Meeting the needs of the people through species domestication: A basis for effective conservation of the Eastern Arc Mountain forest biodiversity

Abstract

Threats of biodiversity loss, caused by the overexploitation of natural resources are serious local and global concerns. Available information on the components of biodiversity, especially in the natural-resource-dependent third world, indicates a gloomy trend. The situation for the forest biodiversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains is serious. Many deliberations on the urgency and possible conservation measures needed to limit or curb the pending catastrophes have not yielded the desired results. Growing human populations, adjacent to the biodiversity centres and without alternatives, continue seeking their forest-based material needs from the forests. Some of the most sought-after products come from endemic species. Thus, effective future biodiversity conservation strategies will not lie in the routine in situ, but through radical ex situ conservation. The present paper discusses these issues, including future needs for the identification of the species people want, their location in the forest ecosystem and the development of appropriate technologies for their acquisition, propagation and domestication.

Journal of East African Natural History Vol. 87 (1&2) 1998: pp. 243-252