Title
The cashmere connection, biodiversity, and climate: response to von Wehrden et al. (2014)
Author(s)
Berger, J.;Buuveibaatar, B.;Mishra, C.
Published
2014
Publisher
Conservation Biology
Abstract
Domestic and feral goats support human livelihoods and affect ecosystems. In arid regions of Asia, the governments of both China and Mongolia recognize the massive ecological changes associated with livestock (Lia et al. 2000; Harris 2010), yet little specific information exists about effects of goats on wildlife. Berger et al. (2013) draw attention to the global trade in cashmere, a valued goat fiber, as an external driver of regional biodiversity. In addition to a concentration on ecological interactions (fig. 1 and table 1 in Berger et al. 2013), we suggest that components of central Asian biodiversity cannot be successfully conserved until diverse modifiers of ecosystems—such as people, economies, historical events, and culture—are better understood. We concluded by suggesting that a dialogue among pastoralists, governments, the fabric industry, and conservationists would be the first step toward assuring wildlife better future prospects while sustaining pastoralist livelihoods.
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