IUCN SSC Caprinae Specialist Group evaluated community based conservation efforts in Golestan National Park, Iran
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Caprinae Specialist Group (CSG) evaluated the effects of inclusion of local people in the conservation of Golestan National Park, Iran. Community based conservation is identified as a key strategy leading to positive ecological outcomes.
Designated a National Park in the early 1970s, Golestan is also a Biosphere Reserve since 1976 and has been recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area. Golestan National Park is situated at the eastern end of the Alborz Mountains. This is the oldest protected area of Iran and is home to six ungulate species, including two Caprinae: Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus) and the Urial (Ovis vignei).
In recent decades, Golestan National Park has suffered from illegal activities, being poaching one of the main threats, affecting the Urial population and resulting in its listing as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM and included in CITES Appendix I.
Community based conservation as key strategy
Noting that community based conservation has become a vital strategy for safeguarding wildlife and their habitats, the IUCN SSC Caprinae Specialist Group (CSG) evaluated the effects of inclusion of local people in the conservation of Golestan National Park. This study was developed aligned to the ACT component "convene and mobilise conservation actions to improve the status of biodiversity” of the IUCN Species Strategic Plan.
The establishment of the park steering council, functioning as a supervisory body with local community representation, was identified as a key community based conservation strategy that fostered a sense of ownership among locals, enhancing monitoring and enforcement, leading to positive ecological outcomes.
Key Species Results of a Success Story
The study results demonstrated reduction in fires and poaching and increases in the populations of the Urial and the Wild Goat, contributing to two Key Species Results (KSR) under the ACT component of the Species Conservation Cycle: KSR 10 - enhance biodiversity conservation action through implementation of effective, collaborative and practical approaches; and KSR 11 - catalyse sustainable use practices to improve governance for people and nature.
CSG researchers demonstrate the potential of community based conservation but emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and addressing local community needs for long-term success, as some other threats were identified.
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SSC DATA Conservation Success Stories
Insights for this web article are part of the conservation success stories identified by the SSC DATA Unit. The Conservation Success Stories initiative aims to highlight and celebrate the work of the SSC Network on behalf of species, by publishing a selection of success stories in connection to the targets formulated by SSC Groups under the ACT component. The complete set of Conservation Success Stories will be showcased as an SSC publication by the end of this year.
About the IUCN SSC Caprinae Specialist Group
The IUCN SSC Caprinae Specialist Group (CSG) is composed of a network of volunteer experts working on the ecology, behavior, taxonomy, conservation and management of wild Caprinae (wild sheep, goats, goats-antelopes, muskox and allies) from around the world. CSG aims to promote the conservation of Caprinae and their habitat, in balance with coexisting natural predators; promote research on all aspects of Caprinae biology, including the conservation of mountain ecosystems; and provide advice on the biology and conservation of Caprinae to governments, NGOs and researchers.
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References
https://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/site/factsheet/8097
http://iucncaprinaesg.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/3/6/113635717/cn_2023_final_rfs.pdf
