The Interdependence of Ecosystem and Community Viability: A Theoretical Framework to Guide Research and Application

The effectiveness of efforts that integrate ecosystem conservation and community development is the focus of debate. This disagreement stems from the different values and expectations people place on this integration. While some people put priority on ecosystem viability and use development as a means to enhance conservation, others put priority on community viability and consider conservation a means to that end. The absence of a common theoretical framework for ecosystem and community viability has made the design, monitoring, and evaluation of integrated projects difficult and has contributed to the current disagreement. In this article we propose a theoretical framework, which is based on the hypothesis that ecosystem conservation and community survival are interdependent and should be given equal emphasis if both are to benefit. By outlining specific factors that enhance ecosystem and community viability, the framework can aid the design and evaluation of integrated projects.