scholarly journals Biodiversity Economy and conservation territorialization: a pyrrhic strategy in Kwazulu-Natal

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Nel
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Land Ownership ◽  
Resource Control ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Traditional Authority ◽  
Project Outcomes ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Slow Violence

Post-apartheid Kwazulu-Natal is in the midst of ecological and social crises related to land ownership, resource control, minerals extraction, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. The environs of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park are a violent environment, where the immediate violence of an anti-poaching 'war' waged over fears of Rhinoceros extinction, is counter-posed to the slow violence permeating the lives of marginal rural residents affected by the externalities of coal mining. A range of struggles are waged against these challenges, but a hegemonic 'Biodiversity Economy' intervention has arisen, attended by projects aimed at territorializing conservation space and multiple-win scenarios. Based on four years of intermittent research in the area, this article critiques the territorialization of conservation, project outcomes, and commercialization efforts within the Umfozi Biodiversity Economy Node (UBEN). I contend that a biodiversity economy nodal approach extends neoliberal conservation strategies, and functions as a spatial aggregator to reterritorialize conservation land use over space and time. However, the findings suggest that, despite years of energy and investment there have only been limited individual successes in the UBEN, and a range of frustrations, compounded by COVID-19 complications. The analysis also highlights further costs and externalities of the initiative: as the UBEN exacerbates underlying tensions in Kwazulu-Natal's uneven conservation geography, and it aligns with problematic and often unrepresentative traditional authority structures and related accumulation networks. It is also complicit with the production of sacrificial spaces at the conservation-extraction nexus.In this context, I argue the UBEN is pyrrhic; that is, an outcome or goal strived for/achieved at too little reward and too high a cost. The article extends political-ecological critique of neoliberal conservation and the green economy to incorporate the framing and implementation of biodiversity economy nodal approaches – and their uneven and pyrrhic effects – in contested, crisis-ridden conservation contexts.

scholarly journals Dietary analysis of an uncharacteristic population of the Mountain Pygmy-possum(Burramys parvus)in the Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, Australia

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahneal Hawke ◽  
Hayley Bates ◽  
Suzanne Hand ◽  
Michael Archer ◽  
Linda Broome
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Dietary Composition ◽  
Southern Population ◽  
Northern Population ◽  
Dietary Analysis ◽  
Critically Endangered Species

BackgroundThe Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) is a critically endangered marsupial, endemic to alpine regions of southern Australia. We investigated the diet of a recently discovered population of the possum in northern Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, Australia. This new population occurs at elevations well below the once-presumed lower elevation limit of 1,600 m.Goals and MethodsFaecal material was analysed to determine if dietary composition differed between individuals in the newly discovered northern population and those in the higher elevation southern population, and to examine how diet was influenced by rainfall in the southern population and seasonal changes in resource availability in the northern population.Results and DiscussionThe diet ofB. parvusin the northern population comprised of arthropods, fruits and seeds. Results indicate the diet of both populations shares most of the same invertebrate orders and plant species. However, in the absence of preferred food types available to the southern population, individuals of the northern population opportunistically consumed different species that were similar to those preferred by individuals in higher altitude populations. Differing rainfall amounts had a significant effect on diet, with years of below average rainfall having a greater percentage composition and diversity of invertebrates. Seasonal variation was also recorded, with the northern population increasing the diversity of invertebrates in their diet during the Autumn months when Bogong Moths (Agrotis infusa) were absent from those sites, raising questions about the possum’s dependence on the speciesConclusionsMeasurable effects of rainfall amount and seasonal variation on the dietary composition suggest that predicted climatic variability will have a significant impact on its diet, potentially impacting its future survival. Findings suggest that it is likely thatB. parvusis not restricted by dietary requirements to its current pattern of distribution. This new understanding needs to be considered when formulating future conservation strategies for this critically endangered species.

scholarly journals Does Doing More Result in Doing Better? Exploring Synergies in an Integrated Population, Health and Environment Project in East Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51
Author(s):  
Samuel Sellers
Keyword(s):  
Population Health ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Lake Victoria ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
Project Outcomes ◽  
Integrated Project

SummaryPopulation, health and environment (PHE) projects are an increasingly popular strategy for addressing lack of access to healthcare and livelihood opportunities in settings with threats to biodiversity loss. PHE projects integrate services and messaging from different development sectors, including health (particularly family planning), conservation and livelihoods. However, a question remains: do such projects produce value-added outcomes; that is, synergistic effects as a result of integration across sectors? Using qualitative data to explore value-added outcomes resulting from a PHE project serving communities along Lake Victoria in Kenya and Uganda, this study explores several theories about why this integrated project may be generating value-added outcomes, including changes in established gender roles, as well as substitution of time and investment of new income into sustainable livelihood activities, particularly among women. Integration led to several value-added benefits, particularly for women, although long-term sustainability of project outcomes remains a key concern.

scholarly journals The Relative Importance of Agricultural and Wetland Habitats to Waterbirds in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta of California

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. David Shuford ◽  
Matthew Reiter ◽  
Kristin Sesser ◽  
Catherine Hickey ◽  
Gregory Golet
Keyword(s):  
Central Valley ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
San Joaquin River ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

Biodiversity loss from agricultural intensification underscores the urgent need for science-based conservation strategies to enhance the value of agro-ecosystems for birds and other wildlife. California’s Central Valley, which has lost over 90% of its historical wetlands and currently is dominated by agriculture, still supports waterbird populations of continental importance. A better understanding of how waterbirds use available habitat is particularly needed in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, an ecosystem under threat. From 2013 to 2015, we studied waterbird habitat associations in the Delta during fall migration and winter by conducting diurnal counts at random locations in key waterbird habitats throughout the Delta. Waterbird use of cover types (agricultural crops and managed wetlands) varied substantially among waterbird groups, by season, and among geographic sub-regions of the Delta. Overall, wetlands were particularly important to waterbirds in fall. In winter, wetlands and flooded rice and corn were important to many waterbird groups, and non-flooded corn and irrigated pasture to geese and cranes. The factors that influenced waterbird abundance and distribution also varied substantially among groups and differed at various geographic scales. In both seasons, most groups had a positive association at the field level with flooded ground and open water, and a negative association with vegetation. Given the great uncertainty in the future extent and pace of habitat loss and degradation in the Delta, prioritizing the conservation actions needed to maintain robust waterbird populations in this region is urgent. For the Delta to retain its importance to waterbirds, a mosaic of wetlands and wildlife-friendly crops that accounts for the value of the surrounding landscape must be maintained. This includes restoring additional wetlands and maintaining corn, rice, alfalfa, and irrigated pasture, and ensuring that a substantial portion of corn and rice is flooded in winter.

scholarly journals Aridity-driven shift in biodiversity–soil multifunctionality relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weigang Hu ◽  
Jinzhi Ran ◽  
Longwei Dong ◽  
Qiajun Du ◽  
Mingfei Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Soil Microbial Diversity ◽  
Ecosystem Multifunctionality

AbstractRelationships between biodiversity and multiple ecosystem functions (that is, ecosystem multifunctionality) are context-dependent. Both plant and soil microbial diversity have been reported to regulate ecosystem multifunctionality, but how their relative importance varies along environmental gradients remains poorly understood. Here, we relate plant and microbial diversity to soil multifunctionality across 130 dryland sites along a 4,000 km aridity gradient in northern China. Our results show a strong positive association between plant species richness and soil multifunctionality in less arid regions, whereas microbial diversity, in particular of fungi, is positively associated with multifunctionality in more arid regions. This shift in the relationships between plant or microbial diversity and soil multifunctionality occur at an aridity level of ∼0.8, the boundary between semiarid and arid climates, which is predicted to advance geographically ∼28% by the end of the current century. Our study highlights that biodiversity loss of plants and soil microorganisms may have especially strong consequences under low and high aridity conditions, respectively, which calls for climate-specific biodiversity conservation strategies to mitigate the effects of aridification.

scholarly journals Factors influencing local attitudes and perceptions regarding jaguars Panthera onca and National Park conservation in Panama

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Fort ◽  
Clayton K. Nielsen ◽  
Andrew D. Carver ◽  
Ricardo Moreno ◽  
Ninon F. V. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Land Ownership ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Panthera Onca ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions

AbstractThroughout its range in Latin America the jaguar Panthera onca is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and conflict with humans. Protected areas in Panama harbour some of the last remaining suitable habitat for jaguars and are vital to conservation. However, no previous studies had assessed which factors in particular affect the tolerance of rural Panamanians towards jaguars and National Park conservation, which is important to jaguar persistence. Whether these factors are consistent with previous research on human–carnivore coexistence is unclear. To address this we estimated the number of instances of depredation of cattle by jaguars, and assessed attitudes and perceptions of rural Panamanians. We conducted semi-structured interviews in two disparate study areas: Cerro Hoya National Park and Darién National Park. Depredation events were more frequent in the latter, but only residents of the former reported conflict between people and coyotes Canis latrans. Positive perceptions of jaguars and National Parks, and criticism of park management, increased with level of education and land ownership. Men were more open to receiving help on their farms to mitigate impacts of jaguars, and more tolerant of the presence of jaguars, than women. Residents from both study areas indicated high appreciation for their respective National Parks. We provide recommendations to improve community outreach and education initiatives, and suggest priority areas for future mitigation efforts concerning human–jaguar interactions in Panama.

scholarly journals Park, People and Biodiversity Conservation in Kaziranga National Park, India

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy Das
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Local People ◽  
The North ◽  
Kaziranga National Park ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The People ◽  
Gains And Losses

Kaziranga National Park (henceforth, KNP) is a protected area situated in the North Eastern part of India. The park is a World Heritage Site and has a very rich ecosystem. KNP is an attractive tourist destination and occupies a significant place in the life and culture of the people living in this part of the country. Conservation of the park started more than a century ago, and local people have often contested such efforts. This is mainly because indigenous people have been facing displacement and deprivation from resources, which they have been using for centuries. Besides deprivation, wild animals often damage their properties and paddy fields. This leads to resentment among local people and become potential cause of grudge in the form of encroachment, poaching, biodiversity loss, and excessive collection of forest products. As a result, conservation measures may fail to deliver desired outcome. This paper tries to examine the gains and losses for living around KNP and assess the park-people relation. We conduct a case study in some periphery villages of the park and find that people have been suffering from difficulty in rearing livestock and loss caused by wild animal. However, people gain from tourism business. Based on the findings we recommend extension of tourism/allied activities and community welfare measures. The findings may be used to derive policy implication for sustainable management of the park.

scholarly journals Morphological characterization and diversity of tadpoles (Amphibia: Anura) at Emas National Park and its surrounding, Goiás State, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Alves-Ferreira ◽  
Ingrid Beatriz Ferreira da Paixão ◽  
Fausto Nomura
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
New Records ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Characterization ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Anuran Species ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Different Populations

Abstract: Tadpoles are abundant in the environments in which they occur and remain in aquatic habitats for longer periods than adults, being relatively easier to collect. Despite the increase in tadpole research in the past decade, our understanding of its morphological diversity remains limited. Here, we provide morphological characterizations for larvae of 15 anuran species that occur at Emas National Park (ENP) and its surroundings, in Goiás, and compare them with descriptions available in the literature for other locations. We also present an update of the list of anuran species known to the ENP, based on tadpole sampling. We found tadpoles from 15 anuran species, of which five represent new records for the park. Many species showed variations in morphological characters when compared with descriptions available in the literature for other locations, reinforcing the importance of describing larvae from different populations. Through the exploration of morphological characters, it is possible to make inferences about the functional diversity of the larvae and questions related to the homology of characters, in addition to assisting in the identification and taxonomic distinction of species. Studies with tadpole communities can generate key information about the factors that drive the anurans' richness and distribution and can provide support for establishing more consistent conservation strategies and management plans.

scholarly journals Sustainable human behaviours for combating sixth mass extinction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatik Baran Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Mass Extinction ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Natural Phenomenon ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
The People ◽  
Sixth Mass Extinction ◽  
The Commons

Background extinction is a natural phenomenon. Anthropogenic biodiversity loss has been addressed from the various view points. The debate is continuing to identify the root cause of the anthropogenic mass extinction, also called the sixth extinction. The present communication discusses various anthropogenic drivers of the biodiversity loss and explains the ongoing sixth mass extinction using Garrett Hardin's “the tragedy of the commons”. Such explanations provide options for policy makers and for us to save the precious biodiversity of our planet. It has been demonstrated that presently we share about one third of the Net Primary Productivity which must be reduced through reducing our food consumption and by reducing our utilization of energy. Promotion of sustainable human behaviours to ameliorate the problem of anthropogenic extinction or the sixth extinction has been discussed in the light of recent findings from neurobiology and molecular biology. Biodiversity conservation through providing benefit to the people may be effective conservation strategies which would save the interest of human civilizations as well as other life forms on the earth.

scholarly journals The Biodiversity Status and Conservation Activities of Singra National Park (SNP) in the Link of Co-Management Strategy

2020 ◽  
pp. 136-146
Author(s):  
M. M. Ali ◽  
N. Akter ◽  
M. R. Kabir ◽  
M. M. Hasan ◽  
M. M. Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Forest Flora ◽  
The People ◽  
Floral Diversity ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Interview Methods ◽  
Vegetation Composition And Structure

This paper emphasizes the trend of biodiversity and their conservation strategy of Singra National Park (SNP), which is very well known for its characteristics as deciduous forest. Two types of studies were conducted: (i) Study of the vegetation composition and structure and (ii) conservation strategy of the Forest. In the first study, the diversity of plant (trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers) and animal (birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals) species were measured. A stratified random quadrat method was employed to determine the floral diversity. A total of 32 plant species  were recorded including 19 tree species, 5 herbs, 4 shrubs and four climbers. Inventory of fauna species was conducted using a combination of transect walk/ opportunistic and ethno zoological interview methods. Total 28 animal species were recorded of which 13 were birds, 3 were amphibians, 6 were reptiles and 6 were mammals. With regard to the quantitative attributes of total flora and fauna species, the highest number was found in trees (mean, 126.00) and the lowest number was found in mammals (mean, 7.00). The result showed very high significant variation among them. The second study examined the management of the forest, causes of biodiversity loss, administrative problems with management of wildlife. Data were collected from the SNPauthority and questionnaire survey among local people in the study area. It was evident from the study that the people around the forest collect forest flora and fauna illegally. The people are not aware of the importance of forest in various aspects like  social, economic, ecological and environmental domains. Forest authorities are trying to involve the people in and around the forest to co-management for conservation and restoration of the forest.

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