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

Globally, sacred groves represent a traditional form of community-based conservation, recognized as areas cultural and religious importance to local people. In some cases, the entire community guards against desecration of, or unauthorized access to, such sites, either by its members outsiders; in others, non-recognition customary rights is linked degradation. This paper uses case study three southwest Nigeria examine extent which perceived socio-economic religio-cultural benefits contribute biodiversity conservation with different scales governance. Using mixed methods approaches, we found that long-term preservation their depend on collaboration between: i.) institutions (community-based through system established norms prohibitions), ii.) formal government legislation management. The recognition national monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site has paved way for protection, increasing tourism, rewards values. We present peoples’ assessments offer suggestions improve engagement protect within Nigeria.