1. COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM OF CATALONIA - SPAIN, 2003 Josep M. Mallarach Institució Catalana d’Història Natural WPC, Workshop Stream 5 11 September 2003

2. Catalonia: One of the European regions suffering from more environmental pressures and impacts 6 million people + 15 million tourists /year Mediterranean: biodiversity hotspot Spain: the most biodiverse European country Catalonia: 6 natural regions (3100 m-sea) + 3400 vascular plants + 130 habitats of European significance

3. PA Planning & Management Catalan Ministry of the Environment: 85% Local Governments: 15 % Private NGOs: 3% Most PA are privately owned Protected Area System of Catalonia 148 PA (676.014 ha = 21%) 262 PA units, 10 legal categories 365 PA sub-units 1992

4. The Institució Catalana d’Història Natural (1898) is the oldest independent scientific organization devoted to the study and dissemination of natural heritage values and threats in Catalonia. Who conducted the evaluation? What evaluation method has been applied? IUCN WCPA framework (2000) Evaluation focus: Outputs & Outcomes, Context, Legislation, Planning, Inputs, & Processes of PA were evaluated as well. First evaluation of a PA system using WCPA framework in the Mediterranean basin. Living observatory of Action Plan for PA of Spain (2002)

5. How was the evaluation process developed? November 2000 July 2003 1 Define methodology 2 Institutional suport 3 Pilot plan 4 Evaluation Next steps: 2003-04 Seminar to adapt WCPA guidelines: first proposal of indicators Review of cientific committee + Management agencies Catalan Ministry of the Environment & Fundació Territori i Paisatge Selection and training of evaluators; evaluation of 7 representative PA; Review by managers, final proposal of indicators (changes in 51%) Selection and training of ca. 140 evaluators Collaboration with several scientific institutions for data acquisition Field + managers data collection & acquisition Comments by PA managers Review of evaluation for consistency Database creation + statistic analysis Diagnose interpretation and reporting Dissemination of findings (Catalonia, Spain, Internationally) Strategic participatory plan for entire PA system based on findings

6. Context: 21 87 indicators

7. Context: 21Planning & Legislation: 11 87 indicators

8. Context: 21Planning & Legislation: 12 Inputs:12 87 indicators

9. Context: 21Planning & Legislation: 12 Inputs:12 Processes: 7 87 indicators

10. Context: 21Planning & Legislation: 12 Inputs:12 Processes: 7Outputs: 12 87 indicators

11. Context: 21Planning & Legislation: 13 Inputs:12 Processes: 7Outputs: 12 Outcomes: 22 87 indicators

12. Indicator 6.6 Negative impactes due to ( legal + illegal) activities

13. Evaluation findings Only 26 (18%) PA have management plans Only 36 PA are actively managed (some PA do not need it) Half PA have no adequate design 74% PA is under serious pressures and threats 27% PA experienced local flora or fauna species extinction Almost half of the PA have population living inside Almost all PA increased visitors (+12 million visits-year) Everybody agree that PA are underfunded Positive changes of attitude of local population in 43% PA No direct relationship on inputs + outputs and outcomes 74% PA had positive impact in local economies 18% PA report activities, none does performance evaluation Elaborated by legal figures, IUCN categories, agencies, management types, combination of pressures & threats,...

14. WCPA framework for MEE is very useful, flexible and adaptable. Pilot plan is needed for adjusting methodology to local conditions. A participatory approach has advantages but it is more time consuming. High number of evaluators requires extra co-ordination and review efforts. Managers, planners and evaluators of PA got a better understanding of problem causes and potential remedies. A large proportion of the evaluation was done on a voluntary basis. Public availability & dissemination of MEE findings is important. A PA system evaluation is crucial for strategic planning at the system level. Lack of evaluation tradition in public administration creates difficulties. Some lessons learned

15. Full report soon available at : http://www.iecat /ichn contacts : ichn@iecat.net mallarach@natura.ictnet.es