Open AccessMammal and bird species ranges overlap with armed conflicts and associated conservation threats
Author(s) -
Mendiratta Uttara,
Osuri Anand M.,
Shetty Sarthak J.,
Harihar Abishek
Publication year - 2021
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.12815
Subject(s) - threatened species , mammal , wildlife , geography , habitat destruction , near threatened species , range (aeronautics) , wildlife conservation , iucn red list , habitat , ecology , endangered species , conservation status , population , biology , materials science , demography , sociology , composite material
Armed conflicts are a pervasive global threat, but their implications for wildlife conservation remain unclear. Using a 30‐year spatial dataset of armed conflicts in conjunction with species range maps, we found that conflicts during 1989–2018 occurred within at least 4291 (78%) and 9056 (85%) terrestrial mammal and bird species ranges, respectively. For 4% overall and 5–7% of threatened species, conflicts within ranges have been both widespread (≥50% of range) and frequent (≥15 years). Further, an examination of International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessments revealed that ranges overlap with armed conflicts is associated with declining population trends of threatened species and distinct species threat portfolios in which hunting and habitat loss and degradation are more prominent. Our findings call for greater recognition and understanding of direct and indirect threats from armed conflicts in species conservation assessments and underscore the importance of addressing conflict resiliency in conservation plans for a wide suite of species.