| From its inception, the wilderness idea was closely related to the conservation movement, particularly in the United States of America. Although most of the current literature no longer embraces the wilderness approach to conservation, conservation is still based on a dualistic view of the world, and the integration of humans into reserves is still generally discouraged by elements of the conservation literature. This thesis shows that the integration of humans into protected areas sometimes can represent an important advantage for nature conservation, supporting the arguments of those who believe that integrating particular communities into protected areas can benefit nature conservation. Using the Uruguayan case study, I find evidence to suggest that the protected areas concept is less applicable to conservation needs in some countries, and that due to the persistence of a conservation discourse based on protected areas, the emergence of alternatives has been hindered. Local approaches, I argue, may be the only feasible ones in particular local situations. I explore the particularities of the Uruguayan conservation movement, local perceptions of nature and protected areas, and (1) conclude that, as currently structured, international approaches to conservation are unlikely to be successfully applied in the country; and (2) suggest examples of local conservation strategies that could be used to aid biodiversity conservation in the country. One of the local approaches suggested here is the inclusion of a small sized city inside the boundaries of the core area of a local Biosphere Reserve---in other words, the use of the concept of Urban Biosphere Reserves. Using the city of Castillos as a case study, I suggest that this approach can aid the conservation objectives of these areas by bringing the example of new conservation approaches to the city, therefore modifying attitudes towards nature, and building new and much needed alliances. The two key arguments that run parallel in this thesis---that of a need for a particular, unique approach to conservation in Uruguay, and that of the value of urban biosphere reserves---are coupled by the essential need for a non dualistic approach to conservation. |
