Conceptual basis for an integrated system for the management of a protected area. Examples from its application in a mediterranean area

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 166; pp. 237 - 249
• Main Authors: Cornejo, E., Fungairiño, S.G., Barandica, J.M., Serrano, J.M., Zorrilla, J.M., Gómez, T., Zapata, F.J., Acosta, F.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2016; Academic Press Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Chafarinas islands; Conservation; Conservation of Natural Resources - economics; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Conservation priorities; Efficiency; Endangered Species; Extinction, Biological; Integrated management system; Islands; Management efficiency; Management objects; Mediterranean Area; Organizational Objectives; Project management; Spain; Spain; Mediterranean Area; MED; MED, Alboran Sea, Chafarinas Is; Chafarinas islands; Management efficiency; Management objects; Integrated management system; Conservation priorities
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.10.029

Improving the efficiency of management in protected areas is imperative in a generalized context of limited conservation budgets. However, this is overlooked due to flaws in problem definition, general disregard for cost information, and a lack of suitable tools for measuring costs and management quality. This study describes an innovative methodological framework, implemented in the web application SIGEIN, focused on maximizing the quality of management against its costs, establishing an explicit justification for any decision. The tool integrates, with this aim, a procedure for prioritizing management objects according to a conservation value, modified by a functional criterion; a project management module; and a module for management of continuous assessment. This appraisal associates the relevance of the conservation targets, the efficacy of the methods employed, both resource and personnel investments, and the resulting costs. Preliminary results of a prototypical SIGEIN application on the Site of Community Importance Chafarinas Islands are included. •A web integrated management system is provided for efficiently handling a NPA.•The modularity of the system allows a flexible response to management problems.•Multiple-criteria analysis and modeling are integrated in a project management tool.•Quality and cost of management are analyzed at every level of the system.