The values of wildlife revisited

Abstract

Wild animals are important worldwide because of the multiple values they represent for human societies. Different frameworks have been proposed to understand the values of wildlife from economic and noneconomic perspectives. Despite efforts from different disciplines to provide a holistic framework for the analysis of wildlife values, the focus is still based on the monetary value derived from market prices. Community-oriented approaches to wildlife conservation have an especially strong economic rationale because they depend on the economic costs and benefits that wildlife represents to local communities. However, purely economic approaches ignore that values are subjective and as such are perceived differently among stakeholders according to their social, economic, cultural, and ecological context. The lack of a holistic framework hinders the possibility to provide a clear and practical tool for the resolution of wildlife conservation conflicts and the identification of management options that maximize values. Based on a wide literature review, we propose a comprehensive wildlife value framework (WVF) incorporating the values of wildlife identified in the academic literature into the total economic value (TEV) framework. Costs associated with human-wildlife conflicts are also incorporated as well as subjective perceptions of values based on multidimensional well-being criteria. This work aims to provide a common structure within which different perspectives related to wildlife can be captured to inform multi-actor, multi-objective decision making related to wildlife management.

Exploring the Ecological Significance of Endemic Wildlife: A Critical Analysis of Their Role in Ecosystem Dynamics

“…There is a growing emphasis on involving local communities and incorporating indigenous knowledge in conservation initiatives, recognizing the vital role communities play in the protection of endemic wildlife [2].…”

“…*Project Elephant:* An initiative started in 1992, Project Elephant focuses on the conservation of elephants and their habitats. It contributes to the protection of various endemic species sharing these ecosystems [2].…”

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a form of human–wildlife conflict: Why and how nondomesticated species should be incorporated into AMR guidance

“…This is problematic as it places wildlife in the role of the villain, as is the case for many infectious agents (Kutz et al, 2009 ; Michel & Bengis, 2012 ). What is lacking in the literature is a consideration of AMR in terms of the intrinsic value of wildlife (Gomez et al, 2022 ).…”

Animal capital: a new way to define human-animal bond in view of global changes

“…These services benefit not only humans but also other animals and plants by preserving life in local ecosystems. At the global level, ecosystem services contribute to maintaining the environment within planetary boundaries 32,33 (SDG 3,(6)(7)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). For instance, biosphere integrity is dependent on the stability of ecosystems, which relies on biodiversity and the pollination of plants and trees (SDG 2,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

“…This loss of biodiversity increases the risk of ecosystem destabilization 2,3 , and is likely to lead to higher food insecurity and pandemic outbreaks in the medium term 4,5 . The current and global economic system fails to correctly value the direct and indirect benefits of biodiversity, which may result in suboptimal investment in animal protection 6,7 . Non-human animals are necessary for the survival of humankind, and it is important to recognize their social contribution, just as it has been done in the past for humans.The capacity of a human being to contribute to the community is often discussed in economics by the term 'human capital' 8 (see the glossary for bold terms).…”