Remnant vegetation, landholders' values and information needs: An exploratory study in the West Australian wheatbelt

Moore, S.A. and Renton, S. (2002) Remnant vegetation, landholders' values and information needs: An exploratory study in the West Australian wheatbelt. Ecological Management and Restoration, 3 (3). pp. 179-187.

Abstract

An exploratory study of landholders in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia provides a useful snapshot of values, uses, management, information sources and requirements of landholders in relation to remnant native vegetation in agricultural landscapes. Landholders valued their remnant vegetation for ecological, aesthetic, functional and community reasons. Most actively managed it for nature conservation, although almost half grazed stock in their remnants. In terms of information sources and needs, the most widely used sources were Community Landcare Coordinators, other landholders and government departments. Landholders wanted hydrological, weed control and biodiversity information, plus a suite of other information. A third of landholders were characterized as having a broad, ecosystem-based awareness compared to the other two-thirds who had a more limited, site-based awareness. Each group had different information needs. These findings have clear implications for information provision to landholders.