UTILIZATION CONSERVATION- AN IMPORTANT CORNERSTONE FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW


Conservation is a complex and dynamic endeavour encompassing economics, human relations, agriculture and much more. For the most part, conservation has traditionally been more about preservation- keeping things as they were. However, a general change in thinking has brought about a shift in practices- potentially a good omen for communities and biodiversity alike.


In order for conservation efforts to be successful, they need to satisfy 3 key requirements:


  1. They must be financially and logistically viable

  2. They must positively impact those individuals or communities most affected

  3. They must benefit the ecosystems/biodiversity in question


I’d argue that if these three requirements are met, it is likely that the conservation effort will be largely successful. Further, I’m of the opinion that, when done correctly, utilization conservation (UC) satisfies all three of these requirements in major ways. It’s my goal to show this in a quantitative and scientific manner.


Implemented correctly, it’s possible that utilization conservation can be used to control (or grow) wildlife populations, better genetics, reduce agricultural losses, provide food and financial benefit to marginalized communities, protect ecosystems and so much more. In short, UC can be used to build a better and more sustainable tomorrow for man, beast and plant. 


Sustainability is the next big thing, in fact, it’s already here. The UC community is already a part of that movement and has been for decades, but it’s time for formal and objective recognition. 


It should be our goal to make the above a reality. From my side, I hope to help bridge the gap between the UC and scientific communities so as to benefit all involved. It’s time that we, as the conservation community, put aside our differences and do what is best for wildlife and the local communities- whatever that may be. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rewilding and Regenerative Agriculture: Partners in Restoring Africa’s Landscapes

Image
Can Conservation and Farming Coexist? Africa’s landscapes have always been shaped by a dynamic relationship between wildlife, people, and ecosystems. From the vast wooded grasslands where megafauna roam to the mixed farming systems where livestock graze alongside wild herbivores, humans and nature have evolved together for millennia. Yet, traditional perspectives often frame conservation and agriculture as being at odds, as if humans and nature exist separately (Schulte To Bühne, Pettorelli, and Hoffmann, 2022). However, a shift in thinking is gaining traction—one that recognizes humans as an integral part of natural systems. Rewilding has emerged as a strategy to rejuvenate ecosystems by reintroducing keystone species and rebuilding ecological functions (Svenning et al., 2016). Meanwhile, regenerative agriculture takes a nature-aligned approach, revitalizing soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting sustainable livelihoods (Keesstra et al., 2018). Both positive steps forward ...
Read more

Matrix Quality part 1: The Unsung Hero of Landscape Health (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Image
What Exactly Is the Matrix (No, Not the Movie)? When people talk about habitat fragmentation, the conversation often focuses on the bits of nature that are left behind — the fragments . These are the patches of forest, wetland, or grassland that somehow survive when human activity carves up the landscape. But there’s something just as important that often gets ignored: the matrix — the land between those fragments. The matrix is everything that fills the space between natural habitats — farms, roads, towns, industrial zones, and even low-intensity grazing land. And matrix quality — how friendly or hostile that land is to biodiversity — can make or break the health of a fragmented landscape (Fahrig, 2003; Haddad et al., 2015). The Matrix is Everywhere — But It’s Not All Equal Imagine you’re a dung beetle (stick with me here) living in a fragment of Renosterveld in the Klein Karoo. If the farmland next to you uses regenerative grazing practices, keeps some natural vegetation intac...
Read more

In Defense of Science: The Folly of Emotive Thinking in Conservation

Image
In Defense of Science: The Folly of Emotive Thinking in Conservation Roger Ballen’s exhibit , "The End of the Game," uses grotesque taxidermy and provocative imagery to challenge viewers and critique not only trophy hunting, but utilization of natural resources as a whole. While visually compelling, the exhibit and associated anti-hunting rhetoric oversimplify complex conservation issues, often disregarding the nuanced realities faced by those who live with wildlife daily. Further, the obvious intrinsic value lens used by the artist is archaic and outdated- seeing man and nature as two separate entities. This critique argues for the conservation value of trophy hunting and utilisation conservation as a whole, while criticizing the exclusionist principles often championed by those detached from practical conservation efforts. Conservation is a complex and dynamic endeavor encompassing economics, human relations, agriculture, and much more. Traditionally, conservation focused o...
Read more