Assessing Management Effectiveness of the Wu-Wei-Kang Wildlife Refuge the Introduction and Applicability of RAPPAM

This paper reports on an application of the Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) methodology of the WWF, to assess the effectiveness of the Wu-Wei-Kang Wildlife Refuge management in Taiwan. This study, carried out from 2005 to 2007, in conjunction with qualitative methods including interviews, participant observation, focus groups, and literature review. The results show that the Wu-Wei-Kang Wildlife Refuge has operational and management advantages which are clear management targets, good communication and information, good infrastructure, and appropriate decision-making processes. The weaknesses include improper site design and planning, and lacks of sound financial management process and management planning. Our study shows that the WWF's RAPPAM methodology generally offers an overall management effectiveness of this protected area. We suggest that stakeholders' active participation in workshops and local authorities' supports and inputs are important. We also believe that there should be baseline data collections, and we should pay more attention on the management plan in terms of format and content for this refuge.