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Few phrases evoke more negative emotion, or generate more media coverage, than ‘shark attack’ despite the few deaths that have been attributed to shark bite. Typically, tabloids are considered to provide more sensational coverage than broadsheets. We investigated how sharks and shark–human interactions were portrayed in four major Australian newspapers during a period of a record number of shark attacks in Australian waters. There was strong focus on human risk from sharks, and over-reportage of negative aspects. Thirty incidents were recorded: two fatal, 20 injury, and eight ‘near-miss’. Of 309 ‘shark’ articles surveyed, 24% mentioned fatalities (65% occurred prior to the study, some decades earlier). Injury was reported in 40% of articles, and ‘near-miss’ in 33% (89% related to an incident in South Africa involving an Australian surfing celebrity). The tabloid, Telegraph, published substantially more shark-related articles and photographs than other newspapers. There was otherwise no consistent pattern of difference between genre or newspapers.
Nigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin; Jia Shao. How Sharks and Shark–Human Interactions are Reported in Major Australian Newspapers. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2683 .
AMA StyleNigel Hardiman, Shelley Burgin, Jia Shao. How Sharks and Shark–Human Interactions are Reported in Major Australian Newspapers. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (7):2683.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin; Jia Shao. 2020. "How Sharks and Shark–Human Interactions are Reported in Major Australian Newspapers." Sustainability 12, no. 7: 2683.
Sand mining on North Stradbroke Island has ceased 70 years after it became the Island’s major industry. This article reports conversations with local indigenous people who have lived on the Island all their lives, together with long-term residents – people who have lived with, and worked (directly or indirectly) for the mines, and now must live with the legacy. Views on sand mining changed over time. Initially beach mining was considered benign – tides restored scars, and sand was whiter. Subsequent mining adjacent to the beach and inland resulted in degraded landscapes – failed rehabilitation, introduced plant species, and uncharacteristically-shaped dunes. More recent mine support for Islanders and landscape rehabilitation were considered ‘perfect’. Post-mining issues included unemployment, emigration of younger family members to seek work, depressed house prices trapping people, and tourists destroying the landscape. No Islander interviewed wanted sand mining to cease.
Shelley Burgin. Sand mining on North Stradbroke Island: an Islander view of the rehabilitation of the lands. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2020, 77, 954 -968.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin. Sand mining on North Stradbroke Island: an Islander view of the rehabilitation of the lands. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2020; 77 (6):954-968.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin. 2020. "Sand mining on North Stradbroke Island: an Islander view of the rehabilitation of the lands." International Journal of Environmental Studies 77, no. 6: 954-968.
Shark attacks have increased globally and are one of the most widely reported human-wildlife conflicts. Reflecting global trends, the number of recorded attacks has increased in Australian waters. Whether positively or negatively affected, stakeholders potentially often pressure authorities to mitigate economic and human risks when developing shark management policies. This article used discourse analysis to review how attitudes toward management approaches were attributed in Australian newspapers to a range of stakeholders. The most frequently attributed stakeholders were journalists and public office holders; victims, commercial operators, and scientists were least attributed. Although most measures were portrayed as supported by a majority of stakeholders, there was apparent misalignment between reported public and policymaker attitudes, especially regarding lethal control. Despite the ramifications (e.g., social, biological) of shark management and policymaking, reporting of science-informed facts and use of scientists to inform debate were low. Opportunities exist for increased engagement among scientists, journalists, and policymakers.
Nigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin; Jia Shao. News media portrayal of attributed stakeholder attitudes to shark management in Australia. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 2019, 24, 548 -563.
AMA StyleNigel Hardiman, Shelley Burgin, Jia Shao. News media portrayal of attributed stakeholder attitudes to shark management in Australia. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 2019; 24 (6):548-563.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin; Jia Shao. 2019. "News media portrayal of attributed stakeholder attitudes to shark management in Australia." Human Dimensions of Wildlife 24, no. 6: 548-563.
The precautionary principle is regularly cited in cases that involve development in eco-sensitive locations. We investigated whether the precautionary principle provides the basis for a coherent framework to prevent environmental harm, and does it work in practice? We suggest that, in principle, the precautionary principle makes good sense. In practice, however, it is imprecise in policy and law and fails to fulfil its promise because it is loosely defined and thus lacks substance and clarity. Consequently, it operates in a framework that is ambiguous, leaving it open to manipulation by discretionary powers. To counter such deficiencies, human-induced environmental harm should be formally observed as ‘criminogenic’ and environmental protection prioritised against which other competing priorities (e.g., ‘year on year’ economic growth) are measured. This would overcome the politico-legal obfuscation and contestations of climate change policy that currently impedes the precautionary principle's practical application.
Stephen Michael Dark; Shelley Burgin. An examination of the efficacy of the precautionary principle as a robust environmental planning and management protocol. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 2017, 60, 2122 -2132.
AMA StyleStephen Michael Dark, Shelley Burgin. An examination of the efficacy of the precautionary principle as a robust environmental planning and management protocol. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 2017; 60 (12):2122-2132.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStephen Michael Dark; Shelley Burgin. 2017. "An examination of the efficacy of the precautionary principle as a robust environmental planning and management protocol." Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 60, no. 12: 2122-2132.
Nature-based tourism has been viewed as a large and growing segment of the tourism market. Advocates of nature-based tourism argue its potential to generate income for biodiversity conservation and local economic benefit, while detractors fear a risk of “loving our parks to death”. Some recent studies have suggested that nature-based tourism may be declining on a per capita basis, especially in economically developed countries. Others have detected no such trend. Nature-based tourism is a key industry within Australia, based strongly on its unique scenery and biodiversity. We compared nature-based visitation and population growth during 1998–2012 for Australia overall and specifically for the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area which is adjacent to the country's largest conurbation of Greater Sydney. We found substantial declines in domestic per capita visitation, both nationally and regionally. Because visitation provides the “political capital” for parks to survive, strategies to encourage visitation should be a target for land managers. Since children foster environmentally responsible behaviour in adults, they should be part of the focus for developing diverse experiences that encourage park visitation.
Nigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin. Nature tourism trends in Australia with reference to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 2016, 25, 732 -745.
AMA StyleNigel Hardiman, Shelley Burgin. Nature tourism trends in Australia with reference to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 2016; 25 (6):732-745.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin. 2016. "Nature tourism trends in Australia with reference to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area." Journal of Sustainable Tourism 25, no. 6: 732-745.
Together with other signatories of the Ramsar Convention, Australia is obliged to seek to halt wetland loss, which may include farm ponds/dams and other constructed wetlands. Since European arrival in Australia, extensive clearing of native ecosystems for agriculture and urbanisation has resulted in a concomitant loss of natural wetlands. However, there is limited information on changes in physical characteristics of wetlands with the transition to agriculture and urbanisation. In North-western Sydney, we investigated changes in wetland surface area, distance to nearest neighbour (connectivity), and shape complexity with transition from natural to agricultural and urban landscapes. There were significant differences amongst land use types for these three waterbody parameters. Wetlands in natural areas were larger and further apart from each other. Half the wetlands in agricultural and urban landscapes had small surface areas, but wetlands in agricultural areas were closer together, so connectivity for biota was potentially greater. Most wetlands in all land use classes were simple or irregular in shape, though urban areas had a higher proportion of irregular wetlands. We predict that on the current trajectory of increasing urbanisation, native biodiversity will continue to decline unless more emphasis is placed on the importance of wetlands – natural and constructed.
Shelley Burgin; Michael J. M. Franklin; Loren Hull. Wetland Loss in the Transition to Urbanisation: a Case Study from Western Sydney, Australia. Wetlands 2016, 36, 985 -994.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin, Michael J. M. Franklin, Loren Hull. Wetland Loss in the Transition to Urbanisation: a Case Study from Western Sydney, Australia. Wetlands. 2016; 36 (6):985-994.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin; Michael J. M. Franklin; Loren Hull. 2016. "Wetland Loss in the Transition to Urbanisation: a Case Study from Western Sydney, Australia." Wetlands 36, no. 6: 985-994.
Shelley Burgin. Bottled Water: Why So Popular? A Case Study from a University Campus Community. Sustainability 2016, 9, 25 -30.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin. Bottled Water: Why So Popular? A Case Study from a University Campus Community. Sustainability. 2016; 9 (1):25-30.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin. 2016. "Bottled Water: Why So Popular? A Case Study from a University Campus Community." Sustainability 9, no. 1: 25-30.
Shelley Burgin. White Beech: The Rainforest Years. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2016, 73, 1 -1.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin. White Beech: The Rainforest Years. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2016; 73 (2):1-1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin. 2016. "White Beech: The Rainforest Years." International Journal of Environmental Studies 73, no. 2: 1-1.
An estimated 50 % of the world’s population live in urban areas and this is expected to rise to 70 % by 2050. Urban developments will thus continue to encroach on non-urban landscapes and native biodiversity (flora and fauna). Although much has been written on sustainable urban development, the biodiversity component has been largely ignored. Consequently, sustainable development of biodiversity is poorly understood within urban confines by planners and designers, community developers and social planners, activists and social movements, and even academics and consultants. When native flora and fauna are incorporated deliberately or ad hoc, for example due to landscaping fashions, the outcome may create on-going issues for authorities which could be minimised with sustainable management. For example, green urban infrastructure including parks and gardens, ‘backyards’, remnant bushland and even wastelands can be more effectively developed to sustainably support biodiversity, typically at reduced on-going cost. However, due to the lack of understanding of this aspect of sustainable development and on-going issues of ‘pest management’, the focus has been on only a small sub-set of the overall biodiversity. In addition, these changes in species’ dynamics often lead to the decline of local amenity for humans, and endemic species (e.g., small-bodied birds). Other taxa are typically neglected because they are cryptic, innocuous, dangerous, a nuisance, feral, or just not ‘sexy’.
Shelley Burgin. What about biodiversity? Redefining urban sustainable management to incorporate endemic fauna with particular reference to Australia. Urban Ecosystems 2016, 19, 669 -678.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin. What about biodiversity? Redefining urban sustainable management to incorporate endemic fauna with particular reference to Australia. Urban Ecosystems. 2016; 19 (2):669-678.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin. 2016. "What about biodiversity? Redefining urban sustainable management to incorporate endemic fauna with particular reference to Australia." Urban Ecosystems 19, no. 2: 669-678.
This study investigates the impacts on the Australian native eastern long-necked turtle Chelodina longicollis of wetland waters derived from (1) precipitation and groundwater flow and wetlands also supplemented with (2) irrigation runoff from agricultural lands, (3) tertiary-treated sewage effluent and (4) harvested stormwater. Influences of water quality parameters on population attributes of the turtle population are considered. A total of 951 C. longicollis were captured in a mark-recapture study over 8 months. Overall, a female sex ratio bias was observed, and a larger number of smaller turtles were found in wetlands not contaminated by recycled tertiary-treated effluent. Dissolved oxygen, temperature, surface area and emergent vegetation had the greatest impact on turtle population structure. The lower the dissolved oxygen, the smaller the surface area of the wetland, and the higher the percentage of emergent vegetation, the greater the number of juveniles present. Water quality parameters which would be detrimental to fish predators appear to provide a ‘safe haven’ for juvenile turtles at the most vulnerable life stage of turtles.
Michelle M. Ryan; Shelley Burgin; Ian Wright. Effects of Wetland Water Source on a Population of the Australian Eastern Long-Necked Turtle Chelodina longicollis. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 2015, 226, 1 -14.
AMA StyleMichelle M. Ryan, Shelley Burgin, Ian Wright. Effects of Wetland Water Source on a Population of the Australian Eastern Long-Necked Turtle Chelodina longicollis. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 2015; 226 (12):1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichelle M. Ryan; Shelley Burgin; Ian Wright. 2015. "Effects of Wetland Water Source on a Population of the Australian Eastern Long-Necked Turtle Chelodina longicollis." Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 226, no. 12: 1-14.
Shelley Burgin. The wilderness writings of Howard Zahniser. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2015, 72, 1 -1.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin. The wilderness writings of Howard Zahniser. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2015; 72 (5):1-1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin. 2015. "The wilderness writings of Howard Zahniser." International Journal of Environmental Studies 72, no. 5: 1-1.
Australia and North America have many similar cultural features. Yet, although North America has a strong recreational hunting culture, the sport is limited in Australia. This paper investigates why this difference may have developed. It appears that a major difference is the reason for settlement: Europeans were attracted to North America because of its abundant wildlife and the socio-economic value of furbearers already established, whereas Australia was settled as a penal colony. The colonists found Australia’s wildlife was scarce and unfamiliar, offering no prospect of socio-economic gain from hunting furbearers. With over-exploitation, both continents moved to conservation of their wildlife. North America developed a conservation ethic based on a social, utilitarian approach to sustainable management of furbearers. Australia embraced a holistic approach to conservation to protect biodiversity. The differences, therefore, result from zoological differences and not innate cultural difference.
Shelley Burgin. Why the difference in the recreational hunting ethic between Australians and North Americans? An opinion with emphasis on ‘furbearers’. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2015, 72, 770 -783.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin. Why the difference in the recreational hunting ethic between Australians and North Americans? An opinion with emphasis on ‘furbearers’. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2015; 72 (5):770-783.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin. 2015. "Why the difference in the recreational hunting ethic between Australians and North Americans? An opinion with emphasis on ‘furbearers’." International Journal of Environmental Studies 72, no. 5: 770-783.
Shelley Burgin. Earthmasters: playing god with the climate. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2015, 72, 1 -2.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin. Earthmasters: playing god with the climate. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2015; 72 (4):1-2.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin. 2015. "Earthmasters: playing god with the climate." International Journal of Environmental Studies 72, no. 4: 1-2.
Marine non-consumptive wildlife-oriented tourism, whereby tourists observe and/or interact closely with animals, without purposely having a detrimental effect on them, has been growing globally in recent decades. Human-mediated feeding (provisioning) is widely used by tour operators to attract target species, facilitate viewing and interaction with tourists. Although potential effects of such provisioning on terrestrial fauna have been given moderate scientific research attention, equivalent research in the marine environment is limited. Effects of provisioning marine wildlife may include direct habituation, behavioural change, and/or dietary impacts among individuals and species. There may also be disruption to the species associated assemblage. It was found that the literature on the effects of non-consumptive wildlife tourism is fragmented and results from different areas and taxa are frequently contradictory. Most studies appeared to be of a few years duration, at most. This reflects the relative immaturity of the industry - many enterprises studied typically commenced within the 1990 s. Studies (other than fish) tended to focus on a focal species with few addressing the wider implications for the associated assemblage. Supplementary feeding may also have impacts on the health and wellbeing of provisioned animals. It is concluded that such nature tourism is often not benign - focal species and their assemblage are often disrupted. We conclude that funding to better understand the impacts and thus address them is imperative. To supplement funding for the research and monitoring required, an additional charge could incorporated into the fee charged to those engaging in marine wildlife tourism.
Shelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. Effects of non-consumptive wildlife-oriented tourism on marine species and prospects for their sustainable management. Journal of Environmental Management 2015, 151, 210 -220.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin, Nigel Hardiman. Effects of non-consumptive wildlife-oriented tourism on marine species and prospects for their sustainable management. Journal of Environmental Management. 2015; 151 ():210-220.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. 2015. "Effects of non-consumptive wildlife-oriented tourism on marine species and prospects for their sustainable management." Journal of Environmental Management 151, no. : 210-220.
Increasing numbers of retirees seek individual, extended, unstructured activities in remote, non-commercial locations. Travel is predominantly by self-drive 4WD vehicle towing a caravan/campervan. These ‘grey nomads’ often prefer remote bush camping sites/caravan parks to commercial resorts. The tropics – a popular destination – are inhabited by Australia's only large semi-terrestrial carnivore, the estuarine crocodile Crocodylus porosus. Conservation programmes of recent decades have resulted in a substantial increase in numbers. With naive grey nomads increasingly encroaching on crocodile territory, attacks are expected to increase. Review of conservation programmes to incorporate awareness education targeting grey nomads is therefore required.
Shelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. Crocodiles and grey nomads: a deadly combination? Current Issues in Tourism 2014, 19, 60 -63.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin, Nigel Hardiman. Crocodiles and grey nomads: a deadly combination? Current Issues in Tourism. 2014; 19 (1):60-63.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. 2014. "Crocodiles and grey nomads: a deadly combination?" Current Issues in Tourism 19, no. 1: 60-63.
Sport is important internationally; but in Australia, it is part of the national identity. The enjoyment of public open space for sport is, therefore, an assumed community right. We interviewed key staff from inner Sydney councils about management issues associated with public open space. The greatest concern was sporting fields – formal and informal – which were considered to have exceeded carrying capacity mainly because of the unintended outcomes of government programmes/policies spanning; (1) ‘healthy lifestyles’ which increased public open space use; (2) ‘urban consolidation’ increased inner-city population density with associated increased usage and loss of open space; (3) ‘temporal water restriction’ during drought (not ‘water budgets’) which intensify management issues; and (4) ‘building the education revolution’, meaning that public open space lost from schools results in increased pressure on public open space. Consequences have increased human pressure on public open space without commensurate consideration for the management and/or expansion of these areas.
Shelley Burgin; Cesidio Parissi; Tony Webb. The unintended consequences of government policies and programmes for public open spaces in inner-urban Sydney. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2014, 71, 154 -166.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin, Cesidio Parissi, Tony Webb. The unintended consequences of government policies and programmes for public open spaces in inner-urban Sydney. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2014; 71 (2):154-166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin; Cesidio Parissi; Tony Webb. 2014. "The unintended consequences of government policies and programmes for public open spaces in inner-urban Sydney." International Journal of Environmental Studies 71, no. 2: 154-166.
The paper examines mountain biking as an increasingly popular adventure recreation activity. Some of its extreme derivatives have been incorporated into international events (e.g. Olympics). We review trends in mountain biking, consider the appropriateness of this activity in public natural areas with a conservation mandate (e.g. national parks, nature reserves) and consider alternative locations. We conclude that (1) mountain biking will continue to increase in popularity; and (2) venues developed in rural areas outside of national parks have provided economic benefits to local communities; but (3) the evidence of social conflict with other users and/or environmental impacts is not clear, mainly because of data limitations. Careful management of natural areas designated for recreation and conservation is required as a precautionary approach. Successful models operate outside of national parks that demonstrate a ‘win–win’ solution for stakeholders.
Nigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin. Mountain biking: downhill for the environment or chance to up a gear? International Journal of Environmental Studies 2013, 70, 976 -986.
AMA StyleNigel Hardiman, Shelley Burgin. Mountain biking: downhill for the environment or chance to up a gear? International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2013; 70 (6):976-986.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin. 2013. "Mountain biking: downhill for the environment or chance to up a gear?" International Journal of Environmental Studies 70, no. 6: 976-986.
Effects of World Heritage listing on visitation to a given destination have been widely debated but little-researched, especially those areas listed for their natural values. In a study of the Greater Blue Mountains (Australia) we found that five years after gazettal the majority of visitors were unaware that they had visited a World Heritage Area and, therefore, the status of the area had no effect on visitation for many. This was despite the majority of visitors being primarily motivated to visit the area for its natural beauty, and they were satisfied with their experience
Nigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin. World Heritage Area listing of the Greater Blue Mountains — Did it make a difference to visitation? Tourism Management Perspectives 2013, 6, 63 -64.
AMA StyleNigel Hardiman, Shelley Burgin. World Heritage Area listing of the Greater Blue Mountains — Did it make a difference to visitation? Tourism Management Perspectives. 2013; 6 ():63-64.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNigel Hardiman; Shelley Burgin. 2013. "World Heritage Area listing of the Greater Blue Mountains — Did it make a difference to visitation?" Tourism Management Perspectives 6, no. : 63-64.
Historically, visitors’ motives for visiting protected areas included ‘rest, relaxation and reinvigoration’. Ecological impacts were typically low. Recent trends have increased use of protected areas for extreme sports, with greater numbers undertaking more active recreation, such as extreme sports. The effect of this trend is considered, together with potential management options. We propose that the development of appropriately targeted and delivered educational programmes could minimise environmental degradation. However, to maximise ecological conservation in protected lands we consider that a major paradigm shift is required. This will require a more strategic, holistic approach to planning and managing outdoor recreation/sport destinations incorporating collaboration across stakeholders. Based on past experience, to continue with the current model will ultimately accelerate biodiversity loss, degradation of protected areas, and loss of recreational amenity.
Shelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. Extreme sports in natural areas: looming disaster or a catalyst for a paradigm shift in land use planning? Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 2012, 55, 921 -940.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin, Nigel Hardiman. Extreme sports in natural areas: looming disaster or a catalyst for a paradigm shift in land use planning? Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 2012; 55 (7):921-940.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. 2012. "Extreme sports in natural areas: looming disaster or a catalyst for a paradigm shift in land use planning?" Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 55, no. 7: 921-940.
Historically, most people have tended to visit national parks for ‘rest, relaxation and reinvigoration’, typically resulting in moderate ecological impacts. However, increasingly, recreation in natural areas is including ‘adventure’ sports. One such recreation/sport that now incorporates a range of forms, including adventure derivatives, is mountain biking. In the more extreme forms, riders use extensive trials, often with steep segments and natural or human-made obstacles demonstrate technical skills (e.g., balance, calculated risk-taking, excitement, speed). Appreciation of the natural environment is seldom, if ever, a reason for participation. In this paper we consider the potential for impact on the fauna of national parks. While there is a dearth of information on the impact of mountain biking, we conclude that park management needs to be strategic in their consideration of the issues associated with mountain biking or the outcome will be further degradation of natural areas and, at the least, loss of many animals if not major threats to populations
Shelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. Is the evolving sport of mountain biking compatible with fauna conservation in national parks? Australian Zoologist 2012, 36, 201 -208.
AMA StyleShelley Burgin, Nigel Hardiman. Is the evolving sport of mountain biking compatible with fauna conservation in national parks? Australian Zoologist. 2012; 36 (2):201-208.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShelley Burgin; Nigel Hardiman. 2012. "Is the evolving sport of mountain biking compatible with fauna conservation in national parks?" Australian Zoologist 36, no. 2: 201-208.