IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

University of Queensland, Gatton Campus
School of Natural and Rural Systems Management
Lawes Queensland 4343
Australia
Tel: ++61 (7) 5460-1140 , ++61 (7) 46393437
Fax: ++61 (7) 5460-1324
Email: uqmhocki@uq.edu.au

Completing the global system of protected areas will not be sufficient to achieve biodiversity conservation objectives. It has to be accompanied by maintaining, improving and at times restoring the ecosystems within protected areas.  Effective management is essential. Progress has been made through the development of the WCPA framework and associated systems on management effectiveness. But, in many places, monitoring and evaluation systems need to be adopted and implemented. Elsewhere, they need to be more comprehensive, participatory and affordable and the results better used to guide plans and management. In addition, scientific and other technical research and investigation should be undertaken to ensure that there is sufficient knowledge of trends in ecological, environmental, social, cultural and economic indicators to allow informed management decisions to be taken. Greater understanding and recognition of traditional management practices is also required

Durban Action Plan

Particular attention must be paid to the effects of global change on protected areas.

Corresponding plans of action must be drawn up and implemented.

Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology is particularly relevant to protected areas, enabling better understanding of risk and effective prevention and  mitigation of impacts.

This body of knowledge along with indigenous and traditional knowledge will be encouraged and integrated into protected area planning and management frameworks.

Many protected areas around the world are not effectively managed. In response, management effectiveness will continue as a priority with a focus on improving on and learning from past approaches.

New protocols are needed to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of management in relation to the IUCN Protected Areas Management Categories, and to take on board the increased recognition of cultural and spiritual factors in the effective management of protected areas.

Information arising from the assessment management effectiveness must be better applied to on ground management actions and also to guide donor support for protected area investment. Such information must also be incorporated into the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA).

The IUCN Protected Areas Management Categories are increasingly being used around the world.  However, better guidance on the application of the Categories is required and this should be coupled with efforts to assist countries countries, especially CBD’s state parties, to apply the Categories to their respective protected area systems. A very low (40%) level of protected areas currently listed in the World Data Base on Protected Areas is assigned to a PA Category. This level must be increased.

Certification may open new opportunities, benefits and incentives for protected areas management at national and international levels. WCPA aims to explore this possibility with the full involvement of protected areas agencies and key PAs stakeholders. Indicators of management quality to assess the potential application of methods for “certification” of protected areas at national and international levels will be reviewed and applied, as appropriate

Objectives

• To implement systems to assess the effectiveness of protected area management leading to an improvement in protected area management;
  
   
• To increase the effective application of the IUCN Protected Area Management category system around the world; and
  
   
• To develop methods and tools for the certification of protected areas.
   

Targets

• By 2008, ensure the IUCN PA Management Category System is applied in at least 20 countries to assist preparation of their national system plans for PAs;
  
  
• By 2008, ensure revised guidance on the application of the IUCN Management Categories for Protected Areas is in place and used by all CBD parties and NGOs; and
  
  
• By 2013, develop guidance and standards relating to ecological restoration, protected area design and other key protected area topics
  
• By 2013, ensure that at least 50% of IUCN members dealing with protected areas and key partners have assessed the effectiveness of their protected areas management;
  
• By 2013, ensure acceptance and application of the methods for assessing management effectiveness of PAs by key donors and partners;
  
• By 2013, ensure that 90% of protected areas in the WDPA are assigned to a IUCN PA Category.