10.4 Preparing for the Process of Adaptation
Before starting the process of adapting management plans the scope and boundary
conditions of the process have to be defined.
Adapting management of protected areas is a complex and time-consuming
process in which different aspects and constraints have to be considered:
• Information and expertise: What kind of data is needed and where can it be
obtained? What kind of know-how is necessary and who can provide it?
• Methods, models and tools: How can information and data from climate change
scenarios be used and integrated into protected area management? How can one
assess sensitivity and/or vulnerability? How does one deal with uncertainties?
Who can one perform the modelling and impact assessment?
• Planning process and procedures: Which steps are essential? How does one
structure the process? How and when should one include the public/local
expertise, land users or stakeholders? How is the concept of an active adaptive
management established?
Each aspect requires specific professional, technical, and methodical skills and
expertise. Not all of them will be at hand within the managing authorities of
protected areas. Additional funding and cooperation with external institutions and
experts from national and international organisations is therefore essential.
Prutsch et al. (2010) present a set of ten generic guiding principles for good
adaptation giving directions on how to successfully carry out the adaptation process:
1. Initiate adaptation, ensure commitment and management.
2. Build knowledge and awareness.
3. Identify and cooperate with relevant stakeholders.
4. Work with uncertainties.
5. Explore potential climate change impacts and vulnerabilities and identify
priority concerns.
6. Explore a wide spectrum of adaptation options.
7. Prioritise adaptation options.
8. Modify existing policies, structures, and processes.
9. Avoid maladaptation.
10. Monitor and evaluate systematically.
The methodical approach presented below takes all these factors into account
and applies them to the field of protected area management.
Following the recommendations of Idle and Bines (2005) the production of
management plans for conservation should actively involve the managers of the
area, all stakeholders using the area for various purposes (e.g. farmers, foresters,
hunters) and their respective organisations and national bodies and institutions as
well as scientists and local experts. The participation of different stakeholders,
institutions and other administrations (agriculture, forestry, water, etc.) must be
planned and organised at the beginning of the adaptation process.
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C. Wilke and S. Rannow
Before starting the process of adapting management plans the scope and boundary
conditions of the process have to be defined.
Adapting management of protected areas is a complex and time-consuming
process in which different aspects and constraints have to be considered:
• Information and expertise: What kind of data is needed and where can it be
obtained? What kind of know-how is necessary and who can provide it?
• Methods, models and tools: How can information and data from climate change
scenarios be used and integrated into protected area management? How can one
assess sensitivity and/or vulnerability? How does one deal with uncertainties?
Who can one perform the modelling and impact assessment?
• Planning process and procedures: Which steps are essential? How does one
structure the process? How and when should one include the public/local
expertise, land users or stakeholders? How is the concept of an active adaptive
management established?
Each aspect requires specific professional, technical, and methodical skills and
expertise. Not all of them will be at hand within the managing authorities of
protected areas. Additional funding and cooperation with external institutions and
experts from national and international organisations is therefore essential.
Prutsch et al. (2010) present a set of ten generic guiding principles for good
adaptation giving directions on how to successfully carry out the adaptation process:
1. Initiate adaptation, ensure commitment and management.
2. Build knowledge and awareness.
3. Identify and cooperate with relevant stakeholders.
4. Work with uncertainties.
5. Explore potential climate change impacts and vulnerabilities and identify
priority concerns.
6. Explore a wide spectrum of adaptation options.
7. Prioritise adaptation options.
8. Modify existing policies, structures, and processes.
9. Avoid maladaptation.
10. Monitor and evaluate systematically.
The methodical approach presented below takes all these factors into account
and applies them to the field of protected area management.
Following the recommendations of Idle and Bines (2005) the production of
management plans for conservation should actively involve the managers of the
area, all stakeholders using the area for various purposes (e.g. farmers, foresters,
hunters) and their respective organisations and national bodies and institutions as
well as scientists and local experts. The participation of different stakeholders,
institutions and other administrations (agriculture, forestry, water, etc.) must be
planned and organised at the beginning of the adaptation process.
162
C. Wilke and S. Rannow