Role of museums and botanical gardens in ecosystem services in developing countries: case study and outlook

Abstract

Unprecedented environmental challenges require new tools. Knowledge based on scientific research is critical for the creation of environmental awareness and education in order to bring about behavioural changes in society at large. Well-structured museums and botanical gardens in developing countries can play significant roles in research, education, and conservation even when governmental institutions are weak and underfunded. The paper offers a case study of the nascent Palestine Institute of Sustainability and Palestine Museum of Natural History with a botanical garden. The related SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis concludes that, despite some limitations and challenges, this is a successful model that should be replicated in other impoverished communities.

Keywords:

• Palestine
• environment
• ecosystem
• development

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to several departments at Bethlehem University (Finance, Human Resources, Biology, and Administration) and some local governmental agencies (especially Environmental Quality Authority) for their support. We thank that hundreds of local and international volunteers and donors without whom, this project could not have succeeded.