Corona Virus Pandemic: Implication on Biodiversity Conservation

Abstract

Globally, the Covid-19 pandemic affected the environment, placing a strain on the economy and all parts of human society. The effects of Covid-19 are inevitable, as there is a reduction in human pressures on the natural ecosystem because of the lockdown of social and economic activities. Ecosystem integrity (in terms of species diversity, endemism, and threats) in African countries with global hotspots for biodiversity conservation threatened. This paper provides a snapshot of the quickly growing situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and predicts events during normality. At present, essential conservation work (protected area/national park staff still patrol and guard vulnerable species and landscapes) is still ongoing across the globe with the accruing positive effects of the pandemic—reduced air/water pollution, short-term disruption in wildlife trafficking and ecosystem restoration. Despite this, prevailing problems such as indiscriminate exploitation of wildlife resources, tourism revenue loss, staff absenteeism/poor performance, increased human dependence on natural resources, disruptions of field/research work, and species monitoring would persist. The Covid-19 pandemic will affect conservation program funding in most African countries. Our world is changing, and the conservation community must be ready to respond appropriately.

Subsistence Hunting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of the White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Rural Communities of Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico

“…The impact on biodiversity derived from the COVID-19 pandemic around the world has recently been documented (Amanda et al, 2021; Akinsorotan, et al, 2021; Kideghesho et al, 2021), with an increase in the demand for wild species (Corlett et al, 2020). Our survey in the Calakmul region contributes to exploring the impact of the rural population on wildlife during the COVID-19 pandemic, inside and outside of protected areas in this important Mesoamerican eco-region.…”

“…Since the beginning of this pandemic, human societies have been affected globally, from urban to rural, in ways never seen before (Tarakini et al, 2021). In rural environments, COVID-19 inevitably also impacted peasant lifestyles (agroforestry practices and wage labor) (Akinsorotan et al, 2021; Corlett et al, 2020; Kideghesho et al, 2021). Since the beginning of the pandemic, social isolation was required to mitigate the spread of the virus and break the chains of contagion, leading to the loss of wage labor, alteration in the supply and demand of goods and services, as well as new challenges for family subsistence and health (Abd Rabou, 2020; Akinsorotan et al, 2021; Amanda et al, 2021; Gaynor et al, 2020; Montes de Oca, 2016).…”

“…In rural environments, COVID-19 inevitably also impacted peasant lifestyles (agroforestry practices and wage labor) (Akinsorotan et al, 2021; Corlett et al, 2020; Kideghesho et al, 2021). Since the beginning of the pandemic, social isolation was required to mitigate the spread of the virus and break the chains of contagion, leading to the loss of wage labor, alteration in the supply and demand of goods and services, as well as new challenges for family subsistence and health (Abd Rabou, 2020; Akinsorotan et al, 2021; Amanda et al, 2021; Gaynor et al, 2020; Montes de Oca, 2016). As an expected consequence, the use of local natural resources (e.g., wildlife) in different socio-ecological contexts was accentuated, including subsistence hunting.…”

SARS-ANI: A Global Open Access Dataset of Reported SARS-CoV-2 Events in Animals

“…These secondary spillovers resulted in the mass culling of mink 27 and occasionally led to subsequent human-to-human transmission 10 . Not only does SARS-CoV-2 represent a risk for public health, but it is also a threat for animal health and welfare as well as conservation 28,29 .…”

COVID-19 Lessons for Climate Change and Sustainable Health

“…An estimated 7.8 billion people on Earth today are witnessing a pandemic unlike any other since the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu that had infected one-third of the world's population (500 million people) [4] at the time. Against the backdrop of ever-widening social inequities [4,5], globalization [4,6,7], resource overexploitation [8,9] and biodiversity loss [10,11], the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a global gap in governance and pandemic preparedness [12]. After more than a year since the onset of COVID-19, and despite sustained travel restrictions, social distancing, lockdown measures and vaccine development, there is still no stage for a discussion on when or how the pandemic will end.…”