Browsing by Autor "Melissa Arias"

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Breaking down silos: Conservation areas for Amazonian flagship terrestrial and freshwater species
(Society for Conservation Biology, 2025) Natalie Shahbol; Melissa Arias; Valeria Boron; Helga Correa Wiederhecker; Bernardo Caldas; Fabiola La Rosa; Robin Naidoo; M Oliveira-da-Costa; Jessica Pacheco; Mariana Paschoalini Frias
Abstract Research into the threats affecting flagship terrestrial and freshwater species in the Amazon has operated within disciplinary and ecological silos, neglecting the interconnectedness between these species and ecosystems. In this study, we aimed to bridge these divides by identifying Amazon areas harboring high jaguar densities and high richness of migratory freshwater species, highlighting the potential co‐benefits of integrated terrestrial and freshwater conservation approaches. We also assessed the risks posed to these areas by habitat and connectivity loss due to impending dam construction, deforestation, and the lack of coverage by area‐based conservation schemes. We found that 17% of the Amazon River Basin is covered by areas of high jaguar density and freshwater migratory species richness, 83% of which are found in Brazil and Peru. A third of these areas are located outside of formal protected areas or Indigenous territories, with Bolivia representing the largest gap in formal protection. The proposed construction of 54 hydroelectric dams and the expansion of deforestation poses an immediate threat to the habitats and connectivity of these areas. Given the risk of an Amazon ecological tipping point, our study underscores the need for integrated terrestrial and freshwater conservation approaches that set in motion international collaboration to secure transboundary flagship and umbrella species.
Complex interactions between commercial and non-commercial drivers of illegal trade for a threatened felid
(2020) Melissa Arias; Amy Hinsley; Paola Nogales‐Ascarrunz; Pamela Jenny Carvajal-Bacarreza; Nuno Negrões; Jenny Anne Glikman; E.J. Milner‐Gulland
Illegal trade and human-wildlife conflict are two key drivers of biodiversity loss, and are recognized as leading threats to large carnivores. While human-wildlife conflict involving jaguars (Panthera onca) has received significant attention in the past, less is known about traditional use or commercial trade in jaguar body parts, including their potential links with retaliatory killing. Understanding the drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption is necessary to develop appropriate jaguar conservation strategies, particularly as demand for jaguar products appears to be rising due to Chinese demand. We interviewed 1107 rural households in north-western Bolivia, an area with an active history of human-jaguar conflict, which has also been at the epicentre of recent jaguar trade cases involving Chinese demand. We collected information on participants’ experiences with jaguars, their jaguar killing, trading and consuming behaviours, and potential drivers of these behaviours. We found that the relationships between local people and jaguars are complex, and are driven largely by traditional practices, opportunism, human-jaguar conflict and market incentives from foreign and domestic demand, in the absence of law awareness and enforcement. Addressing jaguar trade and building human-jaguar coexistence will require a multifaceted approach that considers the multiple drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption, from foreign and local demand to human-jaguar conflict.
Complex interactions between commercial and noncommercial drivers of illegal trade for a threatened felid
(Wiley, 2021) Melissa Arias; Amy Hinsley; Paola Nogales‐Ascarrunz; Pamela Jenny Carvajal-Bacarreza; Nuno Negrões; Jenny Anne Glikman; E.J. Milner‐Gulland
Abstract Illegal trade and human‐wildlife conflict are two key drivers of biodiversity loss and are recognized as leading threats to large carnivores. Although human‐wildlife conflict involving jaguars ( Panthera onca ) has received significant attention in the past, less is known about traditional use or commercial trade in jaguar body parts, including their potential links with retaliatory killing. Understanding the drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption is necessary to develop appropriate jaguar conservation strategies, particularly as demand for jaguar products appears to be rising due to Chinese demand. We interviewed 1107 rural households in north‐western Bolivia, an area with an active history of human–jaguar conflict, which has also been at the epicentre of recent jaguar trade cases. We collected information on participants' experiences with jaguars, their jaguar killing, trading and consuming behaviours and potential drivers of these behaviours. We found that the relationships between local people and jaguars are complex and are driven largely by traditional practices, opportunism, human–jaguar conflict and market incentives from foreign and domestic demand, in the absence of law awareness and enforcement. Addressing jaguar trade and building human–jaguar coexistence will require a multifaceted approach that considers the multiple drivers of jaguar killing, trade and consumption, from foreign and local demand to human–jaguar conflict.
Hunting, non-timber forestry products, and jaguars (Panthera onca): How livelihoods influence views toward jaguars in protected areas of the Bolivian Amazon
(Elsevier BV, 2025) Albert B. Becker; Nuno Negrões; María Díez-León; Indyra Lafuente-Cartagena; Neurisvan Ramos Guerra; Daniel M. Larrea‐Alcázar; Valeria Boron; Melissa Arias; Lila Sainz; Michelle Peñaranda
• Hunting has a negative influence on views and behavior towards jaguars. • Non-timber forestry has a positive influence on views and behavior towards jaguars. • Variation in time spent and income derived within economic activities influence views and behavior. • Non-timber forestry should be encouraged, and fear and perceived risk should be reduced in hunters. Jaguar ( Panthera onca ) populations are increasingly threatened by human activities, yet research on conflict over jaguar within protected areas remains scarce, especially in regions without cattle ranching. In the Bolivian Amazon, where local people rely on various forest-based income sources, we examined how two income sources, hunting and non-timber forestry (Brazil nut harvesting, acai berry harvesting, and small-scale agroforestry), along with demographic factors such as age, level of education, and gender influence psychological drivers and norms, along with past and future behavioral intentions toward jaguars. Through analysis of structured in-person interviews (n = 171), we found that hunting activity, whether one practiced hunting or increased their time spent or income derived from hunting, had predominantly negative influence on attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions toward jaguars. In contrast, non-timber forestry, whether one participates in the activity or increased their time spent or income derived from the activity, had a positive influence. Additionally, within-group variations in economic activities (e.g., time invested and income derived) were as important as whether the economic activity, specifically within hunting and non-timber forestry activities, was practiced at all. Contrary to findings from previous studies, demographic factors such as education had little effect on these psychological variables, with gender only influencing fear, and geographic area influencing norms. To support jaguar conservation, we recommend management strategies that reduce perceived risks and fears among hunters and promote non-timber forestry as a positive economic alternative
Prevalence and characteristics of illegal jaguar trade in north‐western Bolivia
(Society for Conservation Biology, 2021) Melissa Arias; Amy Hinsley; Paola Nogales‐Ascarrunz; Nuno Negrões; Jenny Anne Glikman; E.J. Milner‐Gulland
Abstract Recent seizures of jaguar body parts in Bolivia have prompted concern about illegal trade to China, but a detailed understanding of this emerging trade continues to be lacking. We interviewed 1,107 people in a rural area implicated in the trade, using direct and indirect questions through the Ballot Box Method (BBM) to explore the prevalence and characteristics of the illegal jaguar trade and its links to foreign demand. Jaguar trade is a common, and mostly non‐sensitive practice; 46% of respondents reported some involvement over the past 5 years. The most common behavior was owning jaguar body parts, such as skins, fat and teeth for decorative, medicinal, and cultural purposes. The most mentioned traders were Bolivian, followed by traders of Asian descent. However, regression analysis shows that the presence of traders of European descent was more significantly and positively associated with jaguar trade related behaviors, ahead of Asian descent and regional traders. Overall, jaguar trade in Bolivia has more diverse actors and drivers than seizures may suggest. Therefore, conservation interventions, in addition to targeting demand from Chinese wildlife markets, should address other foreign and domestic markets and trade chains.
Prevalence and characteristics of jaguar trade in north-western Bolivia
(2020) Melissa Arias; Amy Hinsley; Paola Nogales‐Ascarrunz; Nuno Negrões; Jenny Anne Glikman; E.J. Milner‐Gulland
Recent seizures of jaguar body parts in Bolivia have prompted concern about illegal trade to China, but concrete evidence is lacking. We interviewed 1107 people in a rural area implicated in the trade, using direct and indirect questions to explore the prevalence and characteristics of jaguar trade and its links to foreign demand. Jaguar trade is a common, non-sensitive practice; 46% of respondents reported some involvement over the past 5 years. Up to 31% of respondents owned jaguar body parts, most commonly skins, fat and teeth for decorative, medicinal, and cultural purposes. Contrary to expectations, Bolivians were the most reported traders, and presence of Caucasian traders was significantly and positively associated with jaguar trade, ahead of Asian and regional traders. Overall, jaguar trade in Bolivia has more diverse drivers than seizures may suggest. Therefore, conservation interventions, in addition to targeting Chinese demand, should address foreign and domestic trade chains.