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White RM, Schmook B, Calmé S, Giordano AJ, Hausser Y, Kimmel L, Lecuyer L, Lucherini M, Méndez-Medina C, Peña-Mondragón JL. Facilitating biodiversity conservation through partnerships to achieve transformative outcomes. Conserv Biol 2023; 37:e14057. [PMID: 36661055 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Conservation biology is a mission-driven discipline that must navigate a new relationship between conservation and science. Because conservation is a social and political as well as an ecological project, conservation biologists must practice interdisciplinarity and collaboration. In a comparative study of 7 cases (Jaguars in the Chaco, Grevy's zebra in Kenya, Beekeeping in Tanzania, Andean cats in Argentina, Jaguars in Mexico, Lobster fishing, and Black bears in Mexico), we examined motivations for collaboration in conservation, who can collaborate in conservation, and how conservation professionals can work well together. In 5 case studies, successful conservation outcomes were prioritized over livelihood benefits. In the other 2 cases, livelihoods were prioritized. All case studies employed participatory approaches. There were multiple external actors, including local and Indigenous communities, nongovernmental organizations, agencies, regional and national governments, and international organizations, which enhanced conservation and wider sustainability outcomes. Key collaboration aspects considered across the case studies were time (mismatch between relationship building and project schedules), trust required for meaningful partnerships, tools employed, and transformative potential for people, nature, and the discipline of conservation biology. We developed guidelines for successful collaboration, including long-term commitment, knowledge integration, multiscalar and plural approaches, cultivation of trust, appropriate engagement, evaluation, supporting students, and efforts for transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehema M White
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Birgit Schmook
- Department of Biodiversity Conservation, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur), Chetumal, Mexico
| | - Sophie Calmé
- Department of Biodiversity Conservation, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur), Chetumal, Mexico
- Faculté des Sciences Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Anthony J Giordano
- S.P.E.C.I.E.S. - The Society for the Preservation of Endangered Carnivores and their International Ecological Study, Ventura, California, USA
| | - Yves Hausser
- HEPIA, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Delémont, Switzerland
| | - Lynn Kimmel
- Department of Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England, Keene, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Lou Lecuyer
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Univ. Bourgogne, Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Mauro Lucherini
- Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia, CONICET - Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
- Andean Cat Alliance, Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina
| | - Crisol Méndez-Medina
- Department of Biodiversity Conservation, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur), Chetumal, Mexico
- Instituto de Gestión del Aprendizaje del SUV, Duke University Marine Lab y Universidad de Guadalajara, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA
| | - Juan L Peña-Mondragón
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas Y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
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