This paper deals with the values, perspectives and objectives in nature conservation and recreation. In 1987, the Brundtland Commission published the ground-breaking report titled: "Our common future". The paradigm was shifted to sustainability, confronting the humanity with its responsibility to establish a development that 'meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.
There is hardly any realm untouched by the notion of sustainable development, be it of cultural, environmental, social or political nature. Simplistically it can be stated that we aim at passing on our legacy with minimal losses. This goal was not generated in 1987, but rather is an inherited desire to every human being. There is consensus that cultural and biological diversity is a great part of this heritage, and that globalization and consequent homogenization is jeopardizing it.
Table of Contents
1. Values & Perspectives
2. Objectives
3. Values in Nature Conservation & Recreation
4. A Personal Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The work explores the complex interplay between nature conservation, cultural heritage, and nature-based tourism, focusing on how diverse value systems influence environmental perception and management strategies. It aims to reconcile global conservation paradigms with local needs and traditional practices.
- Analysis of cross-cultural values in sustainability.
- Examination of ecosystem services as stakeholder objectives.
- Investigation of conflicts between tourism and conservation.
- Evaluation of the role of globalization in local conservation efforts.
- Discussion of the economic commodification of natural heritage.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Values in Nature Conservation & Recreation
Nature-based recreation is a fast-growing and economically promising niche in tourism. When it became mainstream, worried voices arouse from scientific background, NGOs and private stakeholders alike, predicting that Protected Areas might not be able to cope with the masses they are attracting. On a first glimpse the aims of conservation and recreation seem to be compatible, as the protection of nature grants the continuance of the single most important resource outdoor-recreation is based upon. However, in current literature there are many related concerns controversially discussed. The contestations we will discuss can be categorized in the following three major questions (Backhaus 2010, modified):
- What are the concepts of different actors concerning nature and it´s conservation that are interacting in the context of protected areas?
- How is the globalized paradigm of conservation affecting conservation on a local, regional and national level?
- Is there a conflict of interest and values between tourism, the local use of environment and conservation needs?
Starting in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio, the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) has become the major international instrument, aiming at the sustainable use and protection of the global natural resources. The convention established globally applicable approaches, but recognized that conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development can only reached if the close interdependence between cultures and ecosystems is maintained.
Summary of Chapters
1. Values & Perspectives: This chapter categorizes different ethical frameworks, including social justice, conservation-oriented, and cultural values, that shape how various stakeholders perceive and interact with the environment.
2. Objectives: This section identifies the hierarchy of expectations held by stakeholders and details specific ecosystem services, such as provisioning, regulating, protective, and cultural services.
3. Values in Nature Conservation & Recreation: This chapter analyzes the potential conflicts between tourism growth and nature protection, highlighting the importance of balancing local knowledge with international conservation policies like the CBD.
A Personal Conclusion: The final section reflects on the necessity of case-specific management and argues that assigning economic value to natural heritage can be a functional tool for its preservation.
Keywords
Nature Conservation, Sustainability, Ecotourism, Biodiversity, Cultural Heritage, Ecosystem Services, Stakeholder Management, Globalization, Environmental Ethics, Protected Areas, Social Justice, Resource Management, Indigenous Knowledge, Biodiversity Convention, Tourism Development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work examines the relationship between diverse cultural values, nature conservation, and the expanding sector of nature-based tourism.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The main themes include cross-cultural perceptions of nature, the role of ecosystem services in stakeholder planning, and the challenges of integrating local practices into global environmental policy.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to understand how different stakeholder values influence conservation outcomes and to explore how tourism can coexist with environmental protection without compromising cultural or biological diversity.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The author employs a qualitative synthesis of current literature, policy frameworks (such as the CBD), and ethical discussions to assess the management of natural resources.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the classification of values (social, conservation, cultural), a breakdown of ecosystem services, the controversies regarding tourism in protected areas, and the necessity of bridging local knowledge with global governance.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key concepts include sustainability, nature conservation, ecotourism, ecosystem services, and cultural heritage.
How does the author view the role of the CBD?
The author sees the Convention on Biodiversity as an essential international instrument, but emphasizes that its success depends on recognizing the link between human cultures and ecosystems.
Does the author believe tourism is a threat to conservation?
The author suggests that while tourism presents risks, it also offers opportunities for the valuation and protection of nature, provided that management is handled appropriately on a case-by-case basis.
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- Alice Mercier (Autor:in), 2010, Heritage, Values and Nature Conservation, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/914044
