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Ehlers Smith DA, Ehlers Smith YC, Davies-Mostert HT, Thompson LJ, Parker DM, de Villiers D, Ricketts D, Coverdale B, Roberts PJ, Kelly C, Macfadyen DN, Manqele NS, Power RJ, Downs CT. The impacts of a global pandemic on the efficacy and stability of contemporary wildlife conservation: South Africa as a case study. AMBIO 2023; 52:598-615. [PMID: 36583831 PMCID: PMC9802021 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01814-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Conservationists speculated on potential benefits to wildlife of lockdown restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic but voiced concern that restrictions impeded nature conservation. We assessed the effects of lockdown restrictions on biodiversity conservation in South Africa, a biodiverse country with economic inequality and reliance on wildlife resources. We solicited expert opinion using the IUCN's Threats Classification Scheme to structure a questionnaire and illustrated responses with individual case studies from government parastatal and non-governmental conservation organisations. The most highly reported threats were biological resource use, residential/commercial developments, invasive species, and human intrusions. The trends reported by 90 survey respondents were supported by case studies using environmental compliance data from parastatal conservation organisations. Lack of tourism revenue and funding were cited as hindrances to conservation. Mechanisms to prevent environmental degradation in the face of global emergencies must be implemented and 'ring-fenced' to ensure conservation is not a casualty during future global crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
- Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Queen Elizabeth Park, Peter Brown Drive, Montrose, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 South Africa
| | - Harriet T. Davies-Mostert
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, 1685 South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028 South Africa
- Conserve Global, London, W1G 8TB UK
| | - Lindy J. Thompson
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, 1685 South Africa
| | - Daniel M. Parker
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, 1200 South Africa
- Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6140 South Africa
| | - Deon de Villiers
- Compliance and Enforcement, Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Eastern Cape, Bisho, South Africa
| | - Dean Ricketts
- Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Eastern Cape, Bisho, South Africa
| | - Brent Coverdale
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
- Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Queen Elizabeth Park, Peter Brown Drive, Montrose, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 South Africa
| | - Peter J. Roberts
- Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6140 South Africa
- Wildlife ACT Fund Trust, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001 South Africa
| | | | - Duncan N. Macfadyen
- Department of Research and Conservation, Oppenheimer Generations, 6 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2139 South Africa
| | - Nomthandazo S. Manqele
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - R. John Power
- Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, North-West Provincial Government, NWDC Building, Mmabatho, 2750 South Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
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McCleery RA, Nhleko ZN, Arhens RM, Ferreira SM. The white rhino can again be a conservation success. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R A McCleery
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Ecology University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
- Mammal Research Institute Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
| | - Z N Nhleko
- Interdisciplinary Program in Ecology University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
- Savanna Node Scientific Services Skukuza South Africa
| | - R M Arhens
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
- Fisheries Research and Monitoring Division NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Honolulu Hawaii USA
| | - S M Ferreira
- Savanna Node Scientific Services Skukuza South Africa
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Wilgen BW, Strydom T, Simms C, Smit IPJ. Research, monitoring, and reflection as a guide to the management of complex ecosystems: The case of fire in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian W. Wilgen
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Tercia Strydom
- Scientific Services South African National Parks Skukuza South Africa
| | - Chenay Simms
- Scientific Services South African National Parks Skukuza South Africa
| | - Izak P. J. Smit
- Scientific Services South African National Parks Skukuza South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
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