Governance System in Protected Areas

Abstract

This article analyzed the system of governance in protected areas (PA). In order to provide the necessary governance analysis for PAs, taking into account its major features, the present work aimed the identification and evaluation of PAs governance system focusing on its components related to the environmental education, management and local structure. PAs are fundamental in the process of protecting natural areas and for the preservation of ecosystem services. However, PAs commonly present governance difficulties. These problems may be related to the lack of good management and adequate structure, or even due to poor environmental education. As a case study Carijós Ecological Station (ESEC Carijós) in Florianopolis, SC / Brazil was chosen, constituted by mangroves and remaining areas of salt marsh and scrubland. The results of this research showed that in order to have good governance it is necessary to take into account the manager's choice, being attentive to the manager profile in relation to the local reality. It is also concluded that the management council, formed by different stakeholders, is a fundamental tool for participatory management and more promising results. It combines the needs of the community with the conservation of natural resources. Environmental education and community participation, in the same way, are an important premise for the management process of a PA, and are fundamental to the results of the work carried out. Finally, the participation of non-government organizations is shown as an important way to meet the demands that arise in these spaces and which cannot be provided by the government manager of the PAs.