The unequal burden of human-wildlife conflict

Braczkowski，Alexander R.1,2,3; O’Bryan，Christopher J.4,5; Lessmann，Christian6,7; Rondinini，Carlo8; Crysell，Anna P.9; Gilbert，Sophie10,11; Stringer，Martin12; Gibson，Luke1; Biggs，Duan2,13,14

2023-12-01

10.1038/s42003-023-04493-y

Communications Biology   Impact Factor & Quartile

2399-3642

Human-wildlife conflict is one of the most pressing sustainable development challenges globally. This is particularly the case where ecologically and economically important wildlife impact the livelihoods of humans. Large carnivores are one such group and their co-occurrence with low-income rural communities often results in real or perceived livestock losses that place increased costs on already impoverished households. Here we show the disparities associated with the vulnerability to conflict arising from large carnivores on cattle (Bos taurus) globally. Across the distribution of 18 large carnivores, we find that the economic vulnerability to predation losses (as measured by impacts to annual per capita income) is between two and eight times higher for households in transitioning and developing economies when compared to developed ones. This potential burden is exacerbated further in developing economies because cattle keepers in these areas produce on average 31% less cattle meat per animal than in developed economies. In the lowest-income areas, our estimates suggest that the loss of a single cow or bull equates to nearly a year and a half of lost calories consumed by a child. Finally, our results show that 82% of carnivore range falls outside protected areas, and five threatened carnivores have over one third of their range located in the most economically sensitive conflict areas. This unequal burden of human-carnivore conflict sheds light on the importance of grappling with multiple and conflicting sustainable development goals: protecting life on land and eliminating poverty and hunger.

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics ; Science & Technology - Other Topics

Biology ; Multidisciplinary Sciences

WOS:000955679400005

NATURE PORTFOLIO

2-s2.0-85148790929

Scopus

1.School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,China
2.Resilient Conservation,Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security,Griffith University,Nathan,170 Kessels Rd,4111,Australia
3.School of Natural Resource Management,Nelson Mandela University,George,George Campus, Madiba Drive,6530,South Africa
4.School of Earth and Environmental Sciences,The University of Queensland,St Lucia,4067,Australia
5.Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science,University of Queensland,St Lucia,4067,Australia
6.Technische Universität Dresden,Dresden,01069,Germany
7.Ifo Institute & CESifo,Munich,Poschingerstr. 5,81679,Germany
8.Center for Global Wildlife Conservation,State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry,Syracuse,13210,United States
9.Department of Political Science,University of California Los Angeles,Los Angeles,Bunche Hall,4289,United States
10.Nature Capital Development,San Francisco,443 Fillmore Street 380-1418,94115,United States
11.Affiliate faculty,Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences,University of Idaho,Moscow,83843,United States
12.W.H. Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre Sustainable Minerals Institute,The University of Queensland,St Lucia,Level 4, Sir James Foots Building,4067,Australia
13.Olajos-Goslow Chair of Environmental Science and Policy,Northern Arizona University,Flagstaff,624 Knoles Dr,86011,United States
14.Centre for Complex Systems in Transition,School of Public Leadership,Stellenbosch University,Stellenbosch,19 Jonkershoek Rd, Mostertsdrift,7600,South Africa

Braczkowski，Alexander R.,O’Bryan，Christopher J.,Lessmann，Christian,et al. The unequal burden of human-wildlife conflict[J]. Communications Biology,2023,6(1).

Braczkowski，Alexander R..,O’Bryan，Christopher J..,Lessmann，Christian.,Rondinini，Carlo.,Crysell，Anna P..,...&Biggs，Duan.(2023).The unequal burden of human-wildlife conflict.Communications Biology,6(1).

Braczkowski，Alexander R.,et al."The unequal burden of human-wildlife conflict".Communications Biology 6.1(2023).