Between restrictions and rewards: Understanding community perceptions of protected area governance and outcomes

Protected areas (PAs) play a critical role in conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functions, yet their effectiveness is closely associated with how local communities perceive conservation outcomes and governance practices. This study examined community perceptions of ecological benefits, conservation costs and PA benefits, and governance practices associated with the Magamba Nature Forest Reserve (MNFR), Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining household surveys (n = 379) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and Spearman rank-order correlation analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically to provide contextual interpretation. The findings indicate that communities generally recognized the ecological importance of MNFR, particularly its contributions to water conservation, climatic regulation, and forest protection. Perceived PA benefits were generally positive, although concerns remained regarding access to forest resources, agricultural land, and conservation-related restrictions. Governance perceptions varied across the assessed statements, with relatively greater agreement regarding community participation and access to information, while perceptions of equity in the sharing of conservation costs and benefits were comparatively lower. Significant variation in governance perceptions was observed among villages, particularly between Irente and Lukozi, while socio-demographic factors including gender, age, education, and marital status were significantly associated with selected perception domains. Significant associations were also observed among governance perceptions, ecological benefits, conservation costs, and PA benefits, with more positive governance perceptions associated with more favourable perceptions of PA benefits and lower perceptions of conservation restrictions. The study demonstrates that community perceptions of PA outcomes are interconnected and closely associated with governance experiences. These findings highlight the importance of transparent governance, meaningful community participation, and equitable benefit-sharing in supporting constructive community–PA relationships and sustainable PA management.