Conservation Under Siege: The Intersection of Tourism and Environmental Threats in Croatian Protected Areas

This paper investigates the illegal activities that may negatively impact the environment in Croatia’s protected areas, particularly those associated with tourism. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and sensitivity analysis are used to identify distinct high-risk activities specific to different park types. Coastal parks are found to be particularly vulnerable to maritime-related illegal activities, with high risk exposure from mooring vessels and swimming in prohibited areas. These parks also face significant risks from illegal fishing and the capture of strictly protected plants and animals, highlighting the need for enhanced marine ecosystem protection. Mountainous and forest parks face significant risks from fire-related activities, while wetland parks are sensitive to poaching and illegal fishing. Additionally, diverse landscape parks show increased vulnerability to littering, poaching, and the collection or harvesting of strictly protected plants and animals. The results underscore the necessity for tailored risk-management strategies that prioritize interventions based on park-specific challenges. By addressing the unique vulnerabilities of each park type, this study contributes insights into mitigating environmental threats posed by tourism and emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptive management in protected areas.