ASSESSMENT OF PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS: IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE CHORNOBYL BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Abstract

The article is dedicated to developing and implementing a Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) assessment method within the activities of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve (ChREBR). The relevance of PAME assessment for achieving international and national nature conservation goals is substantiated, especially in the context of the absence of an approved national methodology and challenges caused by the war. Existing international approaches to PAME assessment and the experience of their application worldwide are analyzed. The research aimed to develop and practically apply an adapted PAME assessment methodology in ChREBR, analyze the results obtained, and disseminate the experience. The development is based on the METT (Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool) method, which has been gradually implemented in the reserve. The result of the assessment was the overall management effectiveness index defined of the ChREBR. The strengths (planning, outcomes) and weaknesses (inputs, processes) of management were identified. Recommendations were made to improve management, in particular, to involve communities, demarcate boundaries, improve planning, and fundraising. A conclusion was made about the successful implementation of the adapted METT method in the reserve. The obtained effectiveness index correlates with the average values for other protected areas in Ukraine. Further research into the impact of the implementation of the method on the quality of management of the protected area is a prospect.