Drug control strategies in Central America are exacerbating deforestation and threatening quite a few bird species

Activities related to cocaine trafficking threaten two-thirds of Central America's most significant landscapes for 196 forest bird species, including 67 migratory species, is the important thing finding of a study colleagues and I published in June 2024. within the journal Nature Sustainability.

Our results suggest that there’s real potential for drug-related deforestation negatively affect the populations of migratory birds. Many of those species are unusually concentrated in winter in Central America, which covers a relatively smaller area than their summer breeding grounds in North America.

For certainly one of five migratory bird species that migrate to the forests of Central America annually, including well-known birds resembling the BaltimoretroopialMore than 50% of their global populations overwinter in areas which can be becoming increasingly attractive to smugglers. Half of the migratory species have no less than 25% of their populations overwinter in these areas.

For example, an estimated 90% of the vulnerable Golden-cheeked Warbler population spends the winter in these vulnerable landscapes, together with 70% of the Philadelphia Vireos and 70% of Golden-winged Warbler.

Why it is crucial

Almost half of the world’s migratory bird species are in decline, and one in five species is threatened with extinctionSince 1970, North America alone has lost 3 billion breeding birds – greater than 25% of the overall populationBirds perform many essential ecological functions, including eating insects, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds, and their presence is usually a reliable indicator of the general health of an ecosystem.

The illegal drug trade is certainly one of the predominant causes of deforestation in Central America. Drug traffickers cut down tropical forests to construct runways and roads and to determine farms and ranches. They use these businesses to to launder their profits into the legal economy.

These activities often result in further forest loss, further development and criminal activities. In some Central American countries, so-called narco-deforestation is estimated to almost a 3rd of all deforestation.

Increasing evidence suggests that current drug policies and control strategies, which focus almost exclusively on drug suppliers, Drugs exacerbate deforestationHuman traffickers can reply to prohibition measures by reducing their activities to more distant and intact forest areas – Zones which can be particularly essential for wildlife.

In fact, a recent study showed that the US-led interception measures inside the Mesoamerican biocorridor – a patchwork of protected areas stretching from Mexico to Panama – pushed the smugglers into areas with highest jaguar density in Central America.

How we worked

More than 1 million bird watchers have Data transmitted to eBirda world participatory science initiative that collects observations to document bird distribution, abundance, habitat use, and trends. This information helps scientists understand intimately how bird numbers change in specific locations all year long, and diagnose and mitigate key threats to bird populations.

In our study, we combined eBird data on bird abundance and distribution with previously published information on changes within the probability that landscapes would experience cocaine trafficking in the long runWe have summarized these changes as a measure of “suitability” for drug-related activities.

Suitability on this case was assessed based on social and environmental characteristics which can be attractive to drug traffickers. For example, forested areas, removed from roads and sparsely populated areas usually tend to conceal activities than heavily used areas near cities.

What's next

Our study adds to existing evidence that drug control measures may shift drug trafficking to increasingly distant and forested areas, which regularly provide essential habitat for migratory birds. Drug trafficking is only one example of how the long run of humans and nature are closely linked.

To avert something negative consequences for people and natureGovernments could consider expanding or strengthening measures to support local communities monitor and protect your countryResearch shows that community control is usually an efficient method to conserve natural areas, reduce poverty, and protect wildlife.

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