Behind the lenses: Biases in the contribution of wildlife photography to biodiversity representation

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

Abstract Nature‐related visual media has a significant impact on today's society by engaging the public in conservation problems and promoting pro‐environmental behaviours. Although major attention been paid to how some types of (e.g. documentaries) offer unrealistic portrayals natural world, biases representation wildlife photography remain unexplored. In present study, we assessed at spatial, temporal, taxonomic, status selection criteria scales, modelled factors influencing probability portrayed organisms winning contest using data 1333 pictures featured Wildlife Photographer Year, one most popular competitions worldwide. The biomes mostly coincides with their extension planet. However, detected an overrepresentation temperate (broadleaf conifer), Mediterranean tropical forests. We positive change over time representing historically neglected taxa, such as insects. also increase Mangroves, Marine Ecosystems, Tundra forests grasslands. Mammals birds were overrepresented photographs while insects plants underrepresented, so species listed ‘Least Concern’ ‘Data Deficiency’. top 10 ranking included charismatic carnivore species. Our results showed that jury's choice offered more diverse biodiversity than people's choice, showcased fewer taxonomic groups non‐winning pictures. Realm, domain colourfulness influenced organism's picture being winner, but variability explained our model reflects there are large number unexplored determinants socio‐economical, technical or emotional). research trend towards balanced world photography, although yet large, which may influence perception current habitats they encompass. highlight need evenly represent ecosystems awareness, requires providing identity knowledge. Finally, underscore report compliance ethical guidelines when photographing wildlife. Read free Plain Language Summary for this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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The Snow White Fantasy: The Dangers of Misunderstanding Social Exchange Theory in Human-Wildlife Encounter

Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Cases, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 19, 2025

This case study focuses on the unknown risks and harm of wildlife supplementation due to misinterpreting perceived relationship between humans wildlife. Arizonian resident Lisa Williams is observed as a victim these misconceptions after being killed by an Elk she attempted feed. The cause explained through lens Social Exchange Theory. In addition, possible solutions deter are introduced.

Language: Английский

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Changing Human Behavior to Conserve Biodiversity

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(1), P. 419 - 448

Published: Aug. 21, 2024

Conservation of biodiversity is above all else an exercise in human persuasion. Human behavior drives substantive threats to biodiversity; therefore, influencing it the only path mitigating current extinction crisis. We review literature across three different axes highlight evidence on for conservation. First, we look at behavioral interventions mitigate threats, from pollution and climate change invasive species disturbance. Next, examine focused stakeholders, voters, investors, environmental managers consumers, producers, extractors. Finally, delivery channels, ranging mass social media involving changes physical environment or carried out person. key gaps, including lack scale robust impact evaluation most interventions, need prioritize behaviors, overcome reproducibility crisis, deal with inequality when designing implementing interventions.

Language: Английский

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SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity in Urban Population of Wild Fallow Deer, Dublin, Ireland, 2020–2022

Emerging infectious diseases, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(8), P. 1609 - 1620

Published: July 30, 2024

SARS-CoV-2 can infect wildlife, and variants of concern might expand into novel animal reservoirs, potentially by reverse zoonosis. White-tailed deer mule North America are the only species in which has been documented, raising question whether other reservoir exist. We report cases seropositivity a fallow population located Dublin, Ireland. Sampled were seronegative 2020 when Alpha variant was circulating humans, 1 seropositive for Delta 2021, 12/21 (57%) sampled Omicron 2022, suggesting host tropism expansion as new emerged humans. BA.1 capable infecting lung type-2 pneumocytes type-1-like or endothelial cells ex vivo. Ongoing surveillance to identify reservoirs is needed prevent public health risks during human-animal interactions periurban settings.

Language: Английский

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First Eurasian cases of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in a free-ranging urban population of wild fallow deer

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 7, 2023

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects wildlife. Recent studies highlighted that variants of concern (VOC) may expand into novel animal reservoirs with the potential for reverse zoonosis. North American white-tailed deer are only species in which SARS-CoV-2 has been documented, raising question whether further reservoir exist as new VOC emerge. Here, we report first cases seropositivity Eurasia, a city population fallow Dublin, Ireland. Deer were seronegative 2020 (circulating variant humans: Alpha), one was seropositive 2021 (Delta variant), and 57% animals tested 2022 (Omicron variant). Ex vivo, clinical isolate Omicron BA.1 infected precision cut lung slice type-2 pneumocytes, also major target infection human lungs. Our findings suggest change host tropism emerged reservoir, highlighting importance continued wildlife disease monitoring limiting human-wildlife contacts. Teaser: This study is deer, expansion viral reservoirs.

Language: Английский

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Antler size decreases with increasing age: evidence of reproductive senescence in male Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 12, 2024

Abstract Reproductive senescence, the decline in reproductive performance with increasing age, is extensively documented females but much less investigated males. However, senescence of secondary sexual traits males, such as horns or antlers, has been reported across various vertebrate species. Our study investigates antler size, a conspicuous precopulatory trait male deer, by taking advantage detailed monitoring free-ranging population Fallow Deer (Dama dama) living peri-urban area. We focused on 2 metrics utilizing noninvasive photogrammetry to measure length and palm width 127 free-living results demonstrate clear evidence both declining synchronously from approximately 7 years age onwards. This matches previously decreases mating success ages 6 7, suggesting that size may impact competition success. Males older than experience reduced competitive abilities diminished attractiveness females. provides new cervids, enhancing our understanding eco-evolutionary factors driving emphasizing importance have Deer.

Language: Английский

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