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The Effectiveness of Interventions to Manage International Wildlife Trade

Ockerman, Siri, Cheng, Samantha H., Bicknell, Jake E., Robinson, Janine E. (2024) The Effectiveness of Interventions to Manage International Wildlife Trade. Conservation Science and Practice, . Article Number e13205. ISSN 2578-4854. (doi:10.1111/csp2.13205) (KAR id:106620)

Abstract

A range of interventions have been established to manage international wildlife trade and protect traded species, however there is little consensus as to whether, when, and how they are effective. Here, through a comprehensive, systematic review of >8,000 articles, we appraise the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions on conservation, biological, and/or socio-economic outcomes. Our review examined four intervention types: ‘laws and regulations’, ‘detection and enforcement’, ‘efforts to reduce threats to species’, and ‘support local livelihoods’. We find that while laws and regulations were most well-studied, with some reported positive outcomes, over half of articles reported unintended consequences including shifting exploitation and trade routes, increased illegal trade, and socio-economic trade-offs. Detection and enforcement efforts appeared effective in protecting target species but limited for high-value species especially when combined with low reproductive rates. Efforts to reduce threats to species (particularly through area protection) had positive biological impacts, but some socio-economic trade-offs were reported. Evidence on community-based approaches was limited but our review indicated positive synergies occurring between conservation and socio-economic outcomes. Overall, socio-economic outcomes were underrepresented, limiting understanding of potentially important socio-ecological feedbacks. This review furthers understanding of relevant conditions, risks and enabling factors around effectiveness of wildlife trade interventions.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/csp2.13205
Uncontrolled keywords: synergies, sustainable trade, meta‐analysis, livelihoods, CITES, conservation effectiveness, evidence review, tradeoffs
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Depositing User: Jake Bicknell
Date Deposited: 18 Jul 2024 14:06 UTC
Last Modified: 06 Sep 2024 14:39 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/106620 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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