Conservation Study in North Quabbin Region of Central Massachusetts 1900-1993

This study investigated the history of land protection in north central Massachusetts. For details on methods and results, please see the published paper (Golodetz, A.D. and D.R. Foster. 1997. History and importance of land use and protection in the North Quabbin region of Massachusetts (USA). Conservation Biology 11:227-235). The Abstract from the paper is reproduced below: "Evaluating the consequences and future of land protection requires broad temporal and spatial perspectives of ecological and cultural factors. We assessed the development of a system of protected areas comprising 37% of central Massachusetts in terms of changing rates and means of land protection. We compared protected areas to the surrounding matrix in terms of physical, biological, and historical features and used these results to raise issues concerning future planning. The rate, purpose, and means of land protection in the North Quabbin Region (168,312 ha) have been dynamic as a result of changes in cultural values and transformation of the landscape from predominantly agriculture to forest. Protected lands are managed by 25 federal and state agencies, private groups, and municipal departments and commissions and are physically and biologically typical of the regional landscape which results from (1) participation of diverse organizations with varied agendas; (2) predominance of large government acquisitions driven by landscape-scale criteria; and (3) absence of coordination among groups. The large area, relative homogeneity and largely undeveloped status of the North Quabbin Region suggest conservation goals distinct from those in the fragmented and extensively developed neighboring areas of the Connecticut River Valley and Cape Cod and Islands Region. Large tracts of forests, wetlands, and lakes in the North Quabbin Region provide (1) habitat for species requiring extensive, intact areas; (2) the opportunity to maintain broad-scale ecological processes; (3) connections to the regional conservation areas; and (4) recreation. To realize the area's potential, a comprehensive plan must be based on a broad-scale perspective and historical understanding of the landscape."

本研究聚焦马萨诸塞州中北部的土地保护历史。有关研究方法与结果的详细内容，请参阅已发表论文：Golodetz A.D. 与 D.R. Foster，1997年，《美国马萨诸塞州北昆宾地区土地利用与保护的历史及重要性》（*History and importance of land use and protection in the North Quabbin region of Massachusetts (USA)*），《保护生物学（Conservation Biology）》，11卷：227-235页。本文转载该论文的摘要如下：
"评估土地保护的成效与未来走向，需依托涵盖生态与文化因子的宽域时空视角。本研究针对占马萨诸塞州中部37%面积的保护区（protected areas）体系的发展历程展开评估，聚焦土地保护的速率与实施方式的动态变化。研究人员将保护区与周边景观基质（matrix）在物理、生物与历史特征层面进行对比，并基于此提出未来规划相关的议题。

北昆宾地区（面积168,312公顷（ha））的土地保护速率、目标与实施方式始终处于动态变化中，这源于文化价值观的变迁，以及区域景观从以农业为主向森林主导的转型。该区域的保护地由25家联邦与州级行政机构、民间团体以及市政部门与委员会共同管理，其物理与生物特征与区域景观典型契合，这一特征源于三方面因素：1. 拥有各异保护目标的多元组织参与其中；2. 以景观尺度标准为导向的大型政府收购行为占主导；3. 各组织间缺乏协调机制。

北昆宾地区幅员辽阔、景观相对均质且整体开发程度较低，这使其保护目标与周边破碎化且开发程度较高的康涅狄格河谷、科德角与群岛地区截然不同。

北昆宾地区广袤的森林、湿地与湖泊具有多重价值：1. 为依赖大面积完整生境（habitat）的物种提供栖息场所；2. 为维持宽域尺度的生态过程提供条件；3. 连通区域内的其他保护区域；4. 可供开展游憩活动。

为充分发挥该区域的保护潜力，需依托宽域视角与对区域景观的历史认知制定综合规划。"