I think you are taking a limited view of rangers and protected areas. This is globally, and outside of the first world ranger means less park tourism guide than practical worker to secure global biodiversity and prevent species loss.
If you read the paper linked it indicates that we are globally and serially understaffing protected area management which is a big deal. Apart from maybe losing iconic big and famous species, protected areas also offer incredibly valuable ecosystem services which contribute to e.g. us having clean water and sufficient oxygen.
First estimate of number of protected areas staff (555k, includes all admin and related staff) and ranger (286k) in 20 years, showing systemic under-resourcing in protected areas management.
LazyG OP t1_iuwnxc1 wrote
Reply to comment by Tapprunner in New estimate of global number of rangers at 286,000: 'the global ranger workforce is outnumbered by employees working at golf courses and country clubs in the United States (380,000) and by employees in the UK hair and beauty industry (288,000)'. Nature Sustainability. by LazyG
I think you are taking a limited view of rangers and protected areas. This is globally, and outside of the first world ranger means less park tourism guide than practical worker to secure global biodiversity and prevent species loss.
If you read the paper linked it indicates that we are globally and serially understaffing protected area management which is a big deal. Apart from maybe losing iconic big and famous species, protected areas also offer incredibly valuable ecosystem services which contribute to e.g. us having clean water and sufficient oxygen.