Overview
Before undertaking my PhD in understanding illegal resource use, I worked as a conservation practitioner in Greece and elsewhere for eight years. This sparked my interest in interdisciplinary research that seeks to understand people and their interactions with the natural world.
I am interested in understanding the links between human behaviour, well-being and conservation. Much of my research focuses on conservation conflict together with investigating the prevalence and drivers of peoples involvement in unlawful resource extraction. However, gathering robust data on rule breaking directly from people is challenging. For this reason my work includes testing cutting-edge social science techniques for asking people sensitive questions. I also draw on disciplines such as development studies, social and cognitive psychology and criminology in order to strengthen levels of understanding on what drives conservation rule breaking and the differing levels of tolerance people exhibit for co-existing with wildlife.
My group work on various issues including the conservation and livelihood implications of wild meat hunting and the social, heritage and economic value of intertidal collection and beach gathering activities.
Read about the Conservation & Human Behaviour Research Group here
I am a member of Conservation@Bangor, a highly interdisciplinary research group using expertise and methods from biology, ecology, psychology, economics, sociology, geography, land systems science, and policy amongst others, to undertake applied research which addresses the diverse threats facing species and ecosystems worldwide.
Additional Contact Information
Dr Freya A. V. St. John
Reader in Conservation Science
Thoday Building, room G1
Email: f.stjohn@bangor.ac.uk
Website: http://www.conhub.org/
Tel: 01248 388295 (from UK)
+44 1248 388295 (international)
Research interests
- Understanding illegal resource use
- Conservation conflicts
- Conservation and human wellbeing
Teaching and Supervision
PhD Students
Harriett Ibbett: Understanding rule-breaking in a conservation context, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University. Funded by ERC (Grant No. 755965)
Elizabeth Morris-Webb: Intertidal collection and beach gathering, School of Ocean Sciences & School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University. Funded by KESS 2 with www.marine-ecosol.com
Sorrell Jones: The influence of risk on patterns of illegal activity in a hunted landscape in West Liberia. Royal Holloway University of London (Dr Sarah Papworth), Edinburgh University (Dr Aidan Keane), Bangor University (Dr Freya St. John), RSPB (Dr Juliette Vickery)
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
I am willing to supervise a PhD
Publications
2024
- E-pub ahead of printCross-cultural applications of the New Ecological Paradigm in protected area contexts
Dorward, L., Ibbett, H., Dwiyahreni, A. A., Kohi, E. M., Prayitno, K., Sankeni, S., Kaduma, J. F., Mawenya, R., Mchomvu, J., Sabiladiyni, H., Saputra, A. W., Supriatna, J., Trywidiarini, T. & St. John, F. A. V., 18 Sept 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Environment and Behavior.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - E-pub ahead of printImproving compliance around protected areas through fair administration of rules
Ibbett, H., Dorward, L., Jones, J. P. G., Kohi, E. M., Dwiyahreni, A. A., Sankeni, S., Prayitno, K., Mchomvu, J., Kaduma, J. F., Saputra, A. W., Agustin, I. Y., Trywidiarini, T., Mawenya, R., Supriatna, J. & St. John, F. A. V., 17 Jul 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Conservation Biology.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedImproving well-being and reducing deforestation in Indonesia's protected areas
Morgans, C. L., Jago, S., Andayani, N., Linkie, M., Lo, M. G. Y., Mumbunan, S., St. John, F. A. V., Supriatna, J., Voigt, M., Winarni, N., Santika, T. & Struebig, M., 6 Mar 2024, In: Conservation Letters. 17, 3, p. 1 11 p., e13010.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedProtected areas and people: Understanding the links between well-being and rule breaking around the Leuser Ecosystem
Ibbett, H., Dorward, L. & St. John, F. A. V., 20 Feb 2024
Research output: Other contribution
2023
- PublishedA mixed methods approach for measuring topic sensitivity in conservation
Ibbett, H., Jones, J. P. G., Dorward, L., Kohi, E. M., Dwiyahreni, A. A., Prayitno, K., Sankeni, S., Kaduma, J., Mchomvu, J., Saputra, A. W., Sabiladiyni, H., Supriatna, J. & St John, F. A. V., 1 Aug 2023, In: People and Nature. 5, 4, p. 1245-1261 17 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedProtected areas and people: Understanding the links between well-being and rule breaking around the Ruaha-Rungwa landscape
Ibbett, H., Dorward, L. & St. John, F. A. V., 30 Nov 2023
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedTopic sensitivity still affects honest responding, even when specialized questioning techniques are used
Ibbett, H., Dorward, L., Jones, J. P. G., Kohi, E. M., Sankeni, S., Kaduma, J., Mchomvu, J., Mawenya, R. & St. John, F. A. V., Jun 2023, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 5, 6, e12927.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2022
- PublishedExperimental Validation of Specialised Questioning Techniques in Conservation
Ibbett, H., Dorward, L., Dwiyahreni, A. A., Jones, J. P. G., Kaduma, J., Kohi, E. M., Mchomvu, J., Prayitno, K., Sabiladiyni, H., Sankeni, S., Saputra, A. W., Supriatna, J. & St John, F. A. V., Oct 2022, In: Conservation Biology.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUse of Native Animals by Local Communities in Madagascar
Robinson, J., Raharimalala, J., Bicknell, J., St John, F. A. V., Griffiths, R. A., Razafimanahaka, J. H. & Gardner, C. J., 1 Aug 2022, In: Environmental Challenges. 8, 100577.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedAsking sensitive questions in conservation using Randomised Response Techniques
Ibbett, H., Jones, J. P. G. & St John, F. A. V., 1 Aug 2021, In: Biological Conservation. 260, 109191.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedDrivers of predator killing by rural residents and recommendations for fostering coexistence in agricultural landscapes
Galvez, N., St John, F. A. V. & Davies, Z. G., 18 Nov 2021, In: Frontiers in Conservation Science. 12 p., 712044.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedImpact of palm oil sustainability certification on village well-being and poverty in Indonesia
Santika, T., Wilson, K. A., Law, E. A., St John, F. A. V., Carlson, K. M., Gibbs, H., Morgans, C. L., Ancrenaz, M., Meijaard , E. & Struebig, M. J., Feb 2021, In: Nature Sustainability . 4, 2, p. 109–119
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe bean method as a tool to measure sensitive behavior
Jones, S., Papworth, S., Keane, A., Vickery, J. & St John, F. A. V., Apr 2021, In: Conservation Biology. 35, 2, p. 722-732 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe role of risk perception and affect in predicting support for conservation policy under rapid ecosystem change
St John, F. A. V., Mason, T. H. E. & Bunnefeld, N., Feb 2021, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 3, 2, e316.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedToward improved impact evaluation of community forest management in Indonesia
Meijaard , E., Santika, T., Wilson, K. A., Budiharta , S., Kusworo , A., Law, E. A., Friedman, R., Hutabarat, J. A., Indrawan, T. P., St John, F. A. V. & Struebig, M., Jan 2021, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 3, 1, e2189.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
2020
- PublishedAnalyzing procedural equity in government-led community-based forest management
Friedman, R., Rhodes, J., Dean, A., Law, E., Santika, T., Budiharta , S., Hutabarat, J. A., Indrawan, T. P., Kusworo , A., Meijaard , E., St John, F. A. V., Struebig, M. & Wilson, K. A., Sept 2020, In: Ecology and Society. 25, 3, 16.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedBeyond the community in participatory forest management: A governance network perspective
Friedman, R., Guerrero, R. S., McAllister, R. R. J., Rhodes, J., Santika, T., Budiharta , S., Indrawan, T. P., Hutabarat, J. A., Kusworo , A., Yogaswara, H., Meijaard , E., St John, F. A. V., Struebig, M. J. & Wilson, K. A., 1 Sept 2020, In: Land Use Policy. 97, 104738.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedConsequences of survey method for estimating hunters' harvest rates
Jones, S. C. Z., Papworth, S. K., St John, F. A. V., Vickery, J. A. & Keane, A. M., Dec 2020, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 2, 12, e315.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedAudience segmentation to improve targeting of conservation interventions for hunters
Jones, S., Keane, A., St John, F. A. V., Vickery, J. & Papworth, S., 30 Aug 2019, In: Conservation Biology. 33, 4, p. 895-905
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedExpanding the role of social science in conservation through an engagement with philosophy, methodology and methods
Moon, K., Blackman, D. A., Adams, V. M., Colvin, R. M., Davila, F., Evans, M., Januchowski-Hartley, S. R., Bennett, N. J., Dickinson, H., Sandbrook, C., Sherren, K., St John, F. A. V., van Kerkhoff, L. & Wyborn, C., Mar 2019, In: Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 10, 3, p. 294-302 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedHeterogeneous impacts of community forestry on forest conservation and poverty alleviation: Evidence from Indonesia
Santika, T., Wilson, K. A., Budiharta , S., Kusworo , A., Meijaard , E., Law, E. A., Friedman, R., Hutabarat, J. A., Indrawan, T. P., St John, F. A. V. & Struebig, M. J., 1 Jun 2019, In: People and Nature.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIncentives and social relationships of hunters and traders in a Liberian bushmeat system
Jones, S., Papworth, S., Keane, A., St John, F., Smith, E., Flomo, A., Nyamunue, Z. & Vickery, J., Sept 2019, In: Biological Conservation. 237, p. 338-347
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedValue diversity and conservation conflict: Lessons from the management of red grouse and hen harriers in England
St John, F. A. V., Steadman, J., Austen, G. & Redpath, S. M., Mar 2019, In: People and Nature. 1, 1, p. 6-17
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedA spatially integrated framework for assessing socio-ecological drivers of carnivore decline
Gálvez, N., Guillera-Arroita, G., St John, F. A. V., Schüttler, E., MacDonald, D. & Davies, Z., May 2018, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 55, 3, p. 1393-1405
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAddressing human-tiger conflict using socio-ecological information on tolerance and risk
Struebig, M. J., Linkie, M., Deere, N. J., Martyr, D. J., Milliyanawati, B., Faulkner, S. C., Le Comber, S. C., Mangunjaya, F. M., Leader-Williams, N., McKay, J. E. & St John, F. A. V., 27 Aug 2018, In: Nature Communications. 9, 3455.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIntention to kill: Tolerance and illegal persecution of Sumatran tigers and sympatric species
St John, F. A. V., Linkie, M., Martyr, D., Milliyanawati, B., McKay, J., Mangunjaya, F., Leader-Williams, N. & Struebig, M., 1 Jul 2018, In: Conservation Letters.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPractitioner and scientist perceptions of successful amphibian conservation
Meredith, H. M. R., St John, F. A. V., Collen, B., Black, S. A. & Griffiths, R. A., Apr 2018, In: Conservation Biology. 32, 2, p. 366-375
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPublishing social science research in Conservation Biology to move beyond biology
Teel, T. L., Anderson, C. B., Burgman, M. A., Cinner, J., Clark, D., Estevez, R. A., Jones, J. P. G., McClanahan, T. R., Reed, M. S., Sandbrook, C. & St John, F. A. V., Feb 2018, In: Conservation Biology. 32, 1, p. 6-8
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review - PublishedTolerating tigers: Gaining local and spiritual perspectives on human-tiger interactions in Sumatra
McKay, J., St John, F. A. V., Harihar, A., Martyr, D., Leader-Williams, N., Milliyanawati, B., Agustin, I., Anggriawan, Y., Karlina, K., Kartika, K., Mangunjaya, F., Struebig, M. & Linkie, M., 14 Nov 2018, In: PLoS ONE.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUsing consumer preferences to characterize the trade of wild‐collected ornamental orchids in China
Williams, S., Gale, S., Hinsley, A., Gao, J. & St John, F. A. V., Oct 2018, In: Conservation Letters. 11, 5, e12569.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review - PublishedWildlife supply chains in Madagascar from local collection to global export
Robinson, J., Fraser, I., St John, F. A. V., Randrianantoandro, J., Andriantsimanarilafy, R., Razafimanahaka, J. H., Griffiths, R. A. & Roberts, D. L., 1 Oct 2018, In: Biological Conservation. 226, p. 144-152
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2017
- PublishedEstimating the Extent of CITES Noncompliance among Traders and End-Consumers: Lessons from the Global Orchid Trade
Hindsley, A., Nuno, A., Ridout, M. & St John, F. A. V., Sept 2017, In: Conservation Letters. 10, 5, p. 602-609
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSupplying the wildlife trade as a livelihood strategy in a biodiversity hotspot
Robinson, J., Griffiths, R., Fraser, I., Raharimalala, J., Roberts, D. & St John, F. A. V., 21 Nov 2017, In: Ecology and Society. 23, 1, 13.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2016
- PublishedChanging livelihoods and protected area management: a case study of charcoal production in south-west Madagascar
Gardner, C. J., Gabriel, F. U. L., St John, F. A. V. & Davies, Z., Jul 2016, In: Oryx. 50, 3, p. 495-505
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedResearch ethics: Assuring anonymity at the individual level may not be sufficient to protect research participants from harm
St. John, F. A. V., Brockington, D., Bunnefild, N., Duffy, R., Homewood, K., Jones, J. P. G., Keane, A. M., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Nuno, A. & Razafimanahaka, J. H., Apr 2016, In: Biological Conservation. 196, p. 208-209
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review - PublishedToward a new understanding of the links between poverty and illegal wildlife hunting
Duffy, R., St John, F. A. V., Buescher, B. & Brockington, D., 14 Jan 2016, In: Conservation Biology. 30, 1, p. 14-22
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2015
- PublishedCaptive Reptile Mortality Rates in the Home and Implications for the Wildlife Trade
Robinson, J., St John, F. A. V., Griffiths, R. A. & Roberts, D. L., 10 Nov 2015, In: PLoS ONE. e0141460.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedData collected using the randomised response technique must be analysed using specialised statistical methods
Keane, A. M., Nuno, A. & St John, F. A. V., 2015, In: Biological Conservation. 187, p. 279-280
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review - PublishedDynamics of the global trade in live reptiles: Shifting trends in production and consequences for sustainability
Robinson, J., Griffiths, R. A., St John, F. A. V. & Roberts, D. L., Apr 2015, In: Biological Conservation. 184, p. 42-50
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedElephant conservation and corruption beyond the ivory trade
Smith, R. J., Biggs, D., St John, F. A. V. & 't Sas-Rolfes, M., Jun 2015, In: Conservation Biology. 29, 3, p. 953-956
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review - PublishedEvaluating deterrents of illegal behaviour in conservation: Carnivore killing in rural Taiwan
St John, F. A. V., Mai, C.-H. & Pei, K., Sept 2015, In: Biological Conservation. 189, p. 86-94
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedHow to ask sensitive questions in conservation: A review of specialized questioning techniques
Nuno, A. & St John, F. A. V., Sept 2015, In: Biological Conservation. 189, p. 5-15
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe militarization of anti-poaching: undermining long term goals?
Duffy, R., St John, F. A. V., Buescher, B. & Brockington, D., Dec 2015, In: Environmental Conservation. 42, 4, p. 345-348
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
2014
- PublishedBiology's drones: Undermined by fear
Humle, T., Duffy, R., Roberts, D. L., Sandbrook, C., St John, F. A. V. & Smith, R. J., 20 Jun 2014, In: Science. 344, 6190, p. 1351
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review - PublishedEstimating the prevalence of researcher misconduct: a study of UK academics within biological sciences
Roberts, D. L. & St John, F. A. V., 9 Sept 2014, In: PeerJ. e562.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRobust study design is as important on the social as it is on the ecological side of applied ecological research
St. John, F. A. V., Keane, A. M., Jones, J. P. G. & Milner-Gulland, E. J., Dec 2014, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 51, 6, p. 1479-1485
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- PublishedEffective conservation depends upon understanding human behaviour: Chapter 19
St John, F. A. V., Keane, A. M. & Milner-Gulland, E., 5 Apr 2013, Key Topics in Conservation Biology 2. Macdonald, D. W. & Willis, K. J. (eds.). Wiley-Blackwell, p. 344-361
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - PublishedInnovative Techniques for Estimating Illegal Activities in a Human-Wildlife-Management Conflict
Cross, P., St. John, F. A. V., Khan, S. & Petroczi, A., 16 Jan 2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 1, p. e53681
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedNew rhino conservation project in South Africa to understand landowner decision-making
Smith, R. J., Roberts, D. L., Duffy, R. & St John, F. A. V., 19 Jul 2013, In: Oryx. 47, 3, p. 323
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate - PublishedWildlife consumption and recall accuracy – but is it recall of hunting, of cooking or of eating?
Newing, H. & St John, F. A. V., Dec 2013, In: Animal Conservation. 16, 6, p. 606-607
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
2012
- PublishedIdentifying indicators of illegal behaviour: carnivore killing in human-managed landscapes
St John, F., Keane, A., Edwards-Jones, G., Jones, L., Yarnell, R. W. & Jones, J. P. G., 22 Feb 2012, In: Proceedings of the royal Society B. 279, 1729, p. 804-812
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedOpinions of the public, conservationists and magistrates on sentencing wildlife trade crimes in the UK
St John, F. A. V., Edwards-Jones, G. & Jones, J. P. G., Jun 2012, In: Environmental Conservation. 39, 2, p. 154-161
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2010
- PublishedConservation and human behaviour: lessons from social psychology.
St John, F., Edwards-Jones, G. & Jones, J. P. G., 22 Dec 2010, In: Wildlife Research. 37, 8, p. 658-667
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTesting novel methods for assessing rule breaking in conservation.
St John, F., Edwards-Jones, G., Gibbons, J. M. & Jones, J. P. G., 1 Apr 2010, In: Biological Conservation. 143, 4, p. 1025-1030
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2024
- Reconceptualising conservation law enforcement in protected areas
Urgency to save species from extinction has prompted increased investment in law enforcement in and around protected areas, with considerable conservation resource spent training enforcers and supporting efforts to increase detection, prosecution, and sanctioning. However, relatively little evidence for the effectiveness of these approaches exists, and in recent years, investments in conservation law enforcement have come under increasing scrutiny due to associations with human-right abuses. In response, there has been a shift amongst practitioner organisations, funders, and governments to embed rights-based approaches into protected area governance, with a specific focus on implementing social safe-guards to improve how laws are enforced. To date dominant models of law enforcement have focused on increasing the cost of offending and reducing opportunities for offending to occur. Yet, other models of enforcement highlight that procedural fairness, and the legitimacy of enforcers and the laws themselves, are important but overlooked factors which can influence compliance. This workshop will draw conservation practitioners and academics together to share expertise and explore the need, opportunities, and challenges of reconceptualising how laws are enforced around protected areas.
22 Jul 2024 – 24 Jul 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser) - Delivery of a series of workshops to conservation scientists, practitioners and government representatives in Indonesia.
Delivery of two workshops in Jakarta and Banda Aceh to share research findings from the CONHUB project with academics, Government and NGOs representatives.
24 Feb 2024 – 28 Feb 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
2023
- Delivery of a series of workshops to conservation scientists, practitioners and government representatives in Tanzania.
Delivery of a series of training workshops in social science research methods and dissemination of research findings from the CONHUB project. In total 4 separate workshops were run in 4 different locations (Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Irina, Arusha). Participants included representatives from: the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources, TAWIRI, TAFORI, TANAPA, University of Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, the Open University, alongside NGOs including STEP, Lion Landscapes, Frankfurt Zoological Society, WWF, WCS.
27 Nov 2023 – 9 Dec 2023
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)
Projects
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HEFCW HEIR COVID extension to ECR bid (F007484, R37E13)
01/04/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)
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01/06/2018 – 31/12/2199 (Active)
Links:
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Understanding perceptions: Hen harrier brood management trial
23/10/2017 – 17/08/2018 (Finished)
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Investing in agroforestry options for forest restoration in Indonesia
01/04/2017 – 08/09/2020 (Finished)
Description
Funder: Darwin Initiative, 2016 – 2019
Researchers: Freya St. John with Mangara Silalahi (Burung Indonesia), Tom Swinfield (RSPB), Rhett Harrison (ICRAF), Aidan Keane (University of Edinburgh)
Collaborators: Burung Indonesia, PT REKI, RSPB, ICRAF, University of Bangor, University of Edinburgh
Project Description: Much of Indonesia’s forest cover has been logged (>80M ha) yet studies have shown that exhausted logging concessions harbour high levels of biodiversity and supply valuable ecosystem services, consequently, their restoration is a conservation priority. 49 million people, among the poorest in the country, live on forest margins. With limited livelihood options, many depend on clearing forests for agriculture with the uncertain hope of attaining land tenure. Harapan Rainforest is an Ecosystem Restoration Concession in Sumatra which has a 90 year license to restore 98,000 ha of logged forest. With many indigenous and migrant families living within the concession and clearing land for agriculture, the situation at Harapan typifies the challenges facing forest restoration in Indonesia. This interdisciplinary project will examine the likely win-win scenario of agroforestry which has the potential to provide valuable livelihood opportunities consistent with restoration and biodiversity objectives.
Links:
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Marrying community land rights with stakeholder aspirations in Indonesian Borneo
01/04/2017 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
Links:
Other Grants and Projects
Project: Resolving the links between poverty and rule-breaking in conservation
Funder: European Research Council Starting Grant, 2018 - 2024
Researchers: Freya St. John, Corinna Van Cayzeele (alumni), Leejiah Dorward, Harriet Ibbett
Poverty is frequently perceived to be the root cause of illegal natural resource use – the hunting or extraction of wildlife not sanctioned by the state. When unsustainable, such activities threaten conservation of ecosystems and endangered species. However, understanding what motivates individuals involved is a major challenge; understandably few are willing to discuss their motives for fear of punishment. Furthermore, severe, multifaceted poverty overlaps with regions prioritised for their globally important biodiversity. This association exacerbates the problem that illegal activities pose for policy-makers responsible for managing and policing the use of nature. The dominant approach to conserving biodiversity is to establish protected areas which typically restrict resource use and manage infractions through law enforcement. However, the designation of such areas does not guarantee compliance, as demonstrated by ongoing infractions and its conspicuous profile on global policy agendas. This includes the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which calls for urgent action to halt biodiversity loss and hunting of protected species. Solving this problematic cocktail of poverty, exclusion from resources and drivers of illegal resource use requires a new approach to understanding why people break rules and to what extent poverty underpins behaviour. This project will draw on concepts from a range of disciplines, including development studies, criminology and psychology, to improve our understanding of why people break rules and to what extent poverty underpins their behaviour.
Project: Investing in agroforestry options for forest restoration in Indonesia
Funder: Darwin Initiative, 2016 – 2019
Researchers: Freya St. John with Mangara Silalahi (Burung Indonesia), Tom Swinfield (RSPB), Rhett Harrison (ICRAF), Aidan Keane (University of Edinburgh)
Collaborators: Burung Indonesia, PT REKI, RSPB, ICRAF, University of Bangor, University of Edinburgh
Project Description: Much of Indonesia’s forest cover has been logged (>80M ha) yet studies have shown that exhausted logging concessions harbour high levels of biodiversity and supply valuable ecosystem services, consequently, their restoration is a conservation priority. 49 million people, among the poorest in the country, live on forest margins. With limited livelihood options, many depend on clearing forests for agriculture with the uncertain hope of attaining land tenure. Harapan Rainforest is an Ecosystem Restoration Concession in Sumatra which has a 90 year license to restore 98,000 ha of logged forest. With many indigenous and migrant families living within the concession and clearing land for agriculture, the situation at Harapan typifies the challenges facing forest restoration in Indonesia. This interdisciplinary project will examine the likely win-win scenario of agroforestry which has the potential to provide valuable livelihood opportunities consistent with restoration and biodiversity objectives.
Project: Marrying community land rights with stakeholder aspirations in Indonesian Borneo
Funder: Darwin Initiative, 2016 – 2019
Researchers: Matthew Struebig (University of Kent) and Freya St. John
Collaborators: Fauna and Flora International Indonesia programme, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Borneo Futures, University of Queensland
Project Description: Community forest management (CFM) is championed as a way to benefit local livelihoods and forest conservation, and Indonesia recognises this as part of its efforts to reduce poverty. Growing decentralisation and policy reform now supports community-based management throughout Indonesia, where the government aims to reallocate 12.7 Mha of state forest to poor indigenous communities. While these reforms support human rights and could alleviate poverty, counter-intuitively they also allow communities to clear forest. The governments' plan to improve rural wellbeing thus risks compromising the very ecosystems and biodiversity on which its people depend. By producing spatial datasets and developing case-studies within CFM areas this project aims to assess the impact of CFM on wellbeing and build the capacity of local governments of Kalimantan to better incorporate environmental and developmental needs into their spatial land-use planning processes.
Project: Novel approaches to resolving conflicts over human livelihoods and biodiversity conservation: People and rising geese populations in Scotland
Funder: University of Kent Faculty of Social Science, 2016 – 2017
Researchers: Freya St. John with Nils Bunnefeld (University of Stirling)
Project Description: Conflicts between those interested in using versus conserving biodiversity are widely recognised as both damaging to human livelihoods and biodiversity and are increasing in scope and scale. Yet, despite this recognition, there is a lack of theory to help guide the resolution of these problematic issues. The aim of this project is to develop a novel conceptual and analytical model to resolve conflicts over biodiversity conservation and human livelihoods. Working on the island of Islay, this project will investigate issues associated with the management of geese numbers which impose costs on the island’s farmers.
Project: Tolerating tigers: Do local beliefs offset human-carnivore conflicts?
Funder: Leverhulme Trust, 2014 – 2017
Researchers: Freya St. John with Matthew Struebig (University of Kent), Jeanne Mckay (FFI-Indonesia Programme), Matthew Linkie (WCS)
Collaborators: Fauna and Flora International Indonesia Programme; University of Cambridge; Universitas Nasional (UNAS) Jakarta
Project Description: Large carnivores that cause loss of human life or livelihoods are frequently killed in retribution. However, religious or spiritual beliefs may encourage local tolerance of such conflicts. To date, conservation biologists and social scientists have not tested this aspect of human-wildlife conflict within a quantitative and interdisciplinary framework. A long-term case study of Sumatran tigers living close to Islamic farming communities allows us to explore both ecological and social determinants of such conflicts. Taken together, these data will provide timely insights into the drivers of tiger conflict, and allow us to better understand how to strengthen tolerance towards dangerous wildlife.