Dalena

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"AUSTRALIA SHOULD HAVE MORE NATIONAL PARKS"
Australian national park management agencies define national parks as (sic) a relatively large area, set aside for it's features of predominately unspoiled landscape, flora & fauna, permanently dedicated for public enjoyment, education & inspiration, and protected from all interference other than essential management practices, so that its natural attributes are preserved. [|[1]] Conservation parks are areas of land held by the Crown for purpose of conservation be it ecological or historical that also facilitates public recreational use.

Australia does not have enough areas set aside for conservation, a mere 350,000 of Australia wild, natural landscape is protected through public ownership. The areas not protected by the government are susceptible to land clearing for urban development, for agriculture and exploitation by mining companies. While this may help the economy, we live on a finite planet where, in my opinion, the environment should be maintained in their most unaltered states, to protect the divesity and landscape for future generations versus being destroyed for short term profit.

National parks offer respite to urban dwellers who wish to be in a natural place. Intended also for recreation people living in the city can bush walk, kayak and just enjoy the tranquility of nature. Being outdoors is beneficial to one's health and national parks offer some sanctuary from the hustle of city life and national parkss provide a natural settings for activity and retreat.

Biodiversity insures that even after disaster, that the ecosystem could recover. National parks help to manage and protect fragile ecosystems that have been altered by the introduction of foreign animals and human disturbances. Theres no knowing how and whether the extinction of a seemingly unimportant creature could effect the entire ecosystem and healthy ecosystems benifit us in ways like insects for crops and oxygen to breath and species that could advance medical science.

National parks also give zoologists a chance to document animals, some of which are endangered or threatened. One of the original purposes of national parks was to protect native fauna which Australians around the 1890s thought to be becoming extinct. Due to an increase in articulate and convincing arguments for protecting biodiversity in Australia, the government has doubled the number of hectares for national parks in attempt to protect a wide range of ecosystems but that is a mere 6% of the country where as the foundation for national parks and wildlife claim that at least 20% needs to be protected to sustain the country's future. [|[2]] It helps us learn of human history and preserves cultural heritage.

__Map of Belair National Park, South Australia.__

[|[3]] The natural ecosystems in Belair National park has had major disturbences since the introduction of non-indigenous plants that spread and are now classed as weeds. [|Hypericum perforatum] was introduces and is now an invasive weed in the park. Some native plants are classes as weeds when they spread to grow outside their natural area.

__Map of National Parks in Australia__



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[|http://www.environment.sa.gov.au]