Description

A gap analysis is an assessment of the extent to which a protected area system meets protection goals set by a nation or region to represent its biological diversity. Gap analyses can vary from simple exercises based on a spatial comparison of biodiversity with existing protected areas to complex studies that need detailed data gathering and analysis, mapping and use of software decision packages. All gap analyses should consider a range of different “gaps” in a protected area network:
• Representation gaps: either no representations of a particular species or ecosystem in any protected area, or not enough examples of the species or ecosystem represented to ensure long-term protection.
• Ecological gaps: while the species or ecosystem occurs in the protected area system, occurrence is either of inadequate ecological condition, or the protected area(s) fail to address species'' movements or specific ecological conditions needed for long-term survival or ecosystem functioning.
• Management gaps: protected areas exist but management regimes (management objectives, governance types, or management effectiveness) do not provide full security for particular species or ecosystems given local conditions.

Objectives and Methodology

The design of the network of protected areas is the first requirement towards their legal establishment and functioning. The proposed MSc research aims to evaluate the design of the PAs in Greece and can address one or more of the following objectives:
• Identify the gaps in data and information necessary for the design and zoning of PAs: Are all necessary data on species, ecosystems, landscape available and of good quality?
• Account for the methodological gaps in designing of PAs: How is the existing network of PAs compare with the output of sophisticated software such as MARXAN?
• Assess the representativeness of the values (e.g. species and habitats) within the PAs: Compare what is inside the existing network of PAs and what is not adequately represented. This should be mainly related to the conservation priorities (values) but it can also reflect of the environmental factors such as habitat types, landforms, soils etc.
• Evaluate the effectiveness in the management of selected PAs (management gap) using tools such as RAPPAM, tracking tool etc.

Further reading

MSc thesis: Musangu, M.(2012). Are priority sites for shorebirds and seabirds conservation adequately represented in Kenya's marine protected areas?(http://essay.utwente.nl/84770/)