Facilitating biodiversity conservation through partnerships to achieve transformative outcomes

Abstract

Conservation biology is a “mission driven discipline” that must navigate a new relationship between conservation and science. Since conservation is a social and political as well as an ecological project, conservation biologists must practise interdisciplinarity and collaboration. In this paper we asked: 1) What motivations do conservation biologists have to work with others? (2) With whom could conservation biologists work? (3) How can conservation biologists work well together with other actors? To answer these questions, we conducted a comparative case study analysis across seven cases (Jaguars in the Chaco, Grevy’s zebra in Kenya, Beekeeping in Tanzania, Andean cats in Argentina, Jaguars, Lobster fishing, Black bears in Mexico). In five case studies, conservation biologists primarily sought successful conservation outcomes, with secondary livelihood benefits; in the other two, livelihoods were prioritised. All case studies employed participatory approaches with multiple external actors, including local and indigenous communities, NGOs, agencies, regional and national governments and international institutions, for enhanced conservation and wider sustainability outcomes. Key aspects discussed were time (the mismatch between relationship building and project schedules), the trust required for meaningful partnerships, the tools employed and the transformative potential for people, nature and the discipline of conservation biology. We suggest guidelines for collaboration and conclude that, for a sustainable future, conservation biologists should work in partnership.