Restructuring Legal Principles of Biodiversity Conservation to Respond to Ecosystem Degradation
Keywords:
Biodiversity conservation, environmental law, legal principles, protected areas, species protection, enforcement, indigenous rightsAbstract
This doctrinal legal research examines the role of law in biodiversity conservation by analyzing international conventions, national legislation, and enforcement mechanisms. The study reveals that legal instruments establish normative frameworks and protected areas, yet their influence remains constrained by weak enforcement, regulatory conflicts, limited resources, and corruption. Consequently, biodiversity loss continues despite the proliferation of conservation laws. To address these deficiencies, this research formulates a set of responsive legal principles, including precaution, sustainability, intergenerational equity, proportionality, ecosystem-based approach, public participation, recognition of indigenous rights, fair benefit-sharing, accountability, cross-sectoral integration, and ecological restoration. These principles provide a coherent normative foundation for adapting conservation policies to dynamic ecological conditions and socioeconomic pressures. The proposed framework shifts conservation law from a static, reactive model toward a dynamic, adaptive system that anticipates risks and involves all stakeholders. For policymakers, the findings offer concrete guidance for revising legislation and strengthening institutional capacity. For practitioners, the study provides evaluative criteria for enforcement practices and community engagement. This research contributes to legal scholarship by bridging the gap between normative prescriptions and implementation realities, and by demonstrating that effective conservation law requires not only good rules but also robust governance, political commitment, and active public participation. Without these supporting factors, legal principles remain symbolic declarations with limited transformative power.
References
Barlow, J., França, F., França, F., Gardner, T. A., Hicks, C. C., Lennox, G. D., Berenguer, E., Berenguer, E., Castello, L., Economo, E. P., & Ferreira, J. (2018). The Future of Hyperdiverse Tropical Ecosystems. Nature, 559(7715), 517–526. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41586-018-0301-1
Bowman, M., Davies, P., & Redgwell, C. (2010). Lyster's International Wildlife Law (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Cavender‐Bares, J., Heffernan, J. B., King, E. G., Polasky, S., Balvanera, P., Clark, W. C., & Pascual, U. (2024). Sustainability and Biodiversity. 792–807. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-822562-2.00139-0
Chynoweth, P. (2008). Legal Research in the Built Environment: A Methodological Framework. Proceedings of the 4th Scottish Conference for Postgraduate Researchers of the Built and Natural Environment, 29-45.
Cooper, M. E. (2021). Wildlife Conservation Law. 101–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64682-0_5
Craik, N., & Craik, N. (2017). Biodiversity-Inclusive Impact Assessment. Social Science Research Network, 431–444. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781783474257.III.31
Darmawan, D. (2022). Environmental Accountability through Business Ethics, Responsibility, Morals and Legal Obligations. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 1(2), 1–6. https://inti.ejournalmeta.com/index.php/inti/article/view/9
Dyke, F. V., & Lamb, R. L. (2020). Conservation Through Ecosystem Management. 359–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39534-6_9
Essen, M. von, Lambin, E. F., & Lambin, E. F. (2021). Jurisdictional Approaches to Sustainable Resource Use. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19(3), 159–167. https://doi.org/10.1002/FEE.2299
Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A Typology of Reviews: An Analysis of 14 Review Types and Associated Methodologies. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 26(2), 91-108.
Herisasono, A., Hardyansah, R., Nuraini, R., & Vitrianingsih, Y. (2021). Improving the Effectiveness of Legal Instruments in Addressing Environmental Pollution to Protect Public Health. Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(1), 245-250. https://jos3journals.id/index.php/jos3/article/view/107
Hutchinson, T., & Duncan, N. (2012). Defining and Describing What We Do: Doctrinal Legal Research. Deakin Law Review, 17(1), 83-119.
Issalillah, F., & Mardikaningsih, R. (2022). Environmental Justice and Health Burdens in Marginalized Communities Near Waste Sites. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 2(1), 145-168. https://sisijournals.id/index.php/sisi/article/view/95
Kurniawan, L. R., Rachman Putra, A., Mardikaningsih, R., Sulani, S., & Gautama, E. C. (2024). Reformulation of Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Dispute Resolution. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 4(1), 51-70. https://sisijournals.id/index.php/sisi/article/view/47
Mardikaningsih, R., & Hariani, M. (2021). Realizing Sustainability in Public Policy: Building a Balance between Economy, Social, and Environment. Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(1), 191-196. https://jos3journals.id/index.php/jos3/article/view/98
Masnawati, E., Hariani, M., Mardikaningsih, R., Noviyanti, D. V., Safitri, S. M., Alfiyani HD, A., & Saniatur, A. (2023). Environmental Education Strategies in Islamic Education to Create an Ecologically Minded Generation. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 2(1), 39–48. https://inti.ejournalmeta.com/index.php/inti/article/view/53
McConnell, F. (2019). The Convention on Biological Diversity. 47–54. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429197383-5
McConville, M., & Chui, W. H. (Eds.). (2007). Research Methods for Law. Edinburgh University Press.
McDonald, J., McCormack, P. C., Dunlop, M., Farrier, D., Feehely, J., Gilfedder, L., Hobday, A. J., Hobday, A. J., & Reside, A. E. (2019). Adaptation Pathways for Conservation Law and Policy. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 10(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/WCC.555
Nasution, J., Susilo, F., Ginting, N., Chandra, R. H., Nasution, J., SUSILO, F., Ginting, N., & Chandra, R. H. (2022). Biodiversity Review from Evolution and Its Influences on Climate. JBIO (Jurnal Biosains): The Journal of Biosciences, 8(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.24114/jbio.v8i1.33011
Nuraini, R., Handayani, S., Wisnujati, N. S., Darmawan, D., & Kurniawan, Y. (2021). Environmental Management and Law Enforcement. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 1(1), 65-76. https://sisijournals.id/index.php/sisi/article/view/6
Otero, I., Otero, I., Farrell, K. N., Farrell, K. N., Pueyo, S., Kallis, G., Kehoe, L., Haberl, H., Haberl, H., Plutzar, C., & Plutzar, C. (2020). Biodiversity Policy Beyond Economic Growth. Conservation Letters, 13(4), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/CONL.12713
Prip, C. (2017). The Convention on Biological Diversity as a Legal Framework for Safeguarding Ecosystem Services. Ecosystem Services, 29, 199–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOSER.2017.02.015
Priyadarshini, P., Bundela, A. K., Gasparatos, A., Stringer, L. C., Dhyani, S., Dasgupta, R., Reddy, C. S., Baral, H., Muradian, R., Karki, M., & Abhilash, P. C. (2022). Advancing Global Biodiversity Governance: Recommendations for Strengthening the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Anthropocene Science, 1(1), 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44177-022-00013-5
Rahmawati, F., Mardikaningsih, R., & Issalillah, F. (2023). Environmental Violation Recidivism in Industrial Estates Under Organizational Compliance Frameworks. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 3(2), 247-276. https://sisijournals.id/index.php/sisi/article/view/136
Ramle, N. L. B., Mardikaningsih, R., & Halizah, S. N. (2022). The Importance of Local Communities in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management for Ecosystem and Economic Sustainability. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 1(1), 38–43. https://inti.ejournalmeta.com/index.php/inti/article/view/78
Riyadi, A., & Setiono, J. (2023). Legal Protection of Biological Resources and Its Ecosystems in Indonesia. International Journal of Law and Politics Studies, 5(1), 77-85. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4176590
Sands, P., & Peel, J. (2012). Principles of International Environmental Law (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Santoso, B., Mujito, M., & Herisasono, A. (2024). Legal Liability of Mining Companies for Illness and Environmental Remediation Obligations to Local Communities. Journal of Social Science Studies, 4(2), 169-182. https://jos3journals.id/index.php/jos3/article/view/365
Sapignoli, M., & Hitchcock, R. K. (2023). Biodiversity Conservation, Protected Areas, and Indigenous Peoples. SpringerBriefs in Anthropology, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-39268-9_1
Sharkey, W., Milner-Gulland, E., Sinovas, P., & Keane, A. (2024). A Framework for Understanding the Contributions of Local Residents to Protected Area Law Enforcement. Oryx, 58(6), 746-758. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605323001758
Smith, T. W., Beagley, L., Bull, J. W., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Smith, M., Vorhies, F., & Addison, P. F. E. (2020). Biodiversity Means Business: Reframing Global Biodiversity Goals for the Private Sector. Conservation Letters, 13(1), e12690. https://doi.org/10.1111/CONL.12690
Widjaja, G. (2024). Law Enforcement Role in the Management of Sustainable Natural Resources. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(3), 388-398. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i3.3348
