This thesis provides the first direct comparison between – and integration of – community-based and science-based approaches to the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). MPAs are one potentially effective conservation tool, but are being established very slowly. My research shows that community involvement in placing MPAs can help meet many ecological goals, although biophysical data improve the conservation value of sitings. To assess the need for MPAs in British Columbia (BC), Canada, I mapped stressors resulting from human activities. This produced a powerful rationale for MPAs: very little of the ocean, and almost none of the continental shelf of BC, lies beyond the reach of human stressors. My work helps reconcile differing perspectives about the efficacy of community-based vs. science-based MPA selection. I explored and analyzed these approaches, separately and together, in two areas in BC. First, I generated a community-based plan for MPA placement through partnerships with two First Nations (indigenous peoples) in BC. They offered strong support for spatial protection measures, and individuals nominated overlapping areas. Second, I applied a decision support tool (Marxan) to determine MPA placement under scientific precepts. Conservation planning usually lacks detailed ecological information but the Marxan approach was robust to some missing data; in such cases, it was best to use available abiotic and biotic data to ensure that both habitats and species were represented. Third, I integrated community-based and science-based approaches, to find that they verified and complemented each other. Indeed, an integration of the two was preferred by participants and also achieved all conservation objectives. Finally, I took a novel and pragmatic approach to ocean zoning. I used spatial data for thirteen commercial fisheries on Canada’s west coast to select areas where fishing should be permitted, rather than prohibiting fishing under a MPA paradigm. The results revealed that small reductions in fisheries yields, if judiciously selected, could allow creation of large unfished areas that embraced diverse biophysical regions and habitat types. Such a pragmatic approach could achieve remarkable conservation gains.

Šiame moksliniame darbe analizuojama rekreacija Lietuvos saugomose teritorijose bei jos poveikis šioms teritorijoms. Pagrindinis šio darbo tikslas – atlikti Nemuno kilpų regioninio parko lankytojų srautų analizę ir ištirti lankytojų poveikį gamtinei aplinkai. Vertinant lankytojus srautus regioniniame parke aptartos vyraujančios rekreacijos rūšys ir formos atskirose Nemuno kilpų regioninio parko dalyse. Panaudojus Nemuno kilpų regioninio parko direkcijos 2006-2008 metų atliktais kraštovaizdžio monitoringo programos rezultatus buvo analizuojamos lankymo apkrovos pažintiniuose, mokomuosiuose takuose, poilsiavietėse, stovyklavietėse. Natūrinių tyrimų metu buvo nustatomas lankytojų poveikis kraštovaizdžiui – rekreacinė digresija. Vertinami rodikliai ir matavimo vienetai – rekreacijos pažeidimo laipsnis (mažas, vidutinis, didelis) ir pobūdis (taškinis, linijinis, arealinis). Matavimai atlikti keturiose Nemuno kilpų regioninio parko vietose: Nemuno upės pakrantė ties Pociūnų kaimu, Žvėrinčiaus miškas prie Prienų estrados, prie Velniablūdžio pelkėje esančio pažintinio tako ir prie Balbieriškio atodangos apžvalgos aikštelės. Didžiausias pažeidimo plotas (arealinis pobūdis) ir mažas rekreacinės digresijos laipsnis užfiksuotas Pociūnų kaime, pušynėlyje, prie Nemuno upės. Labiausiai pažeista rekreacinės digresijos (didelis pažeidimo laipsnis) yra Balbieriškio atodanga prie apžvalgos aikštelės, nes ši parko vieta yra viena labiausiai lankoma lankytojų. Lankytojų anketinis tyrimas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Author of this article analyse environmental management problems which causes the impact of recreation use in protected areas. The purpose of this article is to analyse the impact of visitors and natural surroundings of regional park of Nemunas loops. The author analysed recreation use in regional park of Nemunas loops in terms of sort and form. By using Nemunas loops regional park landscape monitoring statistical data were made comparison load of visitor histograms (in educational and recreational trails, campsites and reviews site). Author did field study and determine visitors influence to the landscape – recreation digression. There were estimated indicators and units of measurements - recreation digression degree (small, medium, big) and character (dotted, linear, areal). Author did questionnaire survey to visitor in regional park of Nemunas loops. the author investigated visitors answers: visitors visiting aim, frequency and opinion about trails signs in regional park of Nemunas loops. There are basic forms of outdoor recreation such as educational, camping, entertainment in regional park of Nemunas loops. The regional park offers nice conditions to holiday making, and particularly to cognitive tourism. The regional park of Nemunas loops is famous among other Lithuanian regional parks for its picturesque, expressive and original landscape. The main accent of the regional park is the Nemunas river with its Great Loops and wide riverbed with high, steep slopes engraved by... [to full text]

The goal of the current study was to describe the organizational and institutional foundations within traditional rural communities that facilitate implementation of participatory community poverty reduction programs. The focus was on communities within or adjacent to protected areas. A case study research approach was used to assess community mobilization, participation and analytical capacity and also to evaluate community groups and organizations for their competence to be local implementing agents of poverty reduction programs. The research findings showed that inadequate skills and organizational levels limited the ability of communities to fully utilize protected areas as poverty reduction initiatives. Key determinants of community participation were the ability to mobilize and also to undertake detailed analysis of local situations. Community mobilization depended on the relationship between the mobilizing agent and the community, social cohesion and gender. Analytical capacity was influenced mostly by the level of education, prior experience and gender. Interestingly, community groups that had the highest potential to be implementing agents, had strong ties to traditional institutions, suggesting that groups with well recognized power and legitimacy within the community are better positioned to facilitate implementation of community poverty eradication initiatives. A number of indicators of community competence were identified and these were used to develop an analytical framework that can be used as a diagnostic tool for determining community competence. / Protected Areas and Poverty Reduction - Canada-Africa Research and Learning Alliance Project

Magistrantūros studijų baigiamasis darbas, 65 puslapiai, 28 paveikslai, 4 lentelės, 42 literatūros šaltiniai, lietuvių kalba. Atlikto tyrimo objektas: Metelių regioninio parko sodybos ir pavieniai pastatai. Tyrimo tikslas – ištirti, kaip laikomasi norminiuose dokumentuose nustatytų sąlygų bei žemės ir kito nekilnojamojo turto naudojimo apribojimų ir kokia užstatytų teritorijų įtaka regioninio parko kraštovaizdžiui. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti, kaip laikomasi regioniniame parke nustatytų nekilnojamojo turto naudojimo sąlygų bei apribojimų; 2. Išanalizuoti, kokią įtaką užstatytos teritorijos turi regioninio parko kraštovaizdžiui; 3. Įvertinti sodybų būklę Metelių regioniniame parke ir šių sodybų savininkų nuomonę apie jiems taikomus teritorijų naudojimo apribojimus. Tyrimo metodai: literatūros šaltinių analizė, empirinis pažinimo metodas – stebėjimas, anketinė apklausa. Gauti duomenys apdoroti matematiniais statistiniais metodais ir pateikti lentelėse bei grafikuose. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad iš analizuojamų 73 sodybų 49,3 proc. atitinka nustatytus apsaugos reglamento reikalavimus. 77,7 proc. šių sodybų yra įsikūrusios Barčių ir Obelninkų kaimuose bei Metelių miestelyje. 6,8 proc. sodybų, neatitinka regioninio parko apsaugos reglamento nustatymų. Net 43,8 proc. sodybų yra apleistų ir nebegyvenamų. Daugiausiai apleistų sodybų (62,5 proc.) yra Buckunų ir Nakruniškės kaimuose. Užstatytos teritorijos, kurios sudaro tik 2,3 proc. bendro parko ploto, šio parko... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Final work of University Master Studies: 65 pages, 28 pictures, 4 tables, 42 references, the Lithuanian language. Subject of the research: homesteads and individual buildings in the Meteliai Regional Park. Aim of the research: to investigate compliance with the conditions and use-restrictions of land and other real estate laid down in regulatory documents, as well as the impact of the built-up areas on the Regional Park landscape. Objectives of the research: 1. To determine compliance with the conditions and limitations of the real estate usage in the Regional Park; 2. To analyse the impact of the built-up areas on the Regional Park landscape; 3. To assess the conditions of messuages and their owners’ opinion about the land-use restrictions in the Regional Park. Research methods: review of sources of scientific literature, empirical knowledge (observation), questionnaire. The obtained data were processed using mathematical-statistical methods. The results are presented in tables and graphs. Research results: The results show that 49.3 per cent of the alysed homesteads meet the Protection Regulation Requirements. 77.7 per cent of these dwellings are located in the villages of Barčiai and Obelninkai and in the townsip of Meteliai. 6.8 per cent of homesteads don’t comply with the regulations for the Regional Park protection. Even 43.8 per cent homesteads are abandoned and desolate. Most abandoned homesteads (62.5 per cent) are located in the villages of Buckūnai and... [to full text]

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

In this investigation, a review is undertaken of the newly promulgated and existent legislation pertaining to the conservation of biodiversity, and the establishment of protected areas as the primary means to protect representative samples thereof. This review develops understanding of the various types of protected areas which may be used, in a broad sense, to conserve the country's biodiversity, with special reference being made to the recently promulgated Protected Areas Act. In undertaking this, a detailed discussion of biodiversity, trusteeship and the concept of systematic planning and irreplaceability is generated. Cursory comment and discussion in a socio-political context, in particular regarding land reform, as well as the various international obligations and commitments the country has undertaken, is made. Despite South Africa being the third most biologically diverse country globally, it is concluded that the conservation of its biodiversity has had a troubled and undirected history. The establishment of protected areas, as a result, has been ad hoc and potentially ineffective at a national scale. The source of this observation is linked directly to the absence of a structured and co-ordinated framework that supports the fulfilment of the country's international commitments to conserve biodiversity. The promulgation of the Biodiversity Act and subsequently the Protected Areas Act, has brought into playa significant step forward in developing this co-ordinated framework. The Act clarifies and brings effect to the State's trusteeship as well as providing a platform for the participation of a wider range of role players, especially previously disadvantaged and land dispossessed communities, in conservation and protection of biodiversity. This participation includes conserving biodiversity for economic, social, and cultural reasons. The absence of meaningful incentives for private and communal landowners to voluntarily conserve biodiversity, and the significance ofthis, is also discussed. Finally a consideration is given of the secondary aim of this legislation, to simplify the statutes concerning the conservation of biodiversity and particularly those pertaining to protected area establishment. This simplification is only partially achieved as a number of protected areas are still not at all or partially regulated by the Protected Areas Act. This may be a source of confusion and uncertainty. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Conservation agreements have been used successfully around the globe for the conservation of biodiversity on private land. In South Africa however, their use to this end has largely been overlooked. Conservation mechanisms in the country have focussed primarily on traditional methods; establishing and managing protected areas identified as having some form of conservation significance. At present only 5.8% of land in South Africa is conserved in statutory protected areas, however government has committed itself to increasing this percentage to 8%. Furthermore, many of the country's biodiversity-rich areas are situated on private land and are currently afforded little or no protection. The cost of purchasing the land is not only financially prohibitive but also socially unacceptable and consequently alternative conservations mechanisms need to be explored. This study provides a comparative analysis of the legislation governing conservation agreements in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and highlights several common key provisions which have contributed to the success of these agreements. It also provides recommendations on possible changes to the South African legislation to allow for a more effective contribution by private landowners to biodiversity objectives and targets within the country. Although the study establishes that conservation agreements can be accommodated within South Africa's legal system it acknowledges that the success of these agreements is largely dependent on complex interactions between effective policy, supporting institutional arrangements, and attractive incentives. It cautions that if these agreements are to work in South Africa, then careful consideration needs to be given not only to tailor-making the legislation to the South African environment but also to establishing incentives which facilitate "buy-in" from landowners. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Protected Areas (PAs) are one of the most effective mechanisms for biodiversity conservation. They are found in almost every country and have been adopted by the international community through various conventions and agreements. However setting aside areas as protected areas does not automatically qualify them to be effectively managed. Research around the world has shown that some PAs are not well managed due to different reasons in different parts of the world. Therefore it is important to determine management effectiveness of PAs to ascertain whether they are managed according to the objectives for which they were created. The Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) is one of the tools developed to evaluate management effectiveness of PAs around the world. The tool has been implemented in a number of countries including Namibia where it has been modified into the Namibia Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (NAMETT) through the United Nations Development Programme and Global Environment Facility’s Strengthening the Protected Areas Network (SPAN) project. However the effectiveness of this tool in providing necessary information about PA management effectiveness was not ascertained before implementation. The Namibian PA management authorities on the other hand need a tool for determining management effectiveness of PAs for management decision-making and as part of their obligations through international conventions which they signed. The aim of this research study was to analyse and assess the NAMETT as a management effectiveness tool for PAs in Namibia, by looking at the strength and weakness of the tool. This will inform whether its worthwhile adopting the tool as a standard management effectiveness evaluation tool for Namibia’s PAs. To accomplish this NAMETT assessment data obtained from the two NAMETT assessments undertaken by SPAN project was analysed. Furthermore different qualitative techniques were used including a semi-structured questionnaire as part of a case study approach. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken in the process and links to students undertaking similar research projects and professionals in the PA management industry were established and complemented the research data. Data obtained from NAMETT assessment undertaken by SPAN project appear to provide a picture of the different levels of management effectiveness in Namibia’s PAs suggesting the tool could be adopted for management effectiveness of Namibia’s PAs. Research data and information gathered shows that at the moment there is no management effectiveness tracking tool in Namibia. PA management authorities lack the necessary management effectiveness information for decision making. Currently only reports, the Incident Book Monitoring System (IBMS) and park inspections are the only sources of information for PA management authorities in Namibia. These tools are inadequate as they do not provide information at a strategic level which can help show trends and weakness and strength in PA management. Therefore a METT tool based on the World Commission on Protected Area’s Framework of which Namibia is a signatory is warranted. The NAMETT provides good information but lacks a link or section that should highlight the health of the ecosystem or provide information on biodiversity. Furthermore the tool has shortfalls in terms of implementation training and guidelines to assist implementers. Despite this, stakeholders who participated in the research project indicated that the tool should be adopted as the standard management effectiveness tool for PAs in Namibia. This however should come with alignment of the tool to local conditions and development of implementation guidelines as well as linkage to other form of PA management tools such as game counts and the IBMS. There is lack of robust management system for PAs in Namibia which will consolidate implementation of NAMETT. Such a system should involve planning, implementation, reporting and adaptive management. Therefore if NAMETT is to be adopted there is a need for such a system to be in place to enable data and information from the different tools to be able to complement each other for informed decision making about PA management. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

The dissertation's point of departure and contention is that the Admiralty Reserve is one of the Coastal Resources facing degradation due to the fact that it is a common property owned by the State President on behalf of all citizens of South Africa. The environmental management function has become the unfunded mandate of local authorities therefore the administration, control and management of the Admiralty Reserve is the responsibility of local government in terms of various lease agreements. There are currently no specific tools available to local government to manage the Admiralty Reserve. The encroachment of the Admiralty Reserve has been and still is a problem for all coastal municipalities including Umdoni municipality. The rationale for the topic was to study the geography of the Admiralty Reserve, the causes of encroachments and the way in which the local authorities dealt (past and present) with the Admiralty Reserve encroachments; to assess the strategies employed by the municipalities in dealing with encroachments, and with the traditional and evolving functions of the Admiralty Reserve. This was done using standard research methods and techniques. The study is located in one of the small coastal municipalities of South Africa called Umdoni, in the Province of Kwazulu-Natal. The results of the study show that the past and present strategies of dealing with encroachments were adversarial in stance and not collaborative. The failure to administer and manage efficiently can be attributed to the following reasons: lack of capacity to deal with environmental matters and legislation, lack of political willpower, negligence on the part of both national and local government spheres, lack of stewardship, lack of proper education, training and knowledge of environmental issues and negative attitudes towards environmental matters. It was also revealed that generally people encroach into the Reserve because of greed and selfishness. One of the conclusions drawn from the findings was that the Admiralty Reserve has become a victim of fragmented control and management by various spheres of government. The Admiralty Reserve requires an integrated management approach that incorporates civic organizations, the relevant government departments, the local authority and the interested and affected individuals. Local authorities are not given proper tools to manage the Admiralty Reserve. There are many laws but none of them are relevant to the Admiralty Reserve. In the absence of usable legislative tools relevant to the Admiralty Reserve encroachments, it is highly recommended and imperative that coastal local authorities (particularly Umdoni Municipality) should formulate and strengthen their bylaws. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

Utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods, this in-depth ethnographic study of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BSFNRRA) examines social conflict and resistance stemming from competing values, definitions, and concerns over the management of cultural and natural resources within the region. The timing of this project is fortuitous for the National Park Service (NPS) has completed the creation of a ten year General Management Plan. Thus, we are provided with an opportunity to study and analyze the policy and methodology that park officials are required to follow in creating a management plan and eliciting public participation. The first goal of this study is to ascertain how the establishment of the BSFNRRA has altered local communities: (1) means of access to the area and (2) uses of resources within the area. Several questions will be asked and probed for answers. What happens to the meanings of the land and places on the land (such as a family cemetery) when the land is transformed from private to public ownership and is managed by a government agency for the benefit of preservation or recreation? How have residents been affected by and adapted to this transformation? The second goal is to probe the complex relationships and identify sources of conflict, resistance, and cooperation between community residents, NPS employees, and special interest groups. Essential questions arise and must be addressed. How are conflict, resistance, and cooperation demonstrated? The third goal is to delineate what measures can be taken to lessen conflict or resistance and promote cooperation? Since resistance often manifests itself in not participating in public meetings pertaining to the BSFNRRA, what measures can be taken to promote public participation? In conclusion, this study will draw clear and concise recommendations towards diminishing conflict between local residents and the NPS, along with recommendations on increasing public participation in the creation of policy pertaining to the management of public land. In addition to the applied aspect of this project, this study contributes to the body of theory by building on the mentalist paradigm of symbolic interactionism and the materialist paradigms of conflict and resistance theory.