Warfare in Biodiversity Hotspots |
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| Authors: | THOR HANSON THOMAS M BROOKS†‡§ GUSTAVO A B DA FONSECA†† MICHAEL HOFFMANN‡‡§§ JOHN F LAMOREUX‡‡ GARY MACHLIS CRISTINA G MITTERMEIER††† RUSSELL A MITTERMEIER† JOHN D PILGRIM‡‡‡ |
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| Institution: | Human Ecosystems Study Group, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1133, U.S.A., email;Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202, U.S.A.;World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, The Philippines;School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart TAS 7001, Australia;Natural Resources, Global Environment Facility, 1818 H Street NW, G 6-602, Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.;Departamento de Zoología, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270, Brazil;IUCN/SSC –CI/CABS Biodiversity Assessment Unit, c/o Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202, U.S.A.;IUCN Species Programme, IUCN –International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland;Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, 210 Nagle Hall, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A.;International League of Conservation Photographers, c/o Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202, U.S.A.;BirdLife International in Indochina, N6/2 + 3, Lane 25, Lang Ha Street, Hanoi, Vietnam |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: Conservation efforts are only as sustainable as the social and political context within which they take place. The weakening or collapse of sociopolitical frameworks during wartime can lead to habitat destruction and the erosion of conservation policies, but in some cases, may also confer ecological benefits through altered settlement patterns and reduced resource exploitation. Over 90% of the major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred within countries containing biodiversity hotspots, and more than 80% took place directly within hotspot areas. Less than one-third of the 34 recognized hotspots escaped significant conflict during this period, and most suffered repeated episodes of violence. This pattern was remarkably consistent over these 5 decades. Evidence from the war-torn Eastern Afromontane hotspot suggests that biodiversity conservation is improved when international nongovernmental organizations support local protected area staff and remain engaged throughout the conflict. With biodiversity hotspots concentrated in politically volatile regions, the conservation community must maintain continuous involvement during periods of war, and biodiversity conservation should be incorporated into military, reconstruction, and humanitarian programs in the world's conflict zones. |
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| Keywords: | biodiversity conservation biodiversity hotspots conflict protected areas war warfare ecology |
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