Under-Investment in Biodiversity

Wildlife bio-diversity can be regarded as a valuable asset for regions, countries and the global community: for its direct value in terms of wildlife tourism, hunting etc., for its indirect value in stimulating the tourist sector of many developing country economies, and for the option and existence values of preserving bio-diversity for the future. It is important that this value is quantified as rigorously as possible and taken into account in policy-making.

At the same time, the question must be raised of who benefits; if in particular the option value of preserving biodiversity benefits the global community as a whole, and the existence value of the aesthetic satisfaction derived from knowing that livestock are conserved benefits largely people in developed countries, then there is a case for beneficiary compensation payments from the developed countries to the developing countries, besides those made by individuals through the tourist industry.

This discussion is relevant to livestock production because livestock producers, especially in grazing systems, are actually assisting to maintain bio-diversity. This assistance is in two forms: by foregoing production on protected areas (the cost of foregone livestock and agricultural production in the National Parks of Kenya is estimated at US$203 million per year) and by the active contribution of livestock producers to maintenance of landscapes that also support wildlife.

Failure to recognise these facts, and build them into policy-making, represents an underinvestment both in biodiversity and in the positive environmental services of livestock production.

Key References

Mearns R "Livestock and Environment: potential for complementarity" World Animal Review 88, 1997

Mearns R "Balancing Livestock Production and Environmental Goals" World Animal Review 89, 1997.

West, , N.E. "Biodiversity of Rangelands" Journal of Range Management 46 (1) 1993

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