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Gallo-Cajiao E, Lieberman S, Dolšak N, Prakash A, Labonté R, Biggs D, Franklin C, Morrison TH, Viens AM, Fuller RA, Aguiar R, Fidelman P, Watson JEM, Aenishaenslin C, Wiktorowicz M. Global governance for pandemic prevention and the wildlife trade. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e336-e345. [PMID: 37019574 PMCID: PMC10069821 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00029-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Although ideas about preventive actions for pandemics have been advanced during the COVID-19 crisis, there has been little consideration for how they can be operationalised through governance structures within the context of the wildlife trade for human consumption. To date, pandemic governance has mostly focused on outbreak surveillance, containment, and response rather than on avoiding zoonotic spillovers in the first place. However, given the acceleration of globalisation, a paradigm shift towards prevention of zoonotic spillovers is warranted as containment of outbreaks becomes unfeasible. Here, we consider the current institutional landscape for pandemic prevention in light of ongoing negotiations of a so-called pandemic treaty and how prevention of zoonotic spillovers from the wildlife trade for human consumption could be incorporated. We argue that such an institutional arrangement should be explicit about zoonotic spillover prevention and focus on improving coordination across four policy domains, namely public health, biodiversity conservation, food security, and trade. We posit that this pandemic treaty should include four interacting goals in relation to prevention of zoonotic spillovers from the wildlife trade for human consumption: risk understanding, risk assessment, risk reduction, and enabling funding. Despite the need to keep political attention on addressing the current pandemic, society cannot afford to miss the opportunity of the current crisis to encourage institution building for preventing future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao
- School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | | | - Nives Dolšak
- School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aseem Prakash
- Center for Environmental Politics, Department of Political Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ronald Labonté
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Duan Biggs
- School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA; Resilient Conservation, Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia; Centre for Complex Systems in Transition, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | - Tiffany H Morrison
- School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - A M Viens
- School of Global Health and Global Strategy Lab, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Richard A Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Raphael Aguiar
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pedro Fidelman
- Centre for Policy Futures, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - James E M Watson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Cécile Aenishaenslin
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS Centre-Sud de l'Île de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Group on Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Mary Wiktorowicz
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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2
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Tedesco AM, López-Cubillos S, Chazdon R, Rhodes JR, Archibald CL, Pérez-Hämmerle KV, Brancalion PHS, Wilson KA, Oliveira M, Correa DF, Ota L, Morrison TH, Possingham HP, Mills M, Santos FC, Dean AJ. Beyond ecology: ecosystem restoration as a process for social-ecological transformation. Trends Ecol Evol 2023:S0169-5347(23)00036-8. [PMID: 36898928 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem restoration conventionally focuses on ecological targets. However, while ecological targets are crucial to mobilizing political, social, and financial capital, they do not encapsulate the need to: integrate social, economic, and ecological dimensions and systems approaches; reconcile global targets and local objectives; and measure the rate of progress toward multiple and synergistic goals. Restoration is better conceived as an inclusive social-ecological process that integrates diverse values, practices, knowledge, and restoration objectives across temporal and spatial scales and stakeholder groups. Taking a more process-based approach will ultimately enable greater social-ecological transformation, greater restoration effectiveness, and more long-lasting benefits to people and nature across time and place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anazélia M Tedesco
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Sofía López-Cubillos
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; International Institute for Sustainability Australia, Canberra, ACT, 2602, Australia
| | - Robin Chazdon
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Rhodes
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Carla L Archibald
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Melbourne, Burwood Campus, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Katharina-Victoria Pérez-Hämmerle
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Pedro H S Brancalion
- Department of Forest Sciences, 'Luiz de Queiroz' College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Kerrie A Wilson
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | | | - Diego F Correa
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Liz Ota
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Tiffany H Morrison
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Hugh P Possingham
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Morena Mills
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Angela J Dean
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
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3
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Gallo-Cajiao E, Dolšak N, Prakash A, Mundkur T, Harris PG, Mitchell RB, Davidson N, Hansen B, Woodworth BK, Fuller RA, Price M, Petkov N, Mauerhofer V, Morrison TH, Watson JEM, Chowdhury SU, Zöckler C, Widerberg O, Yong DL, Klich D, Smagol V, Piccolo J, Biggs D. Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation. Front Conserv Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2023.989019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals.
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Cumming GS, Adamska M, Barnes ML, Barnett J, Bellwood DR, Cinner JE, Cohen PJ, Donelson JM, Fabricius K, Grafton RQ, Grech A, Gurney GG, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Hoey AS, Hoogenboom MO, Lau J, Lovelock CE, Lowe R, Miller DJ, Morrison TH, Mumby PJ, Nakata M, Pandolfi JM, Peterson GD, Pratchett MS, Ravasi T, Riginos C, Rummer JL, Schaffelke B, Wernberg T, Wilson SK. Research priorities for the sustainability of coral-rich western Pacific seascapes. Reg Environ Change 2023; 23:66. [PMID: 37125023 PMCID: PMC10119535 DOI: 10.1007/s10113-023-02051-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nearly a billion people depend on tropical seascapes. The need to ensure sustainable use of these vital areas is recognised, as one of 17 policy commitments made by world leaders, in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 ('Life below Water') of the United Nations. SDG 14 seeks to secure marine sustainability by 2030. In a time of increasing social-ecological unpredictability and risk, scientists and policymakers working towards SDG 14 in the Asia-Pacific region need to know: (1) How are seascapes changing? (2) What can global society do about these changes? and (3) How can science and society together achieve sustainable seascape futures? Through a horizon scan, we identified nine emerging research priorities that clarify potential research contributions to marine sustainability in locations with high coral reef abundance. They include research on seascape geological and biological evolution and adaptation; elucidating drivers and mechanisms of change; understanding how seascape functions and services are produced, and how people depend on them; costs, benefits, and trade-offs to people in changing seascapes; improving seascape technologies and practices; learning to govern and manage seascapes for all; sustainable use, justice, and human well-being; bridging communities and epistemologies for innovative, equitable, and scale-crossing solutions; and informing resilient seascape futures through modelling and synthesis. Researchers can contribute to the sustainability of tropical seascapes by co-developing transdisciplinary understandings of people and ecosystems, emphasising the importance of equity and justice, and improving knowledge of key cross-scale and cross-level processes, feedbacks, and thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme S. Cumming
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Maja Adamska
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Michele L. Barnes
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Jon Barnett
- School of Geography, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David R. Bellwood
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Joshua E. Cinner
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | | | - Jennifer M. Donelson
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | | | - R. Quentin Grafton
- Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Alana Grech
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Georgina G. Gurney
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Andrew S. Hoey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Mia O. Hoogenboom
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Lau
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
- WorldFish, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Ryan Lowe
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - David J. Miller
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
- College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811 Australia
| | - Tiffany H. Morrison
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Peter J. Mumby
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Martin Nakata
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811 Australia
| | - John M. Pandolfi
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Garry D. Peterson
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Morgan S. Pratchett
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Timothy Ravasi
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-Son, Okinawa Japan
| | - Cynthia Riginos
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jodie L. Rummer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | | | - Thomas Wernberg
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, Floedevigen Research Station, Nis, Norway
| | - Shaun K. Wilson
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Western Australia Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Perth, Australia
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Hagger V, Worthington TA, Lovelock CE, Adame MF, Amano T, Brown BM, Friess DA, Landis E, Mumby PJ, Morrison TH, O’Brien KR, Wilson KA, Zganjar C, Saunders MI. Drivers of global mangrove loss and gain in social-ecological systems. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6373. [PMID: 36289201 PMCID: PMC9606261 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33962-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mangrove forests store high amounts of carbon, protect communities from storms, and support fisheries. Mangroves exist in complex social-ecological systems, hence identifying socioeconomic conditions associated with decreasing losses and increasing gains remains challenging albeit important. The impact of national governance and conservation policies on mangrove conservation at the landscape-scale has not been assessed to date, nor have the interactions with local economic pressures and biophysical drivers. Here, we assess the relationship between socioeconomic and biophysical variables and mangrove change across coastal geomorphic units worldwide from 1996 to 2016. Globally, we find that drivers of loss can also be drivers of gain, and that drivers have changed over 20 years. The association with economic growth appears to have reversed, shifting from negatively impacting mangroves in the first decade to enabling mangrove expansion in the second decade. Importantly, we find that community forestry is promoting mangrove expansion, whereas conversion to agriculture and aquaculture, often occurring in protected areas, results in high loss. Sustainable development, community forestry, and co-management of protected areas are promising strategies to reverse mangrove losses, increasing the capacity of mangroves to support human-livelihoods and combat climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Hagger
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Thomas A. Worthington
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ UK
| | - Catherine E. Lovelock
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Maria Fernanda Adame
- grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432Australian Rivers Institute, Centre for Marine and Coastal Research, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Tatsuya Amano
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Benjamin M. Brown
- grid.1043.60000 0001 2157 559XResearch Institute for Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT Australia
| | - Daniel A. Friess
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Emily Landis
- grid.422375.50000 0004 0591 6771The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA USA
| | - Peter J. Mumby
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Tiffany H. Morrison
- grid.1011.10000 0004 0474 1797Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD Australia
| | - Katherine R. O’Brien
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Kerrie A. Wilson
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Chris Zganjar
- grid.422375.50000 0004 0591 6771The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA USA
| | - Megan I. Saunders
- grid.1016.60000 0001 2173 2719Coasts and Ocean Research Program, Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, St Lucia, QLD Australia
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7
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Abstract
Parachute science is the practice whereby international scientists, typically from higher-income countries, conduct field studies in another country, typically of lower income, and then complete the research in their home country without any further effective communication and engagement with others from that nation. It creates dependency on external expertise, does not address local research needs, and hinders local research efforts. As global hotspots of marine biodiversity, lower-income nations in the tropics have for too long been the subject of inequitable and unfair research practices1. However, to date there has been little quantifiable evidence of this phenomenon in marine science. Here, we provide evidence through systematic literature searches and queries that parachute science practices are still widespread in marine research and make some recommendations to help change the current status quo. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paris V Stefanoudis
- University of Oxford, Zoology Research and Administration Building, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Begbroke Hill, Begbroke, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, UK.
| | - Wilfredo Y Licuanan
- Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center and Biology Department, De La Salle University, 1004 Manila, The Philippines
| | - Tiffany H Morrison
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Sheena Talma
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Begbroke Hill, Begbroke, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, UK; Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Victoria, Seychelles
| | | | - Lucy C Woodall
- University of Oxford, Zoology Research and Administration Building, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Begbroke Hill, Begbroke, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, UK
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Gallo-Cajiao E, Archibald C, Friedman R, Steven R, Fuller RA, Game ET, Morrison TH, Ritchie EG. Crowdfunding biodiversity conservation. Conserv Biol 2018; 32:1426-1435. [PMID: 29802734 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Raising funds is critical for conserving biodiversity and hence so is scrutinizing emerging financial mechanisms that may help achieve this goal. Anecdotal evidence indicates crowdfunding is being used to support activities needed for biodiversity conservation, yet its magnitude and allocation remain largely unknown. To help address this knowledge gap, we conducted a global analysis based on conservation-focused projects extracted from crowdfunding platforms. For each project, we determined the funds raised, date, country of implementation, proponent characteristics, activity type, biodiversity realm, and target taxa. We identified 72 relevant platforms and 577 conservation-focused projects that raised $4,790,634 since 2009. Although proponents were based in 38 countries, projects were delivered across 80 countries, indicating a potential mechanism of resource mobilization. Proponents were affiliated with nongovernmental organizations (35%) or universities (30%) or were freelancers (26%). Most projects were for research (40%), persuasion (31%), and on-the-ground actions (21%). Projects were more focused on species (57.7%) and terrestrial ecosystems (20.3%), and less focused on marine (8.8%) and freshwater ecosystems (3.6%). Projects focused on 208 species, including a disproportionate number of threatened birds and mammals. Crowdfunding for biodiversity conservation is a global phenomenon and there is potential for expansion, despite possible pitfalls (e.g., uncertainty about effectiveness). Opportunities to advance conservation through crowdfunding arise from its capacity to mobilize funds spatially and increase steadily over time, inclusion of overlooked species, adoption by multiple actors, and funding of activities beyond research. Our findings pave the way for further research on key questions, such as campaign success rates, effectiveness of conservation actions, and drivers of crowdfunding adoption. Even though crowdfunding capital raised has been modest relative to other conservation-finance mechanisms, its contribution goes beyond funding research and providing capital. Embraced with due care, crowdfunding could become an important financial mechanism for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Carla Archibald
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Rachel Friedman
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Rochelle Steven
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard A Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Edward T Game
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- The Nature Conservancy, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Tiffany H Morrison
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Euan G Ritchie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
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10
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Abstract
Biodiversity loss is a critical issue on the environmental agenda, with species-based approaches failing to stem the decline. Landscape-scale approaches offer promise, but require institutional change. This article describes a novel conceptual framework for assessing institutional arrangements to tackle this persistent problem. In doing so, two critical issues for biodiversity governance are addressed. The first is a need to enrich largely theoretical descriptions of adaptive governance by considering how the practical realities of institutional environments (e.g. public agencies) limit achievement of an adaptive governance ‘ideal’. The second is enabling explicit consideration of the unique aspects of biodiversity as a ‘policy problem’ in the analysis of institutional arrangements. The framework contributes to efforts to design more adaptive institutional arrangements, through supporting a more sophisticated and grounded institutional analysis incorporating insights from institutional theory, especially literature on organisational environments and public administration. Concepts from Pragmatism also contribute to this grounding, providing insight into how public agencies can play a more productive role in biodiversity conservation and building public consent for management actions. The diagnostic categories in the framework include the attributes of the biodiversity problem and the involved players; the political context; and practices contributing to both competence and capacity. Guidance on how to apply the framework and an example of its application in Australia illustrate the utility of this tool for institutional diagnosis and design. Development of this diagnostic framework could be further enhanced by empirically informed elaboration of the relationships between its components, and of the nature of, and factors influencing, key concerns for adaptation, particularly learning, self-organising and buffering.
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