保護區與周邊社區在土地利用上彼此鑲嵌，其管理架構與發展策略亦相互影響；多年來保護區經營管理採集權排除取徑，近年來出現典範移轉的情形，強調區域思考、地景連結，且重視與在地社群的夥伴關係。本文從鄉村發展的觀點切入，探討美濃反水庫運動迄今的個案經驗，檢視鄉村社區對棲地保育機制的期待，及現行保育政策機制與鄉村發展的可能連結。藉由分析社區林業、自然保護區、國家自然公園、區域與都市計畫的等不同系統的可能與限制，反思臺灣行政區劃改制後的鄉村保育角色，及將保育政策融入鄉村發展的效用與可能性。鄉村發展除須整合生態、文化、生產的元素，尚須社會公平正義的思考，才能對抗忽略在地觀點的經濟發展與資源利用的國家政策。而與鄉村社區緊密連結的保護區系統，在經營管理上應秉持民眾權益優先的精神，整合在地發展與棲地保育，並兼顧在地社群生活、生計及文化的關心，以成就綿密連貫的永續發展網絡。

Involvement of surrounding communities in land use is one of the characteristics of the paradigm shift that has recently occurred in relation to protected areas in numerous countries. This investigation was based on local perspectives, and adopted literature review, participant observation, focus groups and interview, taking as a case study involving the rural movement in Mei-Nong, southern Taiwan, to protest the creation a reservoir in the 1990s, to discuss expectations of rural development in relation to habitat conservation. The counter-reservoir movement demonstrated the importance of considering social justice and equity other than ecology, individual livelihood and production in working landscapes in the countryside to resist the national policy of allowing industrial development to dominate water resources while ignoring local voices. Though the community forestry project initiated in 2002 can provide opportunities for empowerment and improve interaction between forestry agencies and local communities, it was too weak to link with relevant governmental agencies and develop conservation. Meanwhile, the designation of a protected area could effectively protect the natural environment and wildlife, and its classic centralized and science dominant approach left little room for local participation and linkages with local working landscapes. As local activists were keen to apply conservation initiatives to eliminate the threat to build the reservoir, this investigation suggested that conservationists should adopt alternative ways of thinking to first request more local support. Furthermore, several key elements can be considered, including regional thinking, linking with existing land use, primarily agriculture, encouraging development of tourism and recreation, and most important of all, promoting local and stakeholder participation.