Conservation Science and Discursive Violence: A Response to Two Rejoinders

Koot, Stasja; Hebinck, Paul; Sullivan, Sian

doi:10.1080/08941920.2021.2011514

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…More examples can be mentioned, but the point is that in both historical and current south(ern) African conservation there seems to be a structural tendency to marketize success and achievements and to minimize or even ignore contradictions, failures and the continuing socio-environmental injustices underpinning all of it (Büscher, 2014). This includes conservation researchers working with or for large conservation NGOs, some of whom even actively try to silence opinions and ideas that do not suit their agendas (Koot et al, 2023a; Koot et al, 2023b).…”

Section: Southern African Conservation In the Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction: Fallen from grace? the legacy and state of Southern African conservation

Thakholi,

Koot,

Büscher

2024

Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space

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For many decades, southern Africa has been at the forefront of global conservation paradigms and practices, ranging from protected area models and community-based conservation to transfrontier parks and, more recently, the wildlife economy. A key goal of many of these was to meet conservation and development goals, something that often proved elusive. In fact, what has been consistent across these conservation strategies is a continuation of many environmental and, especially, socio-economic and racial injustices. Currently, a further increase of both conventional and novel capitalist conservation initiatives—including wildlife estates, different tourism activities and wildlife breeding—seems to further intensify rather than ameliorate existing uneven and unjust conditions. This introduction preludes some of the most important recent and contemporary dynamics in southern African conservation addressed in this special issue. Titled Fallen from grace? The legacy and state of southern African conservation, the papers in this special issue reflect on these dynamics and ask whether the global significance of southern African conservation has crumbled under the weight of its own contradictions, or whether it can still turn the tide. Pushing theoretical discussions on the links between environmental injustice, race, labour, power, inequality and conservation, we argue that the contributions do not merely critique conservation in southern Africa for failing to live up to its promises; together they question the very sustainability of the entire enterprise and the ideologies on which it is based. This is important because some conservationists continue to laud the region as a shining example for biodiversity conservation globally.

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Section: Southern African Conservation In the Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction: Fallen from grace? the legacy and state of Southern African conservation

Thakholi,

Koot,

Büscher

2024

Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space

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“…The trophy hunting debate is vulnerable to polarization, particularly since morality plays a significant role in the discourse (Fischer et al, 2013; Vucetich et al, 2019; see also Bloom, 2013; Garrett & Bankert, 2020). Morally charged debates can cultivate biases, increase tensions (for instance, see Koot et al, 2020, 2022 and comments on it; Dickman et al, 2021; Naidoo et al, 2021) and undermine collaborative effort within the conservation community. Furthermore, research has shown that people whose attitudes are anchored in moral principles perceive their positions as universally applicable and objectively true (Schwalbe et al, 2020; Skitka, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation scholars' perspectives on the morality of trophy hunting for the sake of conservation

Ghasemi,

Kyle,

Sell

et al. 2023

People and Nature

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Trophy hunting is one of the most contentious issues in recent biodiversity conservation discourse, eliciting opposition and support for the practice. Ethical concerns are often at the heart of the debate. To investigate moral views about trophy hunting, we conducted an online survey of randomly selected scholars worldwide who had published on biodiversity conservation (n = 2315). Scholars expressed divergent views on the moral acceptability of trophy hunting as a conservation practice. Moral convictions were significantly related to the perspectives of scholars. The most important factor in predicting the moral views of the respondents was the consequences of trophy hunting for local human communities. The results also indicated that utilitarian (versus deontological) decision‐making in conservation, ecological consequences of trophy hunting and animal welfare issues contribute to the divergent views. The findings emphasize the need for interdisciplinary work on ethical issues concerning animal rights and welfare in conservation, as well as providing robust and comprehensive evidence on the consequences of trophy hunting for local communities. We caution that polarization among conservation scholars may negatively affect conservation efforts. Based on the literature and our findings, we provide some recommendations to narrow the gap and consider different management options. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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A primer for the practice of reflexivity in conservation science

Kaechele,

Beveridge,

Adams

et al. 2024

Conservation Letters.

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Rigorous scientific practice relies on the tenet of transparency. However, despite regular transparency in areas such as data availability and methodological practice, the influence of personal and professional values in research design and dissemination is often not disclosed or discussed in conservation science. Conservation scientists are increasingly driven to work in collaboration with communities where their work takes place, which raises important questions about the research process, especially as the field remains largely represented by a Western scientific worldview. The process of reflexivity, and the creation of positionality statements as one form of a reflexive practice, is an important component of transparency, rigor, and best practice in contemporary conservation science. In our own professional practices, however, we have found that guidance on how to produce positionality statements and maintain reflexivity throughout the lifecycle of research is too often lacking. In response, we build on existing literature and our own experience to offer a primer as a starting point to the practice of reflexivity. Rather than being prescriptive, we seek to demonstrate flexible approaches that researchers may consider when communicating reflexive practice to enhance research transparency. We explore the challenges and potential pitfalls in a reflexive practice and offer considerations and advice based on our collective professional experience.

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Conservation Science and Discursive Violence: A Response to Two Rejoinders

Cited by 3 publications

References 44 publications

Introduction: Fallen from grace? the legacy and state of Southern African conservation

Introduction: Fallen from grace? the legacy and state of Southern African conservation

Conservation scholars' perspectives on the morality of trophy hunting for the sake of conservation

A primer for the practice of reflexivity in conservation science

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