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Disentangling the relative effects of bushmeat availability on human nutrition in central Africa

Please always quote using this URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144110
  • We studied links between human malnutrition and wild meat availability within the Rainforest Biotic Zone in central Africa. We distinguished two distinct hunted mammalian diversity distributions, one in the rainforest areas (Deep Rainforest Diversity, DRD) containing taxa of lower hunting sustainability, the other in the northern rainforest-savanna mosaic, with species of greater hunting potential (Marginal Rainforest Diversity, MRD). Wild meat availability, assessed by standing crop mammalian biomass, was greater in MRD than in DRD areas.We studied links between human malnutrition and wild meat availability within the Rainforest Biotic Zone in central Africa. We distinguished two distinct hunted mammalian diversity distributions, one in the rainforest areas (Deep Rainforest Diversity, DRD) containing taxa of lower hunting sustainability, the other in the northern rainforest-savanna mosaic, with species of greater hunting potential (Marginal Rainforest Diversity, MRD). Wild meat availability, assessed by standing crop mammalian biomass, was greater in MRD than in DRD areas. Predicted bushmeat extraction was also higher in MRD areas. Despite this, stunting of children, a measure of human malnutrition, was greater in MRD areas. Structural equation modeling identified that, in MRD areas, mammal diversity fell away from urban areas, but proximity to these positively influenced higher stunting incidence. In DRD areas, remoteness and distance from dense human settlements and infrastructures explained lower stunting levels. Moreover, stunting was higher away from protected areas. Our results suggest that in MRD areas, forest wildlife rational use for better human nutrition is possible. By contrast, the relatively low human populations in DRD areas currently offer abundant opportunities for the continued protection of more vulnerable mammals and allow dietary needs of local populations to be met.show moreshow less

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Metadaten
Author: John E. Fa, Jesús Olivero, Raimundo Real, Miguel A. Farfán, Ana L. Márquez, J. Mario Vargas, Stefan Ziegler, Martin Wegmann, David Brown, Barrie Margetts, Robert Nasi
URN:urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144110
Document Type:Journal article
Faculties:Philosophische Fakultät (Histor., philolog., Kultur- und geograph. Wissensch.) / Institut für Geographie und Geologie
Language:English
Parent Title (English):Scientific Reports
Year of Completion:2015
Volume:5
Issue:8168
Source:Scientific Reports 5:8168 (2015). DOI: 10.1038/srep08168
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08168
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 52 Astronomie / 526 Mathematische Geografie
Tag:Congo Basin; biodiversity; conservation; dependence; development policy; food security; forests; hotspots; plant species richness; wildlife consumption
Release Date:2018/06/14
Licence (German):License LogoCC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International