Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Institutions and incentives for biodiversity conservation

  • Published:
Biodiversity & Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Incentive measures for biodiversity conservation cannot be evaluated and compared outside the context of institutional performance and relationships. The institutional framework for biodiversity incentives includes a variety of organizations operating on different spatial scales. The institutional actors with an impact on biodiversity include community groups, local and national governmental structures, NGOs, business enterprises and international organizations. But the positve influence of conservation-oriented organizations is often significantly outweighed by the negative influence of other sets of institutional actors who are largely unaware of biodiversity as a concept and not unduly concerned with its conservation. There are several options for improving the institutional framework for biodiversity incentives: (1) decentralization of resource management decision making to local levels; (2) engaging and reorienting government institutions; (3) establishing new national and international institutions; and (4) establishing functional linkages between key institutional actors. The role of local, national and international institutions in designing and implementing effective incentive measures for biodiversity conservation will be critical. But the dynamics within and between institutional actors influencing biodiversity conservation are complex, variable and insufficiently understood, somewhat like biodiversity itself.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alcorn, J.B. (1993) Indigenous peoples and conservation. Conservn. Biol. 7, 424–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbier, E.B., Burgess, J.C. and Folke, C. (1994) Paradise lost? The Ecological Economics of Biodiversity. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkes, F. and Folke, C. (1992) A systems perspective on the interrelations between natural, man-made and cultural capital. Ecol. Econ. 5, 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandon, K. and Wells, M. (1992) Planning for people and parks: Design dilemmas. World Development 20, 557–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, B. (1994) Issues and Options for Institutional Change for Rural Development, Agriculture and Land Reform. Policy Paper No. 9. Land and Agriculture Policy Centre, Johannesburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkes, C. and Berks, F. (1995) Mechanisms that link property rights to ecological systems. In Property Rights and the Environment: Social and Economic Issues (S. Hanna and M. Munasinghe, eds). Stockholm, Beijer International Institute of Ecological Economics: and Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadgil, M. and Rao, P. (1995) Designing incentives to conserve India’s biodiversity. In Property Rights and the Environment: Social and Economic Issues (S. Hanna and M. Munasinghe, eds). Stockholm, Beijer International Institute of Ecological Economics: and Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garnez, R. et al. (1993) Costa Rica’s conservation program and National Biodiversity Institute (INBio). In Biodiversity Prospecting (Reid et al. eds). Washington, DC: World Resources Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunderson, L., Holling, C.S. and Light, S. (eds) (1995) Barriers and Bridges to the Renewal of Ecosystems and Institutions. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heywood, V.H. et al. (eds) (1995) Global Biodiversity Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C.S. (1978) Adaptive Environmental Assessment and Management. Chichester: John Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C.S. (1986) Resilience of ecosystems: Local surprise and global change. In Sustainable Development of the Biosphere (W.C. Clark and R.E. Munn, eds). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C.S., Schindler, D.W., Walker, B.W. and Roughgarden, J. (1995) Biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems: an ecological synthesis. In Biodiversity Conservation: Economic and Ecological Issues (C. Perrings, K.G. Mäler, C. Folke, C.S. Holling and B.O. Jansson, eds). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huele, R. (1994) Biodiversity is a new concept requiring new administrative arrangements. In Widening Perspectives on Biodiversity (A.F. Krattinger et al., eds). Gland; IUCN, and Geneva: International Academy for the Environment.

    Google Scholar 

  • IIED (1994) Whose Eden? An Overview of Community Approaches to Wildlife Management. Report to the UK. Overseas Development Administration. London: IIED

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiss, A. (ed.) (1986) Living with Wildlife: Wildlife Resource Management with Local Participation in Africa. Technical Paper 130. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korten, D. (1995) When Corporations Rule the World. W. Hartford, CT: Kumarian Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korten, F. and Siy, R. (eds) (1989) Transforming a Bureaucracy. W. Hartford, CT: Kumarian Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krattinger, A.F. et al. (eds) (1994) Widening Perspectives on Biodiversity. Gland: IUCN, and Geneva: International Academy for the Environment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K.N. (1993) Compass and Gyroscope: Integrating Science and Politics for the Environment. Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutz, E. and Caldecott, J. (eds) (1996 in press). Decentralization and Biodiversity Conservation. Washington, DC: Environment Department, World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKinnon, J. (1995) Analytical status report of biodiversity conservation in the Asia-Pacific region. In Biodiversity Conservation in the Asia and Pacific Region: Constraints and Opportunities (Asian Development Bank and The World Conservation Union, eds). Manila: Asian Development Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeely, J.A. (1988) Economics and Biodiversity: Developing and Using Economic Incentives to Conserve Biological Resources. Gland: IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Environment (1993) National Action Plan for Biological Diversity: Guidelines for Sectoral Action Plans. Oslo, Norway: Ministry of Environment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikitin, K. and Osgood, D. (1995) Issues and Options in the Design of GEF Supported Trust Funds for Biodiversity Conservation. Paper No, 011, Biodiversity Series. Washington, DC: Environment Department, World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphree, M.W. (1994) The role of institutions in community-based conservation. In Natural Connections: Perspectives in Community-based Conservation (D. Western, R.M. Wright with S. Strum, eds). Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • North, D. (1990) Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • North, D. (1993) Economic Performance Through Time. Prize Lecture in Economic Science in memory of Alfred Nobel. December 9, Stockholm.

  • OECD (1994) Economic Incentive Measures for the Conservation and Sustainable use of Biological Diversity: Conceptual Framework and Guidelines for Case Studies. Environment Monograph No. 97. Paris: OECD.

  • Ostrom, E. (1990) Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom, E. (1995) Designing complexity to govern complexity. In Property Rights and the Environment: Social and Economic Issues (S. Hanna and M. Munasinghe, eds). Stockholm: Beijer International Institute of Ecological Economics and Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panayotou, T. (1995) Matrix of Financial Instruments and Policy Options: A New Approach to Financing Sustainable Development. Harvard Institute for International Development.

  • Poffenberger, M., Josayamma, C., Walpole, P. and Lawrence, K. (eds) (1995) Transitions in Forest Management: Shifting Community Forestry from Project to Process. Research Network Report No. 6. Berkeley: Asia Forest Network, Centre for Southeast Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Repetto, R. and Gillis, M. (eds) (1988) Public Policies and the Misuse of Forest Resources. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serageldin, I. (1995) Sustainability and the Wealth of Nations: First Steps in an Ongoing Journey. Paper for the Third Annual World Bank Conference on Sustainable Development, Washington, DC.

  • Singh, S. (1996 in press) India. In Decentralization and Biodiversity Conservation (E. Lutz and J. Caldecott, eds). Washington, DC: Environment Department, World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, T. (1995a) The international regulation of biodiversity decline: Optimal policy and evolutionary product. In Biodiversity Conservation: Economic and Ecological Issues (C. Perrings, K.G. Mäler, C. Folke, C.S. Holling and B.O. Jansson, eds). Cambridge University Press.

  • Swanson, T. (1995b) The Theory and Practice of Transferring Development Rights: The Institutions for Contracting for Biodiversity. Gland: Report for IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP, UNEP and World Bank (1994) Global Environment Facility. Independent Evaluation of the Pilot Phase. Washington, DC: World Bank

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, C.J. (1986) Adaptive Management of Renewable Resources. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warford, J.J. (1989) Environmental management and economic policy in developing countries. In Environmental Management and Economic Development (G. Schramm and JJ. Warford, eds). Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, M. and Brandon, K. (with Hannah, L.) (1992) People and Parks: Linking Protected Area Management with Local Communities. Washington, DC: World Bank, US Agency for International Development and World Wildlife Fund.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, M. (1994) The Global Environment Facility and prospects for biodiversity conservation. International Environmental Affairs 6, 69–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, M. (1995a) Decentralization and Biodiversity Conservation: A Preliminary Review of the Issues. Paper for the Global Biodiversity Forum. Jakarta, 4–5 November, 1995.

  • Wells, M, (1995b) Biodiversity conservation and local development aspirations: New priorities for the 1990s. In Biodiversity Conservation: Policy Issues and Options (C. Perrings, K.G. Mäler, C. Folke, C.S. Holling and B.O. Jansson, eds). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, M. (1995c) National Environmental Funds and Biodiversity Conservation. Paper for the IUCN-CSERGE Workshop on Funding Mechanisms for Biodiversity. Zimbabwe, 12–16 September, 1995.

  • West, P.C., and Brechin, S.R. (eds) (1990) Resident Peoples and National Parks: Social Dilemmas and Strategies in International Conservation. University of Arizona Press.

  • Western, D. and Wright, R.M. (with Strum, S.) (eds) (1994) Natural Connections: Perspectives in Community-based Conservation. Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, M. and Wells, M. (1996 in press). Russia. In Decentralization and Biodiversity Conservation (E. Lutz and J. Caldecott, eds), Washington, DC: Environment Department, World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • WRI, IUCN and UNEP (1992) Global Biodiversity Strategy. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tunnelveien 3, 3400, Lier, Norway

    Michael P. Wells

Authors
  1. Michael P. Wells
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wells, M.P. Institutions and incentives for biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 7, 815–835 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008896620848

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008896620848

Search

Navigation