Caring for Akina Gegoo : Anishinaabe perspectives on biodiversity and conservation in Magnetawan First Nation

Beyond Biodiversity Conservation: Why Policy Needs Social Theory, Social Theory Needs Justice, and Justice Needs Policy

Natural resource management approaches that deliver biodiversity conservation remain elusive, with evidence of a persistent implementation gap between biodiversity science and conservation projects. Scenarios have been identified as potentially useful in addressing the complex issues underlying this implementation gap, but have been infrequently applied to biodiversity conservation. Our paper reports on action co-research to develop, apply and assess the efficacy of scenarios within a community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) approach to biodiversity conservation at Mission Beach, a key site within the globally significant Wet Tropics bioregion. We focused on the capacity of scenarios to address the issues of contested interests and uncertainty, aiming specifically to engage the community to build a cohesive vision. The scenarios' headline messages included a projected substantial loss of habitat in coastal vegetation communities that are highly valued by all stakeholders. Our assessment identified that the use of scenarios fulfilled the intended aims, resulting in a vision for biodiversity conservation that has substantial community support. Three factors contributed to this efficacy of the scenarios: (1) the focus on threat; (2) biodiversity science integration; and (3) simplicity in presentation. Further investigation of the potential of scenarios as tools to overcome the implementation gap in biodiversity conservation is recommended.

The State Council of China has adopted Agenda 21for China and biodiversity conservation is one plank of its agenda for China's sustainable development. This paper offers a brief discussion of China's White Paper on Agenda 21 and examines, as a case study, the problem of sustaining biological diversity in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan. This area is rated as one of ‘megadiversity’, and therefore, as one deserving a high priority for conservation purposes. After discussing the general socio-economic obstacles to biodiversity conservation in Xishuangbanna, the article outlines the types of strategies adopted in China for reducing pressures of local communities on biodiversity and nature conservation. China's preferred strategy for easing pressures on biodiversity conservation in nature reserves is to improve economic opportunities outside of the reserves and raise the income levels of people living in the neighbourhood of the reserves. This approach has been adopted in Xishuangbanna and there are plans to extend it. Community development projects such as agroforestry, joint ventures in tourism and so on are being encouraged. Mechanisms for selecting suitable community development projectse.g. using rapid rural appraisal (RRA), are considered. Without economic development at the local level, plans for biodiversity conservation are unlikely to succeed in China or for that matter elsewhere in the developing world.

Abstract. Salvaña FRP, Arnibal SLT. 2019. Importance of indigenous communities’ knowledge and perception in achieving biodiversity conservation: A case study from Manobo tribe of Southern Mindanao, Philippines. Asian J Ethnobiol 2: 54-61. Indigenous communities play a relevant role for setting biodiversity management and conservation. This study aims to determine the knowledge and perceived importance of the Manobo tribe towards biodiversity. A total of 100 Manobos were included in the study to determine the knowledge and perception of indigenous communities particularly the Manobo tribe towards biodiversity. A semi-structured survey questionnaire was used to determine responses on knowledge and importance perception/ Our study found a consistent significant difference on the mean responses on knowledge and perception across gender and education attainment. Interestingly, traditional knowledge is significantly associated on the biodiversity importance perception of Manobos. Our findings suggest involving indigenous communities is equally important in achieving balanced biodiversity conservation and protection. Thus, strengthening collaborations among local government sectors and community leaders must be included in developing conservation priorities and protection.

Humans are significantly impacting ecosystems worldwide. Scientists of the IPBES Global Assessment are therefore calling for a transformative change that includes all aspects of society in order to address drivers of biodiversity loss. However, these calls are rather abstract, and thus it remains unclear how this goal can be achieved. With this conceptual contribution, we present an analytical framework for evaluating existing processes of societal change which are enhancing biodiversity, and we illustrate its application using three case studies in Germany. We argue that an empirical analysis provides insights into the causal mechanisms that initiate or promote change processes. In doing so, we can draw recommendations for future transformative change processes with regard to biodiversity conservation. In our analysis, we are dealing with questions concerning the following three areas: the drivers and context of societal change processes, the change processes themselves and finally their impacts. Subsequently, we generate recommendations on how to enhance and support the process of future societal transformation that aims at biodiversity conservation: (a) Retaining co‐benefits for biodiversity with goals that are primarily focussing on other objectives; (b) harmonising biodiversity use and conservation by turning conflicts into drivers of transformation; (c) prioritising biodiversity conservation by taking advantage of windows of opportunity. With our conceptual framework, we provide an analytical tool to learn from existing processes of societal change how to support future transformative change. This is an important step that contributes to the generation of relevant knowledge of promoting transformative change for nature and people. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Spatial conservation prioritization inclusive of wilderness quality: A case study of Australia’s biodiversity

Protected areas for conservation and poverty alleviation: experiences from Madagascar Charlie J. Gardner*, Martin E. Nicoll, Tsibara Mbohoahy, Kirsten L. L. Oleson, Anitry N. Ratsifandrihamanana, Joelisoa Ratsirarson, Lily-Arison Ren e de Roland, Malika Virah-Sawmy, Bienvenue Zafindrasilivonona and Zoe G. Davies WWF Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean Programme Office, BP738, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK; D epartement de Biologie, Facult e des Sciences, Universit e de Toliara, Toliara 601, BP 185, Toliara, Madagascar; Blue Ventures Conservation, Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road, N7 9DP London, UK; ESSA-D epartement Eaux et Forets, Universit e d’Antananarivo, BP 175 Antananarivo, Madagascar; and The Peregrine Fund, BP 4113 Antananarivo, Madagascar

<i>Integrative Conservation</i>: A new journal from the conservation frontline

Urbanization can profoundly influence the ecosystem service for biodiversity conservation. However, few studies have investigated this effect, which is significant for maintaining regional sustainable development. We take the rapidly developing, mountainous and biodiversity hotspot region, Jinghong, in southern Yunnan Province as the case study. An integrated ecosystem service model (PANDORA) is used to evaluate this regional BESV (ecosystem service value for biodiversity conservation). The modeled BESV is sensitive to landscape connectivity changes. From the 1970s to 2010, regional urban lands increased from 18.64 km2 to 36.81 km2, while the BESV decreased from $6.08 million year−1 to $5.32 million year−1. Along with distance gradients from the city center to the fringe, BESV varies as an approximate hump-shaped pattern. Because correlation analysis reveals a stronger influence of landscape composition on spatial BESV estimates than the landscape configuration does, we conclude that the projected urban expansion will accelerate the BESV reduction. Of the projected urban land, 95% will show a decreasing BESV trend by approximately $2 m−2 year−1. To prevent this, we recommend compact urban planning for the mountainous city.

With natural resources—terrestrial or coastal—fastly diminishing, governments are now resorting to biodiversity conservation, fast-tracking the introduction of new legislations, as well as the amendment of existing ones, and laying out programs that interpret existing practices and research agendas. This paper examines how biodiversity conservation—in addition to eco-tourism—has become an important symbol of the modernizing state of Sabah, Malaysia. It further examines the effects of biodiversity conservation on state and community management of natural resources, with particular reference to the management of natural resources by the indigenous peoples of Sabah. Citing case studies and focusing on a forest community at Kiau Nuluh, in the district of Kota Belud,

In developing countries, much remains to be done to truly integrate the livelihoods of rural people and biodiversity conservation into land use decision-making and management processes. Yet, research institutions can support informed landscape management decisions by communities, conservation agencies and policy-makers. This can be accomplished by developing methods and instruments that facilitate coherent linkages between stakeholders across various spatial and decisional scales. Researchers need to facilitate equitable participation in the planning processes and provide information on the options that best integrate biodiversity conservation and livelihoods. This chapter aims to analyse how research has contributed to this objective and how it could be designed for future integrative activities at the landscape level. It identifies lessons from case studies that combine biodiversity conservation and livelihood aims in tropical regions and reviews methodological issues relevant to transdisciplinary research. In addition to the critical elements emerging from case studies, the article highlights the crucial role of institutions in helping to bridge the gaps between science, planning, decision-making and effective management. Finally, it describes an approach that two international research organizations are developing to promote the sustainable use of forests and trees and biodiversity conservation in fragmented tropical forest landscapes.

Making Parks Work: a Thought‐Provoking Argument, but Not a Guide

Ensuring food security while also protecting biodiversity requires a governance system that can address intra- and intersectoral complexity. In this paper, we sought to explore the governance challenges surrounding food security and biodiversity conservation through an empirical study in Jimma zone, southwestern Ethiopia. We used bottom-up snowball sampling to identify stakeholders and then held semi-structured interviews with 177 stakeholders across multiple levels of governance. We also conducted 24 focus group discussions with local people. Data were transcribed and thematically analyzed for its contents. Challenges in the structure of institutions and policy incoherence were the key challenges identified for the governance of food security and biodiversity conservation. The challenges around institutional structure included incompatibilities of the nature of governing institutions with the complexity inherent within and between the two sectors examined. Incoherences in policy goals, instruments, and contradictions of policy output relative to the actual problems of food security and biodiversity further hampered effective governance of food security and biodiversity conservation. Notably, many of the challenges that influenced an individual sector also posed a challenge for the integrated governance of food security and biodiversity conservation, often in a more pronounced way. Based on our findings, we argue that governance in our case study area requires a more integrated and collaborative approach that pays attention to institutional interplay in order to ensure institutional fit and consistency across policy goals.

The conservation of biodiversity is a critical issue all around the globe, which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. Tourism has been identified as a potential catalyst for the enhancement of the value of biodiversity and the promotion of conservation in modern development paradigm. However, there is a need to examine the opportunities and challenges of using tourism for these purposes. This research used a mixed qualitative study approach for data collection. The researcher has used document review, case study, FGD and expert opinion poll methods in order to capture the in-depth understanding on the issue. The SWOT analysis was used to identify the current status of sustainable tourism in Nepal and its potential for biodiversity conservation. The study found that Nepal has made significant progress in promoting sustainable tourism practices and biodiversity conservation. The government has implemented various policies and regulations to promote ecotourism, such as the establishment of national parks and conservation areas. However, there are still weaknesses that need to be addressed, such as poor waste management, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of awareness among tourists and locals about the importance of biodiversity conservation. The study highlights the need for a more strategic and collaborative approach to tourism development in Nepal that prioritizes biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, the study suggests that research is needed to identify the potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity in Nepal and develop adaptation strategies for the tourism industry. The research provides insights into the sustainable tourism perspective of biodiversity conservation in Nepal and highlights the need for collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism practices and biodiversity conservation in Nepal. The findings suggest that tourism can play a positive role in biodiversity conservation, but this will require careful planning, effective management, and close collaboration between stakeholders in the tourism and conservation sectors.

Agroforestry and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Landscapes . Schroth G., G. A. B. Da Fonseca, C. A. Harvey, C. Gascon, H. L. Vasconcelos, and A-M. N. Izac , editors . 2004 . Island Press , Washington , D.C. 576 pp . $45.00 (paperback) . ISBN 1-55963-357-3 . Agroforestry and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Landscapes aims to evaluate the common claim that agroforestry serves to promote biodiversity conservation in tropical mosaic landscapes. It is written for students and practitioners of agriculture, forestry, and related disciplines. The editors and authors range widely in disciplinary expertise, including tropical agriculture, conservation biology, resource economics, and forestry. They hold positions in universities, nongovernmental organizations, and research institutes. The central goal of the book is to explore three hypotheses regarding the role of agroforestry in biodiversity conservation: (1) agroforestry helps reduce pressure to deforest additional land, (2) agroforestry provides habitat and resources for some native plant and animal species, and (3) the conservation value of the forest fragments is greater if they are embedded in a landscape dominated by agroforestry rather than in a surrounding matrix of intensive agriculture and pasture. Agroforestry and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Landscapes is arranged in five parts and considers each of these hypotheses in a multidisciplinary context. Part I introduces major concepts of tropical conservation biology and landscape ecology and notes the potential and limits of agroforestry to ameliorate the impacts of threats such as habitat fragmentation and deforestation. Part II, on socioeconomic aspects, includes chapters on economic valuation methods, a critique of the ability of agroforestry to reduce deforestation, a case study of cacao production, and an introduction to conservation concessions. Part III focuses on landscape-level biodiversity conservation in a range of agroforestry practices, including shifting agriculture and structurally complex agroforests such as rustic coffee plantations, living fences, and isolated trees in pastures. Parts IV and V are somewhat eclectic groups of chapters. Part IV, entitled “Biodiversity as Burden and Natural Capital,” addresses a range of issues, including local perspectives toward protected areas, hunting, invasive species, and disease dynamics in agroforestry systems. Part V describes examples intended to complement the biological and economic evidence presented in the previous sections of the book. Chapters range from an uncritical description of a conservation project in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to a thoughtful review of the silvopastoral and conservation benefits of Acacia pennatula in Nicaragua. The final chapter revisits the book's three original hypotheses in light of the evidence presented within, concluding that whether each hypothesis holds true is highly context specific. In this chapter and throughout the book the authors note knowledge gaps and highlight areas for future research in the management and conservation potential of agroforestry systems. We were impressed to see agroforestry systems presented at a wide range of scales and connected to important ecological topics such as climate change, invasive species, diseases, and genetic diversity. Although many case studies concentrate on the American tropics, attempts are made to discuss systems in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Many chapters conveniently cross-reference each other within the volume, which helps limit overlap in material. Definitions of agroforestry sometimes conflict among chapters, however, and a historical review of the topic could have provided continuity throughout the book. Much foundational literature is missing, most notably in the introduction. The absence of a critical analysis of past successes and failures of agroforestry as a development tool may give an overly optimistic impression of agroforestry as a strategy for conservation. The hypothesis-testing format of the book provides a useful framework to investigate whether or not agroforestry contributes to the conservation of biodiversity. We particularly appreciated the variety of viewpoints presented. Instead of only providing evidence in support of the view that agroforestry can help conserve biodiversity, many authors provide useful critiques. This variety leads to a thorough appraisal of the ecological value of agroforestry systems (hypotheses two and three). For example, multiple chapters note that although agroforestry systems may host more diverse species assemblages, rarely has it been demonstrated whether or not organisms successfully reproduce in these systems. We appreciated that some chapters provide thorough and critical literature reviews on particular types of agroecosystems (e.g., chapters 8, 9, and 11). But a few chapters (e.g., chapters 7 and 17) principally promote specific agroforestry projects and do not fit well within the hypothesis-testing framework. We were concerned that parts of the book lack cultural sensitivity and do not adequately incorporate the reality of farming in tropical landscapes. For example, the authors of one chapter fail to recognize the complex cultural values embedded in forest extractive practices for meat and medicines, by suggesting modern pharmaceuticals and domesticated livestock as suitable replacements (chapter 14). Without supporting evidence, the authors propose that the widespread availability of Viagra could reduce the wild crafting of natural aphrodisiacs and discount the cultural, educational, and conservation benefits of raising wild game. This style of top-down cultural engineering of food and health systems lacks an appreciation for the importance of local culture and can lead to severe and unintended consequences. Conversely, we appreciated the ways in which chapter 19 accounts for farmers' perspectives through the use of narrative and would have liked to have seen this approach more often. We appreciate that the book includes social scientific analysis, but these approaches are applied with mixed success. The critical economic analysis of the potential of agroforestry to reduce deforestation (chapter 5) is useful, but its sobering lessons on the difficulties of agroforestry adoption are seldom applied elsewhere in the book. For example, idealistic prescriptions for the expansion of biodiversity-friendly land uses through conservation concessions (chapter 7) lack practical suggestions for their widespread adoption. In addition, the socioeconomic and political constraints on the maintenance or adoption of biodiversity-friendly systems of land use developed in Part II are presented as local phenomena and are not placed into a larger discussion of global socioeconomic and political forces. The effect of immigration on changing cocoa growing practices is ascribed to local causes (chapter 6), neglecting international macroeconomic factors. This book presents a useful but not comprehensive tool set for researchers and practitioners involved in agroforestry as a conservation strategy. It provides an excellent introduction to the potential of agroforestry for the conservation of tropical biodiversity and a solid entrance into associated ecological literature. Expanding the analyses, however, to more explicitly include the socioeconomic challenges that farmers face as managers of tropical landscapes would allow for a more complete evaluation. Overall this book is a good entry point for further research and for the development of agroforestry as a means for conservation.