Journal Article

Warfare in Biodiversity Hotspots

PILGRIM, JOHN D., HANSON, THOR, DA FONSECA, GUSTAVO A. B., LAMOREUX, JOHN F., HOFFMANN, MICHAEL, BROOKS, THOMAS M., MACHLIS, GARY, MITTERMEIER, RUSSELL A., MITTERMEIER, CRISTINA G.

2009

Overview

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.

• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Inc,Wiley-Blackwell,Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subject: Africa, Eastern / Animal, plant and microbial ecology / Applied ecology / Armed Conflicts / Biodiversity / Biodiversity conservation / Biodiversity hot spots / biodiversity hotspots / Biological and medical sciences / conflict / conflicto / conservación de la biodiversidad / Conservation / Conservation biology / Conservation of Natural Resources / Conservation of Natural Resources - methods / Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife / ecología bélica / Environmental degradation / Environmental policy / Essays / Ethnic conflict / Exploitation / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / General aspects / guerra / Habitat conservation / habitat destruction / Habitat loss / Habitats / Human influences / Internal political conflict / issues and policy / methods / NGOs / Nongovernmental organizations / Organizations / Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking / Pero / Protected areas / Resource exploitation / sitios de importancia para la biodiversidad / violence / War / War conflict / Warfare / warfare ecology / Wildlife conservation / áreas protegidas