From Paper to Forest: Local Motives for Participation in Different Conservation Initiatives. Case Studies in Southeastern Mexico

• Published in: Environmental management (New York) 2015-09, Vol.56 (3), p.695-708
• Main Authors: Méndez-López, María Elena, García-Frapolli, Eduardo, Ruiz-Mallén, Isabel, Porter-Bolland, Luciana, Reyes-Garcia, Victoria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analogies; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Case studies; Cobalt; Collaboration; Communities; Community; Community involvement; Community Participation; Community-Based Participatory Research; Conservation; Conservation of Natural Resources - economics; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Environment; Environment management; Environmental Management; Environmental services; Feasibility; Forest management; Forestry Management; Forests; Humans; Land; Landowners; Local communities; Local population; Mexico; Motivation; Nature Conservation; Participation; Protected areas; Resource management; Surveys and Questionnaires; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0364-152X; 1432-1009
• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0522-0

Under the assumption that local participation can contribute toward conservation, various policies have sought to increase the participation of local communities in conservation, but not always with success. Despite this failure, the drivers that explain local participation remain unclear and few studies have attempted to understand the motivations behind involvement (or lack of it) in different conservation initiatives and adopting the perspective of the local stakeholder. In this study, we analyze the motives behind the participation (or lack thereof) of local populations in three conservation schemes: Protected Areas, Areas Voluntary Devoted to Conservation, and areas under Payment for Environmental Services. The study, conducted in 6 communities of southeastern Mexico, comprises an ethnographic stage and the application of a survey exploring the motives for participation. Our results show similarities among the motives for participation in these three initiatives, predominantly the obligation to comply with acquired commitments and a desire to “care for the land”. Results also show that 77 % of the people interviewed did not participate in any conservation initiatives, often due to the lack of mechanisms by which to participate. We conclude by questioning the feasibility of achieving local participation in conservation as currently proposed and for the aims that are outlined.