Academic literature on the topic 'Conservation of natural resources Victoria Societies'

The U.S. conservation organizations, together with the U.S. scientific and professional societies most closely allied to natural resources, are termed the “conservation sector.” This sector was surveyed to determine the volumes, destinations, objectives, and decisionmaking criteria for international travel. The resulting profile indicates a small, high-cost, and immature market segment driven mainly by the desire to provide educational and professional experiences.

Wetlands are critical habitats for human health, well-being, ecological integrity, and national development. Freshwater ecosystems supply a variety of products and services, yet they are frequently underappreciated. Long-term economic viability necessitates an understanding of the role that finite natural resources play in economic activity and production, as well as the connection people have with, and the value they place on, those natural resources. The purpose of this study was to determine peoples' Willingness to Pay (WTP) for the maintenance of the Lake Victoria Ecosystem. The research was conducted in the Kenyan counties of Migori, Siaya, Busia, Kisumu, and Homa Bay. Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), the gathered data were coded, cleaned, and analyzed. According to the findings, 40.9% of locals were prepared to spend roughly KES 500 for the conservation initiative. From the study, Lake Victoria ecosystem in Kenya had a total WTP of KES 616,279,069 each year. According to the findings, those who benefitted directly from the lake's resources were more inclined to pay for the program. This empirical research is a helpful input for identifying market segments among inhabitants, which may aid in generating more cash for biodiversity conservation in the Lake Victoria Basin.

Human needs like food and clean water are directly related to good maintenance of healthy and productive soils. A good understanding of human impact on the natural environment is therefore necessary to preserve and manage soil and water resources. This knowledge is particularly important in semi-arid and arid regions, where the increasing demands on limited water supplies require urgent efforts to improve water quality and water use efficiency. It is important to keep in mind that both soil and water are limited resources. Thus, wise use of these natural resources is a fundamental prerequisite for the sustainability of human societies. This Special Issue collects 15 original contributions addressing the state of the art of soil and water conservation research. Contributions cover a wide range of topics, including (1) recovery of soil hydraulic properties; (2) erosion risk; (3) novel modeling, monitoring and experimental approaches for soil hydraulic characterization; (4) improvement of crop yields; (5) water availability; and (6) soil salinity. The collection of manuscripts presented in this Special Issue provides more insights into conservation strategies for effective and sustainable soil and water management.

<p>Studies into indigenous knowledge of African societies and their eco-system<strong>,</strong> and complemented by western research findings in recent years, point to a common fact that there is a complex interrelation between humans, animals, plants and their physical environment For this reason, Ghanaian societies enforce cultural laws that ensure protection and management of their natural resources. Despite the merits associated with African endowed natural environments, it is scary to note that to date, Ghana still faces serious environmental threats among which are: deforestation, annual bushfires, illegal surface mining, poor farming practices, unconventional methods of dumping human/industrial wastes and pollution of water bodies. This paper therefore attempts to investigate the causes of environmental degradation in Ghana and demonstrate how the people’s folklore can contribute to ensuring a well-conserved environment that can benefit the country’s present and future generations. </p>

SummaryThis study presents the actual Basque livestock breed situation. The breeds described are: Betizu, Monchina, Pirenaica and Terreña (bovines); the Asno de las Encartaciones (donkey), Caballo de monte del País Vasco and the Pottoka horse (horses); Carranzana black face and blond face, Latxa black face and blond face and Sasi ardi (sheep); Azpi gorri (goat); Chato vitoriano and Euskal txerria (pigs); Erbi txakurra, Euskal artzain txakurra (shepherd dogs) with two varieties: Gorbeiakoa and Iletsua; Villano de las Encartaciones (cattle dog) and Villanuco de las Encartaciones (dog); Euskal antzara (goose) and the five varieties of the Basque poultry: Beltza, Gorria, Lepasoila, Marraduna and Zilarra (chicken).The conservation study shows that farmers need these animals. A programme is needed to develop these breeds in natural parks to assure their survival. In this way the society gets to know the Basque livestock heritage. At the same time, it aims at presenting the in vivo conservation and the work carried out by the Association “Euskal abereak” the umbrella of more than 20 societies that work on the conservation and recovery of Basque native breeds.

Access to natural resources has changed over the years in Zimbabwe. At least three broad periods of biodiversity conservation, utilisation, and access can be identified in the country, namely, the precolonial, colonial, and postindependence periods. This paper reviews the relationships between human livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in the rural areas of Zimbabwe during these periods and is informed by an extensive review of the relevant literature. A combination of historical narrative, thematic, and content analysis was used in analysing the various documents into meaningful information addressing the objective of the study. Traditional societies in precolonial Zimbabwe had access to abundant natural resources. However, access to these resources was not uncontrolled, but was limited by traditional beliefs, taboos, and customs enforced through community leadership structures. The advent of colonialism in the late 19th century dispossessed indigenous African communities of natural resources through command-type conservation legislation. At independence in 1980, the new majority government sought to redress the natural resource ownership imbalances created during colonialism, culminating in some significant measure of devolution in natural resource management to local communities in the late 1980s, though such devolution has been criticised for being incomplete. An accelerated land reform exercise since the year 2000 has adversely affected biodiversity conservation activities in the country, including the conservation-related livelihood benefits derived from protected areas. The review paper highlights the need for a more complete devolution of natural resource ownership and management down to the grassroots levels in the communal areas, if social and ecological sustainability is to be fully realised in these areas. On the other hand, the disruption of conservation activities in the country due to the ill-planned accelerated land reform exercise that has demarcated land for arable farming in some of the protected areas should be held in check as a matter of urgency.

Aboriginal societies have their own approaches in managing their resources. Assam is one of the states of Northeast India with both biological and ethnic diversity. Generally aboriginal societies have been living in complete harmony with natural surroundings. They have their own notions, beliefs and way of sustainable utilization and conserving the plant resources. They are the custodians of much useful information regarding plant resources in the form of oral folklore. The present communication deals with 24 little known wild plant species, which have been conserving in the vicinity of the villages through domestication and/or restricted cultivation for their tubers, stems, leaves, inflorescences or fruits by the Dimasa. The Hmar, the Zeme Naga and the Kuki tribes of Barail Range in Dima Hasao (North Cachar Hills) district of Assam. The initiatives of the ethnic groups of the area are very significant from conservation point of view especially of wild plant genetic resources.

Women in traditional societies have a close connection with the environment through their roles as farmers, collectors of water and firewood, caregivers to livestock and, sometimes, as priestesses and healers. The gender roles assigned in traditional societies bring women into direct contact with the natural resources for management of their daily household chores. Therefore, any loss of biodiversity has a direct impact on the lives of women, families and society at large. In the context of the Karbis, a major ethnic group of Assam, India, forests are central to their worldview and all aspects of their socio-cultural life. It is important to note that the Karbi belief system gives reverence to nature worship and the forest deities are called Longri Arnam. As such, sacred groves are among one of the best practices of biodiversity conservation that are also associated with traditional knowledge systems in different ecological zones. They are preserved mainly through observance of taboos and animistic rituals. In recent times, forest degradation has become a major concern and it is necessary to understand the role of traditional knowledge systems vis-a-vis their relation to ecological heritage and conservation. This paper examines the ways in which women in Karbi society have directly or indirectly acted as agents of environmental conservation. Using historical methodology, the study attempts to analyze interface between women and environment in the society with special reference to women’s contribution to the society in combating climate change.

AbstractIntroduced into Lake Victoria in the 1950s, the Nile perch has gained fame for prompting rapid regional economic growth and for driving scores of endemic fish species into extinction. This study uses oral and archival data to trace the historical development of the Nile perch fishery on Lake Victoria. Particular emphasis is placed on local responses and adaptations to (1) the Nile perch itself; (2) the abrupt integration of the Lake Victoria fishery with the global economy; and (3) the ecological changes that the Nile perch has precipitated. I also attempt to situate Lake Victoria's history in the larger debate about environment and African livelihoods. Because so much of Lake Victoria's species diversity has been lost within one generation – biologist E. O. Wilson (1992) has called this process ‘the most catastrophic extinction episode of recent history’ – the lake is an ideal case study with which to examine ‘local’ perceptions of biodiversity. The data suggest that species diversity is important and highly resolved in the worldviews of Lake Victoria's fishermen; yet, although the will for conservation is present, poverty obstructs its realization. These findings are discussed in relation to other work on indigenous environmental knowledge and ecological ethics. I argue that ‘intrinsic’ valuation of species diversity and ecological processes may be more widespread in rural societies than has traditionally been assumed by natural and social scientists, and that the preponderance of social studies highlighting oppositions between Western science and ethno-science, and between conservation concerns and local livelihoods, may have blinded us to synergies between them. More effort is needed to understand fully the nuances in these complex local ecological worldviews, perhaps via ‘social histories of extinction’ that explore the local consequences of species loss.

Ecotourism is associated with nature and poverty alleviation. Ecotourism is believed to be significant for the generation of income, sustainability of the environment, political enablement of local societies as well as for educational purposes. Ecotourism generates economic benefits at local to national level and thus create incentives to preserve the resources. With its backward and forward linkages with other sectors of the economy, ecotourism is an effective tool for poverty alleviation and ensuring growth with equity. The Jammu and Kashmir has a vast potential to become one of the India’s best ecotourism destinations and having numerous attractive and beautiful tourist spots. Ecotourism helps in sustainable development. Ecotourism is believed to be associated with various challenges which are environmental deterioration, inability to contribute to local economy as well as cultural exploitation and deterioration. The study would attempt to explore the potential sites of ecotourism for future development in Kashmir and would examine the correlation between ecotourism and natural conservation with regard to the perception of tourist and conservation agencies. The study is exploratory in nature but empirical tools are also applied to highlight the potential of ecotourism. Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with diverse geographical features, offers a plethora of attractions to tourists. A balance between development and the environment should be created.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2005.
Title from first page of PDF file (viewed January 11, 2006). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references ( p. 303-315).

Research Thesis  Submitted  in  Fulfilment  of  the  Requirements  for  the  Degree  of  Doctor  of   Philosophy  in  Economics, School of Economic & Business Sciences Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA
The world is facing a sustainability crisis due to depletion and degradation of environmental and natural resources faster than they can be generated. Many of these resources are not partitioned by private property rights, and are held as state property, common property, or as open-access. Common Property Resources (CPRs) have two distinct attributes: (1) limited or nontrivial exclusion (it is difficult to exclude multiple individuals or users from appropriating from the resource) and (2) substractability (the resource features rivalry in consumption), meaning that appropriation by one reduces the overall resource availability and thus, subtracts from what can be appropriated by others. Examples include fisheries, grazing lands, irrigation systems, and ground water basins. Because no one has property rights or control over such resources, users of CPRs are frequently assumed to be caught in an inescapable dilemma - overexploitation of the resource. Thus, unlike the ‘invisible hand’ of Adam Smith in competitive markets, in the case of CPRs the self-interested behavior does not yield economic efficiency or optimal outcome or Pareto optimality. This study sought to understand the evolution of management dynamics and operation of governance structures developed by resource users and other stakeholders in three large scale CPRs in Kenya. The objectives are to (1) examine the evolution of management dynamics. (2) Examine the management model applied and its functioning. (3) Explore the governance structures and challenges of implementing them. (4) Explore critical variables related to user groups, institutional arrangements and external environment in the resource system. (5) Suggest measures to improve on the management and governance of the resource system. In addition, the study gives a comparative analysis of the management models applied in the three CPR systems. The general theoretical literature on CPRs has focused mainly on two basic but important conditions or categories. First, small scale communally owned and governed resources, in ii terms of the physical or geographical size of the resource system with well-defined boundaries. Secondly, group or users size, characterized by small numbers with similar identities and interests. This study therefore, contributes to literature by using large scale CPR case studies in terms of physical size of resource system and number of users and examining the evolution and dynamics in the management model and governance structures. A Qualitative Research (QR) methodology is adopted and analytical tools of institutional analysis and an empirical foundation based on field data applied. A survey research design is used. Both primary and secondary data was sourced and a pilot study was conducted to test reliability of research instruments. Data is documented, compiled and presented in form of tables, figures and general descriptions. Data analysis and synthesising is done by working through the data to arrive at a conclusion to answer the research questions and achieve the purpose of the study. The study findings show that management and governance issues in the three CPRs have evolved over time both in terms of the scale and involvement of other stakeholders in decision making process in the resource system. Specifically, the collaborations among state agencies, other stakeholders and resource users through their associations has enabled monitoring and enforcement not only be effective but also legitimate and consequently, lead to sustainable resource use. The management models used in the three CPR case studies are identified as the Partnership Fisheries Management (PFM) in Lake Victoria fishery, Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) in Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme and Holistic Management Framework (HMF) in Laikipia group grazing lands. The governance structures applied in the three CPRs are generally position, boundary, choice or authority, aggregation, information, payoff and scope rules. The degree of application of each set of rules however, depends on the nature of the resource system. They are designed, developed, implemented, monitored, enforced, sanctioned and arbitrated by the resource users, state lead agencies, departments and ministries iii and other stakeholders or actors. Each of these actors are involved in varying degrees in the various phases depending on their role and interest in the resource system. The management and governance structures can be strengthened and improved by enhancing certain administrative, health, safety, environmental issues and increased state support and involvement in the resource system. The co-management model design which is applied in the three CPRs yield various benefits to the resource-dependent community, public, state and resource system because it incorporates state and local (resource users) managers in decision making. However, the degree of participation of other stakeholders, challenges faced and other internal and external factors, depend on the nature of CPR, ownership and control of the CPR by resource users and the technical infrastructural investments required for the operation of the system. These results add to existing knowledge on Sustainable Development (SD) environment nexus by providing facts to multidisciplinary environmental and natural resources scholars regarding the dynamics of large scale CPR systems. Provide an in depth understanding of CPR management issues for the formulation of national strategies for SD, fisheries, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and irrigation farming. Lastly, they provide ways of responding to increasing challenges of shared water resources (Lake Victoria) in addition to strengthening of relations within the East African Community (EAC). Key words: Actors, bio-physical and community attributes Common Property Resources, governance structures, institutions, large scale, management models, resource users, resource systems
GR2018

Rural areas represent key spaces at European level from the perspective of the society’s sustainability. They represent spaces for the re-equilibration of strongly human modified societies and need to be prioritised by future political programs. Rural areas have an essential role in maintaining the integrity of natural and semi-natural ecosystems, in the preservation of key natural resources, the conservation of genetic resources, supplying a reserve of healthy areas, maintaining traditions and habits, assuring the demographical equilibrium or the alimentary security of Europe. The detailed knowledge of the processes and phenomenon specific to rural areas represent a priority of European and national sustainable development strategies. For this purpose, databases such as Corine Land Cover, EUNIS, EEA, IRENA, Eurostat, and IUCN become essential tools for the spatial implementation of this concept. They present an important background for the numerous instruments of sustaining the durability of European rural environments, such as the Natura 2000 network, Landscape European Convention, Common Agricultural Policy, different financing instruments (Interreg, Leader, Life Nature), and the green economy concept.

The protection of indigenous/aboriginal resources is one of the important aspects of biodiversity justice. Many international treaties and conventions legitimised natural rights and privileges of tribal societies and indigenous communities. But some interventionist practices like a conflict of interest in bioprospecting agreement and biopiracy have become major concerns for prospering third-world countries. Strategic application of prior-informed consent and benefit-sharing procedures will definitely meet socio-environmental sustainability in the country. The responsibility and liability of state biodiversity authority and local biodiversity committee at village level need to be fixed to maintain transparency and accountability. Conservation of ethnobiological resources is also important in the view of increasing patent infringement. That's why issues of patentability must include complete disclosure of specification claims even in the case foreign natural resources.

The protection of indigenous/aboriginal resources is one of the important aspects of biodiversity justice. Many international treaties and conventions legitimised natural rights and privileges of tribal societies and indigenous communities. But some interventionist practices like a conflict of interest in bioprospecting agreement and biopiracy have become major concerns for prospering third-world countries. Strategic application of prior-informed consent and benefit-sharing procedures will definitely meet socio-environmental sustainability in the country. The responsibility and liability of state biodiversity authority and local biodiversity committee at village level need to be fixed to maintain transparency and accountability. Conservation of ethnobiological resources is also important in the view of increasing patent infringement. That's why issues of patentability must include complete disclosure of specification claims even in the case foreign natural resources.

Aquaculture is instrumental for increasing global fish production, but its ecological effects can create new pressures on the fishing grounds that small-scale fisheries (SSFs) depend on. As a result, achievement of SDGs 1 (end poverty) and 2 (end hunger) in societies of the Global South is compromised, and that of SDG14 (sustainable marine resources) is complicated. Using new evidence from Lake Victoria, which harbors Africa’s largest inland SSFs and a fast-growing aquaculture industry, this chapter examines how science, technology, and innovation (STI) can support ecologically and socially sustainable governance of fisheries resources. The author argues that a sustainable expansion of aquaculture needs to protect the natural resources that small fishers depend on while maximizing their ability to benefit from fish-farming. STI-based solutions, if integrated in a transformation governance approach, can secure and expand contributions from capture fisheries and aquaculture to help achieve SDGs 1, 2, and 14. The concept of transformation governance is based on a threefold structure: to increase eco-efficiency, redistribute access to natural resources, and recognize eco-sufficiency as a guiding principle. By applying this threefold resource-governance approach, the potential for STI-based solutions to provide greater overall eco-efficiency is utilized, restrictions on total resource use prevent rebound effects, and the principle of redistribution promotes a focus on appropriate technologies for small-scale resource users.

<em>Abstract</em> .—Inland fisheries provide important contributions to human well-being, but these contributions are often overlooked or undervalued by decision makers. Consequently, inland fisheries are not adequately considered in either global fisheries sustainability initiatives—which are generally marine-focused—or in the use of freshwater resource planning in an era of water crisis. Here we synthesize the state of knowledge of the contribution of inland freshwater fisheries to human well-being. To date, there has been no coordinated global valuation of the ecosystem service contributions of inland fisheries, and it is thus only possible to highlight the range of services they provide from isolated case studies. Throughout these studies, human nutrition emerges as a key value, with freshwater fish providing essential nutrients in countries such as Cambodia and Bangladesh, which are endowed with productive freshwater fisheries. Inland fisheries also provide livelihoods, income, economic autonomy, dietary diversity, cultural identity, and social structure to tens of millions of people around the world. The diversity of fishing methods, conservation strategies, and traditional ways of managing fisheries enriches the human experience and represents a source of cultural and technical knowledge and human institutional ingenuity. In this paper, we review what is known about approaches for assigning values to freshwater fisheries and identify methods to better assess and communicate those values to decision makers and the public in order to increase representation of inland fisheries in natural resource decision-making processes. Most importantly, we focus on the contributions of inland fisheries to food security, nutrition, community cohesion, and improved livelihoods. This paper also explores approaches that consider the knowledge and perspective of fishers, fish workers, other aquatic resource users, and their communities to augment and improve the knowledge and perspective of scientists and resource managers in better managing freshwater fisheries resources. We also stress the importance of ensuring that assessments explicitly consider gender relations and roles in inland fisheries and fishing-dependent societies. Better recognition and valuation of the economic, nutrition, and social benefits that inland fisheries provide to human communities is an essential step toward better incorporating inland fisheries into future water and food security policies.

<em>Abstract</em> .—Inland fisheries provide important contributions to human well-being, but these contributions are often overlooked or undervalued by decision makers. Consequently, inland fisheries are not adequately considered in either global fisheries sustainability initiatives—which are generally marine-focused—or in the use of freshwater resource planning in an era of water crisis. Here we synthesize the state of knowledge of the contribution of inland freshwater fisheries to human well-being. To date, there has been no coordinated global valuation of the ecosystem service contributions of inland fisheries, and it is thus only possible to highlight the range of services they provide from isolated case studies. Throughout these studies, human nutrition emerges as a key value, with freshwater fish providing essential nutrients in countries such as Cambodia and Bangladesh, which are endowed with productive freshwater fisheries. Inland fisheries also provide livelihoods, income, economic autonomy, dietary diversity, cultural identity, and social structure to tens of millions of people around the world. The diversity of fishing methods, conservation strategies, and traditional ways of managing fisheries enriches the human experience and represents a source of cultural and technical knowledge and human institutional ingenuity. In this paper, we review what is known about approaches for assigning values to freshwater fisheries and identify methods to better assess and communicate those values to decision makers and the public in order to increase representation of inland fisheries in natural resource decision-making processes. Most importantly, we focus on the contributions of inland fisheries to food security, nutrition, community cohesion, and improved livelihoods. This paper also explores approaches that consider the knowledge and perspective of fishers, fish workers, other aquatic resource users, and their communities to augment and improve the knowledge and perspective of scientists and resource managers in better managing freshwater fisheries resources. We also stress the importance of ensuring that assessments explicitly consider gender relations and roles in inland fisheries and fishing-dependent societies. Better recognition and valuation of the economic, nutrition, and social benefits that inland fisheries provide to human communities is an essential step toward better incorporating inland fisheries into future water and food security policies.

Over time, forest education has had to adapt to keep up with global changes and to accomodate the needs of students and society. While facing pressing global issues like climate change, deforestation, illegal logging and food security, the role of higher forest education has shifted away from traditional teaching approaches and practices to methods that emphasize sustainable development, community-based management and environmental conservation in forestry. In doing so, forest education has cultivated human expertise that understands the complexity of ever-changing environments, masters state of the art technologies to manage fores and natural resources, and is capable of creating, communicating and implementing related policies in global communities and societies. In this context, educational technology and online lerning enable flexible, accessible, effective, and high-quality forest education. A case study of a Sustainable Forest Management Online program led by the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia (UBC) shows that appropriately integrating educational technologies into an interntionally developed and recognized high quality curriculum is an effective way to create accessible and affordable forest education in meeting the demand of evolving societal and environmental conditions.Keywords: forest education; educational technology; international collaboration, open educational resources