Managers' perceptions of protected area outcomes in Madagascar highlight the need for species monitoring and knowledge transfer

• Main Authors: Aili Pyhälä, Johanna Eklund, Marissa F. McBride, Mamy A. Rakotoarijaona, Mar Cabeza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2019-02-01
• Series: Conservation Science and Practice
• Subjects: conservation outcomes; management; perceptions; protected areas; species trends
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.6

Considerable effort has gone into assessing the effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) in preventing biodiversity loss, and PA impacts on local communities. However, little is known about how pressures are being perceived and dealt with by local PA managers and what perceptions managers have of biodiversity trends and human‐induced pressures in the PAs they manage. We surveyed and convened a workshop with PA managers in Madagascar asking about the impacts of PA establishment. The managers reported that PAs have been successful in reducing threats. However, managers lacked specific knowledge of trends in species abundance, reporting the need for more species monitoring and knowledge transfer from scientific researchers. We argue that greater collaboration and exchange of knowledge between researchers, managers, and local communities is necessary to ensure that PA effectiveness research is of practical value and contributes to improved PA outcomes.