Synopses & Reviews
Using the experience of the Parks in Peril program-a wide-ranging project instituted by The Nature Conservancy and its partner organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean to foster better park management-this book presents a broad analysis of current trends in park management and the implications for biodiversity conservation. It examines the context of current park management and challenges many commonly held views from social, political, and ecological perspectives. The book argues that.
- biodiversity conservation is inherently political
- sustainable use has limitations as a primary tool for biodiversity conservation
- effective park protection requires understanding the social context at varying scales of analysis
- actions to protect parks need a level of conceptual rigor that has been absent from recent programs built around slogans and stereotypes
Nine case studies highlight the interaction of ecosystems, local peoples, and policy in park management, and describe the context of field-based conservation from the perspective of those actually implementing the programs. Parks in Peril builds from the case studies and specific park-level concerns to a synthesis of findings from the sites. The editors draw on the case studies to challenge popular conceptions about parks and describe future directions that can ensure long-term biodiversity conservation.
Throughout, contributors argue that protected areas are extremely important for the protection of biodiversity, yet such areas cannot be expected to serve as the sole means of biodiversity conservation. Requiring them to carry the entire burden of conservation is a recipe for ecological and social disaster.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 473-490) and index.
About the Author
Katrina Brandon is senior fellow with the Parks in Peril Program at The Nature Conservancy and adjunct professor at the University of Maryland.
Kent Redford is director of the Conservation Science and Stewardship Department in the Latin American and Caribbean Division of The Nature Conservancy.Steven Sanderson is vice president for Arts and Sciences and Dean of Emory College at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Table of Contents
Parks in peril: a conservation partnership for the Americas / Brian Houseal, Mâonica Ostria, and Jerome Touval -- The Parks in Peril network: an ecogeographic perspective / Roger Sayre, Jane Mansour, Xiaojun Li, Timothy Boucher, Stuart Sheppard, and Kent Redford -- Analyzing the social context at PiP sites / Barbara Dugelby and Michelle Libby -- Mexico: Râia Celestâun and Râia Lagartos special biosphere reserves / Joann M. Andrews, Rodrigo Migoya Von Bertrab, Susana Rojas, Armando Sastrâe Mâendez, and Debra A. Rose -- Guatemala: Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve / Andreas Lehnhoff and Oscar Nâuänez -- Costa Rica: Corcovado National Park / Câesar Cuello, Katrina Brandon, and Richard Margoluis -- Dominican Republic: Del Este National Park / Kelvin Guerrero and Debra A. Rose -- Belize: Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area / Audrey Wallace and Lisa Naughton-Treves -- Ecuador: Machalilla National Park / Elba Alissie Fiallo and Lisa Naughton-Treves -- Ecuador: Podocarpus National Park / Bolâivar Tello, Elba Alissie Fiallo, and Lisa Naughton-Treves -- Bolivia: Amborâo National Park / Adolfo Moreno, Richard Margoluis, and Katrina Brandon -- Peru: Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park / Luis Angel Yallico and Debra A. Rose -- Comparing cases: a review of findings / Katrina Brandon -- Perils to parks: the social context of threats / Katrina Brandon -- The new politics of protected areas / Steven Sanderson with Shawn Bird -- Holding ground / Kent Redford, Katrina Brandon, and Steven Sanderson -- Appendix: PiP site scorecard criteria.