Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Human impacts on carnivores are a persistent conservation challenge worldwide. We present a global analysis showing the overlap of conservation lands and the cumulative impact of humans on the distribution ranges of 257 terrestrial carnivore species. Our findings reveal that 64% of carnivore ranges overlap with areas characterized by high human pressures. We found that Indigenous peoples' lands emerge as crucial for carnivore population viability, potentially safeguarding 26% of carnivore ranges globally, while protected and wilderness areas cover roughly 10 and 16% of carnivore ranges, respectively. These three areas combined cover 35% of the global range of carnivores. Reducing human pressure on conservation lands and managing them to protect carnivores are therefore critical, yet challenging. The extent of carnivore ranges outside these areas underscores the necessity to expand the network of conservation lands, which are a pivotal component of global conservation planning, alongside broader proactive species-specific conservation measures.
Source: Science Advances
Institutions: Tecnológico Nacional de México, Universidad Politécnica de Puebla, Portland State University, Oregon State University, Conservation Biology Institute, The University of Sydney, University of Ljubljana, University of Michigan, Universidad de León, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Institute of Nature Conservation, Universidad de Huelva, Polish Academy of Sciences, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W4412483191