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We describe a novel database on wildlife trafficking that can be used for exploring supply chain coordination via game-theoretic collaboration models, geographic spread of wildlife products trafficked via multi-item knapsack problems, or illicit network interdiction via multi-armed bandit problems.</p> A publicly available visualization of this dataset is available at: https://public.tableau.com/views/IWTDataDirectory-Gore/Sheet2?:language=en-US&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link
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A data directory to facilitate investigations on worldwide wildlife trafficking
Wildlife trafficking is a global phenomenon posing many negative impacts on socio-environmental systems. Scientific exploration of wildlife trafficking trends and the impact of interventions is signifi-cantly encumbered by a suite of data reuse challenges. We describe a novel, open-access data directory on wildlife trafficking and a corresponding visualization tool that can be used to identify data for multiple purposes, such as exploring wildlife trafficking hotspots and convergence points with other crime, discovering key drivers or deterrents of wildlife trafficking, and uncovering structural patterns. Keyword searches, expert elicitation, and peer- reviewed publications were used to search for extant sources used by industry and non-profit organizations, as well as those leveraged to publish academic research articles. The open-access data direc-tory is designed to be a living document and searchable according to multiple measures. The directory can be instrumental in the data- driven analysis of unsustainable illegal wildlife trade, supply chain structure via link prediction models, the value of demand and supply reduction initiatives via multi-item knapsack problems, or trafficking behavior and transportation choices via network inter-diction problems.
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- PAR ID:
- 10403307
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Big Earth Data
- ISSN:
- 2096-4471
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1 to 11
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Agrawal, A. (Ed.)Wildlife trafficking, whether local or transnational in scope, undermines sustainable development efforts, degrades cultural resources, endangers species, erodes the local and global economy, and facilitates the spread of zoonotic diseases. Wildlife trafficking networks (WTNs) occupy a unique gray space in supply chains—straddling licit and illicit networks, supporting legitimate and criminal workforces, and often demonstrating high resilience in their sourcing flexibility and adaptability. Authorities in different sectors desire, but frequently lack knowledge about how to allocate resources to disrupt illicit wildlife supply networks and prevent negative collateral impacts. Novel conceptualizations and a deeper scientific understanding of WTN structures are needed to help unravel the dynamics of interaction between disruption and resilience while accommodating socioenvironmental context. We use the case of ploughshare tortoise trafficking to help illustrate the potential of key advancements in interdisciplinary thinking. Insights herein suggest a significant need and opportunity for scientists to generate new science-based recommendations for WTN-related data collection and analysis for supply chain visibility, shifts in illicit supply chain dominance, network resilience, or limits of the supplier base.more » « less
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Abstract We have more data about wildlife trafficking than ever before, but it remains underutilized for decision-making. Central to effective wildlife trafficking interventions is collection, aggregation, and analysis of data across a range of source, transit, and destination geographies. Many data are geospatial, but these data cannot be effectively accessed or aggregated without appropriate geospatial data standards. Our goal was to create geospatial data standards to help advance efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. We achieved our goal using voluntary, participatory, and engagement-based workshops with diverse and multisectoral stakeholders, online portals, and electronic communication with more than 100 participants on three continents. The standards support data-to-decision efforts in the field, for example indictments of key figures within wildlife trafficking, and disruption of their networks. Geospatial data standards help enable broader utilization of wildlife trafficking data across disciplines and sectors, accelerate aggregation and analysis of data across space and time, advance evidence-based decision making, and reduce wildlife trafficking.more » « less
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### Access Data files can be accessed and downloaded from the directory via: [https://arcticdata.io/data/10.18739/A2M03Z00G](https://arcticdata.io/data/10.18739/A2M03Z00G) ### Overview Emergence of beavers as ecosystem engineers in the New Arctic project focuses on establishing field sites at tundra beaver ponds to study the implications of beaver engineering on ecosystems. We established three game camera sites at beaver-impacted streams on the Baldwin Peninsula from August 2023-April 2024. We aimed to collect information regarding ice formation phenology, overflow dynamics, and wildlife interactions. Two cameras were deployed adjacent to beaver dams, and another was deployed at a "control" site in a part of a stream that remains unimpacted by beavers. Cameras were set in a hybrid setting, collecting images through timelapse and trigger settings. Two cameras (Moultrie brand) lost power in early December, and one (Bushnell brand) maintained power over the entire study period. Cameras captured ice formation dynamics in early fall, as well as a series of overflow events. From this rudimentary data set, we did not detect differences in ice formation between ponds and the control site. We were also able to detect a dam bursting event following an August rain storm, which beavers did not repair before winter. Cameras captured a variety of wildlife, including red foxes, moose, brown bears, Canada geese, green-winged teal, and, of course, beavers.more » « less
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As a result of declining biodiversity and increasing rates of urbanization, the illegal urban wildmeat trade is projected to become an integral sector of the wildlife crime industry. Adequate assessment of urban wildmeat trafficking requires investigation into the roles and behaviors of individuals who engage in wildlife crimes. However, akin to much of wildlife crime literature, women's engagement within the urban wildmeat trade have received little investigation. The objectives of our investigation were to (1) explore relationships between women and wildlife products across the supply chain, and (2) determine whether a significant relationship exists between women and specific wildlife products. Through systematic social observations, we evaluate the gendered dimensions of urban wildmeat trafficking in the Republic of Congo between the urban centers of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. We place particular emphasis on species of conservation concern, namely great apes, African pangolins, and dwarf crocodiles. Results indicate that there are gendered variations at the species and the geographic level, indicating that women are sourcing and sending their products to different locations than men, and that women are specializing in trade of different species. We attest that urban wildmeat trafficking prevention strategies implement a gender-aware approach due to the unique ways that individuals engage with the industry and how that engagement is gendered.more » « less
- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1080/20964471.2023.2193281
