Culture, Conservation, and Conflict: Assessing the Human Dimensions of Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery

Watson, Trisha Kehaulani; Kittinger, John N.; Walters, Jeffrey S.; Schofield, Tobias

doi:10.1578/am.37.3.2011.386

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Though evidence is equivocal, it is likely that highly vulnerable marine megafauna (e.g. sea turtles, monk seals) may have experienced early and rapid population reductions during this period due to the synergist effects of human hunting and invasive species [49] , including potential rat predation on turtle eggs and juveniles and deterrence of monk seals from utilizing haul out beaches by introduced pigs and dogs ( Supporting Information S2 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical Reconstruction Reveals Recovery in Hawaiian Coral Reefs

et al. 2011

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Coral reef ecosystems are declining worldwide, yet regional differences in the trajectories, timing and extent of degradation highlight the need for in-depth regional case studies to understand the factors that contribute to either ecosystem sustainability or decline. We reconstructed social-ecological interactions in Hawaiian coral reef environments over 700 years using detailed datasets on ecological conditions, proximate anthropogenic stressor regimes and social change. Here we report previously undetected recovery periods in Hawaiian coral reefs, including a historical recovery in the MHI (∼AD 1400–1820) and an ongoing recovery in the NWHI (∼AD 1950–2009+). These recovery periods appear to be attributed to a complex set of changes in underlying social systems, which served to release reefs from direct anthropogenic stressor regimes. Recovery at the ecosystem level is associated with reductions in stressors over long time periods (decades+) and large spatial scales (>103 km2). Our results challenge conventional assumptions and reported findings that human impacts to ecosystems are cumulative and lead only to long-term trajectories of environmental decline. In contrast, recovery periods reveal that human societies have interacted sustainably with coral reef environments over long time periods, and that degraded ecosystems may still retain the adaptive capacity and resilience to recover from human impacts.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical Reconstruction Reveals Recovery in Hawaiian Coral Reefs

et al. 2011

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“…Though several other competing hypotheses remain (Watson et al 2011), based on our review of the available information, the most likely explanation is that seal populations were probably rapidly diminished by human hunters and harassment by their commensals soon after initial arrival. This theory has been advanced before in several forms (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of our archival search in English language sources have been published elsewhere (Watson et al 2011), but a brief overview of these findings and an additional description is provided here for context and comparison with other research results. Our research in this diverse set of sources suggests that seal populations were probably locally extirpated in the MHI within the first century after Polynesian settlement (~AD 1250 to 1350).…”

Section: English-language Archival Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our research in this diverse set of sources suggests that seal populations were probably locally extirpated in the MHI within the first century after Polynesian settlement (~AD 1250 to 1350). Pre-human seal populations probably never exceeded 15 000 individuals, which constitutes a small and vulnerable population for a large mammal (Watson et al 2011). Remains of monk seals in archaeological deposits are limited to just a few sites that primarily date to the historic period (Fig.…”

Section: English-language Archival Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such human−wildlife conflicts are likely to be exacerbated in situations where wildlife threatens human activities or livelihoods (Treves et al 2009). From a social perspective, understanding how humans interacted with protected species in the past and in contemporary communities can help inform conservation planning and management actions (Tarrant et al 1997, Cordell et al 1999, Watson et al 2011. The management of endangered species, for example, depends, in part, on the ability of managers and their conservation programs to engage productively with communities and stakeholders in stewardship and recovery efforts.…”

Section: Applying Sociocultural Dimensions To Species Conservation Plmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Sociocultural significance of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and the human dimensions of conservation planning

Kittinger¹,

Bambico²,

Watson³

et al. 2012

Endang. Species. Res.

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The Hawaiian monk seal Monachus schauinslandi is Critically Endangered, but relatively little is known about the sociocultural significance of the species in Native Hawaiian communities. An accurate assessment of historical and modern sociocultural values and perceptions is needed to inform conservation and recovery planning for the species, particularly since the species is not universally well-regarded by ocean users. We conducted extensive archival research and oral history interviews to characterize past and current human−monk seal relationships in the Hawaiian archipelago. We report heterogeneity in both historical and contemporary cultural associations for monk seals, which appear to be related to place-specific histories and specific stakeholder groups. We introduce the concept of 'cultural endemism' to characterize this pattern of sociocultural heterogeneity, and discuss the relevance of shifting baselines, species recovery, and sociocultural information to conservation planning. We focus on participatory conservation planning approaches as being potentially useful in reducing human−wildlife conflicts and developing collaborative stewardship for better conservation success.

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Reconciling culture and conservation of wildlife: Field insights regarding sustainable community development projects and stakeholder well‐being

Weizman

Talmage

Allgood³

et al. 2022

Sustainable Development

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This article showcases tensions between local culture and wildlife conservation work.The community capitals framework is applied drawing specifically on cultural capital, natural capital, and economic capital for elucidation of notable insights. Five cases from across the world are leveraged to identify where and how culture and conservation can be reconciled to enhance the well-being for humans and wildlife. The five cases include: Whaling in Iceland; elephants in Thailand; monk seals in Hawaii; koalas in Australia; and, wildlife in Alaska. The article demonstrates how different communities have and can shift values to view animals as co-producers of well-being rather than commodities. These communities can find ways to examine and take advantage of the intersections of economic, cultural, and natural capital. Moreover, the nature of how species are culturally defined as important is examined leaving many questions regarding power, ownership, and leadership in future sustainable development efforts including wildlife conservation.

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Culture, Conservation, and Conflict: Assessing the Human Dimensions of Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery

Cited by 7 publications

References 26 publications

Historical Reconstruction Reveals Recovery in Hawaiian Coral Reefs

Historical Reconstruction Reveals Recovery in Hawaiian Coral Reefs

Sociocultural significance of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and the human dimensions of conservation planning

Reconciling culture and conservation of wildlife: Field insights regarding sustainable community development projects and stakeholder well‐being

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