Community Participation and Governance in European Threatened Biosphere Reserves: Exploring the Influence of Social Movements on Conservation Policies

Recently, there has been a considerable attention in biosphere reserves in Europe due in part to the uprising in biodiversity loss, land use policy, changing migration pattern associated with competition for land resource ownership, habitat fragmentation and changing climate scenario with its attendant effect on landscape modifications in some of European ecosystem reserves. The central argument in this research is that from the moutainous Alps, to the temperate Scandinavian forest and the Mediterranean ecosystems, the outcome of social behavioural change among indigenous community dwellers has shifted from resource conservation towards resource consumption with little regards to sustainability principles. The wanton raping of virgin ecosystem had pushed environmental concerned groups and governmental institutions to initiate policies and programs that aimed to resuscitate the consciousness of individuals in the management of biodiversity. Urban greening and New land use policies are some of the strategies adopted in biosphere reserves protection. However, numerous emerging challenges are resurfacing particularly community engagement and stakeholders’ conflict. This study uses theoretical discourses to explore the role of social movement, effectiveness of institutional reform, perceived successes and future challenges in the management of Threatened Biosphere Reserves in Europe. The Theory of socio ecological change and participatory governance consolidated and foster clarification of the concept. It was revealed that socio-economic dynamics, institutional capacity and interest likewise disjointed coordination between stakeholders were the major hindrances affecting sustainable management of biosphere reserves and it was recommended that a more holistic approach be adopted that encourage participatory governance and meaningful community engagement.