Autonomous conservation: A literature review of concepts, local practices, and their relevance in the tropics

Official conservation activities are absent in many tropical regions, but local people living in and around these areas nonetheless engage in practices that contribute to conservation objectives. These practices, when they arise endogenously, are referred to here as autonomous conservation. They are not well documented and their value and significance remain unclear and debated among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. We reviewed literature on autonomous conservation practices, combining keyword searches, snowballing, citation tracking, and references from scholars in our network. Eighteen cases of autonomous conservation in the tropics, representing marine (n=11), terrestrial (n=6), and combined systems (n=1) were identified for additional analysis. Our review identified three common themes linking long-standing local practices and conservation. The first theme emphasizes conservation as an outcome achieved through various practices, including those associated with spiritual beliefs and taboos. These practices restrain overharvesting, sustain resources, and protect places and species. Second, the overall effectiveness of these practices is influenced by the strength of social institutions, knowledge transfer mechanisms, and deterrence measures. They are grounded in norms, legitimacy, and respect that promote compliance, maintain social processes, and sustain practices over time. The third theme highlights the nuanced perspectives on conservation ethics within local communities. Some authors view conservation as embedded in local knowledge and practice, while others emphasize the importance of discerning a recognizable conservation motive when labeling these autonomous practices as ‘conservation’. As conservation policies and practices increasingly demand evidence-based approaches, understanding local practices and their relevance in conservation is crucial for more effective and inclusive conservation.