The impacts of a global pandemic on the efficacy and stability of contemporary wildlife conservation: South Africa as a case study.
Ambio
; 52(3): 598-615, 2023 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36583831
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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Conservation of Natural Resources
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Ambio
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
South Africa