Conservation benefit-sharing mechanisms and their effectiveness in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem: local communities’ perspectives

Kegamba, Juma J.; Sangha, Kamaljit K.; Wurm, Penelope; Garnett, Stephen T.

doi:10.1007/s10531-023-02583-1

Cited by 6 publications

References 71 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Coexistence through sustainable conservation strategies for sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii in African ecosystems

Mayengo,

Ngonyoka,

Mtili

et al. 2024

Wildlife Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii is an antelope species adapted to the dense swamps and marshes of Sub‐Saharan Africa, where traditional population survey techniques have been ineffective and encountered difficulties in making estimations. The species formerly occurred alongside waterways throughout the lowland forest zone of West and central Africa, extending into swamp systems in the savanna zones of central, East, and southern Africa. In most parts of Africa, the sitatunga population is declining, and attracting the attention of conservationists. Furthermore, its geographical range has been recorded to have shrunk. The present study reviewed major threats to sitatunga, assessed previous and current management approaches, and proposed new approaches to effectively manage its declining populations in Africa. To achieve the study objectives, published literature, reports, online information, expert knowledge, and personal experience were reviewed to acquire relevant information. Results indicated that sitatunga are threatened due to increased habitat loss, population isolation, political instability, water level changes, habitat fragmentation, illegal hunting, and diseases. Current wildlife management approaches raise many doubts as to their effectiveness. National‐level management may unsustainably segment management actions while the protected area approach manages only part of the range of wildlife. The current tenure system in most parts of Africa discourages human–wildlife co‐existence, whereas human–wildlife conflict management approaches only treat the symptoms and not the root cause of the problems. If wildlife, including sitatunga, are to persist in Africa, management approaches should be changed and include re‐focusing of the management context at the ecosystems and landscape level; assessing the genetic diversity of sitatunga; promoting better wetland management, including the aspect of human dimension in management; using non‐invasive techniques to genetically estimate the minimum population size; assessing inbreeding; and enhancing the implementation strategy of wildlife policy in African countries. Changing the attitude of the local community may take time, but it is a pivotal point if humans and wildlife are to coexist.

show abstract

Coexistence through sustainable conservation strategies for sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii in African ecosystems

Mayengo,

Ngonyoka,

Mtili

et al. 2024

Wildlife Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Managing National and Game Parks in Africa

Chirisa,

Mhlanga,

Ncube

et al. 2024

The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Sustainable Resources and Ecosystem Resilience

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The influence of conservation policies and legislations on communities in Tanzania

Kegamba,

Sangha,

Wurm

et al. 2024

Biodivers Conserv

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Benefit-sharing mechanisms have been instrumental in securing the support of local communities living on the edge of protected areas, and in resolving human-wildlife conflicts. Understanding how current conservation policies influence benefit-sharing and the management of human-wildlife conflicts is vital for designing strong mechanisms to achieve both conservation and ethical community outcomes. Here we examined how benefit-sharing and human-wildlife conflicts are acknowledged and addressed within the current conservation policies (wildlife policies, legislations, regulations and strategic plans) using the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem (GSE) as a case study. The fourteen policies focusing primarily on wildlife conservation in Tanzania are analysed. We also drew on the findings of three studies conducted during 2021 and 2022 documenting community interactions with wildlife and adjacent protected areas. These studies covered the types of benefit provided by various conservation institutions to local communities, the effectiveness of benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the conservation-related losses incurred by communities. The study uncovered a wide range of benefits provided to local communities in the form of social amenities, livelihood support and employment. However, the losses and costs experienced are far greater than these benefits. Integrating these findings with policy analysis, we identified that the main limitations reducing the impacts of benefits in motivating positive conservation behaviours to be: losses of livestock and crops were more than four times the value of benefits/compensation offered to communities; a lack of details and clarity of benefit-sharing mechanisms; benefit/conservation rates that have not been indexed against inflation and; shortcomings in implementation. To achieve conservation outcomes, we recommend revising the conservation policies and legislation across the country in collaboration with local communities who experience the impacts of conservation in their day-to-day life. We also propose a coordinated approach for all conservation institutions managing wildlife to address widespread human-wildlife conflicts across the country effectively and to achieve better conservation outcomes rather than leaving that task to a single organization (i.e. Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority).

show abstract

Conservation benefit-sharing mechanisms and their effectiveness in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem: local communities’ perspectives

Cited by 6 publications

References 71 publications

Coexistence through sustainable conservation strategies for sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii in African ecosystems

Coexistence through sustainable conservation strategies for sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii in African ecosystems

Managing National and Game Parks in Africa

The influence of conservation policies and legislations on communities in Tanzania

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About