Open AccessArmed conflicts and wildlife decline: Challenges and recommendations for effective conservation policy in the Sahara‐Sahel
Author(s) -
Brito José Carlos,
Durant Sarah M.,
Pettorelli Nathalie,
Newby John,
Canney Susan,
Algadafi Walid,
Rabeil Thomas,
Crochet PierreAndré,
Pleguezuelos Juan Manuel,
Wacher Tim,
Smet Koen,
Gonçalves Duarte Vasconcelos,
da Silva Maria Joana Ferreira,
MartínezFreiría Fernando,
Abáigar Teresa,
Campos João Carlos,
Comizzoli Pierre,
Fahd Soumía,
Fellous Amina,
Garba Hamissou Halilou Malam,
Hamidou Dieng,
Harouna Abdoulaye,
Hatcha Mahamat Hassan,
Nagy Abdullah,
Silva Teresa Luísa,
Sow Andack Saad,
Vale Cândida Gomes,
Boratyński Zbyszek,
Rebelo Hugo,
Carvalho Sílvia B.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12446
Subject(s) - wildlife , threatened species , megafauna , biodiversity , geography , population growth , population , environmental resource management , wildlife conservation , climate change , environmental protection , environmental planning , ecology , natural resource economics , environmental science , economics , habitat , demography , archaeology , sociology , biology , pleistocene
Increasing conflicts and social insecurity are expected to accelerate biodiversity decline and escalate illegal wildlife killing. Sahara‐Sahel megafauna has experienced recent continuous decline due to unsustainable hunting pressure. Here, we provide the best available data on distribution and population trends of threatened, large vertebrates, to illustrate how escalating regional conflict (565% growth since 2011) is hastening population decline in areas that were formerly refugia for megafauna. Without conservation action, the unique and iconic biodiversity of Earth's largest desert will be forever lost. We recommend: (1) establishing strong commitments for change in global attitude toward nature; (2) engraining a culture of environmental responsibility among all stakeholders; (3) fostering environmental awareness to drive societal change; (4) reinforcing regional security and firearms control; and (5) implementing local research and wildlife monitoring schemes. We identify relevant international partners needed to tackle these challenges and to make strong policy change for biodiversity conservation and regional stability.