Rhagolwg
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
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, toÌýundertake applied research which addresses the diverse threats facing species and ecosystems worldwide.
Gwybodaeth Cyswllt
Dr Freya A. V. St. John
Reader in Conservation Science
Thoday Building, room G1
Email: f.stjohn@bangor.ac.uk
Website:Ìý
Tel: 01248 388295 (from UK)
+44 1248 388295 (international)
Research interests
- Understanding illegal resource use
- Conservation conflicts
- Conservation and human wellbeing
Addysgu ac Arolygiaeth
PhD Students
ÌýUnderstanding rule-breaking in a conservation context, School of Natural Sciences, Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ. Funded by ERC (Grant No. 755965)
Elizabeth Morris-Webb: Intertidal collection and beach gathering, School of Ocean Sciences & School of Natural Sciences, Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ. Funded by KESS 2 with
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), Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ (Dr Freya St. John), RSPB (Dr Juliette Vickery)
Cyfleoedd Project Ôl-radd
’Rydwyf yn fodlon goruchwylio cwrs PhD
Cyhoeddiadau
2024
- E-gyhoeddi cyn argraffu
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 Medi 2024, (E-gyhoeddi cyn argraffu) Yn: Environment and Behavior.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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 Maw 2024, Yn: Conservation Letters. 17, 3, t. 1 11 t., e13010.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2023
- Cyhoeddwyd
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 Awst 2023, Yn: People and Nature. 5, 4, t. 1245-1261 17 t.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Ibbett, H., Dorward, L., Jones, J. P. G., Kohi, E. M., Sankeni, S., Kaduma, J., Mchomvu, J., Mawenya, R. & St. John, F. A. V., Meh 2023, Yn: Conservation Science and Practice. 5, 6, e12927.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2022
- Cyhoeddwyd
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., Hyd 2022, Yn: Conservation Biology.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Robinson, J., Raharimalala, J., Bicknell, J., St John, F. A. V., Griffiths, R. A., Razafimanahaka, J. H. & Gardner, C. J., 1 Awst 2022, Yn: Environmental Challenges. 8, 100577.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2021
- Cyhoeddwyd
Ibbett, H., Jones, J. P. G. & St John, F. A. V., 1 Awst 2021, Yn: Biological Conservation. 260, 109191.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Galvez, N., St John, F. A. V. & Davies, Z. G., 18 Tach 2021, Yn: Frontiers in Conservation Science. 12 t., 712044.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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., Chwef 2021, Yn: Nature Sustainability . 4, 2, t. 109–119
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Jones, S., Papworth, S., Keane, A., Vickery, J. & St John, F. A. V., Ebr 2021, Yn: Conservation Biology. 35, 2, t. 722-732 11 t.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F. A. V., Mason, T. H. E. & Bunnefeld, N., Chwef 2021, Yn: Conservation Science and Practice. 3, 2, e316.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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., Ion 2021, Yn: Conservation Science and Practice. 3, 1, e2189.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl adolygu › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2020
- Cyhoeddwyd
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., Medi 2020, Yn: Ecology and Society. 25, 3, 16.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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 Medi 2020, Yn: Land Use Policy. 97, 104738.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Jones, S. C. Z., Papworth, S. K., St John, F. A. V., Vickery, J. A. & Keane, A. M., Rhag 2020, Yn: Conservation Science and Practice. 2, 12, e315.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2019
- Cyhoeddwyd
Jones, S., Keane, A., St John, F. A. V., Vickery, J. & Papworth, S., 30 Awst 2019, Yn: Conservation Biology. 33, 4, t. 895-905
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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., Maw 2019, Yn: Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 10, 3, t. 294-302 9 t.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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 Meh 2019, Yn: People and Nature.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Jones, S., Papworth, S., Keane, A., St John, F., Smith, E., Flomo, A., Nyamunue, Z. & Vickery, J., Medi 2019, Yn: Biological Conservation. 237, t. 338-347
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F. A. V., Steadman, J., Austen, G. & Redpath, S. M., Maw 2019, Yn: People and Nature. 1, 1, t. 6-17
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2018
- Cyhoeddwyd
Gálvez, N., Guillera-Arroita, G., St John, F. A. V., Schüttler, E., MacDonald, D. & Davies, Z., Mai 2018, Yn: Journal of Applied Ecology. 55, 3, t. 1393-1405
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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 Awst 2018, Yn: Nature Communications. 9, 3455.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F. A. V., Linkie, M., Martyr, D., Milliyanawati, B., McKay, J., Mangunjaya, F., Leader-Williams, N. & Struebig, M., 1 Gorff 2018, Yn: Conservation Letters.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Meredith, H. M. R., St John, F. A. V., Collen, B., Black, S. A. & Griffiths, R. A., Ebr 2018, Yn: Conservation Biology. 32, 2, t. 366-375
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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., Chwef 2018, Yn: Conservation Biology. 32, 1, t. 6-8
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Golygyddiad › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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 Tach 2018, Yn: PLoS ONE.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Williams, S., Gale, S., Hinsley, A., Gao, J. & St John, F. A. V., Hyd 2018, Yn: Conservation Letters. 11, 5, e12569.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Llythyr › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Robinson, J., Fraser, I., St John, F. A. V., Randrianantoandro, J., Andriantsimanarilafy, R., Razafimanahaka, J. H., Griffiths, R. A. & Roberts, D. L., 1 Hyd 2018, Yn: Biological Conservation. 226, t. 144-152
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2017
- Cyhoeddwyd
Hindsley, A., Nuno, A., Ridout, M. & St John, F. A. V., Medi 2017, Yn: Conservation Letters. 10, 5, t. 602-609
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Robinson, J., Griffiths, R., Fraser, I., Raharimalala, J., Roberts, D. & St John, F. A. V., 21 Tach 2017, Yn: Ecology and Society. 23, 1, 13.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2016
- Cyhoeddwyd
Gardner, C. J., Gabriel, F. U. L., St John, F. A. V. & Davies, Z., Gorff 2016, Yn: Oryx. 50, 3, t. 495-505
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
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., Ebr 2016, Yn: Biological Conservation. 196, t. 208-209
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Llythyr › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Duffy, R., St John, F. A. V., Buescher, B. & Brockington, D., 14 Ion 2016, Yn: Conservation Biology. 30, 1, t. 14-22
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2015
- Cyhoeddwyd
Robinson, J., St John, F. A. V., Griffiths, R. A. & Roberts, D. L., 10 Tach 2015, Yn: PLoS ONE. e0141460.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Keane, A. M., Nuno, A. & St John, F. A. V., 2015, Yn: Biological Conservation. 187, t. 279-280
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Llythyr › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Robinson, J., Griffiths, R. A., St John, F. A. V. & Roberts, D. L., Ebr 2015, Yn: Biological Conservation. 184, t. 42-50
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Smith, R. J., Biggs, D., St John, F. A. V. & 't Sas-Rolfes, M., Meh 2015, Yn: Conservation Biology. 29, 3, t. 953-956
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Sylw/Dadl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F. A. V., Mai, C.-H. & Pei, K., Medi 2015, Yn: Biological Conservation. 189, t. 86-94
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Nuno, A. & St John, F. A. V., Medi 2015, Yn: Biological Conservation. 189, t. 5-15
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Duffy, R., St John, F. A. V., Buescher, B. & Brockington, D., Rhag 2015, Yn: Environmental Conservation. 42, 4, t. 345-348
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Sylw/Dadl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2014
- Cyhoeddwyd
Humle, T., Duffy, R., Roberts, D. L., Sandbrook, C., St John, F. A. V. & Smith, R. J., 20 Meh 2014, Yn: Science. 344, 6190, t. 1351
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Llythyr › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Roberts, D. L. & St John, F. A. V., 9 Medi 2014, Yn: PeerJ. e562.
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
St. John, F. A. V., Keane, A. M., Jones, J. P. G. & Milner-Gulland, E. J., Rhag 2014, Yn: Journal of Applied Ecology. 51, 6, t. 1479-1485
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2013
- Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F. A. V., Keane, A. M. & Milner-Gulland, E., 5 Ebr 2013, Key Topics in Conservation Biology 2. Macdonald, D. W. & Willis, K. J. (gol.). Wiley-Blackwell, t. 344-361
Allbwn ymchwil: Pennod mewn Llyfr/Adroddiad/Trafodion Cynhadledd › Pennod › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Cross, P., St. John, F. A. V., Khan, S. & Petroczi, A., 16 Ion 2013, Yn: PLoS ONE. 8, 1, t. e53681
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
Smith, R. J., Roberts, D. L., Duffy, R. & St John, F. A. V., 19 Gorff 2013, Yn: Oryx. 47, 3, t. 323
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Sylw/Dadl - Cyhoeddwyd
Newing, H. & St John, F. A. V., Rhag 2013, Yn: Animal Conservation. 16, 6, t. 606-607
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Sylw/Dadl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2012
- Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F., Keane, A., Edwards-Jones, G., Jones, L., Yarnell, R. W. & Jones, J. P. G., 22 Chwef 2012, Yn: Proceedings of the royal Society B. 279, 1729, t. 804-812
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F. A. V., Edwards-Jones, G. & Jones, J. P. G., Meh 2012, Yn: Environmental Conservation. 39, 2, t. 154-161
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
2010
- Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F., Edwards-Jones, G. & Jones, J. P. G., 22 Rhag 2010, Yn: Wildlife Research. 37, 8, t. 658-667
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid - Cyhoeddwyd
St John, F., Edwards-Jones, G., Gibbons, J. M. & Jones, J. P. G., 1 Ebr 2010, Yn: Biological Conservation. 143, 4, t. 1025-1030
Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolyn › Erthygl › adolygiad gan gymheiriaid
Gweithgareddau
2024
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 Gorff 2024 – 24 Gorff 2024
Gweithgaredd: Cymryd rhan mewn gweithdy, seminar, cwrs Academaidd (Trefnydd)Delivery of two workshops in Jakarta and Banda Aceh to share research findings from the CONHUB project with academics, Government and NGOs representatives.
24 Chwef 2024 – 28 Chwef 2024
Gweithgaredd: Cymryd rhan mewn gweithdy, seminar, cwrs Academaidd (Siaradwr)
2023
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 Tach 2023 – 9 Rhag 2023
Gweithgaredd: Cymryd rhan mewn gweithdy, seminar, cwrs Academaidd (Trefnydd)
Projectau
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01/04/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Wedi gorffen)
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01/06/2018 – 31/12/2199 (Wrthi'n gweithredu)
Cysylltau:
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23/10/2017 – 17/08/2018 (Wedi gorffen)
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01/04/2017 – 08/09/2020 (Wedi gorffen)
Disgrifiad
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.
Cysylltau:
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01/04/2017 – 01/08/2019 (Wedi gorffen)
Cysylltau:
Grantiau a Projectau Eraill
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,
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 inÌýIndonesia
Funder: Darwin Initiative, 2016 – 2019
Researchers: Freya St. John with Mangara Silalahi (Burung Indonesia), Tom Swinfield (RSPB), Rhett Harrison (ICRAF), (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 Ìý
Researchers: (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:ÌýCommunity 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 (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:ÌýTolerating tigers: Do local beliefs offset human-carnivore conflicts?Ìý
Funder: Leverhulme Trust, 2014 – 2017
Researchers: Freya St. John with (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:ÌýLarge 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.