Effectiveness and appropriateness of core areas in an integrated protected area: A case study of Ecological Protected Areas in Yangmingshan National Park, Taiwan

While few studies have examined the situation of core areas in a large and integrated protected area, the present study targeted and evaluated the management effectiveness of the Mt. Huangzui and Lujiaokeng Ecological Protected Areas in Yangmingshan National Park, Taiwan, using the Enhancing our Heritage (EoH) toolkit as a holistic and systematic approach. During 2016–17, data and information were gathered through literature review, interviews, and focus groups. In total, 69 interviews were conducted and 14 workshops were held, creating 132 field records. The study results showed that the current wilderness paradigm could not achieve good results for the management of core areas in Yangmingshan National Park. Accordingly, we strongly recommended specific management plans or plan chapters for both sites. Poor local participation was another major deficiency. Many of the same weaknesses were also identified in Forestry Bureau Protected Areas. Located near urban areas, both of the Ecological Protected Areas in Yangmingshan National Park faced similar types of threat/pressure from invasive/alien species, recreational activities, and problematic native species. The study results further showed that the core area of a protected area could be holistically reviewed through management effectiveness evaluation. However, without the participation of stakeholders, even experienced professional park officers may be found to have group blind spots through such evaluations. This study also found the accumulation of sufficient data support to be a key prerequisite for implementing EoH.