Contents: Theory and methodology of planning and management of national systems of protected areas of tropical countries and international networks of protected areas are dealt with. The explanatory approaches are based on an ecosystem approach, but do incorporate historical, socio-economic and cultural aspects. The different objectives and management principles of the IUCN system of protected areas categories, of Man and Biosphere-Program of UNESCO (Biosphere reserve as a  model of sustainable development), of Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites of UNESCO and of the global Protected Area Program of the Convention on Biodiversity are identified. Another main emphasis is on the explanation of the processes leading to an efficient and adaptive management, beginning with the scientific substantiation of the choice, the legal provisions, the involvement of the relevant stakeholders and interest groups up to the control and monitoring. In the field of Wildlife Management the importance of protection and consumptive and non-consumptive utilization of wildlife and their habitats with respect to the socio-economic framework is focussed on. Wildlife is explained in terms of being a value per se and also as an economic factor as well as a medium of affection in marketing and communication and a damage factor. Conflicts and approaches to solutions regarding the relationships wildlife–man are elucidated. Furthermore, an introduction is given to the phenomenon of tourism and its interrelationships with ecology. Moreover, the positive and negative effects of travelling are discussed. Concerning the sustainability of tourism, economic aspects, responsibility for the environment and social compatibility are discussed. For the interrelatedness of protection, wildlife management and tourism in the tropics, a methodological framework is given, serving to prepare output decisions for planning and implementation.  

 

Goals of qualification: The student is able to classify and evaluate systems of protected areas in the context of conservation of the biological diversity and sustainable development. The student is aware of the differentiate importance of the protected areas as instruments for implementing various nature conservation concepts (integration and segregation strategy). He is able to analyse and evaluate the national and international categories of protected areas for the protection of species, ecosystems and resources, as well as for the protection and the development of combining integrated land use. He or she can make scientific decisions for a purposive planning, participative and dynamic management as well as efficiency control and monitoring of protected areas. He or she is able, especially by participative approaches, to develop concepts for a sustainable utilization and protection strategy oriented by the requirements of long-term preservation of the resource “biodiversity”.

The student can assess the interactions between tourism and ecology and is capable of applying the methodological foundations of tourism with special regard to its economic importance to the ecological conditions. The student has acquired and developed the methodological instruments, so as to be able to comparatively analyse, link and implement the above-mentioned types of protection and utilization in the tropics.

The module examination consists of the seminar paper (15 students) and of the test paper (90 minutes).