Stirling Range National Park
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Changes in the landcover of Stirling Range National Park and surrounds, September 1977 to February 1988.
The Stirling Range National Park was no doubt conserved for its unique heath
vegetation as well as its unsuitability for cultivation. The spectacular
topographic relief within the park is visible in the two images above.
The Difference FCC image is dominated by a change (decline) in landcover
greenness; a change that is of no significance in this context. Nonetheless,
changes in landcover amount within the Park can be detected and interpreted
as fire footprints. These changes are quite spectacular in size and shape
and, we presume, within the normal experience of this landcover type.
The most disconcerting landcover changes are relatively small but numerous.
A comparison of all three FCC images shows widespread loss of small fragments
of remnant native vegetation that was previously spread throughout the croplands.
With the steady loss of native vegetation remnants in its surrounds, the
Stirling Range National Park is being changed from a reserve that is typical
or representative of an area, into an island. The landcover conserved within
the Stirling Range National Park becomes isolated. Also, nibbling along
the margins of the park itself, there has been clearing of native landcover,
presumably legally. The spirit and the practice of conservative landuse
is apparently not widespread amongst this particular farming community.
