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Panama Case Study

Coastal Zone Management in Panama: Lessons Learned and Outlook for the Future

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Challenges in Tropical Coastal Zone Management

Abstract

Globally, efforts are being made to sustainably conserve and manage threatened ecosystems and the associated ecosystem services derived. However, evidence suggests that economic interests are increasingly being prioritized over the environment and the livelihoods of local resource-dependent communities. This review consists of four case studies from key coastal regions in Panama, exploring the successes and failures of different approaches to resource management and the impacts of management on the complex socio-ecological interactions between people and their environment. Primarily, we describe how communication and interaction between stakeholders are critical to effective coastal resource conservation. Panama provides an example of a complex sociological web attempting to balance a developing economy with the needs of a diverse and often marginalized population. While there is consensus surrounding the need for environmental management efforts, ineffective communication, community engagement, and knowledge exchange have severely impaired success. Overall, we highlight the importance of effective knowledge collection and exchange. For example, effectively utilizing the extensive historical and cultural heritage within the Panamanian indigenous societies would help to encourage stronger cooperation between policymakers and local communities. Fostering trust while simultaneously encouraging transparent and effective natural resource governance.

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Author notes

  1. Janina Seemann, Tania E. Romero, Arturo Dominici-Arosemena and Juan Maté contributed equally with all other contributors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Panama, Panama

    Janina Seemann, Tania E. Romero, Arturo Dominici-Arosemena, Juan Maté, Anabell J. Cornejo, Felix Rodriguez & Arcadio Castillo

  2. Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH, International Climate Initiative (IKI), Berlin, Germany

    Janina Seemann

  3. International Maritime University of Panama, Panama (UMIP), Panama, Panama

    Tania E. Romero & Arturo Dominici-Arosemena

  4. The School for Field Studies (SFS), Bocas del Toro, Panama

    Jessica M. Savage

  5. School for Cross Faculty Studies, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK

    Jessica M. Savage

  6. School for International Training (SIT), Panama, Panama

    Arcadio Castillo

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  1. Janina Seemann
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  4. Juan Maté
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  6. Jessica M. Savage
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  7. Felix Rodriguez
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung, Bremen, Germany

    Matthias Wolff

  2. Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Sebastian C.A. Ferse

  3. University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

    Hugh Govan

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Seemann, J. et al. (2023). Panama Case Study. In: Wolff, M., Ferse, S.C., Govan, H. (eds) Challenges in Tropical Coastal Zone Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17879-5_11

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