Management of natural ecosystems of the Karmeliukove Podillia National Nature Park to achieve the sustainable development goals of the Eastern Podillia region

This article analyzes the management of protected ecosystems of the Karmeliukove Podillia National Nature Park (NNP) in the context of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and providing ecosystem services of the Eastern Podillia region. The territory of the park is an important center for biodiversity, preserving the natural landscapes of Eastern Podillia and combining environmental protection, ecological education, and recreational functions, which necessitates the use of integrated approaches to ecosystem management. The formation and development of ecological education programs, recreational and tourist routes were analyzed as components of modern environmental policy within the NNP. It has been established that the implementation of environmental initiatives, the activities of an ecological school, and educational projects contribute to the formation of environmental awareness among the population and the involvement of young people in environmental protection activities. The network of ecological trails and recreational sites was characterized. In particular, the following routes were identified: “To the Clean Sources of Podillia”, “Romashkovo”, “Traveling with the Karmeliukove Podillia National Nature Park”, “Visiting the Neighbors”, “Cheerful Malanka”, “The Lost World”, “The Lost World 2”, “Reserved Places of the Karmeliukove Podillia National Nature Park”, “Come with Us”. Among the ecologicaleducational and ecological-cognitive trails, the following were identified: “Discover and Preserve”, “Vyshenka”, “Paths of Partisan Glory”, “The Book of Nature of the Karmeliukove Podillia National Nature Park”, “Nature Is Not a Trash Can”, “Apiary”, “Iporelax”, “Cubes” which serve as elements of the sustainable development of ecological tourism. Among the recreational sites within the national park, the following were identified (taking into account anthropogenic load): the hydrological natural monument of local importance “Try Krynytsi” and the recreational sites on the ecological trail “Vyshenka”, “Krynytsia Lototskogo”, “Aniutyne Dzherelo”, “Yurkovo”, and “Bilia Verby”. The role of ecosystem services — supporting, cultural, provisioning, and regulating — was substantiated in ensuring the sustainable functioning of natural ecosystems and harmonizing environmental protection goals with the socio-economic needs of the region. Based on the SWOT analysis, the current state of the ecosystems of the NNP was assessed, strengths and weaknesses were identified, opportunities, and threats were determined. A situational management model has been developed, which helps substantiate planning, improve management efficiency, and choose optimal development strategies. The root causes and significant threats to natural ecosystems have been identified; priority natural values and basic ecosystem services, and well-being values and goals have been highlighted. A set of measures for the management of natural ecosystems and the optimization of the functional zoning of the Karmeliukove Podillia National Nature Park has been developed, aimed at implementing the goals of sustainable development of Eastern Podillia