Section 4 Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
Transboundary conservation is an essential part of meeting the goals of ecological regionalism. Since natural systems transcend political borders, management approaches must also aspire to transcend physical and cognitive barriers. However, a pragmatic approach to transboundary conservation requires a precautionary approach to address local grievances and it is important to have an adaptive framework for operations. International agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity have within their programs of work a commitment to transboundary conservation. ITTO’s initiatives have tried to follow such mandates with alacrity and continue to seek further opportunities for improvement. Considering the inertia within international systems, particularly in sensitive border regions, these projects reveal the rewards and the ongoing struggles in gaining legitimacy for global transboundary conservation.
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