Contextual influences on protected area form and function in Quintana Roo, Mexico

This dissertation analyzes the recent creation of two National Marine Parks in Quintana-Roo, Mexico, and addresses two current debates in natural resource sociology: (1) measuring protected area success, and (2) the appropriate role of local participation in protected area management. I argue the debates are intertwined. I begin with the evolution of international dialogues on the objectives of protected areas from the ‘Yellowstone model’ to a ‘resurgent protectionist paradigm.’ The resurgent paradigm argues that more recent participatory approaches are failing, and that a return to authoritarian protection is necessary. I argue that this perceived failure is based on measures of success that are strictly ecological and which ignore important aspects of both social process and social context that are central to the determination of protected area form and function. A critical aspect of social context is the motivations powerful actors have for creating protected areas. I use a comparative case study approach to describe the motivations of actors involved in the creation of both the Puerto Morelos and the Xcalak National Marine Parks and analyze how historical, political, environmental, economic, and social contextual influences shape their motivations. I find that many actors did not prioritize biodiversity conservation, and I also predict that the success or failure of these protected areas (by any measure) will largely depend on socio-economic and political contextual influences, and the objectives of more powerful actors. While the extent to which the parks will be successful in conserving biodiversity is unclear, the participatory approach used in both cases has created foundations for future coastal management, where there had been little or no conservation effort in the past. More importantly, these foundations are considered legitimate by the actors involved, a critical element in a case (like that of Quintana Roo) where enforcement is minimal and compliance is critical. Given this analysis, measures of success that address aspects of social process and context are recommended.