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Published on: June 7, 2024
Integrating local ecological knowledge into systematic conservation planning for seahorse conservation
Anna Karolina Martins Borges1,2, Vanessa M Adams3,4, Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves1,5
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Summary
Local ecological knowledge (LEK) effectively guided seahorse conservation planning in data-limited areas. Integrating community insights improved threat management and fostered inclusive, community-based conservation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Marine conservation
- Systematic conservation planning
- Social-ecological systems
Background:
- Conservation planning is vital for mitigating threats, especially in data-limited environments.
- Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is an underutilized resource for addressing knowledge gaps in conservation.
- Seahorse populations face threats requiring strategic management within protected areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key sites for seahorse threat management using systematic conservation planning.
- To explore the contribution of LEK to spatial planning for data-poor species.
- To compare LEK-derived conservation priorities with science-derived data and explore threat management scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Participatory mapping and interviews with artisanal fishers to gather LEK on seahorses and threats.
- Systematic conservation planning integrated with Marxan software for spatial prioritization.
- Comparison of LEK-derived and science-derived data for seahorse abundance and threat distribution.
Main Results:
- Strong spatial agreement between LEK-derived and science-derived seahorse abundance priorities, validating LEK's utility.
- LEK provided crucial data on water-based threats, filling significant knowledge gaps.
- Distinct spatial patterns emerged for land- and water-based threat management scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating LEK empowers local communities, fostering effective community-based management.
- LEK is valuable for conservation planning in data-deficient contexts, aiding decision-making.
- The study identified seahorse conservation priorities in the Rio Formoso Estuary and offers a transferable participatory planning approach.
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