CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2016
| Author | Matar, Diane |
|---|---|
| Title | Status of concept implementation and management effectiveness of Biosphere Reserves in the Arab region |
| Summary | The growing number of Protected Areas (PA) as a global strategy for conservation and sustainable development still doesn’t match the demands of biodiversity and sustainability goals. Conservation experts have hence questioned the effectiveness of PAs in serving their objectives, and large efforts have been invested in improving the evaluation of Protected Area Management Effectiveness including the development of Management Effectiveness Evaluation tools. In parallel, there is growing evidence about the usefulness of adopting adaptive and collaborative management (co-management) approaches for optimizing management performance of certain types of PAs, specifically those presenting complex social-ecological systems such as Biosphere Reserves (BR). BRs are international sites designated by UNESCO under the Man and Biosphere (MAB) program launched in 1971, and intended to serve the 3 functions of conservation, socio-economic development, and logistic support (environmental education, research and monitoring). Organized into a world network with underlying regional networks, BR numbers grew to 651 in 120 countries. The implementation and management effectiveness of BRs still lack a systematic and rigorous evaluation worldwide, and specifically in Arab countries. This is partially explained by the (1) absence of a standard and appropriate set of indicators, and (2) serious pitfalls in the Periodic Review process, the only reporting requirement by UNESCO-MAB authorities. The current research addresses this challenge by studying the status of BR concept implementation and management effectiveness of BRs within the ArabMAB Network. The research utilizes a mixed methods approach that combines informal interviews, online survey, document review, and in-depth face-to-face interviews with key informants. The survey uses an innovative evaluation framework with 34 indicators developed based on an existing Common Reporting Format, allowing for comparative analysis with Global Study results of PA/BR management effectiveness. Quantitative analysis (N=17) reveals an overall management effectiveness score (6.31) greater than the global average (5.30) used as a benchmark, both falling in the “basic” management range. Factors most largely determining the management performance of Arab BRs are similar with the Global Study findings for the process-related indicators “communication programs” and “administrative processes including financial management”. Overall management effectiveness is mostly determined by achievement of outputs and outcomes in ArabMAB, in contrast with input and processes in the Global Study. Combining results of the mixed methods approach, the dissertation identifies 7 priority areas for the improvement of concept implementation and management effectiveness of Arab BRs: Communication, collaboration and cooperation ArabMAB institutional gaps Understanding and differentiation of the BR concept Integration and mainstreaming of the MAB program Involvement and participation of local communities Evaluation of biosphere reserve management v Capacity and resources (cross-function al) Recommen dations are developed for both addressing these challenges, and improving the evaluation of BR management effectiveness in the Arab region. The dissertation argues for the adoption of adaptive co-management as an approach to increase resilience of the ArabMAB Network and invest in long-term solutions. However, more research is needed to explore the usefulness and limitations of this approach for PA/BR management in a similar context constrained by resources and threatened by conflicts. |
| Supervisor | Anthony, Brandon P. |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy PhD |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2016/matar_diane.pdf |
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