Contrasting perceptions of farmers and tourists on wildlife – the complexity of human-wildlife conflict in Southern Africa

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Title:Main Title: Contrasting perceptions of farmers and tourists on wildlife – the complexity of human-wildlife conflict in Southern Africa
Descriptions:Abstract: The intensification of agriculture and conservation in rural Africa has brought smallholder farmers, their livestock, and wildlife into closer proximity to each other, increasing human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs). Coexistence landscapes aim for a dynamic balance where humans, livestock and wildlife co-adapt. Domestic and wild animals provide both ecosystem services (ESs) and ecosystem disservices (EDSs) to farmers. This study examined these EDSs and ESs, including their trade-offs, and classified species into ‘service provider’ groups based on their perceived roles. We conducted expert interviews with smallholder farmers and used Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components analysis to categorise species into four groups: ambivalent, dangerous, domestic, and irrelevant animals. Our findings reveal two dimensions of HWCs: crop raiding by ambivalent animals, mainly elephants, and livestock predation by carnivorous dangerous animals, primarily lions. These conflicts reflected the broader challenges between agricultural intensification and spatial expansion on the one hand, and wildlife conservation on the other, leading to consequences such as food insecurity for farmers and retaliatory actions against wildlife. Using linear regressions, we also found that elephants and lions, as key contributors to the HWCs, are highly desired by tourists. This reveals a mismatch in perceptions between the stakeholder groups of smallholder farmers and wildlife tourists. To achieve coexistence, it is essential to mitigate HWC risks and increase farmers' tolerance for EDSs. Enhancing the benefits of ESs and educating tourists about coexistence landscapes can help bridge the gap between conservation goals and local needs, promoting more sustainable wildlife tourism.
Other: Master thesis by Steffanie Mantik, submitted to University of Potsdam, supervised by Prof Anja Linstädter and Dr Liana Kindermann.
Responsible Party
Creators:Steffanie Mantik (Author), Anja Linstädter (Principal Investigator), Liana Kindermann (Point Of Contact)
Publisher:TRR228 Database (TRR228DB)
Publication Year:2025
Topic
TRR228 Topic:Ecology
Related Subproject:A1
Subjects:Keywords: Human-Environment Interactions, Wildlife, Tourism, Small-Scale Farming, Conflict, Agriculture, Social Ecological Transformation
Geogr. Information Topic:Biota
File Details
Filename:2025_Mantik_MasterThesis.pdf
Data Type:Text - Master Thesis
File Size:2.8 MB
Date:Available: 03.03.2025
Mime Type:application/pdf
Data Format:PDF (final)
Language:English
Status:Completed
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Download Permission:Free
General Access and Use Conditions:According to the TRR228DB data policy agreement.
Access Limitations:According to the TRR228DB data policy agreement.
Licence:[TRR228DB] Data policy agreement
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Specific Information - Report
Report Date:29th of November, 2024
Report Type:Master Thesis
Report City:Potsdam
Report Institution:University of Potsdam
Metadata Details
Metadata Creator:Liana Kindermann
Metadata Created:03.03.2025
Metadata Last Updated:03.03.2025
Subproject:A1
Funding Phase:2
Metadata Language:English
Metadata Version:V50
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