Evaluation of integrated management of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park through expert system IPAM

Abstract

The paper focuses on the evaluation of management of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park through the specialised IPAM (Integrated Protected Area Management) system. The evaluation was undertaken in 2012 in cooperation with the personnel of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park Administration. During the evaluation of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, we found that integrated management is applied appropriately in two phases in this area: a preparatory phase and a basic planning phase. Integrated management is less applied in the national park in the detailed planning phase, the implementation phase and the networking phase. We expect improvement in the evaluated areas in the individual phases of management, especially by strengthening  the existing cooperation with related actors in the regions of the national park. This cooperation should be focused on support to the local economy with a priority and focus on the traditional values of the region. The method of communication with stakeholders in the region of interest has to be made more effective. Setting the mechanisms for evaluation and selecting the indicators of success in achieving the defined goals is also very important, as well as strengthening cooperation of the national park with potential partners in the environmental, social and economic network, including educating the public.