Management Effectiveness (PAME)
The Global Database on Protected Area Management Effectiveness (GD-PAME) is the most comprehensive global database of management effectiveness assessments for protected areas. It indicates if a protected area documented in the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) has been assessed. The GD-PAME is a searchable database that includes assessments submitted by a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organizations to UNEP-WCMC and is updated on a monthly basis.
If you have more information on protected areas management effectiveness that you would like to share with us, or would like to submit data to the GD-PAME, please email us at [email protected]
There has been significant growth in the global protected area network over the past few decades. However, despite an increase in protected area coverage, biodiversity continues to decline, even within some protected areas.
Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) evaluations, can be defined as: “the assessment of how well protected areas are being managed – primarily the extent to which management is protecting values and achieving goals and objectives" (Hockings et al. 2006). Evaluation of management effectiveness is recognised as a vital component of responsive, pro-active protected area management.
As of 2006, protected area management effectiveness (PAME) is embedded within biodiversity commitments made by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The most recent commitment is found within the post 2020 Biodiversity Framework Target 2.4., calling for “effective management and equitable governance of the system of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures”. UNEP-WCMC is mandated by the CBD to collect information on Protected Area Management Effectiveness.
The GD-PAME User Manual provides information and guidance on the GD-PAME and its history. This includes information on the PAME evaluations it contains, how these are collected, managed and distributed, and how the PAME information should be interpreted and used for analyses and research. The Manual has been prepared for GD-PAME data providers and users. It contains the following four sections:
- An introduction to PAME and the GD-PAME.
- Describes the GD-PAME Data Standards that ensure the data are supplied in a common format that is globally interoperable and useable.
- Explains how the GD-PAME is compiled through a quality control process underpinned by the GD-PAME data standards.
- Addresses the use of the GD-PAME, including how it can be accessed and how it should be cited.
The GD-PAME user manual is a dynamic and evolving document. It is recommended that all parties interested in using information from the GD-PAME read these guidelines prior to using the GD-PAME for any research purposes, or for analyses that will inform policy or decision making. For any queries regarding collation, use, or processing of the database, or any feedback regarding this manual please contact [email protected]
- To download the manual in English: http://wcmc.io/GD-PAME_User_Manual_EN
- Télécharger le manuel en Français: http://wcmc.io/GD-PAME_User_Manual_FR
- Descargar el manual en español: http://wcmc.io/GD-PAME_User_Manual_ES
- Читать / Загрузить на русском языке: http://wcmc.io/GD-PAME_User_Manual_RU
- تنزيل دليل باللغة العربية: http://wcmc.io/GD-PAME_User_Manual_AR
For further background information on management effectiveness evaluations in protected areas please refer to:
Since the 1990s, a range of methods have been developed and applied to assess Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) at both site and system levels.
These methodologies vary in scope and content. Methods can be broadly divided into three different categories, each requiring different amounts of data collection and financial input. These range from simple questionnaire-based methods to more complex management effectiveness evaluations. Full management effectiveness evaluations may involve considerable time and financial resources.
Most PAME methodologies are based around the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) framework for PAME (Hockings et al. 2006). The aim of the framework is to provide overall guidance to protected area managers and encourage standards for PAME assessment and reporting. The WCPA framework includes six key elements: context, planning, inputs, process, outputs and outcomes. Evaluations that assess each of the elements highlighted in Figure 1 (and the links between them) should provide a relatively comprehensive picture of management effectiveness.
Figure 1: The IUCN WCPA framework for assessing management effectiveness of protected areas (Hockings et al. 2006).
Ongoing PAME assessment efforts have been consolidated into the Global Database on Protected Area Management Effectiveness (GD-PAME). The GD-PAME was started as a research database at the University of Queensland in 2006 under a programme jointly funded by WWF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and is now a joint project between the UN Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is managed and maintained by UNEP-WCMC, in collaboration with governments, non-governmental organisations, academia and industry.
The following table provides an overview of some commonly used methodologies from around the world and links to further resources. For information on where these and other methodologies have been applied, go to the Results tab to download and explore the GD-PAME.
|
Methodology |
Developed by |
Key Feature |
Duration of Assessment |
Suggested Assessment Cycle |
| Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) |
World Bank and WWF Alliance |
Globally the most used PAME tool. See METT tab for more information. |
1-3 days |
1-5 years |
| Rapid Assessment and Prioritisation of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) |
WWF |
Best for broad-level comparisons among PAs within a network/system. |
3 days (excluding the days required to collate the required information) |
Annually |
|
UNESCO, IUCN and the University of Queensland |
Primarily applied to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Extensive biodiversity monitoring data is required. |
2-3 days |
Inputs and outputs: Annually |
|
| Integrated Management Effectiveness Tool (IMET) |
BIOPAMA |
A comprehensive tool to support PA planning and decision-making while promoting regular monitoring and evaluation. |
2-4 days (excluding the recommended 2 months for training) |
3-5 years |
|
Birdlife International |
Focus on conservation impacts on birds. |
Varies, stakeholder dependent |
Annually |
|
|
SMART Partnership |
SMART is a bottom-up management approach, guided by the needs identified by rangers in the field. |
Ongoing (training recommended) |
Continuous |
|
|
WCPA-Marine |
Fine-scale assessment of Marine Protected Areas. |
Evaluation methodology outlined within the guidebook is feasible for completion by a MPA within an eight to twelve month timeframe |
Focal species abundance monitoring: annually Habitat surveys: 2-3 years |
|
|
Staub and Hatziolos (2004) |
Quick and cheap tool to determine progress along the management continuum. |
Half-day |
More than once per year |
|
|
IUCN-EARO |
This workbook compliments a larger MPA assessment called The Toolkit for Managing MPAs in the WIO |
2-3 months |
3-5 years |
The Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT)
First published in 2002, the METT was one of the first tools developed to reflect the IUCN WCPA Framework for protected area management effectiveness (or PAME). The METT was originally developed by the World Bank/WWF Alliance for Forest Conservation and Sustainable Use. Several versions of the METT and many adaptations have been produced, reflecting lessons learned through implementation; by 2016 the METT had been applied in 127 countries worldwide.
In 2020 a new version of the METT (the fourth version, METT-4) was developed. METT-4 draws together the lessons learned from applying the tool around the world. For the first time, METT-4 is presented as an Excel tool which aids implementation and compilation of results.
The METT consists of two main sections.
1. Datasheets that collect key information on the protected area, its characteristics, threats and management objectives and details of who carried out the assessment.
2. An assessment form that provides a composite measurement across 38 parameters integrating all six components of the WCPA Framework. The form is designed around a questionnaire with four alternative responses, each with an associated score ranging between 0 (poor) to 3 (excellent). Each question also has data fields to include notes about the answers (with justification if possible), steps to be taken to improve management if necessary and details of information sources. Additional worksheets in METT-4 allow for more detailed assessments of community relations, planning processes, condition of natural and cultural values, key species and habitats.
If you are planning to implement the METT please download the files below:
- Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool – METT-4.2: the METT-4.2 Excel tool
(доступно на русском языке ; Disponible en Español ; E disponueshme ne shqip) - METT-4 data export sheet:if multiple assessment are being undertaken data can be compiled using this separate Excel file (Disponible en Español)
Guidance:
- METT-4 Handbook: a guide to using the Excel version of the METT-4
(доступно на русском языке, descargar el manual en español) - Introductory video: a 30-minute training video on using the METT-4 Excel tool
- Guidance for translating and adapting METT-4
- Technical help:on how to enable macros permanently in a trusted location
Additional resources
Two IUCN Vital Sites webinars on the METT are available on YouTube: Introduction to the METT-4 and Using the new METT-4
Best practices for implementing the METT are also summarised in a paper in the IUCN WCPA journal PARKS.
For news and updates about the METT, please join the METT support group on Facebook.
Protected Planet Report 2024
Tracking progress towards global targets for protected and conserved areas.