A Hybrid Model for Planning and Management of Conservation Areas in Nigeria

Abstract

The global greens and blues are integral components of conservation areas, with impact across all levels. Due to their importance, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) developed a framework for planning and management of such areas. However, the areas are continuously faced with several challenges, which necessitated researchers to call for a better and more innovative model. This study, therefore, aims to develop a hybrid model for the planning and management of conservation areas. The model is based on the theory of collaboration, the theory of motivation and the IUCN framework for protected area management. A quantitative approach of inquiry was adopted for this study, where a two-stage sampling technique was used in collecting data from 191 respondents across three conservation areas. Composite reliability and discriminant validity were all achieved. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the model. The model was assessed to determine the significance of the path of influence, the fitness of the model, the influence of collaboration and motivation in effective planning and management of conservation areas, and the coefficient of determination. Results of the study reveal that the model is fit with the data; collaboration is an influential factor in the planning and management of conservation areas, which severed as evidence for accepting the first hypothesis. However, motivation appears to be less influential in this study, which led to the rejection of the second hypothesis. The coefficient of determination obtained implies that the model can be adopted for the planning and management of conservation areas. The study further recommends replication of this study to compare the results and to incorporate additional indicators to measure motivation in the planning and management of conservation areas.