Governance
Roles of indigenous women in forest conservation: A comparative analysis of two indigenous communities in the PhilippinesBackgroundThis study examines the roles of indigenous women in forest conservation in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: the Ikalahan-Kalanguya of Caraballo Mountain in Carranglan and the Dumagat women of Mount Mingan in Gabaldon. These communities contain the highest number of indigenous people living in or near the forest in the province and have retained indigenous forest preservation practices. Historically, people have considered indigenous peoples in the Philippines, including women, protectors of the environment. However, specific studies focusing on the direct contributions of indigenous women to forest protection are lacking. Open access copy available |
The social and ecological costs of reforestation. Territorialization and industrialization of land use accompany forest transitions in Southeast AsiaBackgroundOpen access copy available |
A forest of dreams: Ontological multiplicity and the fantasies of environmental government in the PhilippinesBackgroundThe southwestern Philippines' Palawan Island has seen an expansion of conservation enclosures coinciding with Indigenous rights recognition. The Palawan people, traditionally swidden agriculturalists, hunters, fishers, and traders, are now a minority in southern municipalities due to migration and socioeconomic changes. Aiming to reconcile conservation with Indigenous territorial rights, the Philippine government has policies that often expect Indigenous values to align with bureaucratically managed conservation areas, like the Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (MMPL). Open access copy available |
Assessing the effectiveness of the engagement of local people in restoring degraded forest landscapes in leyte and Biliran Provinces, the PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Navigating power in conservationBackgroundConservation has traditionally centered on the natural sciences, but there is a growing recognition that it also deeply involves people and society. As a result, conservation efforts constantly navigate power dynamics, often without fully acknowledging them. Conservationists wield power when they decide which animals or plants to protect, where to focus their efforts, and how to implement them. Recognizing these power dynamics is essential for making conservation more effective, fair, and just. However, many conservationists either overlook or misunderstand the concept of power. Open access copy available |
A Comparison of Governance Challenges in Forest Restoration in Paraguay’s Privately-Owned Forests and Madagascar’s Co-managed State ForestsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Indigenous knowledge and the shackles of wildernessBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Key challenges for governing forest and landscape restoration across different contextsBackgroundForest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) restores ecological integrity, strengthens climate resilience, enhances human well-being, and increases the productivity of deforested or degraded landscapes. By integrating diverse land uses and restorative actions, FLR balances environmental and socio-economic needs. Global agreements, including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Bonn Challenge, recognize its importance. Effective governance—defined by clear rules and inclusive decision-making—plays a critical role in ensuring FLR's success. Open access copy available |
Environmental governance and its implications for conservation practiceBackgroundEnvironmental governance is a growing field that expands conservation practice beyond traditional management approaches. Managers make operational decisions to achieve specific conservation outcomes, while governance involves the broader processes and institutions through which societies make decisions that affect the environment. Unlike management, governance incorporates diverse views, fosters networks, and supports hybrid partnerships among state and non-state actors, creating opportunities for shared learning. Open access copy available |
Why environmental impact assessments often failBackgroundEnvironmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) aim to mitigate the environmental costs of development, particularly in biodiversity-rich developing nations. While governments and corporations claim EIAs as safeguards against environmental harm from roads, dams, mines, and housing, many are ineffective or even worthless. Weak assessments fail to prevent projects that destroy habitats and endanger species. Key shortcomings include insufficient funding, narrow focus on immediate project areas, conflicts of interest among consultants, and poor governance that grants developers undue influence over policy decisions. Open access copy available |
