It is not intended as a definitive or permanent statement of the positions of the interested groups, but rather to place on record matters of concern, in the context of a document to be considered by regulatory authorities.
Research is one of the major uses of protected areas.
The validity of research activities in this form of land tenure is widely attested to by reference to scientific research in acts and statutory documents, such as management plans. The presentation of the natural values of protected areas is also a widespread statutory responsibility. Irrespective of legal recognition, scientific research can benefit natural values in all environmentally sensitive areas, protected or not, in two major ways. Firstly, scientific research is needed to ensure that use and management are such that no natural values are lost or unacceptably degraded. For example, it may be impossible to maintain populations of a threatened native herb without knowing something of its regeneration needs and susceptibility to various types of disturbance.