The Value of Australia''s Tropical Wetlands

The rivers and wetlands of northern Australia hold 70% of the Australia''s available fresh water. Consequently these wetlands face significant pressures for extraction and agricultural development. One such northern Australian river targeted as a result of this pressure is the Daly River. This study investigated the potential for the protection of the wetlands of the Daly River under National Heritage, a national conservation framework in Australia, and under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971), an international conservation framework. The results of this research show that the wetlands of the Daly River possess a wealth of natural and cultural values that make them eligible for consideration under both National Heritage and Ramsar, and there is sufficient information available at present with which to submit a nomination. This book provides a case study for assessing natural and cultural heritage values against criteria for heritage listing, and should be especially useful to professionals involved in heritage management and anyone planning to assess and prepare a nomination for heritage listing.