Ecological and social considerations in tropical forest conservation: a case study in Ecuador

There is an ongoing debate concerning the ethics and efficacy of different conservation strategies and the role of community participation and development in rainforest conservation. While conservation is important, there is growing recognition that traditional top-down approaches, which focus on the preservation of protected areas often marginalize local people and detract from the importance of inhabited landscapes. This research explores the connections between poverty, food security and conservation through a political ecology perspective, highlighting arguments for a new conservation paradigm. Using a case study based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 45 residents of a small coastal town in Ecuador, this research explores the approach to conservation and development taken by a non-profit conservation organization, which integrates protected areas, biological corridors, agroforestry, and sustainable development. The research explores the benefits and limitations of the organization's approach to conservation based on relevant literature and feedback from local residents.