How Can Engaging Communities Aid in Developing New Conservation Initiatives?
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How Can Engaging Communities Aid in Developing New Conservation Initiatives? Harriet Amaka Omondiagbe PhD 2016 How Can Engaging Communities Aid in Developing New Conservation Initiatives? Harriet Amaka Omondiagbe A thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2016 Institute for Applied Ecology New Zealand School of Applied Sciences Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences Abstract The field of environmental conservation is experiencing a greater awareness of the social complexities involved when implementing conservation goals. Insufficient consideration of stakeholders’ interests and a limited understanding of social dynamics have been responsible for the poor adoption of conservation strategies and a subsequent failure in the realisation of conservation goals. By taking into consideration the views and perspectives of affected stakeholders and actively engaging them when planning for a project, implementation plans are likely to be readily adopted. However, the process for effectively engaging stakeholders, especially communities, remains challenging. There are insufficient practical models of how social dimensions have been incorporated into planning conservation strategies. In this thesis, I investigated how engaging a community could aid in developing new conservation initiatives within a pest management context. Firstly, I explored the role of Sense of Place in evoking engagement or detachment of communities when planning pest management. Next, I identified conservation actors, analysed their relationships and examined the potential roles and opportunities within their social networks. Lastly, I employed the Living Lab principles of value, influence, realism, sustainability and openness to assist stakeholders in developing pest management strategies for their community. I designed the study within a pragmatism paradigm, employing a sequential mixed method approach and involving theories from different disciplines. The study proposed that conservation strategies that have minimal or no impact on a community’s sense of place would likely be adopted without strong opposition; while strategies that challenge or undermine a community’s sense of place would likely be rejected or strongly opposed. Also, stakeholders’ position within their social networks could influence collective action that could favour conservation goals. I demonstrated that communities indeed do understand issues facing them, can define their management objectives and make decisions that would benefit and assist them in realising their goals. I used insights gained from the engagement process to develop an Open Methods Approach, which is expected to provide a practical mechanism for engaging a community in evidence-based decision making. This study has provided some relevant information and clarified assumptions i scientists, managers and planners might have about engaging communities in developing conservation strategies. The outcome of this study is a collaborative effort among all stakeholders involved. Thus, this thesis demonstrates the potential for successful collaborations on conservation and pest management projects between diverse community groups and between community groups and external organisations. While the approach was used within a pest management context, it can be adapted for all other fields requiring a social intervention. By engaging communities in conservation planning; conservation goals developed are relevant; public opposition could be minimised; a momentum could be generated for conservation action and there is an increased likelihood that conservation goals would be achieved. ii Table of contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................... i List of figures ...................................................................................................................... viii List of tables .......................................................................................................................... ix Attestation of authorship ........................................................................................................ x Co-authored works ................................................................................................................ xi Publications and conference presentations associated with this thesis ................................ xii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. xiii Ethical approval ................................................................................................................... xv Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Thesis aim and objectives ................................................................................... 4 1.3 Originality of thesis ............................................................................................. 5 1.4 Rationale for research design .............................................................................. 7 1.5 Thesis organisation .............................................................................................. 8 Chapter 2 .............................................................................................................................. 10 2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Conservation and its complexities..................................................................... 11 2.3 Invasive species ................................................................................................. 12 2.3.1 A brief historical review of invasive species in New Zealand .......................... 13 2.3.2 Management of invasive species ....................................................................... 14 2.3.3 Buffalo case study .............................................................................................. 15 2.3.4 Deer, possums and compound 1080 .................................................................. 16 2.3.5 Going forward .................................................................................................... 17 2.4 Predator Free New Zealand ............................................................................... 18 2.5 Location and context: Waiheke Island, Auckland, Northern New Zealand ...... 18 2.6 Research paradigms, methodologies and methods ............................................ 21 2.6.1 Philosophical paradigms .................................................................................... 22 2.6.2 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 25 2.6.3 Theories ............................................................................................................. 26 2.6.3.1 Place Identity theory ................................................................................... 26 iii 2.6.3.2 Social Identity theory ................................................................................. 26 2.6.3.3 Ecological Self ........................................................................................... 27 2.6.3.4 Symbolic Interactionism ............................................................................. 27 2.6.3.5 Structuralism Theory ........................................................................................ 27 2.6.3.6 Network Theory ................................................................................................ 28 2.6.3.7 Participation Theory ......................................................................................... 28 2.6.3.8 Action Research ................................................................................................ 28 2.6.3.9 Citizen Science ................................................................................................. 29 2.7 Research design ................................................................................................. 29 2.8 Theoretical sampling and data collection .......................................................... 31 2.9 Preliminary statistical assessments.................................................................... 31 2.10 Data analysis ..................................................................................................... 32 2.11 Summary ........................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 3 .............................................................................................................................. 35 3.1 Abstract ............................................................................................................. 37 3.2 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 37 3.3 Methods ............................................................................................................