The DOI matches its Crossref record; 21 of the 21 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Accelerated Human Population Growth at Protected Area Edges
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) have long been criticized as creations of and for an elite few, where associated costs, but few benefits, are borne by marginalized rural communities. Contrary to predictions of this argument, we found that average human population growth rates on the borders of 306 PAs in 45 countries in Africa and Latin America were nearly double average rural growth, suggesting that PAs attract, rather than repel, human settlement. Higher population growth on PA edges is evident across ecoregions, countries, and continents and is correlated positively with international donor investment in national conservation programs and an index of park-related funding. These findings provide insight on the value of PAs for local people, but also highlight a looming threat to PA effectiveness and biodiversity conservation.
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“However, as human populations adjacent to many protected areas are growing rapidly (Wittemyer et al., 2008), colonization and propagule pressures will increase.”
From Scientists' warning on invasive alien species (2020) · cites this paper as Wittemyer et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“Previous studies suggest that both the rate of landuse change and the growth of human populations can be fastest near protected area boundaries ( 13 -16 ), which accelerate the rate of edge degradation through increased livestock production, crop cultivation, and extraction of natural resources such as charcoal and bushmeat.”
From Cross-boundary human impacts compromise the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem (2019) · cites this paper as [13]
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Which response for which level?
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Petersen, A. M., Arroyave, F. J., Shackelton, S., & Jenkins, J. S. (2026) · PNAS Nexus · doi:10.1093/pnasnexus/pgag028
“This broader halo effect attracts tourism industry expansion at park peripheries, and contributes to the blurring of ecological, governance, and crisis management boundaries (15 – 19).”
Dervieux, Z. (2021) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/65be5283z9367z4ac2z9784z1a36a5f7d0a8
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Conflicts and Collisions With an Endangered Carnivore: Landscape Drivers and Spatial Risk Pattern
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“As human development expands and natural habitats become increasingly fragmented, this spatial overlap intensifies, leading to a range of conflicts between humans and wildlife (Loveridge et al. 2010; Wittemyer et al. 2008; Woodroffe et al. 2005).”
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yuanjh050420, Kays, R., Jensen, A. J., Liu, K., Liu, Y., & Li, S. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7488427
Protected Areas' Wildland‐Urban Interfaces on Frontlines of Forest Loss and Reforestation
Huang, A., Xu, X., & Jia, G. (2026) · Earth s Future · doi:10.1029/2025ef007891
“Although legal designation restricts urban development within PA boundaries, the edges of PAs are increasingly attracting human settlements (González‐ García et al., 2022; Wittemyer et al., 2008).”
High spatial continuity in human pressure inside and outside global protected areas
Schauman, S. A., Jobbagy, E. G., Peñuelas, J., Verger, A., Descals, A., & Baldi, G. (2026) · Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation · doi:10.1016/j.pecon.2026.10.002
Wanyama, D., Kotikot, S. M., Akanga, D. O., & Bunting, E. (2026) · Applied Geography · doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2026.104214
Yan, B., Cao, Y., Che, B., Lan, X., Dan, Z., Miao, G., Yang, X., & Li, R. (2026) · Land · doi:10.3390/land15112046
Metadata
- Authors
- Wittemyer, G., Elsen, P., Bean, W. T., Burton, A. C. O., & Brashares, J. S.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Corresponding author
- Wittemyer, George
- Brashares, Justin S.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2008-07-04
- Volume
- 321
- Issue
- 5885
- Pages
- 123-126
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2093559267
- Cited by
- 731
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 32 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 44 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 52 · 2012: 39
- FWCI
- 37.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Keywords
- protected areas, population growth, rural settlement, conservation effectiveness, biodiversity conservation, donor funding, conservation funding, Africa, Latin America
- MeSH terms
- Conservation of Natural Resources, Financial Support, Humans, Infant, Infant Mortality, International Agencies, Latin America, Population Growth, Poverty, Rural Population, Ecosystem, Africa South of the Sahara, Biodiversity
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