Integrating social science and nature conservation: the plurality of researchers' and participants' roles as a challenge and opportunity to promote the biodiversity protection efforts
Abstract
Over the last few decades, the rapid biodiversity loss has become one of the most contemporary challenging issues. Conservation strategies has shown a great benefit in preserving the endangered areas, however, they've also often driven conservation-development conflicts.
In this study, we've applicated the social-ecological lens to provide a critical insight into plurality of researchers' and participants' roles as a crucial element in promoting the biodiversity protection within the social-ecological systems. Using the Papua New Guinea Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program case study as an example, we demonstrate, how the plurality of researchers and participants roles impact the nature protection process.
We reflect on our own field work experience, and from social ecology and environmental anthropology perspectives address the key challenges and opportunities, that this plurality creates for the biodiversity conservation agenda. We outline how the construction of space and researchers 'position within the system, various stakeholders' interpretation of nature conservation, alongside with their diverse expectations, hamper or enable the nature protection efforts.
We highlight the importance of addressing and acknowledging the plurality of roles in any nature protection process. Our research findings extend the understanding of the complex social-ecological dynamics, and thus provide possible tools for biodiversity protection promotion.