Record Details
Biological diversity and third world development : a study of the transformation of an ecological concept into natural resource policy
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Biological diversity and third world development : a study of the transformation of an ecological concept into natural resource policy |
| Names |
Vincent, Robert Montgomery
(creator) Matzke, Gordon (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1991-03-12 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1991 |
| Abstract | This work examined the transformation of the concept of biodiversity into natural resource policies of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the World Bank through 1988. The study identified several groups as playing key roles in the transformation process. These were nongovernmental environmental organizations, the scientific community, and the U.S. Congress. As a framework for analysis, a Process Model is presented which depicts the process that transforms a scientific concept into natural resource policy. As a result of this research, modifications to the original Process Model are proposed. Though this study focuses on the scientific concept of biological diversity, it is suggested that the Process Model may be more broadly applied to other resource issues which follow the model's general steps of concept formulation, value identification, legislation development, and policy formulation. Several conclusions are reached from this study. One is that though there was little agreement about the concept of biodiversity within the scientific community, three broad themes evolved. These themes are ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity. Second, NGEO members did not adopt scientific concepts of biodiversity, but rather developed value positions with respect to biodiversity. These positions were presented to lawmakers the result being that biodiversity legislation was narrowly focused and did not fully reflect the three major diversity themes developed within the scientific community. Finally, policies developed by agencies responsible for implementing biodiversity legislation reflected Congressional intent and were equally narrowly focused. One consequence is that only selected major biodiversity themes are dealt with in agency policy, and this is reflected in agency funded programs to conserve biological diversity. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Topic | Biodiversity -- Developing countries |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/9109 |
