Managing trade-offs between
conservation and development
at the landscape scale

Co-management for co-benefits

The Republic of Guinea has large tropical forests, but their future is uncertain. An expanding population, widespread poverty, the limited capability of the central government to manage natural resources—all have contributed to forest loss in recent years. However, a project that encourages local communities to jointly manage the forests with government agencies is helping to turn the tide of destruction, and at the same time improve rural incomes. more

Charting a course for collaboration

The places that are most celebrated for wildlife are frequently home to some of the poorest people on the planet. All too often, this leads to clashes between conservationists and local communities. Does this mean it’s impossible for wildlife and people to flourish in the same place? Not necessarily. Recent experiences in Papua and elsewhere suggest they can—if conservation agencies work closely with local people. A research approach developed by CIFOR helps them to do that. more

Tracking change to find a balance

It is easy to track change in a field of crops; to measure, for example, whether certain practices are leading to higher yields or fewer pests. It is far harder to evaluate the impact of large-scale conservation programmes on the environment and people’s lives. However, an approach initiated by CIFOR and developed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) offers a promising new way of assessing changes in landscapes where conservation, farming and development jostle one another. more