Community-based conservation: Is it more effective, efficient, and sustainable?

Author: Dr. Michael A. Rechlin, Dr. Daniel Taylor, Dr. Jim Lichatowich, Dr. Parakh Hoon, Shiva Shankar Pandey & Dr. Bhishma Subedi, Beberly de León and Jesse Taylor.
Publisher: Future Generations Graduate School of Applied Community Change and Conservation
Language: English
Date of Publication: March 2008
Number of Pages: 134
Price: Free

This paper offers an analysis of current thinking and trends in community-based conservation that draws from the scientific literature. It is written to inform the Moore Foundation of the global literature in community-based conservation to help Moore Foundation management understand the issues.

Through a review of current academic literature, combined with specific case studies of community-based conservation, this report distills components for success as well as challenges facing community-based conservation. Five major areas are addressed in this paper:

1. Resource management. Are resources being effectively managed and what management approaches are being used?
2. Economic costs and benefits.
3. Social and community impacts. What are the social costs and benefits that accrue to a community that embraces this approach?
4. Biodiversity conservation. Are community-based approaches to conservation really protecting and enhancing biodiversity?
5. Sustainability analysis: Are community-based approaches to conservation sustainable, and what issues of management or governance threaten its continued success?