Advanced Introduction to Community-based Conservation: (Elgar Advanced Introductions series)

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Professor Fikret Berkes provides a unique introduction to the social and interdisciplinary dimensions of biodiversity conservation. Examining a range of approaches, new ideas, controversies and debates, he demonstrates that biodiversity loss is not primarily a technical issue, but a social problem that operates in an economic, political and cultural context. Berkes concludes that conservation must be democratized in order to broaden its support base and build more inclusive constituencies for conservation. Key features include: focus on Indigenous peoples' rights, knowledge and practices discussion of commons governance, co-management and responsibility exploration of the history of conservation and the nature stewardship traditions a broad view of conservation that encompasses the well-being of humans as well as ecosystems Taking an interdisciplinary social science approach that includes conservation science concepts, this Advanced Introduction will benefit students of environmental studies, geography, ecology and conservation. It will also be a useful resource for conservation organizations.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Preface 1. Why community-based conservation? 2. Nature stewardship traditions, historical and contemporary 3. Can local development be made compatible with conservation? 4. Indigenous peoples: Local stewardship for global conservation 5. Multiple ways of knowing: Indigenous and local knowledge 6. No tragedy on the commons 7. Governance: Diverse, flexible, pluralistic 8. Synthesis and conclusions References Index

About the Author :
Fikret Berkes, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, Canada

Review :
‘[Berkes] is one of the key researchers and teachers of this transformation in conservation, which views people as integral parts of ecosystems, rather than merely as “managers” or “stressors… The book is small, concise, and easy to read… It is not a book of recipes, yet one can start learning how to cook from it… Berkes warns that community-based conservation should not be viewed as a panacea. Rather, flexible and adaptive options require a diversity of governance regimes, and community-based conservation is one of them.’ ‘This book is a well put together synthesis of community-based conservation theory and practice. It could be used both as a textbook for a class in community-based conservation as well as a manual for international conservation practitioners.’ 'Fikret Berkes didn't invent the concept of community-based conservation, but he has been its most vigorous and high-profile academic advocate and analyst. His towering impact on the social science of conservation makes this masterful volume all the more essential. It is the indispensable guide for all aspects of conservation science in the remainder of the 21st century.' 'Fikret Berkes has helped re-shape conservation. As a leading scholar and educator, he has influenced generations of conservation scholars and practitioners with foundational work on community-based conservation, diversity of ecological knowledge, adaptive management, resilience of social-ecological systems, and biocultural conservation. In his new book, Berkes distills these lessons into a clear and concise narrative that will be a fantastic resource for teachers, students, and anyone interested in understanding the wicked problems biocultural diversity faces and the diverse and dynamic solutions that are possible.' 'Fikret Berkes is internationally renowned for his research and writings in the areas of social-ecological systems and commons theory. This book is a brilliant distillation of research and thinking so far in the area of biodiversity conservation and all that it entails. Professor Berkes' analyses of the key aspects of community-based conservation are clear and elegant, supported by numerous examples from around the world. This is an extraordinary and insightful book that I recommend without hesitation.' ‘This is a clear and cogent review of a quiet revolution. It is a globally-important book about a specific type of conservation, one that builds from the specificities of communities and ecosystems. It makes clear that biodiversity loss is a social problem, and that participatory approaches can unlock citizen power. This book could help to save the planet from ecosystem collapse and climate crises. It points to optimism, so much is already working in community conservation. Now these social-ecological practices need to be spread to all countries and ecosystems.’