Drivers of Biodiversity Conservation in Sacred Groves: A Comparative Study of Three Sacred Groves in Southwest Nigeria.

A comparative study of three sacred groves in southwest Nigeria—Osun-Osogbo (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Idanre Hills (a Nigerian National Monument), and Igbo-Olodumare (a local cultural site)—reveals that the coexistence of customary institutions and formal governance arrangements enhances biodiversity conservation, socio-economic benefits, and religio-cultural significance. The research found that traditional norms, reinforced by government legislation, ensure compliance with conservation laws, particularly where traditional practices are weak or disregarded. This hybrid management approach, combining community-based conservation with formal oversight, provides a robust framework for the long-term preservation of sacred groves and their biodiversity. The study also highlights the growing potential of cultural tourism as an additional socioeconomic reward. Data were collected through mixed-methods, including semi-structured questionnaires (n=167), key informant interviews (n=2), and focus groups (n=7), involving local community members, traditional priests, devotees, and tourism officials.

Adeyanju, S., Bulkan, J., Onyekwelu, J., Peterson St-Laurent, G., Kozak, R., Sunderland, T., & Stimm, B. (2021). Drivers of Biodiversity Conservation in Sacred Groves: A Comparative Study of Three Sacred Groves in Southwest Nigeria. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202109.0001.v1