Abstract
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest protected area in the Republic of Croatia and the biggest by its surface. The park is designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Outstanding universal value is recognized within significant natural and geological processes, habitats and biodiversity. Only 1% of the park's large surface is the main focal point for visitors and active tourism. We evaluated management of the park through Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis interpreting internal and external factors. High conservation of biodiversity, investments in different projects and high number of employees are considered as strengths. High number of visitors in small area and lack of visitor management plan, educational programs and marketing strategy are weaknesses. Threats are present through the inadequate management of drinking water supplies, lack of wastewater treatment plant and excessive construction in villages. Our opportunity definitely lies in protected nature and biodiversity. Considering very good status of the park's finances, there aren't any significant barriers for sustainable tourism approach, development of educational programs, various investments and adoption of new management plans. However, these activities must be beyond any potential political influence and they should have continuity in order for the park to be an example of quality management in the years to come.
Highlights
Protected areas such as strict nature reserves, wilderness areas, national parks, natural monuments and others are essential for biodiversity conservation
Designation of protected areas often changes with regard to the increase or decrease in size or they are not even qualified to be included in the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA)
Regarding the framework and the purpose of this article, we are looking at the context using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis for the initial assessment or rather a quick summary of Plitvice Lakes National Park management effectiveness regarding the main values of the protected area and all other resources that are present
Summary
Protected areas such as strict nature reserves, wilderness areas, national parks, natural monuments and others are essential for biodiversity conservation. They exist in natural or nearnatural ecosystems, and they maintain ecological processes and conserve threatened or. The Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 says that “By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.”. Regarding the fact that protected areas constantly face threats such as climate change effects, introduced species, visitor impacts, development and others, there is a great need for active management [5]
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