Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1975

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Forestry

Major Professor

Kerry F. Schell

Committee Members

Edward R. Buckner, Michael R. Pelton

Abstract

The major objectives of this study were to identify those factors that have contributed to the success of state natural area programs. The study was directed toward state programs that have been legislatively enacted and is intended to benefit state administrators of new programs and those interested in the establishment of such programs. Main sources of information were documents furnished by state natural areas administrators and managers, enabling legislation for these systems, and correspondence and inter-views with professionals associated with federal and state natural areas. In developing a natural areas philosophy, the history and concepts of the natural areas movement were presented. Only recently has society recognized the scientific, educa-tional and recreational values of such areas. The U. S. Forest Service has been setting aside tracts of land for scientific and educational reasons since the 1920's. In the last 25 years state and private organizations have become increasingly involved, and state programs now number over 30. Although areas set aside for scientific and educational reasons are commonly referred to as nature preserves or natu-ral areas, the term ecological reserves is suggested because of the broader concepts associated with its use. It was determined that to date, Illinois had developed the best approach for the establishment of an ecological re-serve system. Its legislation recognizes most of the criteria used to define ecological reserves. Reserves are established primarily for their educational and scientific value, as refugium for rare species, and secondly, as recreational areas. Inventories of prospective ecological reserves have been or are presently being conducted in most states with natural area programs. In order to standardize evaluation of prospective areas, criteria have been established for their identification and selection. Ranking schemes are used in the selection of reserves, but the true meaning of derived scores and their tendency to mask distinguishing character-istics restrict their usefulness. Management efforts on ecological reserves have been limited because of a lack of funding and experience. They include complete protection, simulation or maintenance of natural disturbance, restoration of ecosystems, and the maintenance of man-dominated ecosystems. Legislative protection is needed for areas of educa-tional and scientific interest. Legislation that recognizes the conditions for ecological reserves, their purpose, and specific management goals is more likely to be successful. In order to insure that a future state system includes areas that best exemplify phenomena of interest, a detailed inven-tory of potential areas must be conducted. Areas included in the system will require accurate and detailed management plans, dependent on adequate funding.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS