Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment
Authors: Eppley Timothy M. , Reuter Kim E. , Sefczek Timothy M. , Tinsman Jen , Santini Luca , Hoeks Selwyn , Andriantsaralaza Seheno , Shanee Sam , Fiore Anthony Di , Setchell Joanna M. , Strier Karen B. , Abanyam Peter A. , Mutalib Aini Hasanah Abd , Abwe Ekwoge , Ahmed Tanvir , Ancrenaz Marc , Andriantsimanarilafy Raphali R. , Ang Andie , Aureli Filippo , Barrett Louise , Beehner Jacinta C. , Benítez Marcela E. , Bezerra Bruna M. , Bicca‐Marques Júlio César , Bikaba Dominique , Bitariho Robert , Boesch Christophe , Bolt Laura M. , Boonratana Ramesh , Butynski Thomas M. , Canale Gustavo R. , Carvalho Susana , Chapman Colin A. , Chetry Dilip , Cheyne Susan M. , Cords Marina , Cornejo Fanny M. , Cortés‐Ortiz Liliana , Coudrat Camille N. Z. , Crofoot Margaret C. , Cronin Drew T. , Dadjo Alvine , Dakpogan S. Chrystelle , Danquah Emmanuel , Davenport Tim R. B. , de Jong Yvonne A. , de la Torre Stella , Dempsey Andrea , Dimalibot Judeline C. , Dolch Rainer , Donati Giuseppe , Estrada Alejandro , Farassi Rassina A. , Fashing Peter J. , Fernandez‐Duque Eduardo , da Silva Maria J. Ferreira , Fischer Julia , Flores‐Negrón César F. , Fruth Barbara , Neba Terence Fuh , Gamalo Lief Erikson , Ganzhorn Jörg U. , Garber Paul A. , Gnanaolivu Smitha D. , Gonder Mary Katherine , Bi Sery Ernest Gonedelé , Goossens Benoit , Gordo Marcelo , Guayasamin Juan M. , Guzmán‐Caro Diana C. , Halloran Andrew R. , Hartel Jessica A. , Heymann Eckhard W. , Hill Russell A. , Hockings Kimberley J. , Hohmann Gottfried , Hon Naven , Houngbédji Mariano G. , Huffman Michael A. , Ikemeh Rachel A. , Imong Inaoyom , Irwin Mitchell T. , Izar Patrícia , Jerusalinsky Leandro , Kalema‐Zikusoka Gladys , Kaplin Beth A. , Kappeler Peter M. , Kivai Stanislaus M. , Knott Cheryl D. , Kolasartsanee Intanon , Koops Kathelijne , Kowalewski Martin M. , Kujirakwinja Deo , Kumar Ajith , Le Quyet K. , Lewis Rebecca J. , Lin Aung Ko , Link Andrés , Loría Luz I. , Lormie Menladi M. , Louis Edward E. , Lwin Ngwe , Maisels Fiona , Malaivijitnond Suchinda , Marisa Lesley , McCabe Gráinne M. , McGraw W. Scott , Mekonnen Addisu , Méndez‐Carvajal Pedro G. , Minhós Tânia , Montgomery David M. , Morelos‐Juárez Citlalli , Morgan Bethan J. , Morgan David , Etingüe Amancio Motove , Ndiaye Papa Ibnou , Nekaris K. Anne‐Isola , Nguyen Nga , Nijman Vincent , Nishuli Radar , Norconk Marilyn A. , Oklander Luciana I. , Oktaviani Rahayu , Ostner Julia , Otali Emily , Perry Susan E. , Ramos Eduardo J. Pinel , Porter Leila M. , Pruetz Jill D. , Pusey Anne E. , Queiroz Helder L. , Ramírez Mónica A. , Randriatahina Guy Hermas , Rasoanaivo Hoby , Ratsimbazafy Jonah , Ratsirarson Joelisoa , Razafindramanana Josia , Razafindratsima Onja H. , Reynolds Vernon , Rizaldi Rizaldi , Robbins Martha M. , Rodríguez Melissa E. , Rosales‐Meda Marleny , Sanz Crickette M. , Sarkar Dipto , Savage Anne , Schreier Amy L. , Schülke Oliver , Segniagbeto Gabriel H. , Serio‐Silva Juan Carlos , Setiawan Arif , Seyjagat John , Silva Felipe E. , Sinclair Elizabeth M. , Smith Rebecca L. , Spaan Denise , Stewart Fiona A. , Strum Shirley C. , Surbeck Martin , Svensson Magdalena S. , Talebi Mauricio , Tédonzong Luc Roscelin , Urbani Bernardo , Valsecchi João , Vasey Natalie , Vogel Erin R. , Wallace Robert B. , Wallis Janette , Waters Siân , Wittig Roman M. , Wrangham Richard W. , Wright Patricia C. , Mittermeier Russell A. 
Published: March 2024

Conservation funding is currently limited; cost‐effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations’ conservation return on investment and explored the impact of COVID‐19. We surveyed leaders of field stations across tropical regions that host primate research; 157 field stations in 56 countries responded. Respondents reported improved habitat quality and reduced hunting rates at over 80% of field stations and lower operational costs per km2 than protected areas, yet half of those surveyed have less funding now than in 2019. Spatial analyses support field station presence as reducing deforestation. These “earth observatories” provide a high return on investment; we advocate for increased support of field station programs and for governments to support their vital conservation efforts by investing accordingly.