A global summary of local residents’ perceptions of benefits and problems of protected areas

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teri D. Allendorf
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Local Residents

scholarly journals Surveying the Importance of Population and its Demographic Profile, Responsible for the Evolution of the Natura 2000 Sites of Bihor County, Romania

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-170
Author(s):  
Ribana Linc ◽  
Iulian Dinca ◽  
Marcu Corina Tatar ◽  
Liviu Bucur ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Human Pressure ◽  
Demographic Profile ◽  
Active Population ◽  
Demographic Indicators ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Administrative Units ◽  
Dependency Index

Abstract The current study focuses on the demographic profile research of Nature 2000 sites belonging to 28 administrative entities located in Bihor County, in northwestern Romania. For the purposes of this study, out of the 74 local administrative units (LAUs) holding protected areas of the type Nature 2000 while only sites that cover over 40% of the administrative entities’ area were taken into account. Starting from the interrelation of the contact between human communities and local ecosystems, the research sought to determine the interdependence level between the local residents’ lifestyle and the biodiversity-related maintenance/preservation of these protected areas. Based on the referenced statistics, more demographic indicators were calculated (population decrement, population density, structure by age, dependency index, active population and structure by industry) and basic indicators of pressure on the environment (naturality index, human pressure through land use and forest area per capita). Each of these factors are meant to reveal how man cohabitates with nature in a balanced or disrupted manner according to the study results. Thus, considering the 28 LAUs from case to case, areas where environmental health tends to insecurity were identified, but there are cases in which it is satisfactory thanks to the existence of massive woodlands over wide areas, while also being due to a considerable demographic decrement.

Tourism and Poverty: Perspectives and Experiences of Local Residents in Cu Lao Cham MPA, Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-197
Author(s):  
Van Hoang Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Local People ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Local Residents

Although the tourism–poverty nexus has received increased attention, limited research considers the perspectives of people residing (with)in marine protected areas (MPAs). This article examines the views and experiences of local people in Cu Lao Cham MPA, Vietnam, with regard to tourism and poverty alleviation. Participant observation and semistructured interviews were conducted with 41 local people working in tourism. Results suggest that most respondents are involved in tourism and fishery simultaneously. Although tourism contributes significantly to respondents' living conditions and to the local economy overall (e.g., jobs creation for poor people and women), benefits are distributed unequally, which increases social conflicts. The challenges facing local people in participating in tourism include a lack of capital, lack of market access, and obstacles caused by local policies. This research suggests that locals' perceptions of tourism are important criteria for evaluating the tourism–poverty alleviation nexus. Additionally, in the context of MPAs, local attitudes may have an effect on conservation outcomes. Further research should consider the wider views of local people and other tourism stakeholders with regard to tourism, poverty, and conservation.

Benefits of local residents visiting La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
RANDALL S. MOORMAN
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
La Selva ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Biological Station ◽  
La Selva Biological Station ◽  
Perceived Benefit ◽  
Local Residents

Many conservation organizations have attempted to reduce local threats to protected areas (PAs) by providing environmental education programmes in neighbouring communities. There is a great need to understand the effectiveness of these programmes in promoting support for PAs and ultimately reducing threats to biodiversity. La Selva Biological Station, a private PA in Costa Rica, has become increasingly threatened by illegal hunting in the PA and deforestation and land degradation in surrounding areas. The Station has responded with several outreach projects including an annual free visiting day. This study used a survey instrument to evaluate the benefits of local residents visiting La Selva. Specifically, three questions were asked: (1) is there a difference in ecological knowledge of local residents among residents who have visited the Station and those that have not; (2) does an increase in knowledge relate to a perceived benefit from the PA; and (3) does recognition of a perceived benefit among local people result in fewer residents admitting to hunting or desiring to hunt in the PA? This study showed that those residents who had visited the station had a greater understanding of ecological concepts than those residents that had never been to the station, suggesting that such visits provided educational opportunities. Men also had greater ecological knowledge than women. Additionally, residents were more likely to value the PA if they had a greater knowledge of local ecology and conservation. Increased knowledge and recognition of perceived benefit however, do not necessarily translate into lifestyle changes that benefit conservation; no relationship was detected between residents who stated they benefited from the PA and those who said they did not have a desire to hunt, but younger respondents were more likely to express an interest in hunting than older respondents. The results presented here suggest that protected areas generally may benefit from visitation by local residents. However, further study is needed to determine if such outreach activities actually decrease local threats to conservation efforts, such as hunting.

Assessing the economic sustainability of managing protected areas using the CVM and CBA approaches

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dani Aoun
Keyword(s):  
Contingent Valuation ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Preservation Policy ◽  
Expected Benefits

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to design a preservation policy aimed at safeguarding the Ehden Natural Reserve, a reserve providing shelter to a substantial number of endangered species. Design/methodology/approach – The current paper, offers an approach which merges contingent valuation and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to design a preservation policy aimed at safeguarding the reserve. Contingent valuation is used to estimate the expected benefits from the reserve for both local residents and tourists visiting Ehden, while using a certainty analysis approach to explore the problem of hypothetical bias. A CBA is then applied to the findings to evaluate a ten year plan to preserve the protected area through a non-profit foundation. Findings – Findings from the analysis support the feasibility of a project of this nature, which shows a positive NPV within the studied period and at an acceptable social discount rate (SDR). The balance between benefit and cost is thus always positive, except in some pessimistic cases when analyzing the sensitivity of the model’s critical variables, particularly the number of visitors, the different WTPs for visitors and locals and the different SDRs. Originality/value – The paper adds to the scarce research available on the sustainability of protected areas in the Middle East region.

Local Residents' Knowledge about Protected Areas: A Case Study in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, India

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 410-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Olomí-Solà ◽  
Francisco Zorondo-Rodríguez ◽  
Margarita Triguero-Mas ◽  
Naveen Jha ◽  
Victoria Reyes-García
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Local Residents

Community perceptions of four protected areas in the Northern portion of the Cerrado hotspot, Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIANA NAPOLITANO E FERREIRA ◽  
NATÁLIA COSTA FREIRE
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Northern Portion ◽  
Local Residents

SUMMARYEstablishing effective networks of protected areas (PAs) is one of the major goals of conservation strategies worldwide. However, the success of PAs in promoting biodiversity conservation depends on their integration to local and regional contexts, reducing and mitigating human impacts originating from buffer zones. Community perceptions affect interactions between residents and PAs, and thereby conservation effectiveness. Research at Tocantins state (northern Brazilian Cerrado), aimed to analyse local community perceptions of four PAs, discussing how different factors may influence these. Perceptions were assessed through standardized interviews applied to PA employees and 275 local inhabitants. There was modest community participation in PA establishment and management. Residents were aware of the PAs’ existence, but were unfamiliar with their goals. Length of residency and occupation of inhabitants influenced their PA perceptions, shaping different people-park relations in each of the four studied PAs. Involvement of local residents in PA planning and management represents a central strategy to strengthen local support for PAs over the long term. In those areas that still have settlements inside their boundaries, community relocation should follow a careful participatory process to avoid significant changes in local perceptions and attitudes towards these PAs, crucial for conserving Brazilian biodiversity.

scholarly journals Assessing Local Indigenous Knowledge and Information Sources on Biodiversity, Conservation and Protected Area Management at Khuvsgol Lake National Park, Mongolia

Land ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher McCarthy ◽  
Hitoshi Shinjo ◽  
Buho Hoshino ◽  
Erdenebuyan Enkhjargal
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
National Park ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Protected Area Management ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Area Management

Indigenous knowledge about biodiversity and conservation is valuable and can be used to sustainably manage protected areas; however, indigenous communities continue to be marginalized due to the belief that their values and behaviors do not align with the overarching mission of conservation. This paper explores the extent of local knowledge and awareness of biodiversity, conservation and protected area management of indigenous communities at Khuvsgol Lake National Park, Mongolia. We investigate current levels of biodiversity awareness and explore perceptions toward conservation values and park management governance. Most respondents had a high awareness of existing biodiversity and held positive attitudes toward nature conservation and protected areas; however, insufficient knowledge of park rules and low levels of trust between local residents and park authorities may undermine conservation objectives in the long run. We identify an unequal share of economic benefits from tourism and preferential treatment toward elite business owners as a source of conflict. Limited information channels and poor communication between local residents and park authorities are also a source for low-level participation in conservation activities. Leveraging the increasing use of information communication technology, such as mobile phones, can serve as a new mechanism for improved information sharing and transparent reporting between local communities, conservationists and protected area authorities.

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