Warfare in biodiversity hotspots

Issue Date

6-2009

Abstract

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. © 2009 Society for Conservation Biology.

Source or Periodical Title

Conservation Biology

ISSN

8888892

Volume

23

Issue

3

Page

578-587

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Biodiversity conservation, Biodiversity hotspots, Conflict, Protected areas, War, Warfare ecology

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01166.x

Digital Copy

yes

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