Abstract
Within conservation biology growing evidence of the decline of the Saker falcon (falco cherrug) population has directed attention to the role of the global falcon trade. Here, we examine factors that may explain the global Saker trade using ecological modernization, treadmill of production and unequal ecological exchange as theoretical frameworks. We estimate trends in Saker exports using the most comprehensive measure available – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Trade Database. Our analysis employs fixed effects regression techniques to control for unobserved heterogeneity between nations to isolate the most important drivers of Saker exports. We find that the rise in Saker exports are partly correlated with a nation's increasing income and growing dependence on trade. Such a situation infers that the global Saker falcon population will continue to diminish if conservation policy does not change and current economic conditions continue.
Highlights
The relationship between economic development and environmental conservation is well studied within sociology, often emphasizing treadmill of production, unequal ecological exchange or ecological modernization frameworks (Buttel, 2000; Fisher and Freudenburg, 2001; Gould et al, 2004; Schnaiberg, 1980; Spaargaren and Mol, 1992)
Serious concern over the Saker falcon population decline has prompted a global response, and organizations such as the IUCN have changed the status of the falcon from ‘near threatened’ to ‘endangered’ on the Red List of Threatened Species (BirdLife, 2017)
The global export of these falcons has been noted as a significant cause of their decline and lead to their listing of ‘endangered’ on the Red List of Threatened Species
Summary
The relationship between economic development and environmental conservation is well studied within sociology, often emphasizing treadmill of production, unequal ecological exchange or ecological modernization frameworks (Buttel, 2000; Fisher and Freudenburg, 2001; Gould et al, 2004; Schnaiberg, 1980; Spaargaren and Mol, 1992). These three frameworks have yet to be evaluated within a conservation biology perspective to examine wildlife trade. Stretesky et al / Global Ecology and Conservation 13 (2018) e00372
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