EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS AND THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL ZONING IN ITS ASSESSMENT METHODS

The article aims to define the role of functional zoning in the effective management of protected areas and to analyze the main methods of assessing the protected area (PA) management effectiveness. The research was performed using general scientific research methods. Methods and factors that should be taken into account when developing functional zoning are highlighted. The significant potential for the use of functional zoning to improve PA’s management is pointed out, in particular, through methodological improvement, implementation of international experience, including IUCN recommendations, and ensuring the balance between zones. The analysis of the basic methods of protected areas management effectiveness is carried out. The role of spatial organization and functional zoning in achieving high-performance indicators of PAs management in protected areas management effectiveness assessments is indicated. For the first time, the peculiarities of the integration of the indicators of the criterion of functional zoning into the methodology of assessing the effectiveness of management of PAs and the need for its wider implementation in these methodologies are identified.