Efficacy of Conservation Policies in Small Island Developing States: How Indigenous Participation Influences Coastal Hazard Mitigation

Abstract

Purpose: This research investigates the efficacy of coastal conservation policies in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), specifically examining how Indigenous participation and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) influence the success of coastal hazard mitigation. As SIDS face existential threats from sea-level rise and intensified storm surges, the limitations of conventional “grey infrastructure” (seawalls) have become increasingly apparent, necessitating a shift toward Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

Methodology: Adopting a qualitative descriptive approach, the study conducts a comparative analysis across three primary SIDS regions, namely the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the AIS (Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea). The study synthesizes empirical data from national adaptation plans, biophysical outcomes of restoration projects, and ethnographic accounts of customary governance systems such as the Tabu (Fiji), Sasi (Indonesia), and Bul (Palau).

Findings: The results demonstrate a significant “Participation Dividend.” Indigenous-led mangrove and coral restoration projects consistently exhibit greater biophysical efficacy, with sapling survival rates 30–40% higher than those of state-led initiatives. This success is attributed to TEK’s hyper-local precision in identifying resilient micro-habitats. Furthermore, the study identifies that customary tenure systems provide a robust, low-cost enforcement mechanism—Social Capital—which reduces “Sovereignty Risk” and prevents the “coastal squeeze” often exacerbated by tourism-driven maladaptation.

Conclusion: The research concludes that the efficacy of conservation in SIDS is directly proportional to the formal delegation of authority to indigenous stewards. For coastal hazard mitigation to be sustainable, national policies must transition from technocratic, top-down mandates to “hybrid governance” models that integrate ancestral wisdom with modern climate science.