Rethinking common assumptions on linkages between protected areas and human well-being

Abstract

International policies on conservation and protected areas now emphasise a pro-poor approach and equitable management with participation by local communities. Many protected areas are now established and managed based on the premise that there are synergistic relationships between human well-being and environmental outcomes. Through a review of the academic literature and expert interviews, we investigate five common assumptions in protected area conservation pertaining to these synergies: (1) Conservation is pro-poor; (2) Poverty reduction benefits conservation; (3) Compensation neutralizes conservation costs; (4) Participation is good for conservation; (5) Resource tenure underpins long-term conservation. We identify the circumstances under which synergies and trade-offs emerge within and between social and ecological outcomes of protected areas, and highlight the role of power, governance processes and scale in shaping outcomes.