Interface processes between protected and unprotected areas: A global review and ways forward

Land‐use changes and the expansion of protected areas (PAs) have amplified the interaction between protected and unprotected areas worldwide. In this context, ‘interface processes' (human–nature and cross‐boundary interactions inside and around PAs) have become central to issues around the cons...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Global change biology Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 1138 - 1154
Main Authors: Blanco, Julien, Bellón, Beatriz, Fabricius, Christo, O. Roque, Fabio, Pays, Olivier, Laurent, François, Fritz, Hervé, Renaud, Pierre‐Cyril
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2020
Wiley
Subjects:
Alliances
anthropogenic activities
Biodiversity
biodiversity conservation
buffer zones
Conservation
conservation areas
Conservation of Natural Resources
Ecological effects
Ecology
Ecosystem
Ecosystem services
environmental impact
Environmental studies
Geographical distribution
Geography
Governance
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Land use
land use change
landscape change
Literature reviews
Local communities
natural resource governance
people
protected area management
Protected areas
Scientific papers
Scientometrics
Spatial analysis
transition areas
Wildlife conservation
natural resource governance
biodiversity conservation
landscape change
transition areas
buffer zones
protected area management
ISSN:1354-1013, 1365-2486, 1365-2486
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Land‐use changes and the expansion of protected areas (PAs) have amplified the interaction between protected and unprotected areas worldwide. In this context, ‘interface processes' (human–nature and cross‐boundary interactions inside and around PAs) have become central to issues around the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This scientific literature review aimed to explore current knowledge and research gaps on interface processes regarding terrestrial PAs. At first, 3,515 references related to the topic were extracted through a standardized search on the Web of Science and analyzed with scientometric techniques. Next, a full‐text analysis was conducted on a sample of 240 research papers. A keyword analysis revealed a wide diversity of research topics, from ‘pure' ecology to sociopolitical research. We found a bias in the geographical distribution of research, with half the papers focusing on eight countries. Additionally, we found that the spatial extent of cross‐boundary interactions was rarely assessed, preventing any clear delimitation of PA interactive zones. In the 240 research papers we scanned, we identified 403 processes that were studied. The ecological effects of PAs were well documented and appeared to be positive overall. In contrast, the effects of PAs on local communities were understudied and, according to the literature focusing on these, were very variable according to local contexts. Our findings highlight key research advances on interface processes, especially regarding the ecological outcomes of PAs, the influence of human activities on biodiversity, and PA governance issues. In contrast, main knowledge gaps concern the spatial extent of interactive zones, as well as the interactions between local people and conservation actions and how to promote synergies between them. While the review was limited to terrestrial PAs, its findings allow us to propose research priorities for tackling environmental and socioeconomic challenges in the face of a rapidly changing world. Interface processes encompass human–nature and cross‐boundary interactions inside and around protected areas (PAs) and play a key role on the ecological and socioeconomic outcomes of PAs. Through a standardized review, we found that literature on interface processes was dominated by biophysical approaches that emphasized the negative influence of humans on ecosystems and the ecological benefits of PAs, while social and social–ecological approaches were underrepresented. Further research should focus on assessing the multidirectional and multiscale interactions between people and PAs and delineating the spatial extent of the zones that interact with PAs, two key challenges for improving conservation in the Anthropocene.
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ISSN:1354-1013
1365-2486
1365-2486
DOI:10.1111/gcb.14865