Exploring the relationship between local participation and perceived Co-management performance : Evidence from China's Giant Panda National Park
Zhang, Yin (Chongqing University)
Hu, Fangbing (University of British Columbia)
Zhang, Yuqi (University of Groningen. Department of Cultural Geography)
Du, Chunlan (Chongqing University)
Brockington, Dan (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Dret Privat

Date:	2023
Abstract:	Understanding local perceptions is essential to ensure the good functioning of co-management in protected areas (PAs). However, more research is required quantitatively to assess the extent locals are empowered. This paper seeks to investigate the effects of varied participation types and levels on perceived performance in a centralized co-management regime in Giant Panda National Park, China. Using 353 survey questionnaires, we identified six co-management subtypes that were classified into four empowerment levels: instruction, consultation, agreement, and cooperation. Notably, our analysis suggests that involvement at the cooperation level was not clearly linked with more favorable local perceptions of conservation. In contrast, local residents engaged in the instruction level of co-management (support, training, and employment subtypes) were more inclined to develop positive perceptions across the ecological, social, and livelihood dimensions. This study suggests the conclusion that merely empowering locals might not facilitate favorable perceptions of conservation. Instruction co-management intended to enhance social well-being if it is tailored to the needs of local residents.
Grants:	European Commission 101054259
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Co-management ; Community-based conservation ; Local empowerment ; Participation levels ; Perceptions ; Protected areas (PAs)
Published in:	Global Ecology and Conservation, Vol. 45 (September 2023) , art. e02517, ISSN 2351-9894

DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02517

14 p, 4.7 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles