Examining the linkages between AIDS and biodiversity conservation in coastal Tanzania

This paper summarizes a field study on the linkages between AIDS and coastal biodiversity in eight coastal villages in the Bagamoyo and Pangani Districts in Tanzania. Summarizing the current literature, we suggest that there are three categories of direct impacts of AIDS on natural resources—accelerated rate of resources extraction, decreased availability of labor and management capacity, and loss of indigenous knowledge on coastal resource management and biodiversity conservation. Evidence of these types of detrimental impacts of AIDS on the natural environment is found in the coastal villages of Tanzania, but overall it is difficult to disentangle the impacts of AIDS on local resource use and biodiversity conservation from other factors driving change. However, this paper contributes to an understanding of the key factors critical in shaping the impact of AIDS on the natural environment in coastal areas—especially gender inequity and migration. Our conclusion is that reducing gender inequality and poverty, and improving livelihood opportunities are integral to mitigating the negative impacts of AIDS on natural resources.