Synergizing a socio-ecological system: reflections on community-based natural resource management at the World Heritage Site of Mount Huangshan, China

A study on Mount Huangshan, China, reveals that community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) initiatives often fail to achieve conservation goals due to a lack of integration between socio-ecological systems. The research, conducted through mixed methods including questionnaires, interviews, and observations in Feicui village, highlights the complexity of CBNRM and its disconnect from the original intent of empowering communities for nature conservation. By analyzing system synergies, the study offers critical insights into why CBNRM efforts may fall short, providing a theoretical framework to guide future international debates on effective resource management strategies.

Li, J., Han, F., Chen, Z., & Cai, Y. (2022). Synergizing a socio-ecological system: reflections on community-based natural resource management at the World Heritage Site of Mount Huangshan, China. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 66(4), 861–881. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.2007060