Work

Exploring Human‐Wildlife Coexistence Through the Lens of Value Pluralism Among Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities ( IPLCs )

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: A nuanced understanding of human-wildlife coexistence (HW-coexistence) is necessary to develop effective conservation approaches that are socially just and culturally sensitive. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are central to such efforts, given their diverse perspectives and values regarding interacting with wildlife. This paper focuses on understanding how pluralistic values of IPLCs can inform more nuanced perspectives of human-wildlife coexistence. Through a critical interpretive synthesis (CIS), we showed how the value pluralism of IPLCs begets and enriches the complexities and dynamics of coexistence. We identified a range of values held by IPLCs, such as reciprocity, tolerance, trust, and acceptance, among others. Finally, we developed a conceptual framework grounded in value pluralism that portrays the fluid and overlapping positive, negative, and ambivalent relationships between IPLCs and wildlife. The framework can act as a conceptual tool in conservation decision-making to construct and implement inclusive and adaptable conservation strategies that acknowledge the inherent value pluralism within IPLCs interacting with wildlife.

Source: Ecology and Evolution

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.74507

Authors: Anuradhi Dulangi Jayasinghe, Georgette Leah Burns, Duan Biggs

Institutions: Griffith University, Northern Arizona University, Stellenbosch University, Arizona State University

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,570