Funding of field conservation research stations reduced
KOTA KINABALU: Funding of field conservation research stations worldwide has been drastically reduced since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, raising the alarm of more than 170 conservation researchers representing 157 field stations in 56 countries in a new paper published in Conservation Letters.
The authors contend that field research stations have a high return on investment and are essential and highly effective tools for biodiversity conservation.
Two of these stations are based in Sabah, the NGO Hutan and the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC), both located in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS), a protected area under the jurisdiction of the Sabah Wildlife Department.
Trillions of US dollars were mobilised in economic recovery following the pandemic, yet the authors raise concerns that resources to address biodiversity loss and the climate crisis are constrained at a time when they are most urgently needed. The pandemic caused roughly half of the surveyed field stations to close partially, and about onequarter have remained partially or entirely closed, with most field stations seeing a reduction in funding altogether.
Dr Timothy Eppley, lead author of the paper, Chief Conservation Officer of Wildlife Madagascar, and a former Post Doctoral Research Fellow with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said “A fundamental challenge is that governments and other funding agencies aren’t factoring in the true conservation return on investment and don’t realize the critical economic role of ecosystem services being protected by those field stations.”
Eppley and co-authors suggest the work of field research stations is often interdisciplinary, and some of the direct and indirect benefits of the research, education, capacity building and public engagement that take place at field stations have longterm objectives that the current models for cost-benefit analyses need to capture.
“Field stations often function autonomously, with few studies exploring the aggregate impact of their work. Cumulatively, they make a substantial contribution to conservation,” said Eppley.
Professor Benoit Goossens, Director of DGFC and Dr Marc Ancrenaz, Scientific Director of Hutan, and co-authors on the paper shared a similar sentiment, saying “Field research stations are a cost-effective and multifaceted tool to addressing global conservation challenges and not just places where esoteric research is conducted, as is often the perception. Almost invariably, one finds higher densities of wildlife in the vicinity of these field stations than in other parts of a particular region, even within protected areas.”
“For example, Hutan and DGFC, by their presence in lots 2 and 6 of the LKWS, contribute to the protection of those lots, as well as adjacent lots of the sanctuary, and act as the “eyes and ears” of the Sabah Wildlife Department. Moreover, the scientific data we are collecting are incorporated into national biodiversity policies and contribute to the management and conservation of wildlife populations,” said Goossens and Ancrenaz.
The study consisted of a survey, which focused on field stations in mostly tropical and subtropical countries, to understand the impact of the pandemic on funding and evaluate the conservation benefits of the field stations. The findings of this assessment show that overall, the benefits of field research stations include improved habitat quality of the surrounding areas by reducing nearby deforestation, reducing hunting rates, and improving enforcement of laws regarding wildlife use and resource extraction. Additionally, 93 per cent of these field stations hire locals, supporting the local economy, in addition to generating significant scientific output that informs conservation policies.
The authors advocate for greater recognition and investment in field research stations.
“The benefits of supporting these stations extend beyond preserving biodiversity to advancing scientific research, education, and local community development,” said Goossens.
“Hutan and DGFC inject millions of RM annually into the local economy. These research stations are an essential element for the development of the region. In addition, our research underscores the critical need for enhanced support for field research stations to ensure their ability to continue their indispensable work. Failing to include field stations in international policy frameworks that address the global biodiversity crisis represents a profound missed opportunity,” concluded Ancrenaz.