What is it about?
Wildlife often raids cropland, resulting in crop damage that negatively impacts the livelihoods of rural communities. In our study, we identified a significant consequence of cropland abandonment linked to wildlife crop-raiding in two areas—one in China and the other in Nepal. Through household surveys and satellite imagery, we discovered that cropland parcels that experienced wildlife raids were more likely to be abandoned in subsequent years.
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Why is it important?
Nature-based solutions (NbS) aim to enhance both ecosystems and human well-being. The NbS framework underpins many conservation initiatives. In China, nationwide policies like the conversion of cropland to forest have been implemented. Similarly, in Nepal, community forest management is widely practiced. However, these efforts can sometimes lead to unintended negative impacts on human systems from restored or preserved ecosystems. One significant issue is crop-raiding by wildlife, which can result in cropland abandonment and pose a threat to food security. Policymakers must take this unfavorable feedback into account to effectively achieve co-benefits for both ecosystems and society.
Perspectives
By identifying a key feedback loop from the ecological system to the social system, this study not only enhances our understanding of coupled human and natural systems but also informs policymaking to improve conservation efficiency while supporting local livelihoods.
Qi Zhang
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Crop-raiding by wildlife and cropland abandonment as feedback from nature-based solutions: Lessons from case studies in China and Nepal, Environmental Research Letters, October 2024, Institute of Physics Publishing,
DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ad8c69.
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