Monitoring

  • Monitoring provides information that informs and supports proactive park management.
  • Monitoring data assists park managers to make decisions, set priorities and evaluate the effectiveness of actions.
  • Monitoring requirements are outlined in a Monitoring and Research Strategy.
  • Health Checks are a visual assessment of standard indicators to determine the condition of key values.

Monitoring and the Values-Based Management Framework

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) use an internationally aligned Values-Based Management Framework (VBMF) to effectively protect land by applying evidence-based practices. Under this management style, parks and forests have their key natural, visitor and cultural values identified and prioritised for land management. Key values are the park’s most significant values as identified through a values assessment workshop. These values are monitored over time using a basic health check scoring system that generates a standardised condition of the value.

Sharing relevant and reliable data is important for evidence-based decision-making and improves the outcomes of on-ground management activities over time. The collection and availability of data needs to be timely and easily accessed by park managers. The accumulation of this information improves our knowledge and understanding and informs high-level reporting and strategic planning.

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Determining monitoring requirements for each park

Routine ‘health checks’ will be undertaken on key values in priority parks and forests. They will help us to know the current condition of key values and, over time, whether their condition is stable, improving or deteriorating.  The requirements for monitoring will be determined by the following:

Generally lower LoS or lower risk parks will require only health checks or basic monitoring, while high priority LoS parks and those with exceptional values will require more detailed monitoring and targeted research. A park’s Monitoring & Research Strategy will outline the specifications such as the type of monitoring, monitoring sites (number and location), frequency, and timing (e.g. seasonal considerations).

Three types of monitoring

1. Health checks are a visual assessment of a key values’ condition using a set of standard indicators that are outlined in the Health Check Guides (see resources). Health Checks enable the condition and trend of values or assets to be evaluated over time, as well as the early detection of emerging issues that can trigger management intervention to prevent degradation. There is a Guide for each type of key value:

  • Natural values (e.g. remnant vegetation communities);
  • Social or visitor values (e.g. a site or a visitor experience); and
  • Post-contact cultural or historic values (e.g. shearing sheds).

A guide to support health checks for First Nations values is currently in-development with First Nations partners.

The concepts and methods are very similar across all three Health Checks guides. ‘QPWS Monitr’ is a new monitoring tool developed to support Rangers. It is both an in-field (mobile) data collection app (for undertaking health check assessments or record emerging issues), and a web-based app to store data and manage the Health Check program (e.g. scheduling assessments).

2. Basic monitoring, in addition to health checks, Rangers may do additional basic monitoring. Examples include mapping the distribution of a priority weed species and monitoring pest animal activity using remote cameras, to evaluate the effectiveness of control programs over time.

3. Detailed monitoring may be required for very high to exceptional parks that require management action to protect or enhance significant values. Detailed monitoring is specialised, targeted, well designed, fit-for-purpose and adequately resourced. It is also scrutinised to ensure that data continues to be captured, analysed, and used to inform management. Targeted research by external researchers may be needed for parks with exceptional values. The data collection has a defined scientifically rigorous methodology that may include control sites. Methods may include structured observations (qualitative) and quantitative measures/indices (more often the latter). Data is stored on corporate systems.

What is the next step?

We will use information gathered through monitoring programs to evaluate and report on whether management actions have been effective in achieving a range of desired park management outcomes.

For more information on the monitoring approach contact QPWS via email Monitr@detsi.qld.gov.au

Resources