Abstract:

Background & Aim: To optimize the management of China’s new protected area system with national parks as the mainstay and to support the Global “30×30” Target for priority area conservation, this study systematically reviewed the research progress on the framework evolution, methodological indicators, empirical results, and driving factors of management effectiveness evaluation for major protected areas both domestically and internationally, aiming to provide theoretical support for the scientific and efficient management of China’s new system of protected areas. 

Progress: The assessment frameworks have evolved into a pattern of parallel development between internationally accepted paradigms and local Chinese studies, based on the logic model of “inputs–processes–outputs”. Assessment tools have become increasingly diverse, shifting from experience-based rapid evaluation to comprehensive multi-source data assessment. While existing indicators generally emphasize foundational safeguards, management processes and performance outputs, they exhibit pronounced divergence in application scope and evaluation orientation. Notably, evaluation methods for nature parks under the new system remain underdeveloped. Domestic assessments reveal high management standards in national parks and national-level nature reserves, whereas the coverage and research depth for provincial-level nature reserves and nature parks require urgent enhancement to meet the demands of refined management in the new era; and management effectiveness is driven by multiple factors—including natural attributes, socio-economic conditions, and management indicators—although their coupled mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. 

Perspectives: It is imperative to construct a modular assessment system characterized by “unified core indicators and adaptive flexible indicators”, expand empirical research on all types and levels of protected areas, and build a tiered-coordinated, periodically implemented assessment mechanism and a national shared platform for assessment data. Furthermore, future efforts should strengthen the analysis of multi-factor driving mechanisms behind management effectiveness and promote the dynamic alignment of indicator systems with laws, policies, regulations, and technical standards. These steps are crucial for systematically enhancing the comprehensive management efficacy of China’s protected areas.

Key words: protected areas, management effectiveness evaluation, evaluation frameworks, indicators system