scholarly journals Illegal use of natural resources in federal protected areas of the Brazilian Amazon

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Érico E. Kauano ◽  
Jose M.C. Silva ◽  
Fernanda Michalski
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Illegal Activities

Background The Brazilian Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest regions and plays a key role in biodiversity conservation as well as climate adaptation and mitigation. The government has created a network of protected areas (PAs) to ensure long-term conservation of the region. However, despite the importance of and positive advances in the establishment of PAs, natural resource depletion in the Brazilian Amazon is pervasive. Methods We evaluated a total of 4,243 official law enforcement records generated between 2010 and 2015 to understand the geographical distribution of the illegal use of resources in federal PAs in the Brazilian Amazon. We classified illegal activities into ten categories and used generalized additive models (GAMs) to evaluate the relationship between illegal use of natural resources inside PAs with management type, age of PAs, population density, and accessibility. Results We found 27 types of illegal use of natural resources that were grouped into 10 categories of illegal activities. Most infractions were related to suppression and degradation of vegetation (37.40%), followed by illegal fishing (27.30%) and hunting activities (18.20%). The explanatory power of the GAMs was low for all categories of illegal activity, with a maximum explained variation of 41.2% for illegal activities as a whole, and a minimum of 14.6% for hunting activities. Discussion These findings demonstrate that even though PAs are fundamental for nature conservation in the Brazilian Amazon, the pressures and threats posed by human activities include a broad range of illegal uses of natural resources. Population density up to 50 km from a PA is a key variable, influencing illegal activities. These threats endanger long-term conservation and many efforts are still needed to maintain PAs that are large enough and sufficiently intact to maintain ecosystem functions and protect biodiversity.

Benefits and costs of illegal grazing and hunting in the Serengeti ecosystem

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 326-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. NYAHONGO ◽  
M.L. EAST ◽  
F.A. MTURI ◽  
H. HOFER
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Travel Costs ◽  
Serengeti Ecosystem ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Herbivore Density ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Two forms of natural resource use (meat hunting and livestock grazing) were investigated at three sites in the western region of the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. Statutory management of natural resources in this region was designated as National Park, Game Reserve or village council. A quasi-experimental design examined factors likely to alter the cost and benefit of illegal use by ranking areas within sites in relation to these factors. Factors likely to alter costs were the chance of arrest, determined by the presence or absence of guard posts, and the distance travelled to the site of exploitation. As all sites experienced large fluctuations in the density of migratory herbivores, it was assumed that the benefit acquired from hunting increased with wild herbivore density. Marked seasonal changes in precipitation were considered likely to alter the value of forage and water to livestock owners. Hunting effort (density of snares) increased as the density of wild herbivores increased. The distribution of hunting effort across sites was more consistent with the prediction that high travel costs were more likely to curtail hunting than a high potential cost of arrest. Unlike hunters, livestock owners mostly avoided the use of resources in protected areas probably because of the high potential cost of arrest and confiscation of stock. Natural resources within protected areas were exploited when benefits outweighed likely costs.

scholarly journals Population dynamics and threats to an apex predator outside protected areas: implications for carnivore management

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 161090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samual T. Williams ◽  
Kathryn S. Williams ◽  
Bradley P. Lewis ◽  
Russell A. Hill
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Carnivore Conservation ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Trophy Hunting ◽  
Human Wildlife Conflict

Data on the population dynamics and threats to large carnivores are vital to conservation efforts, but these are hampered by a paucity of studies. For some species, such as the leopard ( Panthera pardus ), there is such uncertainty in population trends that leopard trophy hunting has been banned in South Africa since 2016 while further data on leopard abundance are collected. We present one of the first assessments of leopard population dynamics, and identify the key threats to a population of leopards outside of protected areas in South Africa. We conducted a long-term trap survey between 2012 and 2016 in the Soutpansberg Mountains, and drew on a previous estimate of leopard population density for the region from 2008. In 24 sampling periods, we estimated the population density and assessed population structure. We fitted eight leopards with GPS collars to assess threats to the population. Leopard population density declined by 66%, from 10.73 to 3.65 leopards per 100 km 2 in 2008 and 2016, respectively. Collared leopards had a high mortality rate, which appeared to be due to illegal human activity. While improving the management of trophy hunting is important, we suggest that mitigating human–wildlife conflict could have a bigger impact on carnivore conservation.

scholarly journals Evaluation of long-term law enforcement monitoring in a West African protected area

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jerry Owusu Afriyie ◽  
Michael O. Asare ◽  
Jones Osei-Mensah ◽  
Pavla Hejcmanová
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
West African ◽  
External Support ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Patrol Officers ◽  
Staff Performance ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Illegal Activities

Abstract Law enforcement in protected areas is critical for ensuring long-term conservation and achieving conservation objectives. In 2004, patrol-based monitoring of law enforcement was implemented in protected areas in Ghana. Here, we evaluate long-term trends and changes in patrol staff performance, and illegal activities, in the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve. The assessment was based on ranger patrol-based monitoring data collected during January 2006–August 2017. Along the patrol routes, patrol officers recorded all encounters with illegal activities associated with hunting and capturing or harming of animals. Across all years, staff performance was lowest in 2006 as staff learned the system but increased in 2007 and peaked in 2010, the latter as a result of motivation of the patrol staff. After 2011, staff performance decreased, mainly because of the retirement of some patrol staff and insufficient logistical support for successful patrolling. Snares were the most commonly recorded indicators of illegal activity. Because their use is silent, poachers using snares are less likely to be detected than poachers using other forms of hunting. Long-term assessment of patrol-based monitoring data provides reliable information on illegal activities related to wildlife, to enable stakeholders to design effective measures for biodiversity conservation. Our assessment indicates that patrol staff performance in Kogyae is, at least partly, dependent on governmental or external support and incentives, in particular the provision of equipment and transport facilities.

Investigation of Deforestation of Environmental Protection Areas of Madeira River Permanent Preservation Areas in Rondônia Amazon, Brazil

2013 ◽  
pp. 335-343
Author(s):  
Marcelo Rodrigues dos Anjos ◽  
Marla Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Indigenous Lands ◽  
Madeira River ◽  
Illegal Activities ◽  
Areas Of Interest

The deforestation of the Amazon protected areas involves a series of deleterious environmental factors, such as social conflicts, loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, deterioration of watersheds, and environmental services offered, that still are not considered in studies of environmental impacts and when studied, are not valued economically or end up being undersized, resulting in loss of economic opportunities associated to the sustainable use of natural resources in areas of interest for conservation. This study had as objective to point out illegal activities in and around the area of special environmental protection (APA) of the Madeira River in Rondonia in accordance with the provisions of the Terms of Reference, No. 001/CAO-AMB/MP/2006, with action and support of interagency bodies BPM/PM, SEDAM, SIPAM, INCRA, IBAMA, EMBRAGEO in order to understand the dynamics of deforestation in protected areas and indigenous lands of the state.

Long-term population dynamics of the red deer and European roe deer at the protected and not-protected areas in Mountain Crimea

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
V. N. Shmagol' ◽  
V. L. Yarysh ◽  
S. P. Ivanov ◽  
V. I. Maltsev
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Annual Precipitation ◽  
Population Number ◽  
The Impact

<p>The long-term population dynamics of the red deer (<em>Cervus elaphus</em> L.) and European roe deer (<em>Capreolus</em> <em>capreolus</em> L.) at the mountain and forest zone of Crimea during 1980-2017 is presented. Fluctuations in numbers of both species are cyclical and partly synchronous. Period of oscillations in the population of red deer is about 25 years, the average duration of the oscillation period of number of roe deer is 12.3 years. During the fluctuations in the number the increasing and fall in population number of the red deer had been as 26-47 %, and roe deer – as 22-34 %. Basing on the dada obtained we have assumed that together with large-scale cycles of fluctuations in population number of both red deer and roe deer the short cycles of fluctuations in the number of these species with period from 3.5 to 7.5 years take place. Significant differences of the parameters of cyclical fluctuations in the number of roe deer at some sites of the Mountainous Crimea: breaches of synchronicity, as well as significant differences in the duration of cycles are revealed. The greatest deviations from the average values of parameters of long-term dynamics of the number of roe deer in Crimea are noted for groups of this species at two protected areas. At the Crimean Nature Reserve the cycle time of fluctuations of the numbers of roe deer was 18 years. At the Karadag Nature Reserve since 1976 we can see an exponential growth in number of roe deer that is continued up to the present time. By 2016 the number of roe deer reached 750 individuals at a density of 437 animals per 1 thousand ha. Peculiarity of dynamics of number of roe deer at some sites proves the existence in the mountain forest of Crimea several relatively isolated groups of deer. We assumed that "island" location of the Crimean populations of red deer and European roe deer, their relatively little number and influence of permanent extreme factors of both natural and anthropogenic origination have contributed to a mechanism of survival of these populations. The elements of such a mechanism include the following features of long-term dynamics of the population: the reduction in the period of cyclic population fluctuations, while maintaining their amplitude and the appearance of additional small cycles, providing more flexible response of the population to the impact of both negative and positive environmental factors. From the totality of the weather conditions for the Crimean population of roe deer the recurring periods of increases and downs in the annual precipitation amount may have relevance. There was a trend of increase in the roe deer population during periods of increasing annual precipitation.</p>

(A review) Atlas of especially protected natural areas of Saint Petersburg / Ed. in chief V. N. Khramtsov, T. V. Kovaleva, N. Yu. Natsvaladze. St. Petersburg, 2013. 176 p.

2014 ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Z. V. Karamysheva
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Saint Petersburg ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Original Illustrations ◽  
Vegetation Maps ◽  
Protected Natural Areas

The review contains detailed description of the «Atlas of especially protected natural areas of Saint Petersburg» published in 2013. This publication presents the results of long-term studies of 12 natural protected areas made by a large research team in the years from 2002 to 2013 (see References). The Atlas contains a large number of the historical maps, new satellite images, the original illustrations, detailed texts on the nature of protected areas, summary tables of rare species of vascular plants, fungi and vertebrates recorded in these areas. Special attention is paid to the principles of thematic large-scale mapping. The landscape maps, the vegetation maps as well as the maps of natural processes in landscapes are included. Reviewed Atlas deserves the highest praise.

Gran Paradiso: Erkenntnisse aus der sich natürlich regulierenden Steinbockpopulation|Gran Paradiso: Conclusions from the naturally regulated Capricorn population

2007 ◽  
Vol 158 (11) ◽  
pp. 349-352
Author(s):  
Grégory Amos ◽  
Ambroise Marchand ◽  
Anja Schneiter ◽  
Annina Sorg
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Population Density ◽  
National Park ◽  
Optimal Management ◽  
Capra Ibex ◽  
Large Fluctuations ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Gran Paradiso ◽  
Gran Paradiso National Park

The last Capricorns (Capra ibex ibex) in the Alps survived during the nineteenth century in the Aosta valley thanks to the royal hunting reservation (today Gran Paradiso national park). Capricorns from this reservation were successfully re-introduced in Switzerland after its Capricorn population had disappeared. Currently in Switzerland there are 13200 Capricorns. Every year 1000 are hunted in order to prevent a large variation and overaging of their population and the damage of pasture. In contrast, in the Gran Paradiso national park the game population regulates itself naturally for over eighty years. There are large fluctuations in the Capricorn population (2600–5000) which are most likely due to the climate, amount of snow, population density and to the interactions of these factors. The long-term surveys in the Gran Paradiso national park and the investigations of the capacity of this area are a valuable example for the optimal management of the ibexes in Switzerland.

Etude de l'aménagement d'une forêt classée au Mali avec la participation des populations riveraines - Données du problème et éléments de méthodologie | A Study of the Management of a State-Owned Forest in Mali with the Participation of the Population Living nearby - Issue under Investigation and Elements of Methodology

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Pascal Schneider ◽  
Jean-Pierre Sorg
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Context ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
The State ◽  
Commercial Use ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
The People

In and around the state-owned forest of Farako in the region of Sikasso, Mali, a large-scale study focused on finding a compromise allowing the existential and legitimate needs of the population to be met and at the same time conserving the forest resources in the long term. The first step in research was to sketch out the rural socio-economic context and determine the needs for natural resources for autoconsumption and commercial use as well as the demand for non-material forest services. Simultaneously, the environmental context of the forest and the resources available were evaluated by means of inventories with regard to quality and quantity. According to an in-depth comparison between demand and potential, there is a differentiated view of the suitability of the forest to meet the needs of the people living nearby. Propositions for a multipurpose management of the forest were drawn up. This contribution deals with some basic elements of research methodology as well as with results of the study.

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