Conservation and Enforcement Capacity index (CECi): Integrating human development, economy, and marine turtle status. (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barrios-Garrido, Hector; Shimada, Takahiro; Diedrich, Amy; Hamann, Mark
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 262(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Human development index (HDI) -- Economy -- Enforcement -- IUCN status -- Conservation capacity -- Regional Management Units (RMUs); Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Human societies are closely linked to their ecological environments. Natural ecosystems and wildlife populations are often in better condition in countries with healthy, educated and economically prosperous populations compared to countries with lower health and literacy conditions, and depressed economies. In the latter countries, these socio-economic factors can compromise government's capacity to manage their natural resources. Thus, the conservation capacity of a government is likely to play key role in the protection of threatened species, such as marine turtles. This paper aims: (1) to evaluate the conservation capacity and enforcement within the 58 Regional Management Units (RMUs) of the seven species of marine turtles throughout the world, and (2) to develop a proxy that predicts the conservation status of RMUs. We developed a Conservation and Enforcement Capacity index (CECi) by integrating the following indices: (a) the economic level and, (b) the Human Development Index (HDI) of each country, plus (c) the risks and threats in the RMUs. We used the conservation status of 15 RMUs recently assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN to predict the conservation status of the 43 RMUs without updated IUCN categorisation. CECi values ranged from 0 to 1, where lower values represent a better capacity for implementation of conservation initiatives. We found that using our multi-index model, we predicted the status of 33 of 58 RMUs, 57% of which may be of threatened conservation status due to their high CECi values. This study highlighted how socio-economic aspects may impact conservation of endangered species. Highlights: We developed an index that predicts the conservation status of marine turtles. Conservation and Enforcement Capacity index (CECi) integrates multiple indices. Based on CECi, we predicted the status of 33 of 58 RMUs may be threatened. Socio-economic conditions may impact conservation status of endangered species. CECi is replicable and it could be used to assess other threatened species.