Socioeconomic Impacts of Protection Status on Residents of National Parks

Järv Henri, Kliimask Jaak, Ward Raymond and Sepp Kalev
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Järv Henri: Henri Järv, M.S., Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of agricultural and environmental sciences Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia
Kliimask Jaak: Ass. Prof. Jaak Kliimask, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of agricultural and environmental sciences Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia
Ward Raymond: Dr. phil. Raymond Ward, School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Sepp Kalev: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Kalev Sepp, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of agricultural and environmental sciences Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia

European Countryside, 2016, vol. 8, issue 2, 67-85

Abstract: Rural population ageing and decline is a serious problem throughout Europe resulting in a deterioration of the socioeconomic situation in rural areas. This leads to land abandonment, and consequently the loss of valuable cultural landscapes. Protected areas are no exception and inhabitants also face restrictions arising from the protection status. The aim of this study is to identify the existence, extent and nature of the socioeconomic impacts derived from the protection status on the local population. Population and socioeconomic indicators were compared with the results of in-depth interviews with local stakeholders within 2 Estonian national parks and contextualised with recent social change. It was concluded that protected areas have a considerable socioeconomic impact and in order to preserve cultural landscapes, achieve conservation objectives and contribute to balanced regional development, measures must be taken.

Keywords: Protected area management; nature conservation; cultural landscapes; natural and cultural heritage; rural development; agricultural land; settlement viability; community development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:eurcou:v:8:y:2016:i:2:p:67-85:n:1

DOI: 10.1515/euco-2016-0006

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