Conservation in tropical Pacific Island countries: why most current approaches are failing

Abstract

The independent island nations of the South Pacific have a rich and threatened terrestrial biota. Despite considerable investment of resources into conservation over the last three decades, biodiversity is dwindling and protected area systems remain inadequate. This lack of success is caused by important differences in cultural, economic, landownership, and social factors in developing Pacific Island countries, compared to developed nations that often fund conservation programs and plans. Despite the obvious need for capacity building and information exchange among stakeholders, little collaboration and development has eventuated. A coordinated and integrated approach, focusing conservation resources on national priorities, is essential to achieve efficient conservation. This will need to include active involvement of landowners, a good sociocultural understanding of target communities, improved collaboration between the various stakeholders, provision of sustainable alternative economic activities, and a commitment to long funding cycles for projects.

Necessary but challenging: Multiple disciplinary approaches to solving conservation problems

“…Discussion between these different parties demands a recasting of the interactions between scholar and practitioner, which undoubtedly causes tensions (Cash et al 2003). Failure to listen to or engage stakeholders has impeded conservation on many occasions (e.g., Christie 2004;Keppel et al 2012). In order for conservation science to produce results that can reliably support effective management practices, collaboration between all involved parties (academic and non-academic) must occur from the onset of the project.…”

Successful community engagement and implementation of a conservation plan in the Solomon Islands: a local perspective

“…If the process outlined above is followed, and the local communities overcome the challenges, community-based management of local ecosystems can succeed (Keppel et al 2012). In this paper we detailed the way a conservation plan can successfully turn into conservation action on the ground and record rapid recovery of valuable marine resources following effective community-based management efforts.…”

Saving rainforests in the South Pacific: challenges in ex situ conservation

“…Current policies and management efforts appear inadequate in preventing vegetation and biodiversity loss, suggesting the need for new legislation and economic incentives (WardellJohnson et al 2011). Implementing new policies is likely to be particularly challenging in developing Pacific Island nations, where past conservation efforts have often been unsuccessful, and administrative and land-tenure complexities add difficulty (Kingsford and Watson 2011;Keppel et al 2012).…”