Authors :
Peter B. Harris; Dr. Richard Wadsworth; Richardford Kpehe
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/23cmfvr7
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3haes5su
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jun151
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This study investigates the impact of conservation agreements (CAs) on rural livelihoods of rural communities
using the Wonegizi Protected Area (WPA) in Lofa County, Liberia as a case study. A semi-structured questionnaire was
administered to 238 respondents, to assess community attitudes towards conservation negotiations, the influence of CAs on
household income, farming practices, and community participation in conservation activities. Results indicate that most
respondents hold positive perceptions of the negotiation process, primarily when facilitated by NGOs, with farmers
showing more substantial support than non-farmers.
Keywords :
Conservation Agreements, Livelihoods, Protected Area, Sustainable Conservation.
References :
-
- Abdullah, M. (2021). The contribution of forests on food security and rural poverty: A current status in Johor. IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/756/1/012090
- Amadu, F., & Miller, D. (2024). Food security effects of forest sector participation in rural Liberia. Food Security, 16(5), 1099–1124. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-024-01468-7
- Ebeler, L. (2025). Local-scale impacts of mangrove restoration and conservation on coastal communities in two Vietnamese deltas: Socio-economic and institutional dynamics. doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107812
- EROS. (2023). The Deforestation of the Upper Guinean Forest. doi:https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros
- Force, M.-S. E. T. (2021). Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. https://test-d9.cms.int/sites/default/files/document/cms_etf6_Inf.4_better-utilisation-transparency-bird-data-collected-by-powerline-companies_e.pdf
- Gayflor, M. P. (2021). 2021 Impact of Conser Impact of Conservation Agr ation Agreements on Liv eements on Livelihoods and F elihoods and Forest Protection in Rural Liberia. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=11715&context=dissertations
- Hickling, J. (2025). The role of science and historiography in the development of transnational environmental law: A new history of the 1900 London Convention for the preservation of African wildlife. Transnational Environmental Law, 14(1), 171–197.
- Gjertsen, H. (2020). Conservation Agreements: Relational Contracts with Endogenous Monitoring. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Eduard-Niesten-2002966921
- Léonidas, N. (2023). Wonegizi Proposed Protected Area IMET ASSESSMENT 2023.
- Lemos, M. C., & Agrawal, A. (2006). Environmental governance. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 31(2006), 297–325.
- Liberia Forest Sector Project – Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF): Final Draft Report (Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) – Final Draft No. (2016). doi:SFG1820). https://doc
- Mitchell, R. (2023). International environmental agreements: A survey of their features, formation, and effects.
- Milne, S., & Niesten, E. (2009). Direct payments for biodiversity conservation in developing countries: Practical insights for design and implementation. Oryx, 43(4), 530–541.
- Mulbah, P. G. (2021). Impact of Conservation Agreements on Livelihoods and Forest Protection in Rural Liberia. .
- Nketia, S. K. (2016). Liberia Forest Sector Project – Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF): Final Draft Report (Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) – Final Draft No. SFG1820). https://doc.
- Seelarbokus, C. (2015). International Environmental Agreements (IEAs): An Integrated Perspective on the Concept of Effectiveness. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy.
- Sommer, J. M., Restivo, M., & Shandra, J. M. (2020). The United States, Bilateral Debt-for-Nature Swaps, and Forest Loss: A Cross-National Analysis. The Journal of Development Studies, 56(4), 748–764. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2018.1563683 UNDP. (2019). Conservation Agreements Signed with Concession Communities in Liberia to Protect the Forests. United Nations Development Programme
- (UNDP) Liberia. https://www.undp.org/foodsystems/blog/conservation-agreements-signed-concession-communities-liberia-protect-forests
This study investigates the impact of conservation agreements (CAs) on rural livelihoods of rural communities
using the Wonegizi Protected Area (WPA) in Lofa County, Liberia as a case study. A semi-structured questionnaire was
administered to 238 respondents, to assess community attitudes towards conservation negotiations, the influence of CAs on
household income, farming practices, and community participation in conservation activities. Results indicate that most
respondents hold positive perceptions of the negotiation process, primarily when facilitated by NGOs, with farmers
showing more substantial support than non-farmers.
Keywords :
Conservation Agreements, Livelihoods, Protected Area, Sustainable Conservation.