Detailed Record



Follow the Meat: The Economics of Small-Scale Wild Meat Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries


Abstract In low- and middle-income countries, wild meat — often called bushmeat — is an important source of food and income, but its production threatens species and biodiversity conservation. The conservation literature uses empirical work to identify drivers, and levels, of wild meat consumption and production, while the economics literature provides insight into various actors' decisions about wild meat harvest, sale, and consumption. We describe these literatures by following the path of wild meat from hunting decisions through intermediaries to markets and consumers, which emphasizes that decisions in any part of the wild meat system ultimately trace back to conservation outcomes. The opportunity cost of land for habitat differentiates wild meat production from fisheries and necessitates a landscape perspective. Heterogeneity within and across settings in terms of demand characteristics, costs, and species attributes complicates the implementation of policies without site-specific information.
Authors Jennifer R. Rushlow , Heidi J. Albers University of WyomingORCID
Journal Info Now Publishers | International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics , vol: 17 , iss: 2-3 , pages: 363 - 410
Publication Date 6/15/2023
ISSN 1932-1465
TypeKeyword Image article
Open Access closed Closed Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.1561/101.00000155
KeywordsKeyword Image Food Systems (Score: 0.569442) , Sustainable Diets (Score: 0.545248) , Livelihoods (Score: 0.523036) , Dietary Choices (Score: 0.522274) , Livestock Production (Score: 0.522069)