This situation analysis presents a thorough, evidence-based examination of the relationship betwe... more This situation analysis presents a thorough, evidence-based examination of the relationship between wildlife and zoonosis, wildlife and emerging human pathogens and associated diseases, their origins, drivers, and risk factors. There is considerable divergence of opinion around the subject both within and outside the biodiversity conservation community and given the ontological challenges and highly different perspectives, contradictory narrative is unsurprising. Context is all-important and to clarify this in the analysis, the evidence of human diseases coming from wildlife is compared to diseases emerging from domestic animals and humans themselves, to provide context and proportions of the relative risk. The report highlights key knowledge, and provides perspective on where research, policy, interventions, and capacity building are needed to reduce risks of zoonoses and emergent animal-origin human diseases globally.
File containing aggregated responses for the eSurvey (total = 13 respondents). The data is presen... more File containing aggregated responses for the eSurvey (total = 13 respondents). The data is presented following the requirements of the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Queensland (Approval number: 2016001001)
1. Invasive species management involves complex and multidimensional challenges. There is conside... more 1. Invasive species management involves complex and multidimensional challenges. There is considerable uncertainty regarding how to identify management strategies that will achieve invasive species control to enhance biodiversity, local economies, and human well-being. Invasive species management on inhabited islands is especially challenging, often due to perceived socio-political risks and unexpected technical difficulties. 2. Failing to incorporate local knowledge and local perspectives in the early stages of planning can compromise the ability of decision-makers to achieve long-lasting conservation outcomes. Hence, engaging the community and accounting for stakeholder perceptions is essential for invasive species management, yet these processes are often overlooked as they can be perceived as too difficult to implement, too costly, and/or too slow for management timeframes. 3. To address this gap, we present an application of invasive species management based on structured decision-making, and INFFER —a cost-benefit analysis tool— on Minjerribah-North Stradbroke Island (Australia). We assessed the cost-effectiveness of six management scenarios, co-developed with local land managers and community groups, aimed at preserving the environmental and cultural significance of the island by eradicating European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus). Information was collected in a survey that elicited local stakeholders’ perspectives regarding the significance of the Island, their perception of the benefits of the proposed management scenarios, funding requirements, technical feasibility of implementation, and socio-political risk. 4. We found that low budgets achieve less cost-effective results than higher budgets. The best strategy focussed on controlling European red foxes on Minjerribah. However, our results also highlight the need for more research on feral cat management. 5. This work demonstrates how to use a structured decision support tool, such as INFFER, to assess contesting management strategies. Using appropriate decision support tools is particularly important when stakeholders' perceptions regarding management outcomes are heterogeneous and uncertain
Islands are known to be hotspots of biodiversity. However, their native species can also be parti... more Islands are known to be hotspots of biodiversity. However, their native species can also be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of invasive species, and especially invasive predators. Eradicating invasive species on inhabited islands can be especially problematic due to conflicting views regarding various management alternatives, the presence of other non-native species and livestock and/or or technical difficulties. As local communities push for the implementation of eradication programs to protect native and culturally valued species from invasive predators, natural resource managers often face great uncertainty regarding possible ecosystem responses resulting from the implementation of control strategies. Hence, it is important for Natural Resource Management to engage with local stakeholders early in the planning process.
The suspected role of the wildlife trade in the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of new emerging in... more The suspected role of the wildlife trade in the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of new emerging infectious diseases in humans have received widespread attention since the emergence of COVID-19. 1-3 A range of measures to prevent future pandemics have been suggested, from a global ban of commercial trade in wildlife to bans of wild animals for human consumption. Although emergency bans that enable rapid responses and adaptation can be a component of risk management, questions persist regarding the appropriateness of broad international bans in the context of zoonosis and pathogenic risks emerging from human consumption and use of wildlife. 1,2,4 Due to uncertainties around the risk posed by wildlife in this context, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness and sustainability of broad bans. 1 Additionally, for livelihood and cultural reasons and buy in from supply chain participants, mechanisms are required to adequately understand and manage the disease risks for the safe trade and consumption of wildlife. 1,4 We argue that safe trade and consumption of wildlife could align with existing global food safety regulations in agreement with the precautionary principle and in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Indeed, the risk of foodborne diseases from domestic animals has resulted in a longstanding global effort to manage food safety. 5,6 International systems for food safety are based on identifying hazards and associated risks along a food supply chain. Hazards are "a biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food with the potential to cause harm", and risks are "the estimated probability and severity of adverse health effects in exposed populations consequential to hazards" (in this case, food). 7 The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System (HACCP) identifies hazards and their risks to human health. 7 HACCP developed from the 1960s onwards and is now endorsed by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Organisation for Animal Health, WHO, and, at the national level, by organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration. 8,9 HACCP is the principle management method for reducing the risk of foodborne illness. 8 It Comment e403 www.thelancet.com/planetary-health Vol 5 July 2021 and livestock sectors. Gavin represented Africa courageously in this field to overturn colonial and eurocentric perspectives on livestock. Gavin introduced commodity-based trade principles and contributed significantly to the final eradication of rinderpest. Perhaps his most lasting legacy is debunking myths on foot and mouth disease, especially in southern Africa. Through these efforts, Gavin was at the vanguard of overturning the tariffs and barriers faced by traditional and smallholder-livestock producers and wildlife conservation.
It is nearly three decades since the world recognized the need for a global multilateral treaty a... more It is nearly three decades since the world recognized the need for a global multilateral treaty aiming to address accelerating biodiversity loss. However, biodiversity continues to decline at a concerning rate. Drawing on lessons from the implementation of the current strategic plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 2010 Aichi Targets, we highlight three interlinked core areas, which require attention and improvement in the development of the post-2020 Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity. They are: (1) developing robust theories of change which define agreed, adaptive plans for achieving targets; (2) using models to evaluate assumptions and effectiveness of different plans and targets; and (3) identifying the common but differentiated responsibilities of different actors/states/countries within these plans. We demonstrate how future multilateral agreements must not focus only on what needs to be done but also on how it should be done, using measurable steps, which make sense at the scales at which biodiversity change happens.
There is a lot of uncertainty about how we pick the best invasive species management strategies t... more There is a lot of uncertainty about how we pick the best invasive species management strategies to improve the environment, local economy, and human well-being, as invasive species management involves complex and multidimensional challenges. Invasive species management on inhabited islands is especially challenging, often due to perceived socio-political risks and unexpected technical difficulties. Failing to incorporate local knowledge and local perspectives in the early stages of planning can compromise the ability of decision-makers to achieve long-lasting conservation outcomes. Hence, including local knowledge and accounting for subjective stakeholder perceptions is essential for invasive species management, yet this often remains unaddressed. To address this gap, we present an application of invasive species management based on structured decision-making, and the resource allocation tool INFFER, on Minjerribah-North Stradbroke Island (Australia). We assessed the cost-effectiven...
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, wh... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Catalonia's red coral populations (Corallium rubrum)- considered endangered by the IUCN- ... more Catalonia's red coral populations (Corallium rubrum)- considered endangered by the IUCN- are under serious threat. The political conflict between the Catalan and the Spanish Governments could jeopardise ongoing conservation efforts.
Large-scale wildfires have recently swept through 475,000 hectares of central Chile ([ 1 ][1]), d... more Large-scale wildfires have recently swept through 475,000 hectares of central Chile ([ 1 ][1]), displacing thousands of households. The affected region is located in a globally threatened biodiversity hotspot ([ 2 ][2], [ 3 ][3]). The suspected causes of the wildfires were a combination of human
This situation analysis presents a thorough, evidence-based examination of the relationship betwe... more This situation analysis presents a thorough, evidence-based examination of the relationship between wildlife and zoonosis, wildlife and emerging human pathogens and associated diseases, their origins, drivers, and risk factors. There is considerable divergence of opinion around the subject both within and outside the biodiversity conservation community and given the ontological challenges and highly different perspectives, contradictory narrative is unsurprising. Context is all-important and to clarify this in the analysis, the evidence of human diseases coming from wildlife is compared to diseases emerging from domestic animals and humans themselves, to provide context and proportions of the relative risk. The report highlights key knowledge, and provides perspective on where research, policy, interventions, and capacity building are needed to reduce risks of zoonoses and emergent animal-origin human diseases globally.
File containing aggregated responses for the eSurvey (total = 13 respondents). The data is presen... more File containing aggregated responses for the eSurvey (total = 13 respondents). The data is presented following the requirements of the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Queensland (Approval number: 2016001001)
1. Invasive species management involves complex and multidimensional challenges. There is conside... more 1. Invasive species management involves complex and multidimensional challenges. There is considerable uncertainty regarding how to identify management strategies that will achieve invasive species control to enhance biodiversity, local economies, and human well-being. Invasive species management on inhabited islands is especially challenging, often due to perceived socio-political risks and unexpected technical difficulties. 2. Failing to incorporate local knowledge and local perspectives in the early stages of planning can compromise the ability of decision-makers to achieve long-lasting conservation outcomes. Hence, engaging the community and accounting for stakeholder perceptions is essential for invasive species management, yet these processes are often overlooked as they can be perceived as too difficult to implement, too costly, and/or too slow for management timeframes. 3. To address this gap, we present an application of invasive species management based on structured decision-making, and INFFER —a cost-benefit analysis tool— on Minjerribah-North Stradbroke Island (Australia). We assessed the cost-effectiveness of six management scenarios, co-developed with local land managers and community groups, aimed at preserving the environmental and cultural significance of the island by eradicating European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus). Information was collected in a survey that elicited local stakeholders’ perspectives regarding the significance of the Island, their perception of the benefits of the proposed management scenarios, funding requirements, technical feasibility of implementation, and socio-political risk. 4. We found that low budgets achieve less cost-effective results than higher budgets. The best strategy focussed on controlling European red foxes on Minjerribah. However, our results also highlight the need for more research on feral cat management. 5. This work demonstrates how to use a structured decision support tool, such as INFFER, to assess contesting management strategies. Using appropriate decision support tools is particularly important when stakeholders' perceptions regarding management outcomes are heterogeneous and uncertain
Islands are known to be hotspots of biodiversity. However, their native species can also be parti... more Islands are known to be hotspots of biodiversity. However, their native species can also be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of invasive species, and especially invasive predators. Eradicating invasive species on inhabited islands can be especially problematic due to conflicting views regarding various management alternatives, the presence of other non-native species and livestock and/or or technical difficulties. As local communities push for the implementation of eradication programs to protect native and culturally valued species from invasive predators, natural resource managers often face great uncertainty regarding possible ecosystem responses resulting from the implementation of control strategies. Hence, it is important for Natural Resource Management to engage with local stakeholders early in the planning process.
The suspected role of the wildlife trade in the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of new emerging in... more The suspected role of the wildlife trade in the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of new emerging infectious diseases in humans have received widespread attention since the emergence of COVID-19. 1-3 A range of measures to prevent future pandemics have been suggested, from a global ban of commercial trade in wildlife to bans of wild animals for human consumption. Although emergency bans that enable rapid responses and adaptation can be a component of risk management, questions persist regarding the appropriateness of broad international bans in the context of zoonosis and pathogenic risks emerging from human consumption and use of wildlife. 1,2,4 Due to uncertainties around the risk posed by wildlife in this context, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness and sustainability of broad bans. 1 Additionally, for livelihood and cultural reasons and buy in from supply chain participants, mechanisms are required to adequately understand and manage the disease risks for the safe trade and consumption of wildlife. 1,4 We argue that safe trade and consumption of wildlife could align with existing global food safety regulations in agreement with the precautionary principle and in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Indeed, the risk of foodborne diseases from domestic animals has resulted in a longstanding global effort to manage food safety. 5,6 International systems for food safety are based on identifying hazards and associated risks along a food supply chain. Hazards are "a biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food with the potential to cause harm", and risks are "the estimated probability and severity of adverse health effects in exposed populations consequential to hazards" (in this case, food). 7 The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System (HACCP) identifies hazards and their risks to human health. 7 HACCP developed from the 1960s onwards and is now endorsed by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Organisation for Animal Health, WHO, and, at the national level, by organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration. 8,9 HACCP is the principle management method for reducing the risk of foodborne illness. 8 It Comment e403 www.thelancet.com/planetary-health Vol 5 July 2021 and livestock sectors. Gavin represented Africa courageously in this field to overturn colonial and eurocentric perspectives on livestock. Gavin introduced commodity-based trade principles and contributed significantly to the final eradication of rinderpest. Perhaps his most lasting legacy is debunking myths on foot and mouth disease, especially in southern Africa. Through these efforts, Gavin was at the vanguard of overturning the tariffs and barriers faced by traditional and smallholder-livestock producers and wildlife conservation.
It is nearly three decades since the world recognized the need for a global multilateral treaty a... more It is nearly three decades since the world recognized the need for a global multilateral treaty aiming to address accelerating biodiversity loss. However, biodiversity continues to decline at a concerning rate. Drawing on lessons from the implementation of the current strategic plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 2010 Aichi Targets, we highlight three interlinked core areas, which require attention and improvement in the development of the post-2020 Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity. They are: (1) developing robust theories of change which define agreed, adaptive plans for achieving targets; (2) using models to evaluate assumptions and effectiveness of different plans and targets; and (3) identifying the common but differentiated responsibilities of different actors/states/countries within these plans. We demonstrate how future multilateral agreements must not focus only on what needs to be done but also on how it should be done, using measurable steps, which make sense at the scales at which biodiversity change happens.
There is a lot of uncertainty about how we pick the best invasive species management strategies t... more There is a lot of uncertainty about how we pick the best invasive species management strategies to improve the environment, local economy, and human well-being, as invasive species management involves complex and multidimensional challenges. Invasive species management on inhabited islands is especially challenging, often due to perceived socio-political risks and unexpected technical difficulties. Failing to incorporate local knowledge and local perspectives in the early stages of planning can compromise the ability of decision-makers to achieve long-lasting conservation outcomes. Hence, including local knowledge and accounting for subjective stakeholder perceptions is essential for invasive species management, yet this often remains unaddressed. To address this gap, we present an application of invasive species management based on structured decision-making, and the resource allocation tool INFFER, on Minjerribah-North Stradbroke Island (Australia). We assessed the cost-effectiven...
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, wh... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Catalonia's red coral populations (Corallium rubrum)- considered endangered by the IUCN- ... more Catalonia's red coral populations (Corallium rubrum)- considered endangered by the IUCN- are under serious threat. The political conflict between the Catalan and the Spanish Governments could jeopardise ongoing conservation efforts.
Large-scale wildfires have recently swept through 475,000 hectares of central Chile ([ 1 ][1]), d... more Large-scale wildfires have recently swept through 475,000 hectares of central Chile ([ 1 ][1]), displacing thousands of households. The affected region is located in a globally threatened biodiversity hotspot ([ 2 ][2], [ 3 ][3]). The suspected causes of the wildfires were a combination of human
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