This chapter provides a detailed analysis of wild-sourced taxa exported by the Region over the ten-year period 2003-2012 that showed noteworthy trade patterns. Patterns were identified according to one or more of the following criteria: high volume of trade over the five-year period 2008-2012, sharp increase in trade in 2012, overall increase or decrease in trade and high variability in trade between 2003 and 2012. Details on the process of selection according to these criteria is summarised here.

Species selected

A summary of the species that were selected according to the criteria outlined above is provided in Table 2.1. In total, 20 species and one subspecies met the criteria for selection. Of these, eight were Appendix I species, 12 were Appendix II taxa and one species is listed in Appendix III; this includes one species (Crocodylus acutus) that is listed in both Appendix I and II but was selected on the basis of Appendix I trade only. Four mammal, three bird, seven reptile, three amphibian, one invertebrate and three plant (including two tree) taxa were selected on the basis of high volume, sharp increase, overall decrease or high variability in trade by the Region. Information on the criteria met, the top exporter (within the Region) and the top term and purpose reported in trade (e.g. live, specimens, etc.) over the period 2003-2012 are provided for each taxon in Table 2.1. Just over half (11) of the taxa selected met the criteria on the basis of exports for scientific purposes.

One species not known to be native to the Region, Cycas revoluta, was selected on the basis of trade reported as wild sourced as well as trade reported without a source specified; this potential reporting discrepancy is discussed further in Chapter IV. Amazona farinosa was also selected partly on the basis of trade reported without a source specified from El Salvador, where the species is not known to be native; the species is, however, known to occur in neighbouring countries Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Two species, Strombus gigas and Cedrela odorata, were selected on the basis of a high volume of wild-sourced trade that was primarily for commercial purposes; the top commodities in trade were meat and timber, respectively. In addition to Cycas revoluta, discussed above, Swietenia macrophylla was selected on the basis of a high volume of trade in wild-sourced timber of which the majority was reported without a purpose specified, but is likely to be for commercial purposes based on data reported by trading partners.

Table 2.1. Taxa showing noteworthy patterns of wild-sourced* trade from the Region over the period 2003-2012 according to the criteria: high volume of trade, high volume of trade (globally threatened), sharp increase in trade, overall decrease in trade and high variability in trade. Figures rounded to whole numbers, where applicable.

Conclusions

In total, 21 taxa were selected on the basis of high volume, sharp increase, overall decrease or high variability in wild-sourced and ranched trade (including trade reported as source ‘unknown’ or reported without a source specified) from the Region. The majority (11) of taxa selected met the criteria on the basis of exports for scientific purposes; two species were selected on the basis of a high volume of trade that was primarily for commercial purposes (Strombus gigas and Cedrela odorata), with two additional species selected on the basis of high trade volumes of which the majority was reported without a purpose specified (Cycas revoluta and Swietenia macrophylla).