ABSTRACT
Summary of key points:
Wilderness is a concept as much as a place.
As a concept of a place with minimal human inAuence, there is a duality of being both valued and feared.
Nature reserve management is much about expression of human preference.
As such, much effort has hitherto gone into arresting succession.
In the future facilitating change will be a key issue to face, with habitat linkage an important factor.
Green spaces in cities and gardens are the “acceptable” face of nature, involving elements of (therapeutic) involvemenr but with control of nature.
In the face of environmental change it will be the range of culturally defined preferences for the range of nature experiences – from wilderness, reserves, parks and gardens – which will be critical in determining the outcome.
