Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park

National parks are critical components of protected areas and are drawing increased global attention. Clear and rational boundaries may provide a scientific foundation for the sustainable protection and management of these areas. However, criteria for feasible national park delimitation and techniqu...

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Main Authors: Xiang Kang, Mingxi Du, Li Zhao, Qiuyu Liu, Ziyan Liao, Hao Su, Ting Xiang, Cong Gou, Nan Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Ecological Informatics
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954124004278
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author Xiang Kang
Mingxi Du
Li Zhao
Qiuyu Liu
Ziyan Liao
Hao Su
Ting Xiang
Cong Gou
Nan Liu
author_facet Xiang Kang
Mingxi Du
Li Zhao
Qiuyu Liu
Ziyan Liao
Hao Su
Ting Xiang
Cong Gou
Nan Liu
author_sort Xiang Kang
collection DOAJ
description National parks are critical components of protected areas and are drawing increased global attention. Clear and rational boundaries may provide a scientific foundation for the sustainable protection and management of these areas. However, criteria for feasible national park delimitation and techniques for resolving conflicts between socioeconomic development and environmental protection are still poorly defined, particularly regarding integrity during park establishment. Consequently, a systematic analytical framework is essential for advancing research and practice. This study developed a systematic framework to determine the spatial boundaries, using the Kunlun Mountain region in China as a case for empirical analysis. Key issues in national park development—ecology and management—were systematically integrated into this framework. Most importantly, spatial connectivity, a critical concern in national park planning, was thoroughly considered for improving integrity optimization, an aspect often overlooked in previous delimitation studies. The results demonstrated that our framework effectively identified potential national park boundaries, achieving a balance between development and conservation. Furthermore, core protected and general control areas were delineated to support differentiated management approaches. This framework offers a scientific foundation for policymakers and managers to pursue sustainable protection and management of national parks.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Ecological Informatics
spelling doaj-art-95551240b19248b5bedac0dd496cf57a2025-08-20T01:58:24ZengElsevierEcological Informatics1574-95412024-12-018410288510.1016/j.ecoinf.2024.102885Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national parkXiang Kang0Mingxi Du1Li Zhao2Qiuyu Liu3Ziyan Liao4Hao Su5Ting Xiang6Cong Gou7Nan Liu8School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, ChinaSchool of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China; Corresponding authors.Northwest Surveying, Planning Institute of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Key Laboratory National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an 710048, China; Corresponding authors.School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, ChinaChengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, ChinaSchool of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, ChinaSchool of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, ChinaSchool of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, ChinaNorthwest Surveying, Planning Institute of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Key Laboratory National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, Xi'an 710048, China; Corresponding authors.National parks are critical components of protected areas and are drawing increased global attention. Clear and rational boundaries may provide a scientific foundation for the sustainable protection and management of these areas. However, criteria for feasible national park delimitation and techniques for resolving conflicts between socioeconomic development and environmental protection are still poorly defined, particularly regarding integrity during park establishment. Consequently, a systematic analytical framework is essential for advancing research and practice. This study developed a systematic framework to determine the spatial boundaries, using the Kunlun Mountain region in China as a case for empirical analysis. Key issues in national park development—ecology and management—were systematically integrated into this framework. Most importantly, spatial connectivity, a critical concern in national park planning, was thoroughly considered for improving integrity optimization, an aspect often overlooked in previous delimitation studies. The results demonstrated that our framework effectively identified potential national park boundaries, achieving a balance between development and conservation. Furthermore, core protected and general control areas were delineated to support differentiated management approaches. This framework offers a scientific foundation for policymakers and managers to pursue sustainable protection and management of national parks.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954124004278National parkEcological conservationManagementHuman–nature systemBoundary delimitation
spellingShingle Xiang Kang
Mingxi Du
Li Zhao
Qiuyu Liu
Ziyan Liao
Hao Su
Ting Xiang
Cong Gou
Nan Liu
Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park
Ecological Informatics
National park
Ecological conservation
Management
Human–nature system
Boundary delimitation
title Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park
title_full Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park
title_fullStr Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park
title_full_unstemmed Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park
title_short Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park
title_sort integrity centered framework for determining protected areas boundary an application in the china s national park
topic National park
Ecological conservation
Management
Human–nature system
Boundary delimitation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954124004278
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