With Reference to Case Studies, Critically Evaluate the Success of Management Schemes in Fragile Environments

With reference to case studies, critically evaluate the success of management schemes in fragile environments. (40 marks)

Fragile environments are ecosystems that are easily disturbed and cannot easily adapt to change, but are often rich in natural resources like the ingredients for medicines and biodiversity.  There is a constant conflict between using natural resources (exploitation) and preserving them for future generations (conservation) in fragile environments. Therefore, there needs to be a balance between the two which can be extremely difficult. In this essay I will investigate the management techniques in the Serengeti and the Amazon Rainforest.

The Serengeti is a savanna grassland covering 30,000km2 in Tanzania. The Serengeti National Park covers an area of 15,000km2 and was established in 1951 to preserve wildlife and reduce environmental damage. The management strategy aims to balance conservation of biodiversity with the needs of local people, through a number of schemes, for example: Monitoring the ecosystem through aerial wildlife surveys, protection of priority species – black rhinos are protected by anti-poaching patrols, disease monitoring and vaccination programs, controlled burning of dry grass and conservation education projects in schools. Also four Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s) were created, which have a community based conservation approach. For example, the Ikona Community WMA is managed by communities from five villages. They work with wildlife, and are allowed to use the resources from the area within sustainable limits. Tourism brings money to the local area, but strict regulations are in place to make sure it doesn’t damage the ecosystem.

Local conservation education projects have improved understanding between local people and the National Park. The Wildlife management areas have been successful in lots of ways. They provide local people with a food source and income from legally traded animal products and tourism, and help to reduce illegal poaching. Poaching has declined in recent years, and the populations of most species are steadily increasing for example the elephant population increased from 500 in 1990 to 2100 in 2011. Money from tourism goes back into the national park to help pay for conservation projects. It also boosts the local economy by creating jobs and a market for local produce. The increased ranger presence for tourism has also helped reduce poaching. Disease monitoring and vaccination has helped prevent damaging outbreaks of disease, for example, in 1996 an outbreak of rinderpest was stopped from entering the Serengeti due to a programme of cattle vaccination in the districts of the park closest to the affected area.

On the other hand, it is still proving difficult to balance wildlife conservation with the needs of local people as the population is still growing so there is a need for new settlements to be built and there are conflicts between agriculture and conservation. Some local people are reluctant to be a part of a WMA because they are unsure of what they gain from it and so refuse to stop farming and hunting meaning some areas are still being over-exploited. Outside the WMA’s, poaching is still a problem with 40,000 animals being killed each year for meat and other products. If the population continues to increase it could lead to a rapid decrease in the Wildebeest population. Furthermore, tourism which has many positive impacts can also have negative impacts for example the construction and use of roads, trails and campsites have an environmental impact through erosion, loss of habitat and noise pollution. Waste disposal from accommodation can attract pests and tourists in general can disturb and distress animals. Therefore, a clear code of conduct and limits of tourism have been set by the National Park to try and reduce these impacts.