Important, indeed. This study supports and builds upon one previously conducted by Borneo Futures Sdn Bhd scientists Nabillah Unus, Thina Ariffin, Rona Dennis and Erik Meijaard, which evaluated the interactions between great apes and agriculture worldwide, and how these interactions influence great ape behaviour - for better or for worse. The study aims to inform conservation strategies that protect great apes in and around agricultural lands whilst ensuring that socioeconomic and food security targets are met. Considering this latest study, advocating for and investing in such strategies is paramount if we want to continue feeding a growing global demand without compromising the state of the environment. https://lnkd.in/dwdFnxAE
Here is an important new study, fresh off the press, about growing overlap between humans and wildlife in the 21st century. The study's key findings are that: 1. Global expansion of human-wildlife overlap is driven by human population growth, which is especially increasing in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and central Asia. 2. Changes in human-wildlife overlap vary by geography, land type, and taxon. In Africa, for example, ~9,364,598 km2 of forested land area is projected to experience an increase in overlap compared to 918,022 km2 projected to experience a decrease 3. Agricultural round the world will see extensive increases in human-wildlife overlap. For example, over two-thirds (70.2%) of croplands projected to have increasing human-wildlife overlap by 2070 are expected to see a decline in insectivorous bird richness. We suspect strong linkages between agricultural expansion, human population growth, and human-wildlife overlap. Which is why we keep banging on about the importance of minimizing land to agriculture, or, in our specific case, the 37% of crop land allocated to the production of vegetable oils: https://lnkd.in/eykuPJQG. Yields and land needs for agriculture are probably the most important factors determining the survival of Earth's wildlife.
