Methodological features of the study of economic activities in transnational natural parks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26906/EiR.2026.3(102).4712Keywords:
transnational natural park, nature reserve, tourism, recreation, local economyAbstract
The article presents the methodological approach to studying economic activities in transnational natural parks in Eastern Europe and Latin America. The study presents a comparative analysis of the two natural reserves – the East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, located on the border of Poland, the Slovak Republic and Ukraine, and the cascade of Iguazu Falls, which form the national natural parks in Argentina and Brazil. Nature reserves have been compared by site area; number of member states and the year the parks were granted special UNESCO status; impact on local economies and communities; main source and number of visitors; key objective of the transnational management; cost-benefit ratio for local communities. The similarities among the natural reserves are their status as UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the involvement of member states as founders of natural parks and the regulation based on bilateral or trilateral agreements; prospects for further extension of the areas by including neighboring parks or reserves; and high biological diversity. However, the main goals and outcomes of transnational parks differ: tourism around the Iguazu Falls generates solid income for local communities and inhabitants, while the key function of the East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve is preserving biodiversity. It is concluded that large transboundary and border natural parks and reserves can significantly affect the local economy, providing sound incentives for the development of border communities. Conversely, some nature reserves can negatively impact local communities by limiting economic development through weighty restrictions on economic activity in protected areas. These conclusions highlight the urgency of developing alternative approaches to managing these territories. Regarding the methodology for the comparative economic assessment of transnational natural parks, it is suggested to include in the list of values the number of economic, social, institutional, environmental and security indicators. In particular, there are total costs and revenues, investments and fundraising, the number of employees (including those from the local population), ecosystem and biological species restoration, and the support of natural parks in local development plans and strategies.
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