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Task 3. The BNP Report

Managing the Belair National Park (BNP)

National Parks conserve and protect natural landscapes, providing important habitat for birds, animals and plants. National Parks are also used by local communities for leisure and to improve wellbeing. The Belair National Park (BNP) conserves and protects the natural environment in an area of Belair.

St Johns students have been asked to report on the management of the park.

The report will include information about the following four management areas.:

1. Habitat management

2. Fire management

3. Wellbeing management

4. Park user management

How to do the BNP Report

Belair National Park (BNP) fieldwork report

Part 1. Introduction to the Belair National Park

  • Brief introduction introducing the Belair national Park.

  • Define habitat and wellbeing

  • State the fieldwork aims:

    • Is the the Habitat of the park being managed effectively?

    • Is Fire being used to improve habitat?

    • Does the BNP have facilities for improving Wellbeing?

    • Are Park Users being managed effectively?

  • Include the GIS map of the fieldwork sites

  • Use maps to show the location of the BNP

Part 2. Managing fire

How do park managers use fire to maintain the habitat and safety of the Belair NP?

Include the following information in your report:

  • Why is fire important for the health and biodiversity of the forest ecosystem?

    The importance of fire for the environment

  • Provide evidence of fire (photos) in the park. (Blackened tress and open grassy spaces)

  • What evidence did you observe of the impact of fire on biodiversity?

Part 3. Managing and improving habitat

How do park managers manage habitat in the BNP?

Include the following information in your report:

  • Why is the habitat of the BNP so important? (Hint. Most of the original habitat is gone)

    Use a satellite image to show the extent of forest clearing in the MLR

  • How do the park managers improve habitat in the park? (Managing users, fire etc)

  • Photos of high quality habitat annotated (fallen trees, areas of dense shrubs and open spaces etc) results)

  • Explain the habitat required by Bandicoots, was there evidence of these kinds of habitats observed in the fieldwork?

Part 4. Managing community wellbeing

How do park managers use the park to improve community wellbeing?

Include the following information in your report:

  • Describe how the park facilities contribute to human wellbeing

  • Use a map and photos to highlight examples of Belair NP contributing to the wellbeing of the community

  • What do you recommend park managers do to further improve community wellbeing.

Part 5. Managing park users

How do park managers manage the users of the park?

Include the following information in your report:

  • Include a list of facilities used to manage park users IE signs and bridges

  • Don’t forget some photos!

  • Explain why it is important to manage users of the park, include examples of possible user conflicts in your answer.

  • Suggest two (2) ways to improve the facilities of the park in the future.