Guidelines

It is sometimes assumed that protected areas must be in conflict with the rights and traditions of indigenous and other traditional peoples on their domains. In reality, where indigenous peoples are interested in the conservation and traditional use of their lands, waters, territories and the natural and cultural resources that they contain, conflicts need not arise.

The future of much of the biosphere will depend on managing large areas using an integrated approach that recognizes human populations have a keen interest in ensuring the continuing productivity of the ecosystems within which they live. Such an approach will have to meet local needs, maintain or restore ecosystem integrity and conserve biodiversity.

Arbritary national boundaries do not define the extent of landscapes and ecosystems worthy of protection. They do, however, influence the quality of nature conservation as this is affected by differences in national legislation on different sides of the border. This study analyses the status of protected areas across various European State boundaries, lists successes and shortcomings, and gives valuable advise as to how co-operation between protected areas can be improved and enhanced

This is a new editon of the classic textbook on marine protected area (MPA) management in the tropics, originally produced as an output of the Bali World Parks Congress in 1982. Approaches to planning and managing MPAs have evolved considerably. Major advances include innovative financing mechanisms, partnerships with the private sector and NGOs, and collaborative management between government and coastal communities.

Creation and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) have lagged behind those of protected areas on land, but they are just as important. The world urgently needs a comprehensive system of MPAs to conserve biodiversity and to help rebuild the productivity of the oceans. The aim of these guidelines is to help countries establish systems of MPAs as a key component of integrated management of coastal and marine areas and as part of their sustainable development.