The sustainable-use debate : observations from IUCN

The Union of Peasant and Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi (UNORCAC) in Cotacachi, Ecuador, is restoring traditional agrobiodiversity and food systems through seed fairs, community seed banks, agroecological farming, and traditional knowledge transfer. Operating across four agroecological zones, over 45 grassroots groups—including women’s associations—are conserving native crops, strengthening food sovereignty, and revitalizing biocultural heritage. Challenges addressed include genetic erosion, land degradation, and malnutrition. Key results include the revitalization of chakra systems—traditional Indigenous farming plots integrating crops, animals, and medicinal plants—and value-added enterprises like Sumak Mikuy, which produces dried native fruits, and Sara Mama, which makes the ancestral maize-based drink Chicha de Jora. Women farmers lead intergenerational learning and community-based solutions for sustainable livelihoods.

In the Kyrgyz Republic, pastures cover about 89% of agricultural land, and livestock production is a key sector and main source of income for rural communities. Over the past 20 years, livestock numbers have increased significantly, placing growing pressure on pasture ecosystems and leading to declining productivity. Climate change, including more frequent droughts and shifting precipitation patterns, further exacerbates these challenges. In response, a pasture management model was developed based on improved data collection and alignment of sustainable livestock use with biodiversity conservation. The model combines participatory data collection, pasture carrying capacity assessments, integration of ecological corridors into pasture planning, introduction of ecological thresholds, and regular monitoring with adaptive management. This integrated approach reduces pressure on pastures, enhances climate resilience, and balances livestock production with wildlife and ecosystem sustainability.

In Masbate City, the Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary once faced severe degradation from dynamite fishing and destructive practices driven by poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities. To address this, the Local Government Unit organized former illegal fishers into SAMAPUSI Inc. in 2008 through continuous dialogue and community engagement. The initiative focused on transforming fishers into “Sea Guardians” through capacity building, eco-tourism livelihood support, and community-based coastal enforcement. Members became active protectors and managers of the sanctuary, shifting from resource exploiters to conservation partners. The effort resulted in significant ecological recovery, including improved fish biomass and increased coral cover from 27.5% in 2002 to 57.11% in 2016. Socio-economically, members gained stable income that helped support their families and send their children to college. The initiative demonstrates that empowering communities is vital to sustaining marine ecosystems and improving livelihoods. 

The Empowering Women through Enterprise for Conservation solution is a comprehensive, community-driven initiative designed to strengthen marine conservation efforts while improving local livelihoods on Omadal Island in Semporna. The project is rooted in the understanding that healthy marine ecosystems are essential for the well-being of coastal communities, yet these ecosystems face increasing threats from destructive practices such as fish bombing, turtle poaching, and pollution. 

A key challenge addressed by the solution is the limited participation of women in conservation and community decision-making, despite their significant roles in supporting household incomes and local economies. To bridge this gap, the initiative works through the Women’s Association of Omadal Island (WAPO), equipping women with skills in enterprise development, financial management, and organizational leadership. 

Through sustainable, conservation-linked enterprises, women can generate income while actively contributing to environmental stewardship

Prior to its designation as a Managed Resource Protected Area, El Nido was declared a Turtle Sanctuary in 1984, due to its vital role as a habitat for marine turtles to mate, nest, forage, and develop. All five marine turtle species found in the country have been recorded there, with three species, namely, green, hawksbill and olive ridley, nesting on its beaches. Despite this, these species remain threatened by rising sea levels, high temperatures, predation, poaching, fisheries interaction, and coastal development—all contributing to mortality without sustained intervention. In response, the El Nido Marine Turtle Conservation Network (ENMTCN) was created in 2017 to promote a collaborative, science-based approach for turtle conservation in El Nido. Since then, it has saved over 2,000 nests, released more than 150,000 hatchlings, rehabilitated 10 strandings, led a campaign against motorized vehicles in beaches, sustained 4 years of incubation temperature monitoring, and engaged thousands of locals and tourists. 

This solution applies a bottom-up, community-led approach to establishing MPAs by involving local communities in every stage of decision-making. In coastal areas where trust and support for MPAs are often limited, this approach ensures that protection measures are built with the community. 

The process includes ecological assessments, public consultations and hearings, presentation of the proposed area’s status and expected benefits, and gathering community opinions, concerns, and suggestions. If the proposed MPA does not sit well with the community, concerns are identified, openly discussed, and the proposal is refined or adjusted before proceeding. Communities are then further engaged through training in monitoring, leadership development, and participation as Bantay-Dagat or members of the management body.

This approach builds trust, encourages informed decisions, strengthens stewardship, improves compliance with regulations, and increases long-term community support for MPAs and other marine conservation initiatives