Dataset: Community perceptions of conservation governance and socio-political dynamics in Limpopo National Park, Mozambique (2023)

Project Overview: This dataset contains the primary data collected between August and September 2023 in the Limpopo National Park (LNP), Mozambique. The research investigates the interplay between global conservation mandates and local human realities, focusing on stakeholder exclusion and the socio-political dimensions of biodiversity management. Data Collection & Methodology: The data were gathered through a mixed-methods approach involving 348 household surveys (based on Rea & Parker’s sampling equation for a population of 1,316 households) and 7 semi-structured interviews with key informants. The household surveys were conducted across six villages: Mavondze (N=720; n=85) Machamba (N=100; n=49) Madingane (N=196; n=65) Machaule (N=131; n=56) Macavene-Tihovene (N=52; n=37) Bingo-Chitarre (N=117; n=56) Variables Included: The dataset (Excel format) includes: Sociodemographic information: Age groups, gender of household head, and village location. Perception Scales: Likert-scale responses regarding natural resource conservation, community involvement in management, and the functionality of natural resource management committees. Qualitative Summaries: Insights from key informants (including community leaders, park administrators, and district officers). Anonymisation & Ethics: All data have been fully anonymised to protect the identity of respondents. Personal identifiers have been removed, and key informant roles are referenced by position only. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Keywords: Limpopo National Park; Mozambique; Community Conservation; Socio-political Analysis; Protected Area Management; Relational Thinking.