Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
1755263X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85186868050
Journal Title
Conservation Letters
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Conservation Letters (2024)
Suggested Citation
Eppley T.M., Reuter K.E., Sefczek T.M., Tinsman J., Santini L., Hoeks S., Andriantsaralaza S., Shanee S., Fiore A.D., Setchell J.M., Strier K.B., Abanyam P.A., Mutalib A.H.A., Abwe E., Ahmed T., Ancrenaz M., Andriantsimanarilafy R.R., Ang A., Aureli F., Barrett L., Beehner J.C., Benítez M.E., Bezerra B.M., Bicca-Marques J.C., Bikaba D., Bitariho R., Boesch C., Bolt L.M., Boonratana R., Butynski T.M., Canale G.R., Carvalho S., Chapman C.A., Chetry D., Cheyne S.M., Cords M., Cornejo F.M., Cortés-Ortiz L., Coudrat C.N.Z., Crofoot M.C., Cronin D.T., Dadjo A., Dakpogan S.C., Danquah E., Davenport T.R.B., de Jong Y.A., de la Torre S., Dempsey A., Dimalibot J.C., Dolch R., Donati G., Estrada A., Farassi R.A., Fashing P.J., Fernandez-Duque E., da Silva M.J.F., Fischer J., Flores-Negrón C.F., Fruth B., Neba T.F., Gamalo L.E., Ganzhorn J.U., Garber P.A., Gnanaolivu S.D., Gonder M.K., Bi S.E.G., Goossens B., Gordo M., Guayasamin J.M., Guzmán-Caro D.C., Halloran A.R., Hartel J.A., Heymann E.W., Hill R.A., Hockings K.J., Hohmann G., Hon N., Houngbédji M.G., Huffman M.A., Ikemeh R.A., Imong I., Irwin M.T., Izar P., Jerusalinsky L., Kalema-Zikusoka G., Kaplin B.A., Kappeler P.M., Kivai S.M., Knott C.D., Kolasartsanee I., Koops K., Kowalewski M.M., Kujirakwinja D., Kumar A., Le Q.K., Lewis R.J., Lin A.K., Link A., Loría L.I., Lormie M.M. Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment. Conservation Letters (2024). doi:10.1111/conl.13007 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/97585
Title
Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment
Author(s)
Eppley T.M.
Reuter K.E.
Sefczek T.M.
Tinsman J.
Santini L.
Hoeks S.
Andriantsaralaza S.
Shanee S.
Fiore A.D.
Setchell J.M.
Strier K.B.
Abanyam P.A.
Mutalib A.H.A.
Abwe E.
Ahmed T.
Ancrenaz M.
Andriantsimanarilafy R.R.
Ang A.
Aureli F.
Barrett L.
Beehner J.C.
Benítez M.E.
Bezerra B.M.
Bicca-Marques J.C.
Bikaba D.
Bitariho R.
Boesch C.
Bolt L.M.
Boonratana R.
Butynski T.M.
Canale G.R.
Carvalho S.
Chapman C.A.
Chetry D.
Cheyne S.M.
Cords M.
Cornejo F.M.
Cortés-Ortiz L.
Coudrat C.N.Z.
Crofoot M.C.
Cronin D.T.
Dadjo A.
Dakpogan S.C.
Danquah E.
Davenport T.R.B.
de Jong Y.A.
de la Torre S.
Dempsey A.
Dimalibot J.C.
Dolch R.
Donati G.
Estrada A.
Farassi R.A.
Fashing P.J.
Fernandez-Duque E.
da Silva M.J.F.
Fischer J.
Flores-Negrón C.F.
Fruth B.
Neba T.F.
Gamalo L.E.
Ganzhorn J.U.
Garber P.A.
Gnanaolivu S.D.
Gonder M.K.
Bi S.E.G.
Goossens B.
Gordo M.
Guayasamin J.M.
Guzmán-Caro D.C.
Halloran A.R.
Hartel J.A.
Heymann E.W.
Hill R.A.
Hockings K.J.
Hohmann G.
Hon N.
Houngbédji M.G.
Huffman M.A.
Ikemeh R.A.
Imong I.
Irwin M.T.
Izar P.
Jerusalinsky L.
Kalema-Zikusoka G.
Kaplin B.A.
Kappeler P.M.
Kivai S.M.
Knott C.D.
Kolasartsanee I.
Koops K.
Kowalewski M.M.
Kujirakwinja D.
Kumar A.
Le Q.K.
Lewis R.J.
Lin A.K.
Link A.
Loría L.I.
Lormie M.M.
Reuter K.E.
Sefczek T.M.
Tinsman J.
Santini L.
Hoeks S.
Andriantsaralaza S.
Shanee S.
Fiore A.D.
Setchell J.M.
Strier K.B.
Abanyam P.A.
Mutalib A.H.A.
Abwe E.
Ahmed T.
Ancrenaz M.
Andriantsimanarilafy R.R.
Ang A.
Aureli F.
Barrett L.
Beehner J.C.
Benítez M.E.
Bezerra B.M.
Bicca-Marques J.C.
Bikaba D.
Bitariho R.
Boesch C.
Bolt L.M.
Boonratana R.
Butynski T.M.
Canale G.R.
Carvalho S.
Chapman C.A.
Chetry D.
Cheyne S.M.
Cords M.
Cornejo F.M.
Cortés-Ortiz L.
Coudrat C.N.Z.
Crofoot M.C.
Cronin D.T.
Dadjo A.
Dakpogan S.C.
Danquah E.
Davenport T.R.B.
de Jong Y.A.
de la Torre S.
Dempsey A.
Dimalibot J.C.
Dolch R.
Donati G.
Estrada A.
Farassi R.A.
Fashing P.J.
Fernandez-Duque E.
da Silva M.J.F.
Fischer J.
Flores-Negrón C.F.
Fruth B.
Neba T.F.
Gamalo L.E.
Ganzhorn J.U.
Garber P.A.
Gnanaolivu S.D.
Gonder M.K.
Bi S.E.G.
Goossens B.
Gordo M.
Guayasamin J.M.
Guzmán-Caro D.C.
Halloran A.R.
Hartel J.A.
Heymann E.W.
Hill R.A.
Hockings K.J.
Hohmann G.
Hon N.
Houngbédji M.G.
Huffman M.A.
Ikemeh R.A.
Imong I.
Irwin M.T.
Izar P.
Jerusalinsky L.
Kalema-Zikusoka G.
Kaplin B.A.
Kappeler P.M.
Kivai S.M.
Knott C.D.
Kolasartsanee I.
Koops K.
Kowalewski M.M.
Kujirakwinja D.
Kumar A.
Le Q.K.
Lewis R.J.
Lin A.K.
Link A.
Loría L.I.
Lormie M.M.
Author's Affiliation
Faculty of Social Sciences & Health
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Danau Girang Field Centre
University of North Georgia
Sabah Wildlife Department
Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
Madagasikara Voakajy
Association Mitsinjo
Borneo Nature Foundation
Fauna & Flora International
Universidad de Panamá
Vancouver Island University
Dali University
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
University of Rwanda
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Université de Cocody-Abidjan
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
University of the Philippines Los Banos
University of the Philippines Mindanao
Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia
National Museums of Kenya
University of Venda
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Sapienza Università di Roma
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Columbia University
Liverpool John Moores University
Universität Hamburg
CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Oxford
University of Exeter
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Universität Konstanz
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Lethbridge
The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research
University of Massachusetts Boston
Portland State University
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Boston University
Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral
University of Toronto
Radboud Universiteit
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
Drexel University
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Oxford Brookes University
The University of Texas at Austin
Mahidol University
Universität Zürich
Kyoto University
Universitetet i Oslo
Universitat de Girona
Northern Illinois University
Deutsches Primatenzentrum
Universidade de São Paulo
Universidad Veracruzana
Max-Planck-Institut für Evolutionäre Anthropologie
Yale University
University of South Africa
University of San Diego
Universidade do Algarve
Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso
Wildlife Conservation Society
Universidade Federal do Amazonas
Emory University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
California State University, Fullerton
Wildlife Research and Conservation Unit
Nakai-Nam Theun National Park Office
Tonkolili Chimpanzee Project
Forestry Development Authority
CAMBIO (Cameroon Biodiversity Association)
Organisation pour le Développement Durable et la Biodiversité
Institut Supérieur du Tourisme
Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program
Shiv Nadar School
Re:Wild
Conservation Bridges Foundation
ONG SADABE
Asociación Neotropical Primate Conservation Perú
Gorongosa National Park
Strong Roots
WWF Central African Republic Programme Office
Mandai Nature
Université Nationale d’Agriculture
Instituto Ecótono
Conservation Through Public Health
North Carolina Zoo
Ebo Forest Research Project
Neotropical Primate Conservation
Centre for Wildlife Studies
Kirindy Mitea National Park
HUTAN-KOCP
Yunkawasi
Lemur Love Inc.
Fundación Pro-Conservación de los Primates Panameños
TransDisciplinary University
Maderas Rainforest Conservancy
SW/Niger Delta Forest Project
Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program
Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme
Metropolitan Community College
West African Primate Conservation Action
Fundación Proyecto Primates
Wildlife Conservation Society Madagascar Program
Plan International Cambodia
Aaranyak
Wildlife Conservation Society
Kibale National Park
Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifique
Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Danau Girang Field Centre
University of North Georgia
Sabah Wildlife Department
Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
Madagasikara Voakajy
Association Mitsinjo
Borneo Nature Foundation
Fauna & Flora International
Universidad de Panamá
Vancouver Island University
Dali University
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
University of Rwanda
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Université de Cocody-Abidjan
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
University of the Philippines Los Banos
University of the Philippines Mindanao
Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia
National Museums of Kenya
University of Venda
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Sapienza Università di Roma
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Columbia University
Liverpool John Moores University
Universität Hamburg
CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Oxford
University of Exeter
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Universität Konstanz
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Lethbridge
The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research
University of Massachusetts Boston
Portland State University
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Boston University
Centro de Ecologia Aplicada del Litoral
University of Toronto
Radboud Universiteit
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
Drexel University
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Oxford Brookes University
The University of Texas at Austin
Mahidol University
Universität Zürich
Kyoto University
Universitetet i Oslo
Universitat de Girona
Northern Illinois University
Deutsches Primatenzentrum
Universidade de São Paulo
Universidad Veracruzana
Max-Planck-Institut für Evolutionäre Anthropologie
Yale University
University of South Africa
University of San Diego
Universidade do Algarve
Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso
Wildlife Conservation Society
Universidade Federal do Amazonas
Emory University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
California State University, Fullerton
Wildlife Research and Conservation Unit
Nakai-Nam Theun National Park Office
Tonkolili Chimpanzee Project
Forestry Development Authority
CAMBIO (Cameroon Biodiversity Association)
Organisation pour le Développement Durable et la Biodiversité
Institut Supérieur du Tourisme
Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program
Shiv Nadar School
Re:Wild
Conservation Bridges Foundation
ONG SADABE
Asociación Neotropical Primate Conservation Perú
Gorongosa National Park
Strong Roots
WWF Central African Republic Programme Office
Mandai Nature
Université Nationale d’Agriculture
Instituto Ecótono
Conservation Through Public Health
North Carolina Zoo
Ebo Forest Research Project
Neotropical Primate Conservation
Centre for Wildlife Studies
Kirindy Mitea National Park
HUTAN-KOCP
Yunkawasi
Lemur Love Inc.
Fundación Pro-Conservación de los Primates Panameños
TransDisciplinary University
Maderas Rainforest Conservancy
SW/Niger Delta Forest Project
Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program
Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme
Metropolitan Community College
West African Primate Conservation Action
Fundación Proyecto Primates
Wildlife Conservation Society Madagascar Program
Plan International Cambodia
Aaranyak
Wildlife Conservation Society
Kibale National Park
Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifique
Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Conservation funding is currently limited; cost-effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations’ conservation return on investment and explored the impact of COVID-19. We surveyed leaders of field stations across tropical regions that host primate research; 157 field stations in 56 countries responded. Respondents reported improved habitat quality and reduced hunting rates at over 80% of field stations and lower operational costs per km2 than protected areas, yet half of those surveyed have less funding now than in 2019. Spatial analyses support field station presence as reducing deforestation. These “earth observatories” provide a high return on investment; we advocate for increased support of field station programs and for governments to support their vital conservation efforts by investing accordingly.