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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 32(1)

A GIS-based decision-making structure for managing the impacts of feral camels in Australia

David S. Lamb A F , William K. Saalfeld B , Murray J. McGregor C D , Glenn P. Edwards B , Benxaing Zeng B and Petronella Vaarzon-Morel E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Charles Darwin University, School for Social and Policy Research, Casuarina Campus, NT 0909, Australia.

B Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts, and Sport, PO Box 1120, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia.

C Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, PO Box 3971, Alice Springs, NT 870, Australia.

D Curtin University of Technology, PO Box 771, Northam, WA 6401, Australia.

E Consulting Anthropologist, Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, PO Box 3971, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: david.lamb@cdu.edu.au

The Rangeland Journal 32(1) 129-143 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ09056
Submitted: 13 August 2009  Accepted: 4 January 2010   Published: 23 March 2010

Abstract

Feral camels have severe negative impacts on key environmental economic and social/cultural assets across a wide area in Australia and their population is increasing. In this paper we utilised Multicriteria Evaluation (MCE) within a Geographic Information System (GIS) to create a decision tool for their management. Six management methods which are currently used for managing feral camels and their impacts: aerial culling, ground culling, exclusion fencing, and commercial extraction for live export, pet meat, or human consumption, were considered in the development of the tool. The decision tool used GIS-based MCE to determine the suitability of each of the management methods across the range of feral camels in Australia.

A range of method-dependent criteria and factors served as inputs to the GIS-based MCE, which produced a suitability map or surface for each of the management methods. The broad-scale nature, Australia wide, of the work resulted in the suitability maps generated being of limited value in identifying fine-scale priority locations for management. The suitability maps did serve to identify broad-scale, cross-jurisdictional management zones where one or more of the management methods may be applicable. Geographic Information System-based MCE was concluded to have the potential to identify the appropriate areas for the application of specific feral camel management methods. Four management zones were then defined within the area of Australia in which feral camels are present.

Additional keywords: Analytic Hierarchy Process, fuzzy membership, Multicriteria Evaluation.


Acknowledgements

The work reported in this publication was supported by funding from the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust through the Desert Knowledge CRC; the views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government or the Desert Knowledge CRC or its participants. We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Phil Gee and Andrew Drenen for their contributions in developing the expert criteria tables. Chris Auricht provided valuable comments on early drafts of the manuscript.


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