Abstract:

Background & Aim: The establishment of protected area systems constitutes the principal form of in situ biodiversity conservation. Robust management investment is crucial for ensuring effective ecological conservation outcomes. In this context, Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) sets forth an ambitious goal: achieve effective conservation and management coverage of 30% of the world’s areas by 2030. Assessing the management effectiveness of in situ conservation measures under this target is pivotal for its successful global implementation. To gain a comprehensive understanding of global progress in assessing management effectiveness, this paper reviews the development context of protected area management effectiveness assessment (PAME) within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Drawing on insights from international PAME practices, the paper aims to promote the standardization of PAME in China and enhance the mainstreaming of the concept. Ultimately, it seeks to provide a scientific reference for evaluating the management effectiveness of in situ conservation in China’s implementation of KMGBF Target 3.

Progress: The shift in the management assessment paradigm stems, on the one hand, from changes in conservation philosophy, and on the other hand from the progress of evaluation technology. The development of PAME can be divided into four phases: early exploratory phase (1980-2000), systematic evaluation phase (2000-2010), fair-and-effective evaluation phase (2010-2020), and standardized-yet-adaptive evaluation phase (2020-), which is characterized by dynamic, outcome-oriented standards. As global in situ conservation policies advance, the concept of effectiveness evolves from focusing solely on internal management processes to an outcome-oriented assessment that also considers the interests of surrounding communities and indigenous peoples. Equitable governance is a prerequisite for effective management, while conservation outcomes are the key indicators of management effectiveness. PAME has placed growing emphasis on measurable conservation outcomes, while explicitly integrating governance fairness into its evaluation framework. The IUCN Green List Standard integrates long-term ecological monitoring with adaptive management and clearly differentiates between management and governance components. Since 2020, this standard has served as a key benchmark for evaluating in situ conservation effectiveness and a guiding reference for updating or developing international assessment tools.

Prospects: Building on international PAME practices and in light of current challenges in China, this study proposes a multi-level, localized PAME framework based on four dimensions—spatial planning, management effectiveness, governance effectiveness, and conservation outcomes—and introduces a phased assessment procedure, aiming to promote the standardization of PAME in China. Simultaneously, it is recommended that PAME be integrated into conservation management practice to mainstream the concept of management effectiveness assessment. Given the current lack of systematic understanding of the causal mechanisms affecting protected area management effectiveness, we highlight the need to strengthen quantitative research, identify key determinants of management performance, and explore evidence-based decision-making mechanisms for in situ conservation, thereby contributing to global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Key words: in situ conservation, management effectiveness, conservation outcome assessment, China’s localization