Sustainable use
What is sustainable use?
People have exploited wildlife throughout human history, causing extinction of numerous species in the process. Such exploitation continues to be one of the principal threats to species. The scientific principles of sustainable resource management are relatively well established, particularly for economically valuable resources such as fisheries, but there has been a widespread failure to apply these principles to wild populations.
Why study sustainable use?
The promotion of sustainable use as a conservation strategy has been highly controversial. Yet millions of people depend on exploitation of wildlife to support their livelihoods, and this dependence is likely to continue into the foreseeable future. Consequently, research is needed to define how conservation and use of species can be successfully combined.
Research activities
Previous research has involved examining the impacts of harvesting on the population viability of tree species, using demographic modelling approaches. A major research project has recently been completed (CEPFOR
) with financial support from DFID FRP, involving collaboration with UNEP-WCMC, ODI and a range of NGOs in both Mexico and Bolivia. The project focused on identifying the reasons for success and failure when commercialising tropical forest products. Current research activities include analysis of the wildlife trade in SE Asia with TRAFFIC International, supported by the World Bank. Centre staff are affiliated with the Sustainable Use Specialist Group of the IUCN.
- CEPFOR Project
- BIOCORES project
- Factors influencing the wildlife trade in SE Asia
Publications
Bekessy SA, Newton AC, Fox, JC, Lara A, Premoli, A, Cortes M, Gonzalez M, Burns B, Gallo L, Isquierdo F & Burgman MA (2004) Monkey puzzle tree in southern Chile: effects of timber and seed harvest. In: Species Conservation and Management: Case studies. (eds. HR Açkakaya, MA Burgman, O Kindval, C.C. Wood, P Sjögren-Gulve, J Hatfield & M McCarthy) Oxford University Press, pp. 48-63.
Marshall, E., Schreckenberg, K. and Newton, A.C. (eds) (2006). Commercialization of Non-timber Forest Products: Factors Influencing Success. Lessons Learned from Mexico and Bolivia and Policy Implications for Decision-makers. UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.
Newton, A. C., E. Marshall, K. Schreckenberg, D. Golicher, D. W. Te Velde, F. Edouard and E. Arancibia 2006. Use of a Bayesian Belief Network to Predict the Impacts of Commercializing Non-timber Forest Products on Livelihoods. Ecology and Society 11 (2): 24.
Contact email address
For further information, contact Adrian Newton
| School of Conservation Sciences | |
| Bournemouth University Christchurch House Talbot Campus Poole Dorset BH12 5BB UK |
Email: consci@bournemouth.ac.uk Website: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/cceec/ Tel: +44 (0) 1202 965178 Fax: +44 (0) 1202 965530 |
