Title
The extinction crisis and the effectiveness of protected areas in Southeast Asia
Author(s)
Rao, M.
Published
2015
Publisher
Cambodian Journal of Natural History
Abstract
Southeast Asia has the highest proportion of globally threatened mammals, birds and reptiles. Human population expansion and accompanying rapid economic growth have resulted in extensive loss of natural forest cover and high demand for wildlife. Overall, increased accessibility of forests, the widespread availability of sophisticated hunting tools and improved communication networks have facilitated the commercial-scale exploitation of species. Poaching and fi shing are directly responsible for 40–50% of all threatened land and freshwater vertebrates in 11 ASEAN countries. The imminent extinction of species in Southeast Asia draws att ention to the role of protected areas as a core strategy for conserving threatened species. Existing evidence points to the inadequacy of protected areas in terms of size, representation and eff ectiveness. We review the evidence for species extinctions from within protected areas and provide a contextual analysis of why protected areas in Southeast Asia may fail to protect species on the brink of extinction. The talk will outline key challenges associated with averting the extinction of critically endangered species in Southeast Asia. Understanding what needs to change for protected areas to represent an eff ective mechanism for species conservation is a critical step in developing a comprehensive strategy for the recovery of threatened species in Southeast Asia
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PUB15684