Mainstreaming biodiversity in development : case studies from South Africa
Pierce, S. M. | Cowlings, R. M. | Sandwith, T. | MacKinnon, K. [editors]
South Africa has made impressive progress in integrating biodiversity issues and concerns into development projects, in the process achieving positive outcomes for both development and biodiversity. The South Africa case studies in this report illustrate many examples of best practice and mitigation of biodiversity loss in sectors such as agriculture and forestry. How has this come about? Are the enabling factors and lessons learned peculiar to South Africa, or do the lessons have wider application? Although biodiversity was already being addressed in some sectors during the apartheid period, the change in government and democratization in 1994 clearly led to innovative ways of integrating biodiversity with development needs. The need to do something for the poor made innovations and linkages to socioeconomic benefits imperative. Scientists were able to convince politicians of the value of programs such as "Working for Water," which simultaneously removed invasive tree species and helped restore water supplies, while also meeting social objectives through job creation and poverty alleviation. The high-level political appreciation of threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the linkage of biodiversity conservation to socioeconomic delivery, were key factors in mainstreaming biodiversity. Also, since the change in government in 1994, scientists have risen to the challenge to disseminate information rapidly and effectively, demystifying and simplifying biodiversity.
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