Guedes, PatríciaPalmeirim, Ana FilipaMonteiro, FilipaCatarino, LuísPalma, LuísTemudo, Marina P.Henriques, MohamedBeja, PedroLopes, Ricardo JorgeLadle, Richard J.Powell, Luke L.2024-12-192024-12-192024-09Guedes, P., Palmeirim, A. F., Monteiro, F., Catarino, L., Palma, L., Temudo, M. P., Henriques, M., Beja, P., Lopes, R. J., Ladle, R. J., & Powell, L. L. (2024). At the tipping point: Can biodiversity and rural livelihoods endure uncontrolled cashew expansion in West Africa? Biotropica, 56, e13374. https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.13374http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/96503Our commentary explores the increase in cashew cultivation across West Africa, drawing attention to its impacts on biodiversity and livelihoods. We summarize the issue regionally, then showcase Guinea-Bissau, where we unravel the dynamics between cashew expansion, habitat and biodiversity loss, and livelihoods. Finally, we propose concrete policy measures encompassing strengthened conservation, sustainable land-use planning, enhanced farming practices, community engagement, and international market reforms. Our recommendations extend beyond both a recent review (Rege et al. 2023) and a concise policy commentary on EU deforestation law (Powell et al. 2023) in offering a roadmap for sustainable cashew cultivation.engjournal article10.1111/btp.13374