Facilitating biodiversity conservation through partnerships to achieve transformative outcomes

• Published in: Conservation biology 2023-06, Vol.37 (3), p.e14057-n/a
• Main Authors: White, Rehema M., Schmook, Birgit, Calmé, Sophie, Giordano, Anthony J., Hausser, Yves, Kimmel, Lynn, Lecuyer, Lou, Lucherini, Mauro, Méndez‐Medina, Crisol, Peña‐Mondragón, Juan L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apiculture; Bears; Beekeeping; Biodiversity; biodiversity conflict; Biological effects; Biology; Case studies; colaboración; Collaboration; Comparative analysis; Comparative studies; conflict transformation; conflicto de biodiversidad; conservación justa; Conservation; Conservation biology; Conservation of Natural Resources; Cooperation; Fishing; Government; Indigenous peoples; interdisciplina; interdisciplinarity; International organizations; just conservation; Kenya; Life Sciences; Livelihoods; Marine crustaceans; Mexico; Nature conservation; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Organizations; papel de la academia; participación; participación de los accionistas; participation; Participatory approaches; partnership; Partnerships; role of academics; stakeholder engagement; Sustainability; transformación del conflicto; Wildlife conservation; 伙伴关系, 利益相关者参与, 参与, 生物多样性冲突, 跨学科, 学术界的作用, 公正的保护, 冲突转化
• ISSN: 0888-8892; 1523-1739
• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14057

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. Facilitación de la conservación de la biodiversidad a través de colaboraciones para lograr resultados transformadores Resumen La biología de la conservación es una disciplina impulsada por sus objetivos que debe navegar una nueva relación entre la conservación y la ciencia. Dado que la conservación es un proyecto social y político así como ecológico, los biólogos de la conservación deben practicar la interdisciplinariedad y la colaboración. En un estudio comparativo de siete casos (jaguares en el Chaco, cebras de Grevy en Kenia, apicultura en Tanzania, gatos andinos en Argentina, jaguares en México, pesca de langosta, osos negros en México), analizamos las motivaciones para colaborar en la conservación, quién puede colaborar en la conservación y cómo los profesionales de la conservación pueden trabajar bien juntos. En cinco estudios de caso, se priorizaron los