LAND: Critical components for sustainable development of National parks (PARKS) - The interactions of social, ecological and economic factor

In recent years, a large number of mountain protected areas and parks have been established in Norway, Nepal and North-America, including what is now the largest continuous protected area in continental Europe. Pressures from the private sector to develo p economic activities in and surrounding parks in return for foregone development opportunities are increasing substantially, but there are few or no major assessments available to identify the criteria crucial for balancing environmental protection with economic development. Furthermore, development pressures are increasing in the perimeter of the parks. Little experience is available in Norway on how parks can be managed to promote economic activity, involve local communities, and maintain protection of areas. There is also limited knowledge on how activity in the perimeter of the parks impacts the ecology of the protected areas, such as by increase in generalist predators, increased disturbance of migration routes of migratory animals and birds, or by potential increase of larger predators within the parks. Despite many controversies, there are no assessments in place to document the potential disturbance of wildlife caused by trails and trekking tourists within the parks in Norway. In USA, Canada, and Nepal, there are both recent and long-term experiences with mountain park management, park research, income generating tourism in protected areas, and economic activity that could provide crucial knowledge to Norwegian authorities on best-practices and t he local assumptions and requirements needed for successful implementation of such activities. This study will provide a cross-disciplinary assessment of the ecological, economic and social components required for sustainable development in mountain parks , and generate scenarios of environmental pressures given different management, business regimes and mitigation systems.