SummaryGlobal GuidelinesTechnical and interactive resources
Effectively managed
For the Global Biodiversity Framework to succeed, quality of management at systems and site levels will be as important as quantity of areas conserved. Assessment of management effectiveness has been made in at least some protected areas in most countries, this effort will need to increase and most importantly management adapted to ensure effectiveness. This is particularly important as the effectiveness of the current protected area network does not match its rate of expansion. A quarter to a third of all protected areas have ineffective management. (Comparative data on OECMs is not yet available, although in theory OECMs cannot be recognized unless they are effective.)
What do we mean by “Effective”?
Effectiveness is defined as the degree to which something is successful in achieving a desired result. In terms of conservation effectiveness this is usually related to achieving clearly defined conservation objectives, which in turn should be driven by the intended outcomes. All forms of effective area-based conservation need to demonstrate and deliver positive and sustained long-term conservation outcomes either related to specific conservation goals and objectives for protected areas, or as a result of other goals and objectives. Effective conservation of systems and sites results in flourishing biodiversity and positive sociocultural outcomes in the landscape and seascape.
To be effective, sites should represent areas of biodiversity importance, be connected, have effective management and equitable governance, i.e., all the elements of GBF Target 3. Success is based around assessing how effectively objectives have been met. These might be planned conservation targets, or the result of traditional values, or be recognized later in the case of OECMs. Such objectives will therefore be culturally or contextually distinct but must ensure conservation effectiveness to meet the GBF. A management effectiveness evaluation is a tool for adaptive management that needs to include a focus on conservation outcomes. It does not necessarily require the same approach as measuring progress against global targets.
Effective management is based on the adequacy and appropriateness of resources and processes to enable positive and sustained long-term biodiversity (and concomitant social outcomes). What is considered effective will vary from site to site, and should be agreed by a participatory process, and influenced by context (e.g., governance, pressures, enabling conditions such as legislation), decisions relating to design and connectivity taken during establishment/recognition and evolving management actions (including inputs/resources and management practices) informed by monitoring and assessment.
Specific management processes vary, but global guidance exists in terms of management standards, capacity, competence, assessment and monitoring; all of which should contribute to management that is adaptive, inclusive and transparent.
Evaluating Effectiveness A framework for assessing management effectiveness of protected areas (2nd Edition)
Management effectiveness evaluation is defined as the assessment of how well protected areas are being managed – primarily the extent to which management is protecting values and achieving goals and objectives.
The Framework for management effectiveness developed by the IUCN World Commission for Protected Areas was published in the first version of this Best Practice Guideline.1 It is further explained and interpreted, though not substantially altered, in this version (Chapter 3).It is based on the idea that protected area management follows a process with six distinct stages,or elements: it begins with reviewing contextand establishing a vision for site management (within the context of existing status and pressures), progresses through planningand allocation of resources (inputs),and as a result ofmanagement actions (process), eventually produces goods and services (outputs), that result in impacts or outcomes. This Best Practice Guideline is not intended as a ‘howto’manual and does not contain a detailed methodology, but explains (Chapter 4) the steps in designing and conducting an assessment.
Planet-NICFI Tropical Basemaps for Nature Monitoring and Reporting
The NICFI Satellite Data Program enables open comprehensive access to frequent, high-resolution satellite monitoring of the tropics to conserve tropical forest. Visit website here. Through this program, anyone can access Planet’s high-resolution (4,77m), analysis-ready mosaics to help reduce and reverse the loss of tropical forests, combat climate change, conserve biodiversity, and facilitate sustainable development for non-commercial uses.
Tools for improving protected areas management and governance: the IUCN Green List
Rangers for 30 by 30 – A Professional Workforce to Ensure Equitable & Effective Management of Protected & Conserved Areas
The 30X30 target cannot be achieved without an adequate area-based workforce. At the forefront of this workforce are rangers, encompassing state employed personnel, Indigenous peoples, community and voluntary guardians, and personnel of privately managed areas. Their work includes protection, conservation, monitoring, visitor services, fire management, law enforcement, education, community support and regulation of sustainable use.
The “Rangers for 30 by 30 Framework” (link document) developed by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA) outlines a comprehensive approach to ensuring effective and equitable management of protected and conserved areas, in order to meet the Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of conserving 30% of the planet by 2030. The framework outlines how that can be achieved, through a commitment by countries, agencies, managers, NGOs and donors to ensuring that a diverse ranger work- force is able to deliver what has been agreed in a professional, responsible and accountable way. In the framework IRF and URSA have identified the essential elements of support to ensure implementation of a holistic approach that can deliver effective and equitable management of 30% of the planet and contribute to the overall implementation of the GBF.
It is estimated that 1.5 million rangers (from a wide range of conservation governance types) will be needed to effectively conserve 30 per cent of the planet by 2030, as outlined in Target 3 of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework. This IUCN WCPA Good Practice Guideline focuses on one specific area of rangers’ work, their relationships with Indigenous people and local communities. The good practices are a contribution towards the implementation of the five-year (2021–2025) Action Plan for professionalising the ranger workforce developed by the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA).