ONE of the main principles emerging from work on defining healthy
savannas is that people are part of the system and that social and
economic issues play a key role in natural resource management.
A new joint project between the Tropical Savannas CRC and the
Desert Knowledge CRC aims to develop an ‘atlas’ of
savanna regions and their challenges—as a framework for
understanding these issues and how they interrelate.
A recent study on regional dynamics and the issues outback
communities face (see story on Regional Dynamics) emphasised the
strong differences between outback issues compared with those faced
in more densely settled areas.
There is also considerable diversity within different parts of the
outback, which can be overlooked by general representations of
remote areas. The atlas aims to help define and represent issues
and indicators that characterise viable and socially desirable
regions. Unlike a conventional atlas, the idea is to produce a
dynamic product that will help integrate and disseminate CRC
research and target future activities.
A preliminary study is exploring and testing the concept and what
the project can contribute to the knowledge base on issues of
regional viability in outback Australia.
This study has reviewed existing literature on regional viability,
and held discussions with case study communities in Greenvale (Qld)
and Ti-Tree (NT).
The project team is currently developing a full proposal. If you
would like to contribute ideas, or see synergies with other CRC
projects, contact the project team.
