Abstract
This study applies the Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) methodology of the WWF, to evaluate the pressures and threats, management effectiveness of eleven coastal and estuarine protected areas (thirteen cases) in Taiwan, and to analyze their influential factors. This study implements respectively evaluation at both site-level and the system-level, through participatory workshops, literature review, participant observation and interviews. The results showed that the coastal and estuarine protected areas generally encountered pressures and threats of fishing and harvesting aquatic resources, recreational activities, invasive non-native/alien species, household sewage and urban waste water, garbage and solid waste. While pollution was one of the most popular pressures and threats among them, this study revealed that most of them came from outside of protected areas which were difficult to handle by the management authorities. Seven of thirteen cases that have implemented site-level evaluation have a similar pattern on their management: clear objectives, good communications and information delivery, sufficient infrastructure, improper site design and planning, lacking human resources and financial supports, incomplete management planning and weak monitoring, research and evaluation. The results of system-level evaluation revealed that our coastal and estuarine protected areas faced poor policy environment, inappropriate protected area system-level design, and inadequate protected area policies. Based on conservation objective and habitat integrity, it can be divided into three categories for the coastal and estuarine protected areas. Excluding both mangrove protected areas, those of large coverage and intact ecosystem have higher priority on conservation than those of smaller ranges and more artificial interferences and semi-artificial wetlands. This study identified both Zengwun Rivermouth Black-faced Spoonbill Refuge and Gaomei Wetlands Wildlife Refuge should be listed on the top for conservation considerations. The results show that it needs sufficient baseline information, clear definition of range, classification first by conservation objectives and diversifiedreviewers in order to engage well the system evaluation work.