Population growth near protected areas threatens
the capacity of such areas for biodiversity conservation.
Protected areas may even encourage growth by providing
economic benefits that attract migrants. Consequently,
understanding the relationships between human demographics
and biodiversity is important for conservation.
We studied a community-governed Wildlife Management
Area bordering the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, set up
to benefit local people and the subsistence rural economy.
Annual population growth in this area is 5%. We used a
combination of ecological and socio-economic surveys to
determine the causes of this growth and its effect on wildlife
in the Wildlife Management Area. One-third of local people
interviewed were immigrants to the area. Population growth
appeared to be unrelated to the protected area; instead an
increasing proportion of immigrants cited readily available
land as their reason for moving. Pastoralism was associated
with fewer signs of large grazing mammals and elephants
Loxodonta africana and agriculture was associated with
fewer signs of elephant and buffalo Syncerus caffer but more
signs of other ungulates. Few residents were aware of the
Wildlife Management Area and few received any benefits
from wildlife and therefore had little reason to conserve it.
This situation is attributable to poor management of the
Wildlife Management Area. Detrimental effects of human
activity could spread to the Selous Game Reserve if
population growth continues. However, natural resources
could benefit residents if properly managed. Interactions
between human demographics and protected areas are
complex and may be best managed on a case-by-case basis