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Governance and the loss of biodiversity

Author

Listed:
  • R. J. Smith

    (University of Kent)

  • R. D. J. Muir

    (University of Kent)

  • M. J. Walpole

    (University of Kent)

  • A. Balmford

    (University of Cambridge)

  • N. Leader-Williams

    (University of Kent)

Abstract

Most of the world's biodiversity occurs within developing countries that require donor support to build their conservation capacity1. Unfortunately, some of these countries experience high levels of political corruption2, which may limit the success of conservation projects by reducing effective funding levels and distorting priorities3. We investigated whether changes in three well surveyed and widespread components of biodiversity were associated with national governance scores and other socio-economic measures. Here we show that governance scores were correlated with changes in total forest cover, but not with changes in natural forest cover. We found strong associations between governance scores and changes in the numbers of African elephants and black rhinoceroses, and these socio-economic factors explained observed patterns better than any others. Finally, we show that countries rich in species and identified as containing priority areas for conservation have lower governance scores than other nations. These results stress the need for conservationists to develop and implement policies that reduce the effects of political corruption and, in this regard, we question the universal applicability of an influential approach to conservation that seeks to ban international trade in endangered species.

Suggested Citation

  • R. J. Smith & R. D. J. Muir & M. J. Walpole & A. Balmford & N. Leader-Williams, 2003. "Governance and the loss of biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 426(6962), pages 67-70, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:426:y:2003:i:6962:d:10.1038_nature02025
    DOI: 10.1038/nature02025
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    Cited by:

    1. Brian Blankespoor & Susmita Dasgupta & David Wheeler, 2017. "Protected areas and deforestation: new results from high‐resolution panel data," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 41(1), pages 55-68, February.
    2. Pete Parker & Brijesh Thapa, 2011. "Distribution of benefits based on household participation roles in decentralized conservation within Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project, Nepal," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 879-899, October.
    3. Brendan Fisher & Stephen Polasky & Thomas Sterner, 2011. "Conservation and Human Welfare: Economic Analysis of Ecosystem Services," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 48(2), pages 151-159, February.
    4. Tim Swanson & Ben Groom, 2012. "Regulating global biodiversity: what is the problem?," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 28(1), pages 114-138, Spring.
    5. Stepping, Katharina M. K. & Banholzer, Lilli, 2017. "Autocratic angels? Democratic demons? The impact of regime type, state capacity and economic development on reaching environmental targets," IDOS Discussion Papers 26/2017, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    6. Dimitra Syrou & Iosif Botetzagias, 2022. "Stakeholders’ Perceptions Concerning Greek Protected Areas Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    7. Arthelo P. PALMA, 2016. "Truth Behind Economic Performance, Natural Resources and Attracting Foreign Direct Investment," Expert Journal of Economics, Sprint Investify, vol. 4(2), pages 68-77.
    8. Heid, Benedikt & Márquez-Ramos, Laura, 2023. "International environmental agreements and imperfect enforcement: Evidence from CITES," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    9. Jen Iris Allan & Graeme Auld & Timothy Cadman & Hayley Stevenson, 2022. "Comparative Fortunes of Ecosystem Services as an International Governance Concept," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 13(1), pages 62-75, February.
    10. Björn Frank, 2004. "Zehn Jahre empirische Korruptionsforschung," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 73(2), pages 184-199.
    11. Nadia Sitas & Heidi E. Prozesky & Karen J. Esler & Belinda Reyers, 2014. "Exploring the Gap between Ecosystem Service Research and Management in Development Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-23, June.
    12. Anne A. Gharaibeh & Tareq N. Aldela’a, 2023. "Understanding the Relationship Between Natural Habitat Loss and Urban Development in Irbid Governorate," RAIS Conference Proceedings 2022-2023 0295, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.
    13. Philipp Henschel & Lauren Coad & Cole Burton & Beatrice Chataigner & Andrew Dunn & David MacDonald & Yohanna Saidu & Luke T B Hunter, 2014. "The Lion in West Africa Is Critically Endangered," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, January.

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