with the community of the Ravensthorpe Shire and discussing their thoughts and values of the Range.

If you have any questions about the project or the process, please contact Charmaine Williams, Project Coordinator by telephone 08 9266 7372 or by email strongercommunities@curtin.edu.au

This web page will be updated with more information about the project in the coming weeks.