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Exploring Staffing Adequacy and External Workforce Contributions to Madagascar’s Protected Areas

Rakotoson Ep Rakotobe, Domoina J.
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1718-0645
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1668789688739871

Abstract Details

, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).
Protected Areas (PAs) guard critical habitats to protect flora and fauna and maintain ecosystem services that provide myriad benefits for human well-being. This study is the first to explore PA staffing, in particular the role of the external workforce, in the biodiversity-rich country of Madagascar, a nation that tripled its PA network in 2015. Taking a unique multi-level approach spanning governance systems, institutions, and sites, it leverages online surveys of 13 institutions and 44 PAs (covering 40% of Madagascar’s PAs), together with 39 face-to-face interviews with respondents representing six sites. Results reveal severe understaffing in Madagascar PAs, reaching a third of the global recommendation at just 26.8 staff per 1000 km2. Longer-established PAs enjoy higher staffing ratios than do newer PAs (established 2015 or later). Local community members comprise 94% of the PA external workforce, contributing up to 12.7 full-time staff per 1000 km2. In particular, community participants present a significant opportunity for expanding the pool of potential PA workers. Sustainably engaging with local participants will require equitable remuneration, recognition of effort, and greater empowerment in the workplace. Maturing human resource policies can build Madagascar’s PA resilience by addressing staffing issues in a cost-effective yet sustainable manner, by focusing on equity and healthy work relationships. As the world plans to protect 30% of lands and seas by 2030, the call for greater professionalization among conservation practitioners has never been more critical.
Nancy Stevens (Advisor)
Geoffrey Dabelko (Committee Member)
Geoffrey Buckley (Committee Member)
103 p.
Environmental Management; Environmental Studies; Natural Resource Management
protected areas; Madagascar; staffing; workforce; biodiversity conservation; 30 by 30

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rakotoson Ep Rakotobe, D. J. (2022). Exploring Staffing Adequacy and External Workforce Contributions to Madagascar’s Protected Areas [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1668789688739871

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rakotoson Ep Rakotobe, Domoina. Exploring Staffing Adequacy and External Workforce Contributions to Madagascar’s Protected Areas. 2022. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1668789688739871.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rakotoson Ep Rakotobe, Domoina. "Exploring Staffing Adequacy and External Workforce Contributions to Madagascar’s Protected Areas." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1668789688739871

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1668789688739871
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12