Applicability of the PA-BAT+ in the evaluation of values of urban protected areas

Abstract

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has a vision that the proper evaluation of protected areas (PAs) leads to a greater interest, more significant investment, and better conservation of natural resources. The evaluation of ecosystem services (ES) provided by protected areas (PAs) is of long-term importance to the local and national economies. Mapping the values of PAs, greater participation of decision-makers, and finally changes in public policies and the development of economic models that include natural resources in their development plans are significant but also long-term processes. IUCN has established the Protected Areas Benefits Assessment Tool+ (PA-BAT+), which provides initial information on how different stakeholders view the current state and potential values of PAs, which can help integrate natural resources and services provided by ecosystems in development plans. Such a tool makes it possible to identify the main factors relevant to the PAs and the country’s development policy, the flow of economic benefits, and the need for strategies that will enable the return of income to local people and PAs. Factors relevant to the importance of specific jobs in PAs - which is vital for the rural economy and necessary for decision-makers could also be identified with this tool. Identifying these factors can increase PA’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, such as no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being for people, quality education, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life below water and life on land.