Projects
Conservation and tourism: The importance of local communities in the governance of protected areas KU Leuven
As global conservation concerns intersect with surging tourism interest in natural landscapes, the intricate interplay between preservation and visitor demands on protected areas comes into focus. This study delved into the complexities of harmonizing conservation and tourism in these regions, aiming to offer practical insights for sustainable coexistence. Its primary goal was to ensure both biodiversity preservation and socio-economic ...
Understanding human-wildlife interactions in contrasted protected areas - a novel methodological approach Hasselt University
Between conservation and extraction: Addressing socioecological dynamics of illicit economies and opportunities for rural development in Protected Areas of the Peruvian Amazon KU Leuven
This project analyses the linked socioecological dynamics of illicit economies and opportunities for rural development in Protected Areas of the Peruvian Amazon. Coca cultivation and illegal gold mining are growing drivers of deforestation in Protected Areas. However, research on their spatial dynamics, their interactions with local communities and the feasibility of alternative scenarios is scarce. Using a transdisciplinary Socioecological ...
Legal support for the designation of marine protected areas in the implementation of European and international legislation in the Belgian part of the North Sea Ghent University
- A thorough review of the existing Belgian (Flemish and federal) regulations regarding marine protected areas in the Belgian part of the North Sea. - Organization of a workshop to discuss the evaluation and proposal addressing the optimization function of the third branch. - Prepare the necessary proposals of federal regulations, or other conversion regelementaire texts, consisting of new regulations or the modification of existing ...
Environmental, human and animal health in Madagascar: from a One Health approach to the management of protected areas KU Leuven
The research is framed within the “One Health concept”, recognizing that human, animal and environmental health are interdependent. This research is oriented towards protected areas (PAs) and lemurs (endemic species threatened by anthropogenic pressure) in Madagascar.
In Madagascar, human activities on the environment are gradually expanding (e.g. slash-and-burn practices, rum/charcoal production, illegal mining activities, etc.). ...
Socially innovative territories in the face of neo-extractivism: (Re)inventing nature conservation and communitarian development in Latin American and Peruvian Private Protected Areas KU Leuven
The PhD research is part of an international collaborative project funded by VLIR-UOS (Belgium). This project seeks to trigger the sustainable development potential of rural areas with high poverty levels and under the social, economic and environmental threats of extractive industries in the Global South. It aims to stimulate sustainable rural development in the North of Peru through socially innovative and community-based conservation in ...
Mycology and development in the Great Lakes Region: a reasoned approach and ex situ production chains for edible fungi, an additional economic alternative to the exploitation of protected areas Meise Botanic Garden
A Rights-based Approach to conserve Protected Areas: A Comparison between the EU and China Ghent University
To realize respect for human rights in the conservation of protected areas, the research will analyze advantages and challenges of a right-based approach to consercation. Secondly, it will analyze legislation and court cases on three procedural human rights in protected areas conservation in the EU and China. Thirdly, mechanisms on how to implement a rights-based approach will be discussed.
Environmental, animal and human health in Madagascar: A One Health approach to protected area management KU Leuven
This project aims to investigate the negative feedback of anthropogenic factors to animal and human health in screening disease in lemurs and domestic animals, and to provide a better understanding for stakeholders and decision-makers, giving them more insight into how this is linked with actual Protected Area (PA) management in Madagascar. The specific objectives are: (i) To characterize microbiomes and to detect potential (re)emerging ...