Effective Management Of Protected Areas Research Articles

Coordinated action across administration levels and assessments: key tools to reveal barriers to effective management of protected areas

We assessed protected area management effectiveness and identified attributes that limit the effectiveness of 21 protected areas in the State of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Of these, we assessed 10 areas under state-level administration for which a standardised assessment had not previously been conducted. For the 11 protected areas under federal administration, we obtained assessment data from the government. The protected areas were contrasted regarding the administration level and a list of attributes that could result in differences in management effectiveness between areas. We examined the relationship between protected areas' attributes and mean effectiveness using linear models. The same attributes were also related to management elements, namely context, planning, inputs, processes and outputs, using redundancy analysis. Management effectiveness and scores of management elements were found to be lower for areas either with unresolved land tenure, lacking management plans or updated ones, those under many pressures and threats, or those under state-level administration. Overall, we suggest that federal protected areas do better in at least these attributes or a combination of attributes not well-captured by single indicators than state-level protected areas. Reassessments should be regularly carried out across administration levels in order to effectively flag a barrier, clear it, and identify the next one to be tackled.

Impacts of Land use Land cover dynamics on Ecosystem services in maze national park and its environs, southwestern Ethiopia

This study investigated the impacts of LULC changes on selected ecosystem services in Maze National Park (MzNP) and its environs in southwestern Ethiopia. Landsat images from 1985, 2005, and 2020 were used to examine land use land cover (LULC) changes. Images were classified using the Random Forest (RF) classifier, and their accuracy was computed in QGIS. Ecosystem service values (ESVs) were then estimated using the benefit transfer method employing Ecosystem Service Valuation Database (ESVD) coefficients. Additionally, socioeconomic survey was conducted to understand the local community's perceptions regarding the dynamics of ecosystem services. The findings revealed a significant increase in croplands (103.7 %) and built-up areas (31.32 %), while riverine forests, water bodies, and wooded grasslands declined. The overall ESVs decreased by 20 %, from 2038.42 million USD in 1985 to 1628.72 million USD in 2020, mainly driven by reductions in riverine forests and wooded grasslands. As for the individual ESVs for the period 1985 to 2020, only food production increased by 0.7 million USD, while water supply, climate regulation, raw materials, and recreation and tourism declined by 180.35, 2.67, 45.72, and 481.62 million USD, respectively. The coefficient of sensitivity ranged from 0.01 to 0.94, <1, revealed that our estimates are relatively robust. Ecosystem services such as grazing, recreation, wild food, and firewood are highly valued by local residents, but they are declining over time due to environmental degradation and restrictions on access to the park. Thus, understanding LULC changes and their impacts on ESVs can help decision-makers design effective protected area management plans and reduce potential conflicts over resource uses. Further investigations are suggested to more accurately quantify ESVs using high resolution satellite imageries and different valuation methods.

Gibbon population status and long-term viability: Implication for a newly established protected area management

Effective protected area management is a crucial process for biodiversity conservation, and its effectiveness can be evaluated using the status of indicator species. Monitoring changes over time in the status of indicator species is an essential tool for designing and improving management plans for protected areas. Due to the preference for pristine habitat hoolock gibbon can be considered indicator species for habitat quality. We therefore defined changes in the status of the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) over 16 years (2005–2021) by estimating density changes and population viability in Mahamyaing Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS), a newly established protected area in western Myanmar. Using the acoustic point count method, we estimated the gibbon density to determine the impacts of selective logging and human disturbances on this species. This survey was conducted between February and March 2021 at 22 sampling sites, covering 352 km2 of evergreen and mixed deciduous forests in Mahamyaing Wildlife Sanctuary. We used distance sampling method to estimate an overall gibbon density of 0.97 groups/km2, which appeared to be dramatically lower than a previous estimate of 1.81 groups/km2 from 2005, defined using the same method. We then divided the Sanctuary into three zones and defined the minimum viable population (MVP) for gibbons in each zone to support management policies for the long-term persistence of the species. Moreover, the population viability analysis indicated that the population of eastern hoolock gibbons in the entire study area was seriously declining to lower than 1000 gibbons by the year 2055. By our estimation, around 4400 groups are needed for the long-term persistence of gibbons in Mahamyaing Wildlife Sanctuary. Our results highlight the detrimental effects of selective logging and human disturbance on gibbons, and presumably wildlife in general, in Mahamyaing Wildlife Sanctuary and the problems of inadequate protection level and management, underscoring the need to address these threats through targeted conservation efforts.

Assessing and developing improvement strategies for the protected area management (PAM) planning process/effectiveness in Turkey

Designing and implementing an effective protected area management (PAM) plan is a great challenge. This paper develops a conceptual framework with a set of principles for through assessment of the PAM plans for three protected areas in Turkey; Kızılkuyu, Tek Tek Mountains and Karacadağ Steppes and proposes improvements. The assessment showed that the plans are a comprehensive initiative and a reputable model for an integrated PAM planning paradigm, aside from few limitations. A holistic approach based on landscape characterization and vision was used to prepare the management plans simultaneously. A management strategy was formulated to define the vision, targets, policies, objectives and the sub-programs for each thematic area. Baseline condition was determined with a field survey to characterize landscape structure, historical and cultural values and biodiversity focusing on the target species such as Terebinth (Pistacia palaestina Boiss.), crop wild relatives (CWR) and Cream-coloured cursor (Cursorius cursor). Low income, property conflicts, urbanization pressure, habitat loss, land degradation, overuse, food security, climate changes and illegal excavation were identified as major threats and risks. A sound multi-organizational governance model with an appropriate monitoring program was developed and proposed with the defined roles. The lack of scenario analysis with the appropriate decision making tools and methods, lack of common working culture and tools, insufficient representation and characterization of a full spectrum of ecosystem services were identified as major drawbacks. While few, these shortcomings may create a far-sighted design and governance concern and jeopardize the sustainable management of the protected areas. Effective protection and expansion of steppe ecosystems, capacity building on the long-term strategic planning and scenario analysis with a DSS, maintaining the active involvement of stakeholders, development of buffers and stepping stones for creating protected area networks, developing policy documents, and resolving property issues are proposed as improvement strategies for an efficient PAM system.

Economics of conservation law enforcement by rangers across Asia

AbstractBiodiversity targets, under the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, prioritize both conservation area and their effectiveness. The effective management of protected areas (PAs) depends greatly on law enforcement resources, which is often tasked to rangers. We addressed economic aspects of law enforcement by rangers working in terrestrial landscapes across Asia. Accordingly, we used ranger numbers and payment rates to derive continental‐scale estimates. Ranger density has decreased by 2.4‐fold since the 1990s, increasing the median from 10.9 to 26.4 km2 of PAs per ranger. Rangers were generally paid more than the minimum wage (median ratio = 1.9) and the typical salaries in agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector (median ratio = 1.2). Annual spending on ranger salaries varied widely among countries, with a median of annual US71 km−2 of PA. Nearly 208,000 rangers patrolling Asian PAs provide an invaluable opportunity to develop ranger‐based monitoring plans for evaluating the conservation performance. As decision‐makers frequently seek an optimum number of law enforcement staff, our study provides a continental baseline median of 46.3 km2 PA per ranger. Our findings also provide a baseline for countries to improve their ranger‐based law enforcement which is critical for their Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.

ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ УПРАВЛІННЯ ПРИРОДООХОРОННИМИ ТЕРИТОРІЯМИ І РОЛЬ ФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ЗОНУВАННЯ В МЕТОДИКАХ ЇЇ ОЦІНЮВАННЯ

The article aims to define the role of functional zoning in the effective management of protected areas and to analyze the main methods of assessing the protected area (PA) management effectiveness. The research was performed using general scientific research methods. Methods and factors that should be taken into account when developing functional zoning are highlighted. The significant potential for the use of functional zoning to improve PA’s management is pointed out, in particular, through methodological improvement, implementation of international experience, including IUCN recommendations, and ensuring the balance between zones. The analysis of the basic methods of protected areas management effectiveness is carried out. The role of spatial organization and functional zoning in achieving high-performance indicators of PAs management in protected areas management effectiveness assessments is indicated. For the first time, the peculiarities of the integration of the indicators of the criterion of functional zoning into the methodology of assessing the effectiveness of management of PAs and the need for its wider implementation in these methodologies are identified.

Area-based conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals: a review

ABSTRACT Area-based conservation is more than just a contribution to protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Establishment and effective management of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation mechanisms (OECMs) could accelerate progress for a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for which progress is currently too slow to meet targets by the 2030 deadline. We report the first global analysis of the wider role of protected areas and OECMs in SDG implementation. Our analysis focusses on 11 of the 17 SDGs, assessed in three main groups: (i) cornerstones of conservation, underpinning all prosperity (SDGs 14 and 15); (ii) fundamentals for well-being (SDGs 2, 6 and 13); and (iii) sustainable, healthy and peaceful societies (SDGs 1, 3, 5, 10, 11 and 16). Better representation of area-based conservation in the SDGs will require us to take four steps: (i) recognition of wider SDG targets addressed by protected and conserved areas; (ii) integration of ecosystem services into site-level policies and national SDG strategies; (iii) enhancement of the relevant values through management approaches; and (iv) consistent reporting of these as a contribution to the SDGs.

Capacity development challenges and solutions for Natura 2000: an approach through blended learning

AbstractCapacity development is essential for the effective management of protected areas and for achieving successful biodiversity conservation. European Natura 2000 sites form an extensive network of protected areas and developing the capacity of staff at all levels is a priority that will positively influence the appropriate implementation of conservation actions. In this study we identify the main challenges and potential solutions to developing the skills, knowledge and tools required for effective Natura 2000 site management. Our findings are based on a case study of the European project LIFE e-Natura2000.edu, which focuses on capacity development in practical biodiversity conservation and management through integrated and blended learning experiences (i.e. a combination of face-to-face and virtual teaching). We illustrate the main elements for successfully building capacity within a variety of knowledge and experience backgrounds and operating levels related to the management of Natura 2000 sites. Multifaceted, blended learning approaches are key to tackling the various needs of Natura 2000 managers in terms of skills, knowledge and tools.

From recreation ecology to a recreation ecosystem: A framework accounting for social-ecological systems

Recreation ecology has its foundations in the premise that recreationists have a negative impact on ecosystems, and are thus treated as an ecological stressor. However, ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and the environment, not just an organism's impacts on the environment. While we do not dispute the evidence that recreationists can negatively impact ecosystems, recreation can also have positive effects for conservation. Contextualizing interactions between recreation and ecology within broader multi-scale social-ecological systems can advance our scientific knowledge of these interactions to provide a basis for more effective management of protected areas that host recreation. In this paper, we propose the concept that recreation-ecosystem interactions are part of a system with a range of positive, negative, and neutral interactions with feedbacks of variable intensity occurring between multiple levels. We simplify this concept into a two-dimensional quadrant system to describe the spectrum of interactions within a range of social-ecological systems, which could be developed for countless natural and social systems. For example, the social portion of this system includes values such as cultural, health and well-being, tribal, and many others; examples of the ecological portion include vegetation, biodiversity, soils, and more. As an illustrative example, we develop the system for recreation-wildlife interactions. We also emphasize the importance of integrating recreation and wildlife research and management through approaches based on this framework. Future research in this area might be improved by considering this novel framework to balance the needs of humans and protect natural ecosystems in protected area management decisions. The framework aims to help outdoor recreation managers and researchers better - Address existing gaps in research and management, - Collaborate with those working in complementary fields , - Develop more integrative recreation planning and management tools, and - Resolve persistent problems in outdoor recreation management.

Savanna fire management can generate enough carbon revenue to help restore Africa’s rangelands and fill protected area funding gaps

<h2>Summary</h2> Many savanna-dependent species in Africa including large herbivores and apex predators are at increasing risk of extinction. Achieving effective management of protected areas (PAs) in Africa where lions live will cost an estimated US$ >1–2 billion/year in new funding. We explore the potential for fire-management-based carbon financing programs to fill this funding gap and benefit degrading savanna ecosystems. We demonstrate how introducing early dry season fire management programs could produce potential carbon revenues (PCRs) from either a single carbon financing method (avoided emissions) or from multiple sequestration methods ranging from US$ 59.6–655.9 million/year (at US$ 5/ton) or US$ 155.0 million/year to US$ 1.7 billion/year (at US$ 13/ton). We highlight variable but significant PCRs for savanna PAs from US$ 1.5–44.4 million/year per PA. We suggest investing in fire management programs to jump-start the United Nations Decade of Ecological Restoration to help restore degraded African savannas and conserve imperiled keystone herbivores and apex predators.

Improving National Park Management in Malaysia: Towards greater community participation

The study evaluates the wider impacts of a national park within the scope of an integrated environmental hub at the global and local level covering, first, divulges concepts relating to the current governance approach to national park management; second, empirical review in lieu with effective management of protected areas demonstrated by co-management and community-based management approach, third, a brief look at two referral case studies, ie. Zagatala-Balakan Biosphere Reserves, Azerbaijan and Comana Natural Park, Romania; and fourth, addressing the efficiency use of local resources associated to those areas. Finally, evaluation on the way and strategy forward for country’s intention to gauge on the potentials of National Park. Keywords: Bio-diversity; National Parks; Protected Areas; environment eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning &amp; Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6iSI5.2943

Driven by data: Improved protected area effectiveness in Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan

AbstractThe necessity of rangers and other frontline staff for ensuring the protection and effective management of protected areas is well documented. The Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) was developed as a law enforcement monitoring tool with the aim of assisting management in the allocation of resources and strategic deployment of ranger patrols. The ability of SMART to contribute to improved protection depends heavily on effective application through an adaptive management framework. Royal Manas National Park (RMNP), Bhutan, presents an opportunity to review the use of a protected area law enforcement monitoring tool for improving the detection and reduction of illegal activities within a protected area through effective ranger patrols. Results from the analysis of 5 years of monitoring data collected by rangers indicates a marked improvement in patrol effort in RMNP and suggests that the effective deployment of law enforcement monitoring tools, when used as part of an adaptive management framework, can improve the detectability of poaching related threats, potentially resulting in an overall reduction of poaching threats through enabling the informed and targeted allocation of staff and resources.

Indicators keep progress honest: A call to track both the quantity and quality of protected areas

Indicators keep progress honest: A call to track both the quantity and quality of protected areas

A Business Case for Marine Protected Areas: Economic Valuation of the Reef Attributes of Cozumel Island

Tourism to Cozumel Island generates USD 762 million annually in local economic activity, and 111 visitors stay in local hotels for each inhabitant. The island’s coast is its principal attraction, yet water quality and reef health are threatened. This paper studies the link between the local economy and management of Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, using a choice experiment to assess the economic value visitors assign to underwater visibility, biodiversity, and visitor congestion in reef areas. We found that, on average, tourists are willing to pay USD 190 per visit to avoid a projected decrease in biodiversity, USD 120 per visit to prevent a projected decline in visibility, and USD 98 to avoid high congestion during reef visits. We find high heterogeneity in willingness to pay estimates, which may be useful for targeting both conservation and marketing efforts. On the other hand, increasing the reef access fee from USD 2 to USD 6 could fully fund effective protected area management, with no substantial effect on visitors’ consumer surplus. Results suggest that a conservation surcharge could be added to all tours, with little impact on visitation, and that significantly increasing private sector collaboration and government spending on conservation would be good economic choices.

Features of modern development and use of specially protected natural territories in the Khanty-Mansiya autonomous area

This article proposes to consider the features of the use of specially protected natural areas in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Yugra. The main prospects for the use of protected areas are considered, taking into account the environmental, economic and social factors of development, an approach is proposed for the introduction of ecological tourism in the activities of specially protected natural areas. A forecast of changes in the main indicators of effective management of protected areas has been made.

Ecotourism as a Tool to Substantially Funding Conservation Endeavors in Ethiopia

This review paper intends to highlight the role of ecotourism in satisfying the funding requirement for effective management of protected areas in Ethiopia. Although, Ethiopia has blessed with charismatic wildlife endowment, ecotourism is yet underdeveloped. Ethiopia has recognized tourism as invaluable tool not only to bring significant financial funds for the maintenance of PAs but also to improve wellbeing of local inhabitants. Tourism in EWCA PAs has been generating significant direct income to central treasury, for example about in $300,000 was earned in 2015/16. However, the rough calculation of nature tourist’s expenditure has enormously outstripped the direct income, estimated about $58.5 million in 2015/16. However, in the same year government has allocated about $3.78 for conservation and development undertakings by EWCA. This has provided a return on investment of about $15.5 for every $1 invested. However, if the estimated ecosystem services provision ($325 million per annum) is accounted the return of investment greatly exceed. Apart from tourism significant amount of income has generated from sport hunting, concession fees, filming, research fees and other royalties. Thus, a well-designed ecotourism development projects are required to meet desired conservation goals and significantly contribute for livelihood development. Recommendations are provided to promote sustainable ecotourism business in PAs of Ethiopia.

English

Known for its diversity and high endemicity, half of Madagascar&#39;s floral richness is sheltered in the Island&#39;s eastern evergreen dense rainforest; including key, threatened and socio-economically valuable species. The vulnerability of such habitat, combined with overexploitation of timber, threatens the livelihoods of forest communities and conservation of biological diversity. Up till date, the main actions regarding Madagascar&rsquo;s biodiversity are leading at the ecosystem level through protected area systems, without necessarily ensuring real conservation of all key species. These are rarely considered as a criterion for effective protected area management. Although decisions on long-term conservation and genetic improvement require detailed scientific and economic knowledge of species, very limited data are available. This research study sets out to promote the development of scientific knowledge of six key endemic species belonging to lowland rainforest ecosystems, to propose a variant of models for the conservation and sustainable use of their genetic resources. The research was conducted using several methods including ecological studies of the habitats of these key species, demographic analysis, and monitoring of their biological and phenological behaviors. The results obtained made it possible to identify three priority groups of key species for which specific conservation and sustainable use measures are proposed. &nbsp; Key words: key species ecology, biology and physiology, conservation and sustainable use, evergreen dense rainforest.

Long-term land cover change in Zambia: An assessment of driving factors

Land cover change (LCC) has significant effects on the global ecosystem diversity and function. This topic has received increasing attention due, in part, to its relationship with climate change, and the availability of remotely-sensed imagery that is used to monitor LCC. However, studies analysing the factors that drive LCC at large spatial scales and over long temporal scales are uncommon. This study aimed to identify the factors driving long-term (44 years, 1972–2016) national level LCC in Zambia. Two analyses were conducted, with the first considering factors that led to any LCC. The second scenario identified factors associated with changes from forests to other land covers, and the reversion to forests from non-forested covers. Candidate factors considered in both analyses include accessibility, proximity, topography, climate, conservation and socioeconomics. A classification tree (CT) approach was used to relate the explanatory candidate factors to LCC. The results showed that the CT models predicted LCC with accuracies ranging from 71 to 85%. The first analysis showed that the major factors determining LCC were percentage of area under agriculture, distance to water bodies, change in crop yield, mean temperature and elevation. Meanwhile, the second analysis showed that primary, secondary and plantation forest cover losses were mainly influenced by human population density, crop yield per hectare and mean crop yield, respectively. Protection status was the most important factor for forest reversion and recovery, while a variety of factors including distance to the railway, elevation and total precipitation also influenced forest reversion and recovery. The findings from this study provide insights into the factors that influence LCC and are important for developing effective policies to reduce the negative impacts of LCC and to promote forest reversion and recovery through effective management of protected areas. While this study focused on factors associated with historical LCC, the findings will also help to predict and understand future LCC scenarios.

Threatened medicinal and economic plants of the Sudan Savanna in Katsina State, northwestern Nigeria

Background: The loss of biodiversity in Nigeria is escalating alarmingly. However, there is generally a paucity of information as to what taxa are endangered because of a dearth of functioning conservation agencies in Nigeria.Objectives: The aim of this research is to record the endangered medicinal and other economic plant species in the Sudan Savanna vegetation in Katsina and to provide an assessment of the various threats faced by these plants.Method: Medicinal plants were identified through oral interviews with traditional medical practitioners within the study area. Conservation statuses were assessed using a bespoke data collection and assessment form; the data were then evaluated using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List categories and criteria.Results: A total of 169 species belonging to 62 families were recorded. Of these, 43 taxa were reported to be used for ethnomedicinal practices. It was found that more than half (108) of the 169 species were threatened with extinction and one taxon (Xeroderris stuhlmannii [Taub.] Mendonca Sousa) qualifies as being Extinct locally. Threats recorded include overexploitation (24%), agriculture (15%), deforestation and desertification (12% each), invasive plants (11%), urban residential development (7%) and erosion (6%).Conclusion: Most of the plants are already under threat and require urgent conservation measures. The data point to the critical need for further research into conservation strategies and a more sustainable use of threatened plants. We recommend that the Nigerian government should establish a national Red List agency and ensure effective protected area management and community-based natural resources management.

Monitoring and Assessment of Protected Areas’ Management Capacities in the Republic of Serbia

The necessity to measure the effectiveness of the management of protected areas has been widely recognized. This paper aims to show a realistic state of affairs in protected area management in the Republic of Serbia on the basis of the results of managers’ monitoring and their obligations stipulated by law. It will also answer questions on which form of management is optimal, by means of a proposed assessment model. The research has been performed on a sample of 30 sensu stricto protected areas, managed by 21 different managers. For the purpose of ranking and comparing the degree of protected area management effectiveness, the use of a normalized aggregate function (scoring) has been introduced. Results show that about half of the analyzed protected areas have no adequate management in terms of legally prescribed management criteria, as well as that management effectiveness is related to several external factors. The authors conclude that meeting all criteria stipulated by law, and the existence of professional staff represent fundamental factors for the effective management of protected areas.