Reinventing mutualism between humans and wild fauna: insights from vultures as ecosystem services providers

A unique mutualistic relationship between humans and the globally threatened Egyptian vulture in Socotra, Yemen, sustains one of the densest populations of this scavenger. The study reveals that human activities support this population by providing organic waste, which vultures consume—accounting for up to 22.4% of annual town waste disposal. Researchers analyzed spatial distribution and consumption patterns to demonstrate how vultures serve as critical ecosystem regulators. However, globalization threatens this balance, necessitating policies that integrate societal needs with biodiversity conservation. The authors propose shifting the mutualism toward cultural services to reconcile economic development and conservation in the Middle East.

Gangoso, L., Agudo, R., Anadón, J. D., de la Riva, M., Suleyman, A. S., Porter, R., & Donázar, J. A. (2012). Reinventing mutualism between humans and wild fauna: insights from vultures as ecosystem services providers. Conservation Letters, 6(3), 172–179. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263x.2012.00289.x