Poaching, habitat loss and the decline of neotropical parrots: a comparative spatial analysis

• Published in: Journal of experimental criminology Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 333 - 353
• Main Authors: Clarke, Ronald V., de By, Rolf A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-09-2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal populations; Birds; Comparative analysis; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Endangered & extinct species; Land degradation; Law and Criminology; Poaching; Political Science; Social Sciences; Spatial analysis; Matched case-controls; Parrot poaching; Endangered species; Conservation
• ISSN: 1573-3750; 1572-8315
• DOI: 10.1007/s11292-013-9177-0

Objective
To evaluate the relative contributions of poaching and habitat loss to the endangerment of neotropical parrots
Method
A matched case-control design was employed. Using NatureServe digitized range maps for birds in the Americas, 145 neotropical parrot species were individually matched with 145 control species, from similar ranges and, by proxy, from similar habitats. The control species were taxonomically similar, mid-sized, forest-dwelling birds that, like parrots, use holes and cavities for breeding and roosting. The conservation status of the parrots and control birds was established through the IUCN Red List of endangered species.
Results
Nearly five times as many parrot species (59 out of 145) as non-parrots (13 out of 145) are threatened with extinction to some degree. In 54 out of 65 pairs with unequal conservation status, the parrot species is at greater risk of extinction.
Conclusions
Subject to limitations of the matching employed and the use of range data as a proxy for habitat, it is concluded that poaching is a strong threat to the conservation of neotropical parrots—perhaps stronger than habitat loss. Criminologists therefore have an important part to play in conservation of parrots, and perhaps also in conservation of other endangered species, through identification and implementation of measures to control poaching.