Trading species to extinction: evidence of extinction linked to the wildlife trade

Abstract

Overexploitation -the harvest or extraction at a rate that exceeds the ability of populations to recover -is widely recognised as a major threat to biodiversity. Some overexploitation is principally for wildlife trade as distinct from the use of wildlife at a subsistence level. The wildlife trade is frequently highlighted in contemporary conservation science literature and in the press in many parts of the world because of the threat it poses to species. While the extraction of species for the wildlife trade can be unsustainable in some cases, in others it can contribute to the conservation of species, for example, by providing economic incentives to conserve species and their habitats, and provide a range of benefits to local people. This research contributes to a better and clearer understanding of the links between the wildlife trade and the extinction of species by elucidating how these links are characterised in the literature, including proximate threats, "near-extinctions", and indirect drivers of extinction linked to the wildlife trade. The results are based on a review of the literature published in the period 1960-2021 and an examination of available information on Extinct species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The study concludes by providing recommendations on how the extinction of species linked to the harvest, use, and trade of wildlife could be improved in future research.

Conserving avian evolutionary history can effectively safeguard future benefits for people

“…It is important to recognize that, for many species, their value to people is now also a serious threat. The unsustainable use of species has contributed to some bird species becoming extinct (e.g., the passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius) (50), and today is one of the largest drivers of species population declines (51) and extinction risk (18,26). When combined with other threats, previously sustainable practices have the potential to drive species to extinction (34,52).…”

An updated review of the marine ornamental fish trade in the European Union

“…This complex industry involves over 60 export countries and targets more than 2,000 species (Rhyne et al 2012), but the environmental impacts of harvesting millions of coral reef fishes per year for this trade have largely been overlooked (Grutter et al 2018; Thornhill 2012; Tissot et al 2010; UNEP-WCMC 2008; Vagelli 2011). Some species have already been negatively impacted by the marine aquarium trade (Hinsley et al 2023). For instance, the Banggai cardinalfish ( Pterapogon kauderni ) was discovered by the aquarium industry in the 1990s and has come perilously close to extinction due to its high demand (Vagelli 2011).…”

An Updated Review of the Marine Ornamental Fish Trade in the European Union

“…This complex industry involves over 60 exporting countries and targets more than 2000 species [ 12 ], but the environmental impacts of harvesting millions of coral reef fish per year for this trade have largely been overlooked [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Some species have already been negatively impacted by the marine aquarium trade [ 21 ]. For example, the Banggai cardinalfish ( Pterapogon kauderni ) was discovered by the aquarium industry in the 1990s and has since then become perilously close to extinction due to its high demand by this industry [ 20 ].…”