This article provides a literature review on some of the social impacts that the establishment of protected areas around the world may have on human populations. Such effects may include displacement of local communities, disruption of traditional livelihoods, changes in governance structures or reinforcement of existing social divisions. Also explored are various perceptions of human-nature relationships and how those relationships may be different in societies throughout the world. As protected areas become more common, understanding the potential social impacts of conservation as well as how local populations perceive their relationship with nature will be important tools for conservationists. With a greater anthropological understanding of human society, conservationists can work more effectively with local populations to achieve successful conservation. There is a great need for collaboration among ecologists and social scientists in the design and management of protected areas.

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