Exotic Plant Species of Cumberland Island, Georgia
Thaddeus Hunt
Kenneth Langeland
A survey of exotic plant species on Cumberland Island (Georgia) was conducted during 2003-2004. Of sixty-six exotic plant species identified, twenty-three of these are recognized as invasive or potentially invasive by either the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council (GAEPPC) or the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council (FLEPPC) and 11 species occurred in natural areas of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Areas containing exotic plant species, obtained in the form of Geographic Information System layers, ranged from 1 m2 to 2,273,708 m2. Rankings of impact determined by the Alien Plant Ranking System (APRS) ranged from 4 to 60, but did not coincide well with rankings by the GAEPPC or FLEPPC. Five species listed by GAEPPC or FLEPPC ranked 40 or above by APRS, while all others ranked below 38.
Criteria and Indicators for Evaluating Social Equity and Ecological Integrity in National Parks and Protected Areas
Joleen A. Timko
Terre Satterfield
There are concerns that many national parks and protected areas worldwide are ineffective at protecting biological diversity and ecosystem processes, are socially unjust in their relations with Indigenous communities, or both. This paper outlines what we believe are the key criteria and indicators for evaluating social equity and ecological integrity in terrestrial national parks and protected areas. These criteria and indicators were developed through: (1) a detailed review of relevant literature; (2) a pilot analysis of the management plans and management direction statements from 14 national and provincial parks in Canada, Australia, and South Africa (countries with robust and extensive national parks systems and which share a common legacy of land dispossession followed by the subsequent pursuit of land claims by disadvantaged groups); and (3) an in-depth case study examination of six national parks.