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Socioeconomic factors predict population changes of large carnivores better than climate change or habitat loss

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Listed:
  • Thomas F. Johnson

    (University of Reading
    University of Sheffield)

  • Nick J. B. Isaac

    (UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)

  • Agustin Paviolo

    (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Bertoni 85, (N3370AIA)
    Bertoni 85, (N3370AIA))

  • Manuela González-Suárez

    (University of Reading)

Abstract

Land-use and climate change have been linked to changes in wildlife populations, but the role of socioeconomic factors in driving declines, and promoting population recoveries, remains relatively unexplored. Here, we evaluate potential drivers of population changes observed in 50 species of some of the world’s most charismatic and functionally important fauna—large mammalian carnivores. Our results reveal that human socioeconomic development is more associated with carnivore population declines than habitat loss or climate change. Rapid increases in socioeconomic development are linked to sharp population declines, but, importantly, once development slows, carnivore populations have the potential to recover. The context- and threshold-dependent links between human development and wildlife population health are challenges to the achievement of the UN Sustainable development goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas F. Johnson & Nick J. B. Isaac & Agustin Paviolo & Manuela González-Suárez, 2023. "Socioeconomic factors predict population changes of large carnivores better than climate change or habitat loss," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35665-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35665-9
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