Protected areas are considered essential for biodiversity conservation and the main hope we have of halting the extinction of many threatened or endangered species. Since protected areas can also be a significant source of financial benefits their management is complicated and dependent on many external factors. It has been demonstrated that careful economic and social development are preconditions for successful protected area management. This publication presents a balanced scientific consideration of the link between social and economic use of protected areas and biodiversity conservation. It reviews the experience and current status of protected area management in 12 European, North American and African countries
