Publications
Scale and world heritage on the Ningaloo Coast
Research on the Ningaloo Coast, Western Australia, reveals that scale is not merely a technical tool but a dynamic force shaping heritage landscapes. It exposes how political contests and ethical considerations influence resource flows, intertwining with physical heritage forms. This study demonstrates the intricate connections between human actions and non-human forces in defining heritage, offering insights into the complex interplay of social dynamics and environmental factors at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Engaging More Effectively With Visitors to Coastal Regions for Improved Management Outcomes: Insights From the Ningaloo Coast, Australia
Visitors to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, while optimistic about its future sustainability, lack awareness of local rules and regulations and recognize tourism as a significant threat. Most believe their own environmental behavior is high, though this varies by gender. They primarily gather information during visits through signage and visitor centers. The study used a case approach to assess visitors' perceptions, behaviors, and responses to different message framings, aiming to inform more effective coastal management strategies.
Rapid wound healing in a reef manta ray masks the extent of vessel strike
A reef manta ray's rapid wound healing, documented over nearly three years, reveals that lacerations from vessel strikes can close to 95% within 295 days, leaving distinctive scars. This finding challenges prior assumptions about the cause of such scars, which were often attributed to failed predation attempts. Researchers analyzed an extensive photo-identification catalogue from the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, demonstrating that propeller-induced scarring is more common than previously recognized. The study provides critical baseline data on wound healing rates in manta rays and suggests increased vessel strikes in this region, with implications for spatial and behavioral management strategies to mitigate future conflicts.
Community Perceptions of a World Heritage Nomination Process: The Ningaloo Coast Region of Western Australia
Local community involvement in the Ningaloo Coast's World Heritage nomination process revealed mixed perceptions, with support for designation overshadowed by controversy. Key concerns included political and social dominance, mistrust, misinformation, and perceived unfairness, influenced by past government actions. The study highlights challenges in participatory governance, questioning how local communities can effectively engage in such processes for globally significant coastal regions.
Heritage designation and scale: a World Heritage case study of the Ningaloo Coast
Heritage designation and scale are not just hierarchical abstractions but dynamic relationships shaped by spatial politics. This study redefines 'scale' in heritage research to include size (geographical), level (vertical), and relation, revealing how these elements interact in specific contexts. Using the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Site as a case study, it demonstrates that heritage processes are constituted through complex interrelationships, with researchers' choices about scale being inherently political. The analysis highlights how spatial politics come into focus when examining configurations of size, level, and relation within heritage designation processes.
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