Community participation in protected-areas management: A systematic literature review based on the sustainable development goals

Community participation has emerged as a key mechanism for safeguarding ecosystems and improving livelihoods in protected areas. This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of the factors and research discourses shaping community participation in conservation initiatives through a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework and aligned with the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence standards. A total of 85 articles were examined through bibliometric analysis and 63 studies were analyzed thematically. Bibliometric mapping identified four primary domains economic, social, managerial, and policy factors while thematic analysis expanded this structure into seven interrelated dimensions: economic, social, policy, environmental, managerial-administrative, individual-demographic, and knowledge-awareness factors. The findings show that social dimensions play the most prominent role in fostering participation, whereas policy-related factors exert comparatively limited influence. Economic factors demonstrated the strongest contribution to SDG advancement, particularly because communities living in and around protected areas are often economically vulnerable and highly dependent on natural resources. These findings suggest that effective participatory conservation requires stronger social capital, equitable economic incentives, and transparent governance mechanisms. The study offers practical insights for policymakers and protected-area managers seeking to design more inclusive, context-sensitive, and SDG-aligned conservation strategies.