{"title":"Integrating an Eco-Evolutionary Perspective for Coral Reef Resistance Into Global Conservation Planning and Policy","authors":"L. I. Howe-Kerr, K. M. Quigley","doi":"10.1111/conl.13108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13108","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Global responses to climate change vary across ecosystems. Identifying coral reefs that can persist despite extreme warming is crucial for guiding research, policy, and management. Resilience frameworks recommend protecting potential reef sanctuaries with specific attributes, including climate avoidance, rapid recovery, or resistance. However, climate-avoidant reefs are dwindling, and recovery times are lengthening. We propose that resistance should be the cornerstone of reef resilience planning. A literature synthesis reveals that the definition and application of “reef resistance” are highly variable, limiting its effectiveness in management and policy. Over 85% of sources suggest that evolutionary processes contribute to resistance, but there is considerable variability in other cited ecological factors. We highlight a mismatch between implied mechanisms and actual data, with only ∼25% of studies linking resistance to relevant coral adaptation or acclimatization data. To address this, we propose a standardized definition of heat-resistant reefs based on adaptation and acclimatization principles: reefs characterized by corals whose underlying genetics enable survival beyond previous thermal limits. This approach will enhance the effective allocation of limited resources for measuring, protecting, and managing reefs, as we strive to halt the human-induced emissions driving their decline.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13108","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144472928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jedediah F. Brodie, Amanda Emmel, Blake Wiedenheft, Ronald L. Sandler, Kent H. Redford, Courtney A. Schultz, Axel Moehrenschlager, Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, W. Sebastian Kamau, Jennifer E. Helm, William A. C. Gendron, Summer L. Dunn, Michael K. Schwartz
{"title":"Synthetically Assisted Conservation and the Application of Emerging Biological Technologies for the Protection of Biodiversity","authors":"Jedediah F. Brodie, Amanda Emmel, Blake Wiedenheft, Ronald L. Sandler, Kent H. Redford, Courtney A. Schultz, Axel Moehrenschlager, Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, W. Sebastian Kamau, Jennifer E. Helm, William A. C. Gendron, Summer L. Dunn, Michael K. Schwartz","doi":"10.1111/conl.13114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13114","url":null,"abstract":"<p>New tools of synthetic biology that enable precise manipulation of genomes, metabolic pathways, and ecosystems present new opportunities, risks, ethical dilemmas, and responsibilities for stewards of biodiversity. We argue that the risks and benefits of synthetic biology for use in biodiversity conservation, which we term “synthetically assisted conservation,” can be better understood, evaluated, and regulated by precisely defining the techniques in relation to well-established and regulated conservation frameworks: conservation translocation and integrated pest management. Synthetically assisted conservation translocation could include the release of genetically modified organisms for in situ conservation of genes or restoration of ecological functions, while a synthetically assisted application of integrated pest management could involve using genetic modifications propagated through gene drives to remove invasive species. Contextualizing the range of techniques as expansions of these frameworks clarifies how new approaches may impact conservation, facilitating risk assessment and responsible implementation. Decision-making may be informed by existing policy guidance in accordance with national and international regulations on conservation translocation and integrated pest management. Nevertheless, additional policy and evaluative guidelines are needed to keep pace with rapid technological growth and novel issues such as the release of genes (e.g., in pollen or marine-dispersed gametes) separate from live organisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13114","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144472933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An Assessment of the Fish Maw Trade in Singapore and Malaysia Reveals Threatened Species and Highlights the Need for a More Complete Assessment of the Conservation Status of the World's Fishes","authors":"Ying Giat Seah, Benjamin J. Wainwright","doi":"10.1111/conl.13115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13115","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fish maw, the dried swim bladder of teleost fish, is consumed throughout much of East and Southeast Asia. The serving of maw is seen as an indicator of wealth, prestige, and status in Chinese culture. While Hong Kong and mainland China are considered major fish maw importers, its trade in these countries remains largely understudied. This lack of research is even more apparent throughout Southeast Asia where fish maw is widely available and frequently consumed. Here, we perform the first molecular survey of the maw trade in Singapore and Malaysia to identify the species of fish involved. Both countries are significant global importers, consumers, and re-exporters of maw. We collected 503 maw samples from products that ranged in price from $59 to $53,375 per kg dried weight. We identified a number of endangered species and suggest that a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listing be implemented on a number of species to avoid trade incompatible with their continued persistence. Reflecting the limited research into the conservation status of marine fish, we find a high proportion of the identified samples assessed as data deficient or not evaluated.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13115","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144472932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Charlotte Boyd, Ryan Charles, Emiliano García-Rodríguez, Adriana Gonzalez-Pestana, Peter M. Kyne, Christoph A. Rohner, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Rima W. Jabado
{"title":"Applying the Key Biodiversity Area Standard to Important Sites for Sharks","authors":"Charlotte Boyd, Ryan Charles, Emiliano García-Rodríguez, Adriana Gonzalez-Pestana, Peter M. Kyne, Christoph A. Rohner, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Rima W. Jabado","doi":"10.1111/conl.13117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13117","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commits nations to conserving 30% of coastal and marine areas, “especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity.” Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) provide a standardized approach for recognizing sites holding a significant proportion of the global population or extent of species or ecosystems. However, concerns about the relevance of this approach for broadly distributed and/or highly mobile aquatic vertebrates prompted development of parallel approaches focused on critical areas for life-history processes, including Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). We examine these approaches and assess whether important areas for sharks, rays, and chimaeras (“sharks”) can qualify as KBAs, by applying the KBA criteria to ISRAs. One fifth of ISRAs could be recognized as KBAs. KBAs could be recognized for three quarters of globally threatened and two thirds of non-threatened restricted-range sharks based on published range maps. For broadly distributed species, additional information (e.g., on aggregations) is needed to recognize important sites as KBAs. Our results show that these approaches are complementary, highlighting the potential for ISRAs to contribute to KBA assessments while ensuring important sites for sharks are mapped and available to inform government actions to meet global commitments for conserving biodiversity in coastal and marine areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13117","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144472934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Call to Protect Common Species: Bats as a Case Study","authors":"Danilo Russo, Dina K. N. Dechmann","doi":"10.1111/conl.13113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13113","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The ongoing biodiversity crisis highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts, yet the focus often remains on rare and endangered species. This overlooks the vital role of common species, which are the ecological backbone of ecosystems, supporting the stability and functioning of biodiversity. We argue that common species, especially their population dynamics and potential tipping points, are too often neglected and that their conservation is urgent. We illustrate this issue using bats (Chiroptera) as a model. This diverse mammalian order features key ecosystem service providers, including insectivores, pollinators, and seed dispersers. Bats are sensitive to anthropogenic pressures, and many species, including common ones, face population declines and the impact of ecosystem disruption. Research and conservation must urgently be expanded to include common species. Through case studies, we demonstrate how common bat species are indicators of environmental changes and the urgent need to monitor their populations. We provide recommendations for improving research, enhancing conservation policies, and adopting a more inclusive framework acknowledging the indispensable role of common species in ecosystem services and biodiversity.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13113","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144472935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trisha Gupta, Reshu Bashyal, Michelle Anagnostou, Sonia Dhanda, Joël Djagoun, Leonardo Manir Feitosa, Chloe E. R. Hatten, Sara Bronwen Hunter, Takudzwa S. Mutezo, Wahyu Nurbandi, Alejandra Pizarro Choy, Hannah N. K. Sackey, EJ Milner-Gulland, Thomasina E. E. Oldfield, Daniel W. S. Challender
{"title":"Resolving Uncertainties in the Legality of Wildlife Trade to Support Better Outcomes for Wildlife and People","authors":"Trisha Gupta, Reshu Bashyal, Michelle Anagnostou, Sonia Dhanda, Joël Djagoun, Leonardo Manir Feitosa, Chloe E. R. Hatten, Sara Bronwen Hunter, Takudzwa S. Mutezo, Wahyu Nurbandi, Alejandra Pizarro Choy, Hannah N. K. Sackey, EJ Milner-Gulland, Thomasina E. E. Oldfield, Daniel W. S. Challender","doi":"10.1111/conl.13110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13110","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Wildlife use and trade support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide but also threaten thousands of species. Legal instruments, when effectively designed and implemented, can help regulate trade and mitigate negative impacts. However, activities along supply chains are rarely categorically legal or illegal, with considerable uncertainties regarding legality in the wildlife trade. These uncertainties can compromise the success of efforts to ensure, or improve, sustainability, but are often overlooked. Here, we categorize legal uncertainties in wildlife trade into three dimensions: institutional, operational, and perceptual. We explore their implications for sustainable management and discuss potential interventions to address them, drawing on examples from wildlife management and other sectors. Resolving these uncertainties can reduce unsustainable and illegal trade, strengthen traceability and enforcement, and promote equitable benefit-sharing among actors. Our findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to improve the clarity and effectiveness of wildlife trade management, advancing both conservation and socio-economic objectives.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13110","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144323695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John A. Vucetich, Jeremy T. Bruskotter, Robyn Wilson, L. Mark Elbroch, Adam Feltz, Thomas Offer-Westort
{"title":"Support for the US Endangered Species Act Is High and Steady Over the Past Three Decades","authors":"John A. Vucetich, Jeremy T. Bruskotter, Robyn Wilson, L. Mark Elbroch, Adam Feltz, Thomas Offer-Westort","doi":"10.1111/conl.13111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13111","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Conservation professionals expect increased attempts to weaken the US Endangered Species Act (ESA) during the second Trump administration. As such, it is important to understand Americans’ level of support for the ESA. Prior research indicates that support for the ESA remained consistently strong across four studies conducted over a two-decade period, 1996–2015. The research presented here extends those observations to six studies conducted over a three-decade period, 1996–2025. We find that support of the ESA over that period has remained consistently high, at about 84%, and opposition has remained consistently low, at about 12%. We also report on other trends and patterns in support for the ESA, highlighting high and growing support for the ESA among politically conservative people and the absence of any rural–urban divide in support for the ESA.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13111","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144289285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Timothy Kuiper, Iain Olivier, Julie Gane, Res Altwegg
{"title":"Colluding rhino poachers exploit space–time variation in opportunity and risk","authors":"Timothy Kuiper, Iain Olivier, Julie Gane, Res Altwegg","doi":"10.1111/conl.13106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13106","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Human behavior shapes both our impact on nature and the success of solutions to safeguard it. We used crime opportunity and deterrence theory, together with methods from epidemiology, to link space–time patterns in 560 rhino poaching incidents (2011–2021) to poacher and ranger behavior in a South African rhino stronghold. Poaching activity was significantly associated with proximity to ranger camps. Together with supplementary evidence we present from internal investigations, this suggests that criminal syndicates collude with some rangers to facilitate poaching. Poachers repeatedly targeted specific regions of the reserve for set periods before shifting, mirroring the “near-repeat” behavior observed for other crimes. Poachers also avoided tourist activity and minimized time on the reserve. Results suggest poachers strategically leverage space–time variation in opportunity and risk. Solutions based on these behavioral insights include early response to space–time clusters of poaching, spatially targeted implementation of rhino dehorning, and bolstering ranger resilience to the corrupting influence of criminal syndicates.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13106","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144220304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Morena Mills, Marie V. Touchon, Elisa Denis, Sarah Milligan, Yasmeen Zuffetti, Zara Ahmad, Zoya Husain, Sushma Shrestha Sangat, Stefan Gelcich, Selma Lendelvo, Bharati Pathak, Alifereti Tawake, Michael B. Mascia, Solofo Nandrianina Ralaimihoatra, Thomas Pienkowski, Matthew Clark, Arundhati Jagadish
{"title":"Scaling Out Community Conservation Initiatives: Experts Identify Economic and Social Benefits, Compatibility With Needs, and External Support as Key","authors":"Morena Mills, Marie V. Touchon, Elisa Denis, Sarah Milligan, Yasmeen Zuffetti, Zara Ahmad, Zoya Husain, Sushma Shrestha Sangat, Stefan Gelcich, Selma Lendelvo, Bharati Pathak, Alifereti Tawake, Michael B. Mascia, Solofo Nandrianina Ralaimihoatra, Thomas Pienkowski, Matthew Clark, Arundhati Jagadish","doi":"10.1111/conl.13100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13100","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Community-based natural resource management is a common strategy for conserving biodiversity, but little is known about how such initiatives can scale appropriately and widely. We interviewed 80 experts across 5 widely adopted community-based initiatives (in Chile, Nepal, Namibia, Madagascar, and Fiji) to understand their perspectives on the drivers of adoption and spread. We used general elimination methodology and diffusion of innovation theory to identify and rule out possible explanations. Factors consistently considered influential were economic and social benefits, compatibility with needs, support and facilitation by extension agencies, and the presence of international organizations. Initiatives aiming to scale should be designed to be flexible and aligned with adopters’ needs, and external organizations should coordinate resources for scaling out. Dependence on external support underscores the need for quality assistance, good practices by external actors, and understanding power relations and fairness, as well as the need to temper donor and policy expectations of scaling beyond supported and appropriate sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13100","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144197156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoë E. Lieb, Erik Meijaard, Jedediah F. Brodie, Adi Shabrani, Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan, Jatna Supriatna, Matthew John Struebig, Nicolas J. Deere, Katie L. Spencer, Suipeng Heon, Lok-Jinn Wong, Suzika Juiling, Andrew Hearn, Camille N. Z. Coudrat, Agus Sudibyo Jati, Matthew Linkie, Dusit Ngoprasert, Dhritiman Das, Oliver R. Wearn, Russell J. Gray, Al John C. Cabanas, Andaman Chankhao, Apinya Saisamorn, Badrul Azhar, Benjamin P. Y.-H. Lee, Benoit Goossens, Carl Traeholt, David W. MacDonald, Emilia A. Lastica-Ternura, Fernando Garcia-Gil, Freddy Pattiselanno, Gabriella Fredriksson, Glyn Davies, Harry Hilser, Jamiee Wheelhouse, Jan van der Ploeg, John Carlo Redeña-Santos, Jonathan M. Moore, Karmila Parakkasi, Laura Marie Berman, Samuel Xin Tham Lee, Liam J. Hughes, Lukemann Haqeem Alen, Marc Ancrenaz, Marcus A. H. Chua, Markus Handschuh, Matthew Ward, Mohamad Arif Rifqi, Mohammad Aliyuddin Bin Jaini, Muhammad Syazwan Bin Omar, Nantachai Pongpattananurak, NayMyo Shwe, Olivia Z. Daniel, Pablo Sinovas, Parag Deka, Radinal, Ret Thaung, Robert M. Ewers, Romain Legrand, Ronglarp Sukmasuang, Sally Soo Kaicheen, Salwa Khalid, Saw Soe Aung, Sheherazade Sheherazade, Stuart J. Davies, Thiemo Braasch, Thomas N. E. Gray, Tim Redford, Ulmar Grafe, Xiaoyang Song, Matthew Scott Luskin
{"title":"Mapping Multiple Wild Pig Species’ Population Dynamics in Southeast Asia During the African Swine Fever Outbreak (2018–2024)","authors":"Zoë E. Lieb, Erik Meijaard, Jedediah F. Brodie, Adi Shabrani, Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan, Jatna Supriatna, Matthew John Struebig, Nicolas J. Deere, Katie L. Spencer, Suipeng Heon, Lok-Jinn Wong, Suzika Juiling, Andrew Hearn, Camille N. Z. Coudrat, Agus Sudibyo Jati, Matthew Linkie, Dusit Ngoprasert, Dhritiman Das, Oliver R. Wearn, Russell J. Gray, Al John C. Cabanas, Andaman Chankhao, Apinya Saisamorn, Badrul Azhar, Benjamin P. Y.-H. Lee, Benoit Goossens, Carl Traeholt, David W. MacDonald, Emilia A. Lastica-Ternura, Fernando Garcia-Gil, Freddy Pattiselanno, Gabriella Fredriksson, Glyn Davies, Harry Hilser, Jamiee Wheelhouse, Jan van der Ploeg, John Carlo Redeña-Santos, Jonathan M. Moore, Karmila Parakkasi, Laura Marie Berman, Samuel Xin Tham Lee, Liam J. Hughes, Lukemann Haqeem Alen, Marc Ancrenaz, Marcus A. H. Chua, Markus Handschuh, Matthew Ward, Mohamad Arif Rifqi, Mohammad Aliyuddin Bin Jaini, Muhammad Syazwan Bin Omar, Nantachai Pongpattananurak, NayMyo Shwe, Olivia Z. Daniel, Pablo Sinovas, Parag Deka, Radinal, Ret Thaung, Robert M. Ewers, Romain Legrand, Ronglarp Sukmasuang, Sally Soo Kaicheen, Salwa Khalid, Saw Soe Aung, Sheherazade Sheherazade, Stuart J. Davies, Thiemo Braasch, Thomas N. E. Gray, Tim Redford, Ulmar Grafe, Xiaoyang Song, Matthew Scott Luskin","doi":"10.1111/conl.13105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13105","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The 2018 arrival of African swine fever (ASF) in China was followed by reports of wild pig deaths across most countries in Southeast Asia. However, the magnitude and duration of population-level impacts of ASF on wild pig species remain unclear. To elucidate the spatiotemporal spread of ASF in the region for native pig species, we gathered qualitative information on wild pig population dynamics in Southeast Asia between 2018 and 2024 from 88 expert elicitation questionnaires representing sites in 11 countries. Peak reported population declines occurred in 2021 and 2022, with more than half of respondents reporting declining wild pig populations, far higher than in earlier years. The reported declines waned to 44.23% in 2024, whereas simultaneously, the number of populations reported to be “increasing” increased from 11.3%–13.2% in 2019–2022 to 28.9% in 2024. These reports suggest that the ASF outbreak may have peaked for wild boars and bearded pigs in mainland Southeast Asia, Borneo, and Sumatra, with some subsequent recovery. However, the disease is still expanding into the ranges of island endemic species, such as new reports for the Sulawesi warty pig (<i>Sus celebensis</i>) in September of 2024. Island endemics remain particularly vulnerable to extinction from ASF and require urgent monitoring and conservation action.</p>","PeriodicalId":157,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Letters","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/conl.13105","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144197319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}