About this Research Topic
Illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade (IUWT) is increasingly being recognized as a key threat to biodiversity and ecosystem health. Scientific tools to help detect, identify, and track IUWT are key contributions from the scientific and conservation community to help mitigate ecological erosion caused by wildlife trade. Research and diagnostic tools that can be applied to wildlife forensic analysis and the generation of intelligence to aid investigations related to IUWT are diverse and rapidly developing. However, this applied research is often not easily accessible to end-users, highlighting the need for open science and communication.
A myriad of scientific tools are being applied in novel ways to detect, identify, and track IUWT. A variety of disciplines are engaged in applying scientific research and innovative tools to wildlife forensic applications and the generation of wildlife trade intelligence, yet they are often disparate and published in discipline-focused journals. Our collective impact will create increased coordination and communication between such disciplines. We hope to collate emerging and wide-ranging scientific tools to tackle long standing as well as emerging IUWT issues and encourage a strong community of collaboration and information sharing. We also hope to circulate the contents of this Research Topic to enforcement authorities globally to facilitate the application of these tools on the ground.
We are interested in manuscripts that detail empirical research in innovative science and applied diagnostic tools to contribute to the investigation and enforcement of wildlife crime and related wildlife trade issues, as well as case studies of their successful application. We welcome contributions on tools relating to a variety of scientific questions pertaining to wildlife trade issues including species identification, geographic provenance, individual identification, captive vs wild source, and One Health. We also welcome contributions on a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to genetics/genomics, stable isotope analysis, morphology, x-ray fluorescence, elemental analysis and additional scientific technologies such as the use of micro-chipping, drones, etc. We welcome research on a variety of animal and plant species that are threatened by trade, and from a range of countries and regions.
A myriad of scientific tools are being applied in novel ways to detect, identify, and track IUWT. A variety of disciplines are engaged in applying scientific research and innovative tools to wildlife forensic applications and the generation of wildlife trade intelligence, yet they are often disparate and published in discipline-focused journals. Our collective impact will create increased coordination and communication between such disciplines. We hope to collate emerging and wide-ranging scientific tools to tackle long standing as well as emerging IUWT issues and encourage a strong community of collaboration and information sharing. We also hope to circulate the contents of this Research Topic to enforcement authorities globally to facilitate the application of these tools on the ground.
We are interested in manuscripts that detail empirical research in innovative science and applied diagnostic tools to contribute to the investigation and enforcement of wildlife crime and related wildlife trade issues, as well as case studies of their successful application. We welcome contributions on tools relating to a variety of scientific questions pertaining to wildlife trade issues including species identification, geographic provenance, individual identification, captive vs wild source, and One Health. We also welcome contributions on a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to genetics/genomics, stable isotope analysis, morphology, x-ray fluorescence, elemental analysis and additional scientific technologies such as the use of micro-chipping, drones, etc. We welcome research on a variety of animal and plant species that are threatened by trade, and from a range of countries and regions.
Keywords: wildlife trade, wildlife forensics, scientific tools, multidisciplinary research, illegal wildlife trade, unsustainable wildlife trade, IUWT
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
