Download Course Outline - Department of Geography, HKU

The University of Hong Kong
Department of Geography
GEOG2117 Protected Areas and their Management
Course Outline
(September – December 2009)
Contact Information
Course Teacher: Dr. F. Y. Wong (王福義博士)
Tel:
93166056
Email:
[email protected]
Teaching Assistant:
To Be Announced
Objectives:
The course aims to provide an overall view on the classification, function,
development, planning and management of protected areas. Special attention
would be given to protected areas in the East Asia Region and Hong Kong. At
the end of the course students would be able to make independent appraisal
and assessment on the planning and management of different types of
protected areas.
Course Synopsis:
The course will examine the development and implementation of protected
areas in the world and the history of protected areas in Hong Kong. It would
assess the value and benefit of protected areas for urban communities.
Criteria for designation of protected areas would be examined. Emphasis
would be made on the planning and management different types of protected
areas in meeting diverse objectives. Students would be requested to apply
what have been learnt in real case studies. Problems associated with
protected areas such as development control, demand and rights of
indigenous people, recreation or tourism pressure will be assessed and the
compatibility of various activities in protected areas would be considered. The
IUCN guidelines and good practice of protected area management would be
applied in the local context. This course is suitable for those students who are
interested in nature conservation with a view to take it up as a life career.
Lecture Topics:
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1. Introduction
1.1 Course content and requirements.
1.2 What are the protected areas? Concepts and development.
1.3 Values and Benefits of protected areas.
1.4 Brief history of protected areas.
1.5 Situation of protected areas in the world.
1.6 The need for management.
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Governance of Protected Areas – A Case Study of Hong Kong
2.1 History and development
2.2 Stages of formation
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
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Organization and structure
Changing emphasis
Management for different needs
Lessons learnt
Identification, designating and establishment of protected areas
3.1 How to identify areas for protection? Establishment of criteria
3.2 Habitat coverage and gaps
3.3 Scientific factors versus social/political considerations
3.4 Financial requirements and management capacity
3.5 Public involvement and consultation
3.6 Legal procedures and the formation of governance agent
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Planning and management of Protected Areas
4.1 Preparation of management plan
4.2 Survey
4.3 Formation of thematic plans
4.4 Monitoring and Mitigation
4.5 Performance indicators
4.6 Implementation
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Conservation Management
5.1 Managing natural resources
5.2 Establishing managing objectives
5.3 Change with species/habitats
5.4 Change with locations
5.5 Change with time
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5.6 Change with people and resources
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Management of Threats
6.1 Natural damages and disasters
6.2 Alien species
6.3 Fire
6.4 Litter, vandalism
6.5 Security
6.6 Climate change
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Tourism and Recreation Management
7.1 Nature and type of recreational use
7.2 Pattern and demand for recreational use
7.3 Activities compatibility and conflict
7.4 Visitor and tourist control
7.5 Provision of facilities and information
7.6 Day to day management
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Development control
8.1 Land use problem in protected area
8.2 The right of indigenous people
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
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Development for better management
Facilities for tourism or commercial purposes
Public utilities and infrastructures
Principles and guidelines of development control
Marine Protected Areas and their management
9.1 Designation - the problem of boundary
9.2 Protection of marine animals, plants and coastal features
9.3 Patrolling and monitoring
9.4 Activity control and enhancement measures
9.5 Mitigation and monitoring
9.6 Cooperation with stake holders
10 Management Practices in selected countries/regions
10.1 IUCN Best Practices guidelines
10.2 East Asia Action Plans
10.3 Tai Wan
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10.4 Japan
10.5 Korea
10.6 China
11 Building Capacity
11.1 Policy and legislation
11.2 Institutional structures
11.3 Expertise and training
11.4 Monitoring, research and adaptive management
11.5 Partnership
11.6 Networking, national, regional and international
12 Evaluating the effectiveness of Protected Area Management
12.1 Development of management effectiveness evaluation
12.2 Value of management effectiveness evaluation
12.3 Guidelines and methodology
12.4 Lessons learnt
12.5 Way forward
12.6 Course conclusion and discussion
Note: The above topics cover the major content of the course, guest speakers
will be invited to speak on specific topics where necessary. There might,
however be changes in sequence of topics on to address certain
comtemporary issues relating to protected areas locally or internationally. This
course will stress on the practical aspects of protected areas management,
field observations and experience would be beneficial to the studies and
learning.
Fieldwork
Two field trips. One to a country park and the other to a marine park and or
special area during the term. Dates would be decided later. Tentatively in one
of the Saturdays in October and November.
Assessment
Examination (two hours) 50%; coursework 50% (consists of one project 30%;
one essay and/or one exercise 20%).
Each student would be required to present the outcome of his/her project
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during the class and this will contribute towards part of the courseworks
assessment.
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
 History, classification and functions of protected areas.
 Designation criteria and planning principles of protected areas.
 Techniques and tools in the management of protected areas.
 Understanding of the condition of protected areas in Hong Kong.
Skills:



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Analytical ability to integrate information from different sources.
Field assessment and application of designation criteria.
Writing an independent project based on data collected in the field on
protected areas.
Making independent appraisal on the planning and management of
different types of protected areas.
Recommend Reading List:
1. Jim C.Y. and Richard T. Corlett (eds.) (2006), Sustainable Management
of Protected Areas for Future Generations, IUCN/WCPA, Cosmos
Books Ltd. Hong Kong.
2. Trzyna. T. (ed.) (2005), The Urban Imperative – Urban Outreach
Strategies for Protected Area Agencies, IUCN, California Institute of
Public Affairs, Sacramento. (This book is available on the website:
http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/PAPS-015.pdf )
3.
Graeme L. Worboys, Michael Lockwood, Terry De Lacy, (2005),
Protected Area Management Principles and Practice, Oxford University
Press.
Useful Websites:
1. Parks Magazine
http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_puball/wcpa_parks
mag/
2. Best practice
http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_puball/wcpa_bpg/
3. East Asia Action Plan
http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2008-033.pdf
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4. The Urban Imperatives
5.
6.
7.
8.
http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/PAPS-015.pdf
IUCN documents
http://www.iucn.org/resources/documents/
Mangement effectiveness
http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_puball/wcpa_pubsu
bject/wvcpa_effectivenesspub/
Marine and habitate conservation
http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_resources/
World heritage
http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_puball/wcpa_pubsu
bject/wcpa_wheritagepub/
Special Note:
There will be no class on 17 Sept. (Thursday), this lesson will be
compensated during the reading week in October.
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