Assessing and developing improvement strategies for the protected area management (PAM) planning process/effectiveness in Turkey

Designing and implementing an effective protected area management (PAM) plan is a great challenge. This paper develops a conceptual framework with a set of principles for through assessment of the PAM plans for three protected areas in Turkey; Kizilkuyu, Tek Tek Mountains and Karacadag Steppes and proposes improvements. The assessment showed that the plans are a comprehensive initiative and a reputable model for an integrated PAM planning paradigm, aside from few limitations. A holistic approach based on landscape characterization and vision was used to prepare the management plans simultaneously. A management strategy was formulated to define the vision, targets, policies, objectives and the sub-programs for each thematic area. Baseline condition was determined with a field survey to characterize landscape structure, his-torical and cultural values and biodiversity focusing on the target species such as Terebinth (Pistacia palaestina Boiss.), crop wild relatives (CWR) and Cream-coloured cursor (Cursorius cursor). Low income, property conflicts, urbanization pressure, habitat loss, land degradation, overuse, food security, climate changes and illegal excavation were identified as major threats and risks. A sound multi-organizational governance model with an appropriate monitoring pro-gram was developed and proposed with the defined roles. The lack of scenario analysis with the appropriate decision making tools and methods, lack of common working culture and tools, insufficient representation and characterization of a full spectrum of ecosystem services were identified as major drawbacks. While few, these shortcomings may create a far-sighted design and governance concern and jeopardize the sustainable management of the protected areas. Effective protection and expansion of steppe ecosystems, capacity building on the long-term strategic planning and scenario analysis with a DSS, maintaining the active involvement of stakeholders, development of buffers and stepping stones for creating protected area networks, developing policy documents, and resolving property issues are proposed as improvement strategies for an efficient PAM system.