Multiple species production systems: reversing underdevelopment and nonsustainability in Latin America.
Latin America (LA) is suffering the environmental consequences of worldwide increased productivity and agricultural expansion as well as strong economic restrictions. To survive, LA landowners must turn to higher income products and/or increase productivity. Alternatives are few. But while intensification relies on unaffordable and nonsustainable subsidies, diversification is solely dependent on improved management of available resources. Diversified, multiple-species production systems (MSPS) add wildlife use to traditional production systems, promoting economic and ecological stability. We present examples of MSPS in Latin America. Although results are technically encouraging, their future sustainability is threatened by: i) local subvaluation of wildlife and ii) restricted international markets.
Uhart
Marcela
M
Field Veterinary Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina. muhart@satlink.com
Milano
Fernando
F
D000383:Agriculture / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics / Q000254:growth & development; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D017753:Ecosystem; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America