Chance or opportunity: rethinking conservation conflicts through a lens of systemic conflict transformation

Prolonged conflicts are making it difficult to meet challenging conservation goals necessary to protect biodiversity in Africa. Achieving tangible conservation objectives requires new approaches that address the complex... [ view full abstract ]

Prolonged conflicts are making it difficult to meet challenging conservation goals necessary to protect biodiversity in Africa. Achieving tangible conservation objectives requires new approaches that address the complex social-ecological dimensions of biodiversity conflict. Conflict transformation from the peacebuilding field is an overlooked relationship-centered approach that applied to conservation can address asymmetrical conflict complexity resulting in constructive social change and sustainable conservation outcomes. I developed a dynamic conflict transformation framework within a conservation context for the Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT) to address intractable socio-ecological conflicts impacting the protection of the Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi),an endangered species. The flexible conflict transformation platform integrates peacebuilding and learning theories and methodologies, including stakeholder interviews, conflict mapping, direct observations, and customized conflict transformation training to cultivate mutual understanding towards achievement of local conservation objectives. I analyzed the GZT conflict transformation platform from two disciplinary perspectives, systemic conflict transformation and learning and development, and its impact on community conservation efforts. My analysis found that building interdisciplinary field capacity within a proactive systemic conflict transformation model that includes critical thinking and practical peacebuilding could provide more productive paths to addressing a multiplicity of biodiversity conflicts.Building conservation teams’ conceptual and behavioral skills to analyze and tackle protracted conservation conflicts through a holistic “lens” of conflict transformation can provide new opportunities to challenge assumptions about the symptoms of socio-ecological conflict. Equipping conservationists with a flexible conflict transformation toolkit for their conservation practice can help move biodiversity initiatives beyond interpretation and chance. Applying conflict transformation theory and practice to conservation conflicts can enable progressive solutions built on the durability of diverse relationships to ensure long-term conservation results. Using a systemic conflict transformation model to address biodiversity issues can provide new opportunities to address global conservation challenges and develop innovative solutions rooted in an ecological perspective and human well-being.