| dc.description.abstract | In landscapes with a long history of traditional agricultural activity, some protected areas
are using heritage breeds of livestock to conserve disturbance-dependent habitats and
combat the loss of natural and agricultural biodiversity associated with the widespread
decline in traditional agriculture. This dissertation examines this phenomenon on a
broad scale through a global review, as well as on a regional scale through a case study
at Koli National Park in eastern Finland.
A review of protected areas around the world was conducted to understand the
ways in which protected areas and heritage breeds contribute to each other’s
conservation. Benefits were found in terms of the contribution of heritage breeds to the
management objectives of protected areas (such as controlling invasive vegetation,
maintaining disturbance-dependent habitats, enhancing biodiversity, reducing soil
erosion, creating habitat for wildlife, serving as tourism attractions and fostering good
relationships with local residents via incentive programs). Reciprocally, protected areas
contributed to the conservation of heritage breeds by increasing awareness of the breeds,
supporting incentive programs that encourage local farmers to raise heritage breeds, and
creating opportunities for niche-marketing. | en_US |
