Evidence-based Conservation Lessons from the Lower Mekong

About this book

There is a considerable gap between the science of conservation biology and the design and execution of biodiversity conservation projects in the field. Science is often failing to inform the practice of conservation, which remains largely experience-based. The main reason is the poor accessibility of evidence on the effectiveness of different interventions. This is the basis for Evidence-based Conservation adopting an 'evidence-based approach', modeled on the systematic reviews used in health sciences and now being applied to many policy arenas.

Evidence-based Conservation brings together a series of case studies, written by field practitioners, that provides the evidence-base for evaluating how effective conservation and poverty alleviation strategies can be better implemented. A series of systematic reviews uses experiences and data from fifteen integrated conservation and development projects conducted in the Lower Mekong region, specifically in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. They provide wide-ranging overviews of the effectiveness of protected areas and how innovative tools and methods for monitoring and evaluation can be utilised for more effective outcomes. Results are in the form of management and policy recommendations, based on the quality of evidence and the cost-utility of the intervention. By bridging the gap between field practice and conservation, the analysis should lead to more effective integrated conservation and development interventions. Evidence-based Conservation represents one of the first attempts to apply the evidence-based approach to conservation and development.

Contents

Section 1: Introduction
1. Introduction to the Lower Mekong: a biodiversity hotspot of global importance

Section 2: Experiences from the field: lessons learned in the implementation of integrated conservation and development projects
2. Cat Tien National Park
3. Song Thanh Nature Reserve
4. Bach Ma National Park
5. Tam Dao National Park
6. Van Ban Nature Reserve

2a: Laos
7. Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area
8. Nam Kading National Protected Area
9. Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area
10. Dong Hoa Sao-Xe Pian Biodiversity Corridor

2b: Cambodia
11. Virachey National Park
12. Mondulkiri Protected Forest
13. Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area
14. Central Cardamoms Protected Forest
15. Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary

Section 3: Analysis of conservation and development initiatives in the Lower Mekong: possibilities, prospects and policy
16. Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDPs): Design and Best Practice
17. Organisational strategies for more effective conservation
18. Policy and governance analysis in the Lower Mekong
19. Navigating trade-offs between conservation and development: understanding the process in the Lower Mekong
20. Land-cover change in the Lower Mekong and an assessment of protected area effectiveness
21. Threats and conservation actions in the Lower Mekong
22. Alternative conservation approaches and reward mechanisms: opportunities for Payments for Environmental Services
23. Pro-poor PES: a case study from Vietnam
24. Getting REDD to work locally: lessons learned from integrated conservation and development projects

Section 4: Conclusions and recommendations
25. Lessons learned: integrated conservation and development in the Lower Mekong

Customer Reviews

Biography

Terry Sunderland is a Senior Scientist in the Livelihoods Programme at the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Indonesia.

Jeffrey Sayer is Professor of Development Practice at James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.

Hoang Minh-Ha is a Senior Scientist with the World Agroforestry Centre, based in Hanoi, Vietnam.