Political Ecology of Conservation

This project takes a broad and critical look at:

• conservation sciences theory
• ecosystem services theory [1]
• cultural ecosystems services theory[2]
• the production of environmental knowledge
• science and expertise
• the emergence of “neoliberal science[3]” (Lave et al 2010)
• the policies and politics of conservation and control emerging as a result.

Footnote definitions:

[1] “Ecosystem Services are the aspects of ecosystems utilized (actively or passively) to produce human well-being. (Fisher, et al. 2009).”

[2] “The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (Sarukhán and Whyte 2005) defined cultural ecosystem services as “the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experiences”.

[3] (Lave et al 2010)