In brief
A new study led by the University of Melbourne shows that over 107,000 species are involved in the global wildlife trade—more than double the previously cited 50,000 species. Published in Science Advances, the research calls for standardized, globally coordinated data collection to better assess the sustainability of wildlife trade. The study points to large information gaps, especially regarding quantity, origins, and population-level impacts.
Melbourne, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) – A University of Melbourne‑led study released this week reports that more than 107,000 species are traded worldwide, doubling earlier estimates that placed the figure at about 50,000 species.
The research, published in the scientific journal Science Advances, identified 107,356 species across plants, animals and fungi that appear in trade, according to a university statement issued on Saturday.
Professor Alice Hughes, lead researcher from the School of BioSciences, said the wildlife trade extends far beyond the well known illegal trade in elephants, tigers and pangolins, and includes timber, seafood, medicinal plants, pets, cut flowers, ornamental fish and fungi, most of which are legally traded.
Hughes noted that for most of these species “we have little to no data. There is no data on quantity and origins, let alone the population level data to assess if trade poses a risk to species survival.”
She added that the global biodiversity framework’s existing trade target covered only about 2 to 3 percent of species in trade, leaving 97 percent of traded species unaccounted for in current monitoring.
The researchers called for standardized data collection and more comprehensive and transparent global reporting, suggesting that existing customs and animal health inspection processes could be adapted to improve wildlife trade monitoring.