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Standardizing the evaluation of community-based conservation success.
Typhenn A Brichieri-Colombi1, Jana M McPherson1, Donna J Sheppard1,2
1Centre for Conservation Research, Calgary Zoological Society, 1300 Zoo Road N.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2E 7V6, Canada.
Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America
|September 11, 2018
Summary
A new protocol, SPECCS, evaluates community conservation success, assessing both ecological and economic impacts. The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary shows stable performance but highlights needs for improved biological resilience and equitable decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Science
- Socioeconomic Development
- Ecosystem Management
Background:
- Community-based conservation aims for dual ecological and poverty alleviation goals.
- Effective evaluation of these dual goals is lacking, hindering adaptive management.
- Standardized metrics are crucial given widespread community co-management of protected areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce the Standardized Protocol for Evaluating Community Conservation Success (SPECCS).
- Provide a user-friendly tool for assessing conservation performance and data quality.
- Evaluate the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS) using SPECCS.
Main Methods:
- Developed SPECCS, a protocol integrating performance and data quality appraisal.
- Applied SPECCS to assess the WCHS at 10 and 20 years post-inception.
- Analyzed biological and socioeconomic outcomes, benefits, and resilience.
Main Results:
- WCHS demonstrated stable overall performance (76%) over 20 years, with improved evaluation quality.
- Socioeconomic outcomes (86%) and benefits (83%) outperformed biological aspects (60%).
- Resilience was weaker, particularly biological resilience (63%) due to connectivity issues and external stakeholder influence.
Conclusions:
- SPECCS provides a robust framework for evaluating community-based conservation initiatives.
- The WCHS case highlights strengths in socioeconomic benefits but challenges in biological resilience.
- SPECCS facilitates adaptive management and evidence-based recognition of conservation successes.
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