| MPAs are a conservation strategy aimed at protecting coastal species and ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods of human populations. Co-management arrangements are touted as a relationship where the community is more likely to benefit. Social scientists are increasingly interested in determining social characteristics necessary for effective MPA co-management.; This dissertation argues that approaches to MPA evaluation must better address how users respond to the establishment of a MPA, when faced with a change in regulations over access to resources for the collective goal of conservation and the need to meet certain livelihood objectives. This research used a political ecology approach to understand user variability in terms of livelihood systems.; The work is based on the case of CPNP, Mexico. From February--October 2003, data on social dimensions (livelihood and well-being) and ecological dimensions (coral condition) were collected using a combination of techniques from the natural and social sciences, including interviews, observations, and reef monitoring.; The co-management arrangement never materialized at CPNP. Research here found that in spite of minimal government assistance, strong support for marine conservation and tourism, and self-organized involvement in resource management existed. The lack of official guidelines and universal participation, however, resulted in conflicting agendas, community tension, uncontrolled extra-local impacts, and quasi-protected reef and livelihood systems.; The resident community self-motivated to respond to the MPA by engagement in tourism-related ventures. Nearly all participants responded that their livelihoods have improved due to tourism. This dissertation shows that user's well-being and ability to respond varied by continued marine access, occupation, residence, kinship, and participation.; Nearly all users demand continued access to the marine resources, for employment, subsistence use, and recreation. As CPNP moves from a "paper park" to an operating co-managed MPA, short and long-term objectives of the community and government (i.e., tourism, land development) must be addressed to minimize trade-offs between reef and social well-being.; MPA evaluations should take into consideration user group variability among livelihood systems, and the factors (i.e., resource endowments, political power, and extra-local forces) that influence whether or not a livelihood is able to respond and adapt favorably to a change in marine tenure. |
