BIOL 3130 EXAM
Define and discuss key issues of protected areas
oPAs expanding geographically, but ecosystems continue to fragment
oPAs serve many functions – conserve habitat for wildlife and landscapes, livelihood
of communities, increase tourism economy, replenish fisheries, and adaption to
climate change
Competing objectives and constant changing focus
oAreas need to have high productivity but low economic potential
oNot a lot of data on protected areas
Protected area coverage of marine species or important biodiversity areas
Impact of increasing demands
Benefits and challenges of protection areas
oBenefits
Well managed protected areas reduce rates of habitat loss
Maintain species population levels, including threatened species
Provide ecosystem services – water, food security, protection of wild crops,
maintenance of wild fish stock and carbon storage
As communities urbanize these roles become more vital
oChallenges
Increase in protected areas = increased community contact
Growth in area conflicts with community needs / economic
development
Areas do not have enough coverage in places that are important for
biodiversity or are ecologically representative
Governments going back on commitment to protect areas via funding cuts,
reducing professional staff
Changes in policy open areas up to resource extraction
PADDD – protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazette
Downgrading – legal authorization in increased human activity
Downsizing – authorization of boundary change
Degazette – loss of legal protection for entire area
How is “effectiveness” assessed
oA measurement of effective management
low habitat loss or degradation, stable species populations
oNon-effectiveness is primarily due to limited resources for management
Access core findings and conclusions of paper
oGeographical area of areas is increasing globally, effectiveness isn’t close to
sustainable standards
