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A Tasmania-wide assessment of biodiversity health has been completed as part of the Australian Natural Resources Atlas (Audit) Australia-wide Assessment of Biodiversity (Gouldthorpe & Gilfedder 2002). The aim of the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment has been to comprehensively and consistently assess key elements of terrestrial biodiversity, to determine the condition and trend of biodiversity and to nominate nature conservation options. The Audit's Biodiversity Assessment includes summary reports for each Bioregion. The Tasmanian SoE Report presents an overview of these condition and trend assessments for Tasmanian bioregions. The complete report on Biodiversity Condition for each of the Tasmanian Bioregions is available through the Australian Natural Resources Atlas. A Tasmanian Northern Midlands Bioregion Case Study was also prepared for the Audit (Gouldthorpe and Gilfedder 2002). The Biodiversity Assessment used a mix of quantitative analysis and expert opinion. A standard template was used by nature conservation agencies in each State and Territory and then combined to derive the summary statistics reported here. Where a subregion or ecosystem crossed a jurisdictional boundary, it was the responsibility of the State or Territory with the largest proportion of the subregion to consult with their cross-border colleagues. The Biodiversity Assessment has included: known special values, wetlands, riparian vegetation, ecosystems at risk and species at risk. Known special values included the identification of significant areas in terms of rarity, endemism, refugia and areas of high ecosystem and species richness. In addition, the condition and trend of four taxonomic groups (birds, mammals, eucalypts and acacias) has been assessed. The summary contained in this SoE Report includes extracts of the bioregional assessments for Tasmania on: It has not been possible to link the Tasmanian SoE Report directly to each detailed bioregional assessment for Tasmania contained within the Australian Natural Resource Atlas (the Audit web site is 'dynamic' with pages generated automatically 'on the fly'). However, this information is available through the Biodiversity Assessment subtopic under the Vegetation and Biodiversity Theme of the Australian Natural Resources Atlas. The social, economic and environmental implications of the bioregional conditions and trends identified for Tasmania are significant and relate to maintaining the productivity and diversity of the landscape, protecting ecosystems and species at risk, and avoiding further species and ecosystems 'at risk'. The objectives of the terrestrial biodiversity assessment of the Australian Natural Resources Atlas were to: A range of conservation measures-both on and off reserves-are needed to conserve and manage biodiversity in Australia. This assessment examined biodiversity conservation in terms of three complementary strategies: The 85 bioregions of Australia and their 384 component subregions are used to report the findings. Bioregions represent broad landscape patterns that are the result of the interplay between a range of factors including geology, climate and biota. Subregions represent more homogenous geomorphic units at a finer scale that often closely relate to historical and current land-use and therefore, reflect differing pressures on the landscape. Information collated using subregions and bioregions can readily be used in other catchment or administrative planning frameworks to consider biodiversity conservation needs. There are nine bioregions in Tasmania (map). A subregionalisation has not been undertaken in Tasmania and this is viewed as necessary to complete a gap analysis of the Tasmanian reserve system in relation to the criteria of 'representativeness' (Gouldthorpe & Gilfedder 2002).
Assessing and measuring the current situation The Biodiversity Assessment in the Audit presented an integrated assessment of key threatening processes and biodiversity condition for bioregions. This summary focuses on the condition and trend assessments from the Audit for each of the nine bioregions in Tasmania. For further information, particularly in relation to species at risk, Eucalypts and Acacias, and birds refer to the Biodiversity Assessment on the Australian Natural Resource Atlas. The maps included in the assessment below are sourced from the landcover classification of Tasmania undertaken for the SoE Report by the University of Tasmania (School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania 2001). Ben Lomond Bioregion
Summary extracts from the Ben Lomond bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Humid cool/cold mountain ranges situated in Tasmania's inland north-east. The mountains are capped by Jurassic dolerite with shallow gradational soils. Silurian-Devonian siltstones and mudstones covered with gradational soils constitute a substantial part of the lower hills. Lowland vegetation comprise mainly open sclerophyll woodlands and heath while the upper slopes consist of wet sclerophyll forests, some rainforest and alpine vegetation in the highest regions. Land use: forestry, mining and agriculture (grazing). The bioregion is not divided into subregions. Summary of overall condition and trend Ben Lomond is in good condition overall, but declining in trend. The region is continental landscape stress class 6 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Conservation priorities for Ben Lomond include wet forest invertebrates, many of which are adversely affected by habitat loss due to conversion of established forest to regrowth and forestry plantations. Priority management issues for the region include the maintenance of water quality, which is affected by agriculture and forestry, and the loss of natural vegetation and habitats to forestry, forestry plantations and agriculture. Ecosystems at risk Of the 82 ecosystems occurring in Ben Lomond, 7 (9 %) are Endangered and 7 (9 %) are Vulnerable. The majority of ecosystems at risk in Ben Lomond are eucalypt forests and woodlands. These range from wet sclerophyll, through Eucalyptus forests with a shrubby understorey to Eucalyptus woodlands with a shrubby understorey. 'Other forests and woodlands', and 'other tussock grasslands' represent the remaining terrestrial ecosystems at risk in the region, and in common with the eucalypt dominated ecosystems tend to occur on slopes and valley flats below 600 metres elevation. The remaining two threatened ecosystems in Ben Lomond are 'wetlands' identified under the NVIS major vegetation sub-group of Mangroves, tidal mudflat and samphire and 'Herblands, sedgelands and rushlands'. These are distributed along the tidal reaches of the Tamar River, and on drainage lines above 600 metres elevation respectively. The trend for threatened ecosystems in Ben Lomond is generally one of decline. Regional threatening processes are land clearance (for agriculture, particularly dairy development, forestry plantation establishment, and other purposes), selective and clearfell logging, and general degradation: this may include invasion by woody weeds, the application of inappropriate fire regimes, dieback and firewood collection. Flinders Bioregion
Summary extracts from the Flinders bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Flinders extends over the Furneaux islands, coastal northeastern Tasmania and Wilsons Promontory and is comprised of moist and dry subhumid warm coastal plains and a granitic island chain. Devonian granites dominate elevated areas of the region forming rugged hills and ranges. These are overlain by diverse soils carrying a range of dry, damp and wet eucalypt forests and woodlands including Eucalyptus amygdalina open forest and woodland, with Eucalyptus nitida open heath on higher peaks. Quaternary/Tertiary materials overlain by sandy soils typify extensive lowland plains, coastal deposits and dunes and support Melaleuca spp. , Leptospermum spp. and Banksia marginata heaths and scrubs with occasional eucalypts. Coastal plains have been heavily modified by agriculture (grazing and dairy) in northeastern Tasmania. The basalt landscape west of the Rubicon River might be more appropriately included in the Tasmanian Northern Slopes bioregion. There are two subregions, FUR 1 and FUR 2. The Wilsons Promontory subregion comprises around 8% of the total regional area, and is entirely reserved. Management and conservation issues discussed for the region as a whole tend not to be applicable to the Promontory subregion. Summary of overall condition and trend Flinders is in fair condition with declining trend. The Victorian FUR 1 and Tasmanian FUR 2 subregions are continental stress classes 6 and 4 respectively as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Priorities for Flinders are wetlands (for their importance as amphibian, bird and fish habitat), migratory birds and migratory bird habitat, coastal birds and heath ecosystems. Heath ecosystems in this bioregion are the primary habitat in Tasmania for the Endangered New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae). Priority management issues in the region are water and wetland habitat quality, which are affected by agriculture, mining, changes in land use and the modification of wetlands through drainage or impoundment. Loss of natural vegetation to agriculture, forestry and forestry plantation development needs to be addressed, as does the implementation of inappropriate fire regimes. Management of Phytophthora cinnamomi is a priority in coastal ecosystems where floral endemism may be high and many species are very susceptible. The recent discovery of foxes in the Tasmanian subregion is a major management issue. Ecosystems at risk Of the 110 ecosystems occurring in Flinders, 11 (10%) are Endangered and 14 (13%) are Vulnerable. The majority of ecosystems at risk in Flinders are eucalypt forests and woodlands. These range from wet sclerophyll through Eucalyptus forests with a shrubby understorey to Eucalyptus woodlands with a shrubby understorey. Remaining threatened regional ecosystems are 'Heath and Banksia woodlands and shrublands', 'tall shrublands', 'other tussock grasslands', 'cool temperate rainforest' and 'tropical and sub-tropical rainforest and dry rainforest'. These communities occur on the lower slopes and coastal plains of the region. Intertidal saltmarshes (classified as 'mangroves, tidal mudflat and samphire', 'mixed chenopod, samphire and forblands' and 'herbland, sedgeland and rushland') occur on low energy coastlines. Threatened ecosystems in Flinders are in decline. Threatening processes are clearing (for agriculture, forestry plantation establishment, and coastal development), selective and clearfell logging, changed fire regimes, grazing, Phytophthora cinnamomi and general degradation (weed invasion, dieback, firewood collection, lack of regeneration, etc.). King Bioregion
Summary extracts from the King bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Perhumid warm coastal plains and low hills comprising King Island and the north-western tip of Tasmania. It is a region of subdued topography and low relief. Precambrian metamorphic rocks are overlain by diverse soils, including recent marine deposits covered by deep sandy profiles that support extensive Eucalyptus obliqua open forest and Nothofagus cunninghamii closed forest. Acacia melanoxylon closed forest and Melaleuca ericifolia closed forest occur on poorly drained low-lying sites. The vegetation of King Island has been substantially degraded by clearing and burning following European settlement. Summary of overall condition and trend King is generally in fair condition and declining, with continental landscape stress class 5 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Conservation priorities in King are birds (there is a high level of endemism on King Island), wet forest species on the mainland (grey goshawk, giant freshwater lobster (Astacopsis gouldi)), orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) habitat on King Island and the mainland and migratory birds and habitat in Boullanger Bay - Robbins Passage and the Montagu, Welcome and Harcus River estuaries. Paperbark swamps (e.g. Dismal and Welcome swamps) Eucalyptus forest on King Island, heath and grassland ecosystems in the coastal zone are vegetation priorities. Management priorities in the region are water quality (mainly due to dairy), loss of vegetation (forestry plantations and pasture) and modification of wetlands. Ecosystems at risk Sixty-six ecosystems occur in King, of which 9 (14 %) are Endangered and 5 (8 %) are Vulnerable. Threatened eucalypt forests range from wet sclerophyll, through Eucalyptus forests with a shrubby understorey to Eucalyptus woodlands with a shrubby understorey. These types occur both on the higher ridges and plateaux of the region and on low flats, as do tall shrublands and 'other forests and woodlands'. 'Heath and Banksia woodlands and shrublands' and 'other tussock grasslands' are found in coastal locations and on fertile alluvial flats. 'Mangroves, tidal mudflats and coastal samphire' and 'mixed chenopod, samphire and forblands' occur on low-energy coastlines. Threatened ecosystems in King are generally in rapid decline. Threatening processes are clearing (for agriculture, forestry plantation establishment and coastal development), selective and clearfell logging, and general degradation: this includes invasion by woody weeds, the application of inappropriate fire regimes, grazing and infection with Phytophthora cinnamomi. Central Highlands Bioregion Summary extracts from the Central Highlands bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment
Perhumid cool to cold high plateau surface and rugged mountain ranges to the west formed by Jurassic dolerite and Tertiary basalts, with skeletal soils to alluvium in valleys, and humid cool to cold lower plateau surface underlain by Jurassic dolerite, Permo-Triassic sediments and Tertiary basalts, with sandy to clay loam soils. Vegetation ranging from dry sclerophyll woodlands and wet sclerophyll forest on the lower plateau to alpine complexes and coniferous forest patches in fertile, fire protected situations on the higher plateau. Land use is a combination of conservation, forestry, agriculture (grazing) and water catchment. Summary of overall condition and trend The Central Highlands is generally in good condition with static trend and continental landscape stress class 6 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Conservation priorities for the Central Highlands are alpine ecosystems (particularly those associated with the Mt. Read volcanics), threatened Galaxias and Paragalaxias species and Great Lake aquatic fauna. Management priorities are grazing (on Liawenee Moor), woody weeds (Waratah area) and water quality (lakes). This is the bioregion most important for the protection of the ptunarra brown butterfly (Oreixenica ptunarra). Ecosystems at risk Sixty-one mapped ecosystems occur in the Central Highlands. Two of these (3%) are Endangered and 6 (10%) are Vulnerable. Cool temperate rainforest is the prevalent threatened ecosystem and in common with Herbland, sedgeland and rushland and Alpine and subalpine woodlands, shrublands, sedgelands and herbfields occurs in elevated fire protected sites with variable drainage. Wet sclerophyll and Eucalyptus forest with a shrubby understorey occurs on lower slopes and flats. Vulnerable freshwater aquatics are identified by the NVIS Major Vegetation Sub-Group of Freshwater Lakes. Threatened ecosystems in the Central Highlands are generally declining. Fire is the key threat to these ecosystems, but clearing, selective logging/clearfelling and general degradation (weed invasion, firewood collection and dieback) also operate. Northern Midlands Bioregion
Summary extracts from the Northern Midlands bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Tasmanian Northern Midlands is a dry subhumid cool inland lowland which lies in the Tamar graben, an extensive plain bordered in the east and west by hilly topography developed on Jurassic and Tertiary igneous rocks and Permian mudstone. Quaternary sands and alluvium carry Eucalyptus viminalis, E. pauciflora and E. ovata open forest and woodland, while Tertiary deposits are vegetated by E. amygdalina open forest and woodland. Permian mudstone and Tertiary basalt line the major fault-controlled river valleys. Soils of the Northern Midlands are diverse and predominantly sandy, supporting extensive agriculture. Land use is primarily agriculture (grazing) with some forestry. Much of the region's vegetation has been converted to improved pasture, with grasslands and woodlands reduced to remnants. The region is not divided into subregions. Summary of overall condition and trend The Northern Midlands is generally in degraded condition and declining and is continental landscape stress class 1 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Conservation priorities are grassland and grassy woodland ecosystems and associated threatened plant species (particularly orchids), and reptiles. Management priorities are woody weeds such as gorse (Ulex europaeus) and willows (Salix spp.), foxes and loss of native vegetation (conversion to pasture and cropping). Ecosystems at risk There are a total of 63 ecosystems in the Tasmanian Northern Midlands. Eight of these (13%) are Endangered and 7 (11%) are Vulnerable. Wet sclerophyll, Eucalyptus forests with shrubby understorey, Eucalyptus woodlands with a shrubby understorey, Other forests and woodlands and Other tussock grasslands occur in the inland of the region. Tall shrublands, Mangroves, tidal mudflat and coastal samphire, Mixed chenopod, samphire and forblands and Herbland, sedgeland and rushland are found in near coastal and low energy coastal landscapes. Threatened ecosystems in the Northern Midlands are generally in rapid decline. Threats are fragmentation and loss of remnants, clearing for agriculture, selective and clearfell logging, firewood harvesting, weed invasion, dieback, changed fire regimes and grazing. Inundation by water storages and associated irrigation development is a threat to a range of vegetation types. Northern Slopes Bioregion
Summary extracts from the Northern Slopes bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Humid warm coastal plains and deeply dissected lowland hills rising from Tasmania's central north coast to the foot of the Central Highlands in a rolling hilly plateau. This is a geologically diverse region comprising complexes of Cambrian and Pre Cambrian metasediments, basic-intermediate volcanics, and post-Carboniferous sediments with soils ranging from deep basaltic loams to acid sandy coastal soils. Vegetation is wet and dry sclerophyll forest with coastal heaths and some rainforest, which progressively replaces the sclerophyll forest in the west. Native vegetation has been replaced by improved pasture and cropland throughout the lowlands. Land use is primarily forestry and agriculture (cropping). The region is not divided into subregions. Summary of overall condition and trend The Northern Slopes is generally in fair condition and declining with continental landscape stress class 4 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Species conservation priorities for the Northern Slopes are threatened raptors, the giant freshwater lobster (Astacopsis gouldi), burrowing crayfish (Engaeus spp.), and ultramafic endemic plant species in the Dazzler Range. Vegetation priorities in the region include white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) wet sclerophyll forest, damp sclerophyll forests, black gum (E. ovata) forests and woodlands and remnant vegetation on broad floodplain areas. Management priorities for the Northern Slopes are native vegetation loss and erosion on basalt, water quality, loss of aquatic habitat due to changes in landuse and dam construction, and foxes. Ecosystems at risk There are 79 ecosystems in the Northern Slopes, of which 7 (9%) are Endangered and 12 (15%) are Vulnerable. Tall shrublands, 'herbland, sedgeland and rushland', 'mangroves, tidal mudflat and coastal samphire', 'mixed chenopod, samphire and forblands' and 'Heath and Banksia woodlands and shrublands' occur in the coastal zone. The majority of inland ecosystems at risk are eucalypt forests and woodlands. These range from wet sclerophyll, through Eucalyptus forests with a shrubby understorey to Eucalyptus woodlands with a shrubby understorey. Cool temperate rainforest, 'Other forests and woodlands' and 'other tussock grasslands' constitute a small proportion of threatened types. Threatened ecosystems in the region are in decline due to a number of factors: clearing for agriculture and forestry plantations, increasing fragmentation and loss of remnants and selective and clearfell logging are large-scale threats. More localised impacts include grazing, changed fire regimes and weed invasion. South-East Bioregion
Summary extracts from the South-East bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Subhumid cool to subhumid warm coastal plains on a highly indented coastline, bordered inland by low mountain ranges formed from Jurassic dolerite and Permo-Triassic sediments. Soils predominantly clay to sandy loams. Vegetation is predominantly dry sclerophyll forest, with patches of wet sclerophyll forest, relict rainforest, coastal heath and dry coniferous forest. Extensive areas have been converted to improved pasture and cropland. Land use is primarily agriculture (grazing) and forestry. The region is not divided into subregions. Summary of overall condition and trend The South East is generally in fair condition and declining, with continental landscape stress class 3 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Conservation priorities for the region are coastal dry forests with blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), white gum (E. viminalis) and Oyster Bay pine (Callitris rhomboidea), and saltmarshes. Management priorities are Phytophthora cinnamomi, foxes, woody weeds (gorse (Ulex europaeus), broom (Genista spp.) and boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera)) and loss of native vegetation (forestry, conversion to forestry plantation). Ecosystems at risk One-hundred and six ecosystems occur in the Tasmanian South East. Nine (8%) are Endangered and a further 15 (14%) are Vulnerable. The majority of these are eucalypt-dominated types such as wet sclerophyll, Eucalyptus forests with a shrubby understorey and Eucalyptus woodlands with a grassy or shrubby understorey. In common with eucalypt vegetation, Other tussock grasslands and Other forests and woodlands occupy slopes, ridges and valley flats. Tall shrublands, Herbland, sedgeland and rushland, Mangroves, tidal mudflats and coastal samphire and Mixed chenopod, samphire and forblands are found in near-coastal areas and on low-energy coastlines. These threatened ecosystems are generally in decline. Threatening processes involve increasing fragmentation and loss of remnants, clearing for agriculture, forestry plantations and urban or coastal development and selective or clearfell logging. Weed invasion, grazing and firewood collection are serious threats to some regional ecosystems. Southern Ranges Bioregion
Summary extracts from the Southern Ranges bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Humid cool mountainous tract of central southern Tasmania. Permo-Triassic sediments and Jurassic dolerite, mantled with sandy to clay loams. The region is heavily forested, grading from mixed forest, wet sclerophyll forest and patches of rainforest in the uplands to dry sclerophyll forest on the coastal lowlands. Land use primarily forestry and agriculture (grazing and cropping). The Southern Ranges has not been divided into subregions. Summary of overall condition and trend The Southern Ranges is generally in good condition with static trend, and is continental landcape stress class 6 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Conservation priorities for the region are coastal vegetation, vegetation on alluvial flats and forests (excluding brown-top stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua)) on sedimentary rocks. Management priorities are vegetation loss through forestry and conversion to forestry plantations, water quality and weeds (Spanish heath (Erica lusitanica), willows (Salix spp.) and boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera). Ecosystems at risk Eighty-six mapped ecosystems occur in the Southern Ranges, of which 7 (8%) are Endangered and 11 (13%) are Vulnerable. These ecosystems are identified by a broad range of NVIS Major Vegetation sub-groups. 'Alpine and sub-alpine woodlands', 'shrublands sedgelands and herbfields' and 'cool temperate rainforest' occur in high altitude fire-protected locations, being replaced downslope by 'other forests and woodlands', 'other tussock grasslands' and a range of Eucalyptus forests and woodlands with a shrubby or grassy understorey. 'Tall shrublands', 'herbland, sedgeland and rushland', 'mixed chenopod, samphire and forblands' and 'mangroves, tidal mudflat and coastal samphire' occur in the coastal and low energy intertidal zones. Threatened ecosystems in the Southern Ranges are generally in decline. Threatening processes are changes in fire regimes, increasing fragmentation and loss of remnants, clearing (for agriculture and forestry plantations), selective and clearfell logging and degradation (including weed invasion and firewood collection). West Bioregion
Summary extracts from the West bioregional summary from the Audit's Biodiversity Assessment Perhumid cold lowlands, low hills and low ranges, comprising most of coastal and inland western Tasmania. Folding and subsequent erosion has resulted in rugged dissected inland ranges dominated by Precambrian and Cambrian rocks supporting oligotrophic acid peat soils or shallow organic horizons over deep mineral profiles. From 300 metres elevation a discontinuous coastal plain slopes westward to the ocean. Vegetation is a complex mosaic of Nothofagus rainforest, buttongrass (Gymnoschoenus sphaerocephalus) moorlands and Eucalyptus nitida scrub. Principal land uses are conservation, mining and forestry. The region is not divided into subregions. Summary of overall condition and trend The West is generally in good condition with static trend and is continental landscape stress class 6 as assessed by the Landscape Health report (1 is most stressed, 6 is least stressed). Summary of conservation priorities Conservation priorities for the West include the orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster), blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus)/white gum (E. viminalis)/black gum (E. ovata) forests near Strahan and Zeehan, and alpine and fire-sensitive vegetation. Management priorities for the region are fire, off-road vehicles and walking tracks, weeds (sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias), marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) and gorse (Ulex europaeus)) and Phytophthora cinnamomi. Ecosystems at risk Forty-four ecosystems are mapped in the Tasmanian West, of which 1 (2%) is Endangered and 9 (20%) are Vulnerable. Wet sclerophyll forests, Eucalyptus forests with a shrubby understorey, cool temperate rainforests and 'other forests and woodlands' generally occur in fire-protected situations at a range of altitudes. 'Other Acacia forests and woodlands', 'mixed chenopod, samphire and forblands,, 'mangroves, tidal mudflat and coastal samphire' and 'herbland, sedgeland and rushlandh occur in the coastal zone. Freshwater aquatics are represented by the major vegetation sub-group of 'Freshwater lakes'. Threatened ecosystems in the West are generally in decline due to changed fire regimes, clearing (for forestry plantations and other purposes) and clearfelling. |
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Tasmania Together and the RMPS Relevant Tasmania Together goals and standards for 'Biodiversity' are listed in the linked file. The Tasmania Together Progress Board reported on progress toward targets for benchmarks set (Tasmania Together Progress Board 2003). Indicators, targets and baseline data are available in the latest Progress Report June 2003. Further information, including progress report updates, is available from Tasmania Together. Involvement of the community, and the fair and orderly use of resources are also fundamental principles of the RMPS. The RMPS objectives have been developed to advance the principles of sustainable development. |
