Interactions between people and wildlife are often mediated by laws, policies, and other governance instruments with profound implications for species conservation. Despite its importance for conservation practice, governance of these human-wildlife relationships is an under-researched area. Our research aim was to understand the link between law/policy and human-wildlife conflict (HWC) and the implications for species conservation using a systematic quantitative review of the literature on the human dimensions of HWC. We identified 133 relevant HWC studies, conducted in 45 countries, involving 114 species. Over 80% of the articles mentioned law, mainly national-level legislation, with little reference to customary or tribal law. However, only 40%, stated whether the laws had influenced the HWC—most reported negative associations with HWC or a mix of positive and negative associations. The perceived ineffectiveness of law was primarily attributed to lack of implementation, support, and enforcement and perceived erroneous laws. The few positive associations included stakeholder involvement, management flexibility, and adequate compensation. Our findings reveal a knowledge deficit on the detailed effects of law on HWC and conservation conflicts in general. Overall, law as an institution seems to exacerbate or prolong most conflicts instead of providing a pathway to coexistence and enhancing species conservation.

中文翻译：

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法律和政策在人类与野生动物冲突中的作用回顾

人与野生动物之间的互动通常由对物种保护产生深远影响的法律、政策和其他治理工具来调节。尽管对保护实践很重要，但这些人类与野生动物关系的治理是一个研究不足的领域。我们的研究目的是通过对有关 HWC 人类维度的文献进行系统定量回顾，了解法律/政策与人类与野生动物冲突 (HWC) 之间的联系以及对物种保护的影响。我们确定了 133 项相关 HWC 研究，在 45 个国家进行，涉及 114 个物种。超过 80% 的文章提及法律，主要是国家层面的立法，很少提及习惯法或部落法。然而，只有 40%，说明法律是否影响了 HWC——大多数报道与 HWC 的负面关联或正面和负面关联的混合。认为法律无效的主要原因是缺乏执行、支持和执行，以及被认为是错误的法律。少数积极的关联包括利益相关者参与、管理灵活性和足够的补偿。我们的研究结果揭示了法律对 HWC 和一般保护冲突的详细影响的知识缺乏。总体而言，法律作为一种制度似乎加剧或延长了大多数冲突，而不是提供共存和加强物种保护的途径。少数积极的关联包括利益相关者参与、管理灵活性和足够的补偿。我们的研究结果揭示了法律对 HWC 和一般保护冲突的详细影响的知识缺乏。总体而言，法律作为一种制度似乎加剧或延长了大多数冲突，而不是提供共存和加强物种保护的途径。少数积极的关联包括利益相关者参与、管理灵活性和足够的补偿。我们的研究结果揭示了法律对 HWC 和一般保护冲突的详细影响的知识缺乏。总体而言，法律作为一种制度似乎加剧或延长了大多数冲突，而不是提供共存和加强物种保护的途径。