Opportunities and Barriers to Monitoring and Evaluating Management Effectiveness in Protected Areas within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region, South Africa

Abstract

Protected areas (PAs) that are not effectively managed will not contribute meaningfully to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3, which aims to ensure that a minimum of 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas are effectively conserved and managed. Our study examined the monitoring and evaluation of protected area management effectiveness (PAME) as part of an adaptive management process in the Kruger to Canyons (K2C) Biosphere Region in South Africa. Our mixed methods approach, using online questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups, revealed that most PA managers in the network were familiar with the concept of adaptive management. The most widely used PAME evaluation tool used in the region was the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT). Some PAs did not use a formal tool but gathered scientific data using methods such as game counts and vegetation surveys to judge management effectiveness. Additionally, several managers that did not use a formal tool mentioned that they were constrained by time, staff capacity or budget. The introduction of a simpler tool for managers that are time- or resource-constrained or who are working in a newly declared or in-process PA may improve PAME evaluation within the network. We suggest that there is a need for improved communication, co-learning, and information sharing regarding PAME evaluation tools.

Challenges to Protected and Conserved Areas: Wicked Solutions Needed for Wicked Problems

“…In their study, Wilson and Anthony [22] focus on monitoring and evaluating protected area management effectiveness (PAME) within an adaptive management framework, explicating some of the challenges associated with this part of the management cycle in complex, multi-governance settings. Using the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region in South Africa as a case study, they show how the current configurations of protected areas within a larger network may not lend themselves well to popular PAME evaluation tools.…”

“…Challenges in this area include designing and implementing appropriate tools that can help track the effectiveness of PCA management, including the natural state of the PCAs within budgetary, staff and time constraints. Using an adaptive management framework, Wilson and Anthony [22] test such PAME tools among park managers, while Dalton and colleagues [23] develop monitoring guidelines for PCAs. The lessons learned in these studies will help to enhance protected area management through integrated and adaptive approaches, collaborative governance models, transboundary cooperation, resilience-building strategies, innovative monitoring tools, and a forwardlooking, long-term perspective.…”