Oil palm research in context: identifying the need for biodiversity assessment.
Oil palm cultivation is frequently cited as a major threat to tropical biodiversity as it is centered on some of the world's most biodiverse regions. In this report, Web of Science was used to find papers on oil palm published since 1970, which were assigned to different subject categories to visualize their research focus. Recent years have seen a broadening in the scope of research, with a slight growth in publications on the environment and a dramatic increase in those on biofuel. Despite this, less than 1% of publications are related to biodiversity and species conservation. In the context of global vegetable oil markets, palm oil and soyabean account for over 60% of production but are the subject of less than 10% of research. Much more work must be done to establish the impacts of habitat conversion to oil palm plantation on biodiversity. Results from such studies are crucial for informing conservation strategies and ensuring sustainable management of plantations.
Turner
Edgar C
EC
Insect Ecology Group, University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Snaddon
Jake L
JL
Fayle
Tom M
TM
Foster
William A
WA
D044822:Biodiversity; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D010938:Plant Oils
D010938:Plant Oils; D000073878:Palm Oil