Reconciling livestock production and wild herbivore conservation: challenges and opportunities

Citation

Pozo RA, Cusack JJ, Acebes P, Malo JE, Traba J, Iranzo EC, Morris-Trainor Z, Minderman J, Bunnefeld N, Radic-Schilling S, Moraga CA, Arriagada R & Corti P (2021) Reconciling livestock production and wild herbivore conservation: challenges and opportunities. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 36 (8), pp. 750-761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2021.05.002

Abstract
Increasing food security and preventing further loss of biodiversity are two of humanity’s most pressing challenges. Yet, efforts to address these challenges often lead to situations of conflict between the interests of agricultural production and those of biodiversity conservation. Here, we focus on conflicts between livestock production and the conservation of wild herbivores, which have received little attention in the scientific literature. We identify four key socio-ecological challenges underlying such conflicts, which we illustrate using a range of case studies. We argue that addressing these challenges will require the implementation of co-management approaches that promote the participation of relevant stakeholders in processes of ecological monitoring, impact assessment, decision-making, and active knowledge sharing.

Keywords
food security; livestock husbandry; conflict; coexistence; co-management

Journal
Trends in Ecology and Evolution: Volume 36, Issue 8

People

Professor Nils Bunnefeld

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences