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Science
Science Corner: Social Science
Conservation Social Science
Understanding People to Conserve Biodiversity
Fishermen in Mozambique’s Quirimbas National Park. Social science research helps WWF to design marine parks that benefit both people and nature.
© WWF/Mike Mascia
Our planet is increasingly under pressure from human activity. Forests are disappearing, oceans are emptying, and species are vanishing at an alarming rate. Climate change is the number one environmental issue of our time, and the forces of globalization are unprecedented in their scale and velocity. The actions we take over the next decade will determine the future of nature – and the fate of people who depend upon the natural environment for their food, shelter and livelihoods.
To meet this challenge, WWF is expanding the horizons of conservation science beyond its biological traditions. With decades of experience, we have long understood that success requires an integrated approach that addresses the wide range of human activities affecting the environment. We are already working with local people, national governments, and multinational corporations around the world to strengthen their stewardship of threatened species and ecosystems. Now we are enriching our work with rigorous scientific analyses of conservation questions that explore the relationship between people and nature:
- What social contexts are most suitable for conservation investments?
- What conservation policies and practices best support sustainable human stewardship of our natural environment?
- What are the impacts of conservation programs for people and nature?
People are the answer
WWF is leading global efforts to answer these questions and develop the emerging field of Conservation Social Science. By mainstreaming the application of social science into conservation programs, we gain a deeper understanding of the decisions people make affecting nature, why they make them, and how that knowledge can inform conservation strategies that balance the needs of people and nature. After all, conservation interventions are the product of human decisions, and require changes in human behavior to succeed.
Anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology and other social science disciplines all have analytic tools and established knowledge that can provide insights vital to the success of local, national, and international conservation efforts. Through research, technical assistance, and capacity-building efforts around the world, WWF is delivering the social science knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that conservation strategies are both biologically sustainable and socially viable.
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