Lessons for the future of conservation and sustainable use of guanacos

Abstract

This chapter summarizes some of the key findings with policy impact mentioned in this book and draws lessons and opportunitiesfor the conservation and sustainable use of the guanacos in Patagonia. Social-ecological systems (SES) are those that include social(human) and ecological (biophysical) sub-systems in two-way feedback interactions. In this chapter, we apply the concepts of“coupling” and “decoupling” social-ecological systems to the relationship between guanacos and people along the time. Wesuggest that the present desertification process is a result of “decoupling”. On the other hand, guanaco sustainable use is a way torecouple social-ecological systems in Patagonia, to restore the cultural heritage of stewardship traditions, and to achieve habitat andspecies conservation. The experience with the update of the Guanaco Management Plan revealed that guanaco conservation and management requires an integrated approach that includes research across a wide range of academic and applied disciplines for decision-making and strengthening participatory processes involving all relevant stakeholders. Such schemes should have anadaptive management approach and knowledge co-production. We conclude that it is time for policy-makers to start envisagingnatural resource use and management holistically in terms of linked social-ecological systems, and to embrace transdisciplinary perspectives.