Privately protected areas and biodiversity stewardship in South Africa: Challenges and opportunties for implementation agencies

Abstract

Habitat loss and degradation are among the most pressing threats facing global biodiversity. Increasing the network of both protected areas and conservation areas is considered an important mechanism for conserving biodiversity and improving land management. Private land conservation and the establishment of privately protected areas has emerged as a cost effective tool for expanding the conservation estate. However, public and private institutions are limited in their financial and human capacity required to undertake this work. This research investigated the challenges facing the conservation agencies implementing the biodiversity stewardship initiative in South Africa, and the opportunities which may be leveraged to further strengthen these organisations. The research targeted practitioners and included a series of focus group discussions and an online questionnaire. Recommendations arising from this research are structured into four major themes: enhancing government–NGO collaboration; landowner partnerships; personnel capacity; and financial opportunities. A logic model to guide government–NGO collaboration is presented, along with a typology of the benefits and support mechanisms available to landowners involved in biodiversity stewardship. PLC initiatives must remain flexible in order to respond to changing socioeconomic conditions. This research is intended to help facilitate such flexibility in private land conservation and privately protected area programmes.