TY - JOUR

T1 - Stakeholders perceptions of the endangered Egyptian vulture

T2 - Insights for conservation

AU - Cortés-Avizanda, Ainara

AU - Martín-López, Berta

AU - Ceballos, Olga

AU - Pereira, Henrique M.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017 The Authors

PY - 2018/2/1

Y1 - 2018/2/1

N2 - The inclusion of perceptions, interests and needs of stakeholders in biodiversity conservation is critical for the long-term protection of endangered species. Yet, the social dimensions of endangered species conservation are often overlooked. We examined the social perceptions of the conservational importance of the globally endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in one of the most important breeding areas worldwide: the Bardenas Reales Protected Area, northern Spain. We assessed the factors that influence the stakeholders' views of its conservation importance and identified the management strategies that would have social support. We found that the understandings of the Egyptian vulture differed among stakeholders. Hunters had the highest level of knowledge about its presence, threatened status and role as provider of ecosystem services. Livestock keepers recognized the worth of the Egyptian vulture for carcass removal, whereas other regulating services (e.g. biological control) were frequently acknowledged by tourists. Hunters and livestock keepers were more critical about the effectiveness of ongoing conservation strategies for preserving the Egyptian vulture than tourists. Moreover, each stakeholder group identified different actions for the conservation of the Egyptian vulture in the area. The consideration of the diversity of conservation actions suggested by stakeholders could catalyze broader support for the preservation of the Egyptian vulture.

AB - The inclusion of perceptions, interests and needs of stakeholders in biodiversity conservation is critical for the long-term protection of endangered species. Yet, the social dimensions of endangered species conservation are often overlooked. We examined the social perceptions of the conservational importance of the globally endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in one of the most important breeding areas worldwide: the Bardenas Reales Protected Area, northern Spain. We assessed the factors that influence the stakeholders' views of its conservation importance and identified the management strategies that would have social support. We found that the understandings of the Egyptian vulture differed among stakeholders. Hunters had the highest level of knowledge about its presence, threatened status and role as provider of ecosystem services. Livestock keepers recognized the worth of the Egyptian vulture for carcass removal, whereas other regulating services (e.g. biological control) were frequently acknowledged by tourists. Hunters and livestock keepers were more critical about the effectiveness of ongoing conservation strategies for preserving the Egyptian vulture than tourists. Moreover, each stakeholder group identified different actions for the conservation of the Egyptian vulture in the area. The consideration of the diversity of conservation actions suggested by stakeholders could catalyze broader support for the preservation of the Egyptian vulture.

KW - Conservation policies, ecosystem services

KW - Endangered species

KW - Neophron percnopterus

KW - Old-world vultures

KW - Protected area

KW - scavengers

KW - Sustainability Science

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85039703726&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/1181620a-0c1a-3d24-affc-c7d7206a0f47/

U2 - 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.09.028

DO - 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.09.028

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 218

SP - 173

EP - 180

JO - Biological Conservation

JF - Biological Conservation

SN - 0006-3207

IS - February 2018

ER -