The Emergence of Collective-Action with Adaptive Capacity for Biodiversity Conservation in Protected Areas in Costa Rica

Using common-pool resources theory we propose several attributes for protected area governance that could influence the emergence of successful collective-action with adaptive capacity for biodiversity conservation. Proposed attributes were observed at the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG) and abse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Latin American geography 2013-03, Vol.12 (1), p.111-133
Main Authors: Basurto, Xavier, Jiménez-Pérez, Ignacio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodiversity conservation
Biological diversity conservation
Educational administration
Environmental conservation
Geography
Governance
Methods
National conservation areas
National parks
National parks and reserves
Natural resource management
Natural resources conservation
Protected areas
Protection and preservation
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Summary:Using common-pool resources theory we propose several attributes for protected area governance that could influence the emergence of successful collective-action with adaptive capacity for biodiversity conservation. Proposed attributes were observed at the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG) and absent at other less successful conservation areas. The attributes are (1) a clear and inspiring vision internalized by the staff; (2) practice-based learning opportunities; (3) high organizational "contextuality"; (4) long-term financial and administrative autonomy; and (5) a diversity of cross-scale linkages to access resources. We discuss how these attributes could interact to facilitate adaptive capacity for biodiversity conservation. Utilizando la teoría de recursos de uso común, proponemos varios atributos institucionales para la gobernanza de áreas protegidas que podrían facilitar el surgimiento exitoso de acción colectiva con capacidad adaptativa para la conservación de la biodiversidad. Estos atributos fueron observados en el Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) pero estaban ausentes en otras áreas de conservación menos exitosas. Los atributos son: (1) una visión clara e inspiradora internalizada por el personal operativo. (2) Oportunidades de aprendizaje y práctica. (3) Alta contextualización organizacional. (4) Autonomía financiera y administrativa de largo plazo. (5) Acceso a una variedad de recursos a través de vínculos a múltiples escalas. Discutimos como estos atributos interactúan para facilitar capacidad adaptativa para la conservación de la biodiversidad.
ISSN:1545-2476