Adequacy of coverage of protected areas in Oceania

Abstract

The Question of how much Conservation is enough is one that is almost impossible to answer. There must first be some agreement on basic principles or goals, such as the desirability of preserving the diversity of life on this planet, but even then the specific application of these principles to local situations can raise many complex issues (is feeding hungry children more important than saving an endangered land snail?) Adequacy of protected area coverage may seem very different viewed from a world scientific perspective or from that of a local decision-maker who seeks to balance many different demands. Ultimately decisions on adequacy must be made by each country, although hopefully the needs of the world community will be taken into account. This paper looks at the principles by which adequacy of protected area coverage must be judged, evaluates the present status of conservation action in Oceania, and then develops some goals for protected area development in the region.