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Plural values of nature in emerging biodiversity credit markets: a case study of local values in Zimbabwean reforestation sites

Fock, Hillevi LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Global biodiversity loss threatens ecological stability and human well-being. Biodiversity credits(biocredits) have emerged to address the funding gap for conservation, but may overlook local values and uses of nature, which are vital for sustaining cultural identities, livelihoods, and long-term stewardship of ecosystems. This thesis, grounded in the Plural Valuation of Nature framework, explores how communities in two sites selected for biocredit generation in Zimbabwe value their nature across instrumental, relational, and intrinsic dimensions. The results highlight that locals express a diverse set of values towards nature, such as spiritual ties and subsistence uses, which vary both between and within sites, reflecting distinct... (More)
Global biodiversity loss threatens ecological stability and human well-being. Biodiversity credits(biocredits) have emerged to address the funding gap for conservation, but may overlook local values and uses of nature, which are vital for sustaining cultural identities, livelihoods, and long-term stewardship of ecosystems. This thesis, grounded in the Plural Valuation of Nature framework, explores how communities in two sites selected for biocredit generation in Zimbabwe value their nature across instrumental, relational, and intrinsic dimensions. The results highlight that locals express a diverse set of values towards nature, such as spiritual ties and subsistence uses, which vary both between and within sites, reflecting distinct cultural, ecological, and historical contexts. However, current biocredit methodologies largely overlook these values, or mechanisms for including them. This raises concerns over whether biocredits can truly foster sustainable outcomes, or whether they risk reducing nature to tradable units, sidelining the diverse values that sustain human–nature relationships. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Fock, Hillevi LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Biodiversity Credits, Biodiversity, Conservation, Plural Values, Zimbabwe, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:039
language
English
id
9199952
date added to LUP
2025-06-17 08:52:34
date last changed
2025-06-18 09:01:35
@misc{9199952,
  abstract     = {{Global biodiversity loss threatens ecological stability and human well-being. Biodiversity credits(biocredits) have emerged to address the funding gap for conservation, but may overlook local values and uses of nature, which are vital for sustaining cultural identities, livelihoods, and long-term stewardship of ecosystems. This thesis, grounded in the Plural Valuation of Nature framework, explores how communities in two sites selected for biocredit generation in Zimbabwe value their nature across instrumental, relational, and intrinsic dimensions. The results highlight that locals express a diverse set of values towards nature, such as spiritual ties and subsistence uses, which vary both between and within sites, reflecting distinct cultural, ecological, and historical contexts. However, current biocredit methodologies largely overlook these values, or mechanisms for including them. This raises concerns over whether biocredits can truly foster sustainable outcomes, or whether they risk reducing nature to tradable units, sidelining the diverse values that sustain human–nature relationships.}},
  author       = {{Fock, Hillevi}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Plural values of nature in emerging biodiversity credit markets: a case study of local values in Zimbabwean reforestation sites}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}