TY - JOUR
T1 - The complex reality of biodiversity conservation through Natural Protected Area policy
T2 - Three cases from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
AU - García-Frapolli, Eduardo
AU - Ramos-Fernández, Gabriel
AU - Galicia, Eduardo
AU - Serrano, Arturo
PY - 2009/7
Y1 - 2009/7
N2 - The federal policy of Natural Protected Areas has become the main instrument for conserving biodiversity in Mexico. Established in territories representative of different ecosystems but also of cultural diversity, protected areas in Mexico have historically been created and managed with a centralized rationale, creating several conflicts with local communities over the use of natural resources. The country's approach to protected areas perfectly illustrates the complexities, difficulties and challenges entailed in biodiversity conservation. This paper develops a critical analysis of this policy instrument in Mexico, and analyzes three Natural Protected Areas in the Yucatan Peninsula: The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, and the Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh Natural Protected Area. The case studies serve as examples of the most common difficulties that arise in Mexican Natural Protected Area policy: (1) uncoordinated public policies; (2) the usual conflict between environmental authorities and local people over the management of natural resources; and (3) the exclusion of local people's perspectives, values and beliefs in conservation policy development and implementation.
AB - The federal policy of Natural Protected Areas has become the main instrument for conserving biodiversity in Mexico. Established in territories representative of different ecosystems but also of cultural diversity, protected areas in Mexico have historically been created and managed with a centralized rationale, creating several conflicts with local communities over the use of natural resources. The country's approach to protected areas perfectly illustrates the complexities, difficulties and challenges entailed in biodiversity conservation. This paper develops a critical analysis of this policy instrument in Mexico, and analyzes three Natural Protected Areas in the Yucatan Peninsula: The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, and the Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh Natural Protected Area. The case studies serve as examples of the most common difficulties that arise in Mexican Natural Protected Area policy: (1) uncoordinated public policies; (2) the usual conflict between environmental authorities and local people over the management of natural resources; and (3) the exclusion of local people's perspectives, values and beliefs in conservation policy development and implementation.
KW - Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
KW - Celestún Biosphere Reserve
KW - Mexico
KW - Natural Protected Areas
KW - Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh
KW - Yucatan Peninsula
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=60849113109&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.landusepol.2008.09.008
DO - 10.1016/j.landusepol.2008.09.008
M3 - Artículo
SN - 0264-8377
VL - 26
SP - 715
EP - 722
JO - Land Use Policy
JF - Land Use Policy
IS - 3
ER -