Effect of Protected Areas on Human Populations in the Context of Colombian Armed Conflict, 2005–2018

Roberto Rodríguez-Díaz, Víctor Javier Colino-Rabanal, Alejandra Gutierrez-López and María José Blanco-Villegas
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Roberto Rodríguez-Díaz: Section of Physical Anthropology, Department of Animal Biology, Parasitology, Ecology, Edaphology and Agronomic Chemistry, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37071 Salamanca, Spain
Víctor Javier Colino-Rabanal: Section of Zoology, Department of Animal Biology, Parasitology, Ecology, Edaphology and Agronomic Chemistry, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37071 Salamanca, Spain
Alejandra Gutierrez-López: Section of Physical Anthropology, Department of Animal Biology, Parasitology, Ecology, Edaphology and Agronomic Chemistry, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37071 Salamanca, Spain
María José Blanco-Villegas: Section of Physical Anthropology, Department of Animal Biology, Parasitology, Ecology, Edaphology and Agronomic Chemistry, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37071 Salamanca, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: It is widely recognised that conservation policies in protected areas must also favour the development and viability of human populations. Although much research has focused on economic consequences, understanding the real impact of conservation on local populations requires a more holistic standpoint. Using quasi-experimental matching methods and a diachronic perspective, the biodemographic and socio-economic effects of Colombia’s National Natural Parks (NNPs) were evaluated (all in a context of internal conflict and post-conflict). The analyses were made for the set of NNPs and then grouped into four natural regions (Andes, Caribbean, Amazon-Orinoquía and Pacific) and two conflict intensities. Differences were found mainly for NNPs with low-intensity conflict, but only for biodemographic variables, not for socio-economic ones. Starting from a situation of disadvantage, a relative improvement in the conditions of the NNP municipalities was observed throughout the 13-year period in relation to the control group. Results should be taken with caution due to the conflict situation, but the lack of correlation between biodemographic and socio-economic aspects highlights the need to include more complex approaches in protected area management policies.

Keywords: armed conflict; Colombia; conservation and development; fertility; human biodemography; infant mortality; local populations; population structure; protected areas; socio-economic effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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