A Mixed-Methods Framework for Evaluating Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Protected Areas
Forest conservation attracts substantial global investment, yet deforestation continues even within protected areas, raising critical concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of conservation efforts. A central challenge is to determine whether these interventions truly generate environmental and socio-economic benefits, and to estimate what would have occurred in their absence.
29 October 2026 | 14:15 CEST to 14:30 CEST | Lille, France
Abstract
This presentation introduces an integrated evaluation framework that combines Geospatial Impact Evaluation (GIE) with complementary data sources to rigorously assess conservation outcomes. GIE uses satellite imagery and geospatial datasets alongside causal inference methods to measure impacts on forest cover, fire incidence, and carbon emissions across space and time. These approaches enable robust, scalable analyses applicable to individual projects as well as entire portfolios.
However, environmental indicators alone are insufficient to capture the full picture. Conservation initiatives also affect local populations, whose livelihoods often depend on forest resources. To address these dimensions, geospatial analysis is complemented by household surveys, long-term rural observatories, and national statistical data. This mixed-methods approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of both ecological and socio-economic impacts.
The framework is illustrated through the BETSAKA project in Madagascar, a collaborative research initiative examining biodiversity–livelihood trade-offs in protected areas. By integrating spatial data, econometric methods, and field-based surveys, the project evaluates whether protected areas reduce deforestation and wildfires, how they influence rural livelihoods, and how governance and funding models shape their effectiveness. The project also emphasizes the production of locally grounded and openly accessible evidence.
Beyond methodology, the presentation highlights key enabling factors for effective evaluation, including open-access tools, practical implementation guidance, and investments in local research capacity. Training programs and collaborative research efforts are essential to ensure the sustainability and scalability of these approaches.
Finally, the presentation underscores the importance of linking evaluation to policy. Evidence must inform decision-making processes, enabling practitioners and policymakers to adapt strategies, improve resource allocation, and scale successful interventions.
Overall, this work demonstrates that combining geospatial technologies with rigorous evaluation methods and field data provides a powerful approach to improving the effectiveness, accountability, and equity of forest conservation efforts, ultimately delivering greater impact for both people and the planet.
Rationale and Objectives
Despite substantial global investment in forest conservation, deforestation continues raising concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of these interventions. A key challenge is generating robust evidence on their true environmental and socio-economic impacts.
This session presents an integrated evaluation framework combining Geospatial Impact Evaluation (GIE) with socio-economic data to assess impacts on forest cover, fires, carbon emissions, and local livelihoods. Using the BETSAKA project in Madagascar as a case study, it illustrates how mixed-methods approaches can inform conservation effectiveness, governance, and policy.
Objectives of the session:
- Present mixed evaluation tools to asses relevant biodiversity conservation questions
- Highlight the importance of open data and local research capacity
- Promote collaborative approaches for development project evaluations
Lille Grand Palais
Room 16
1 Bd des Cités Unies
59800 Lille, France