Preparation of the National Park Plan - Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald

3.5. Recording of socio-economic and socio-ecological
interrelationships
Research in the Bavarian Forest National Park should also
identify the interrelationship between the national park, the
surrounding area, national park visitors and the population of
the region. Important aspects are, on the one hand, the
socioeconomic effects, i.e. the significance of the national park
for the economic development of the region. On the other
hand, the socio-ecological effects for the implementation of
nature protection objectives are vital, that is, the extent to which
the natural processes in the national park are impacted by
visitors and recreational users of the national park and by
developments in the surrounding areas.
3.6. Exploitation and processing of research results for
nature protection, science and forestry practices as
well as environmental education and public relations
The scientific studies in the national park enable insights
into pristine ecosystems as well as for cultivated areas outside
the national park to be derived and especially the recognition of
the correlations between man and nature. Knowledge of natural
processes in forests not used by people is particularly valuable
for nature protection, science and nature-oriented forestry. The
research results should be made available to the towns and
CONCEPT AND OBJECTIVES 19
Systems for automatic measurement of meteorological and olfactory data (Photo: Heiner Rall)
villages close to the national park and also the members of the
national park advisory board. In addition, the research should
underpin the educational and public relations work of the
national park. The research results should be formatted in such
a way that they can be available at short notice and generally be
easy to understand. The methods and opportunities of data
processing (databases, geographical information systems,
networks etc.) should be used in the documentation of research
results.
3.7. Interpretation and overview of research results
important for the national park
The national park administration can only carry out its
functions as far as nature protection, education and public
relations are concerned if the necessary information and findings
converge at their offices. It is incumbent upon the administration
that they have a complete overview. The basis for completion of
the various research tasks is a research concept (see Appendix
“Forschung”). This is essential for setting the priorities for the
research plan, the coordination of the work (potentially by third
parties) and for excluding research proposals which compromise
the purpose of protection or lie outside the national park’s
specific areas of interest. It is also important, that research
results from outside the national park are tied in with the
research work of the national park and discussed.