Environmental variability across space and time drives the recolonization pattern of a historically persecuted large carnivore

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(5)

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Wildlife populations are not static. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect individuals, which lead to spatiotemporal variation in population density range. Yet, dynamics their drivers rarely documented, due part the inherent difficulty of studying long-term population-level phenomena at ecologically meaningful scales. We studied a recolonizing large carnivore population, wolverine Gulo gulo , across Scandinavian Peninsula over nine years. fitted open-population spatial capture-recapture models noninvasive genetic sampling data collected Norway Sweden estimate annual surfaces drivers. This approach allowed us model sex-specific changes effect landscape-level environmental determinants time. Our results revealed that, as wolverines successfully recolonized many parts historical range Scandinavia, relationship with has changed also found support for responses differences temporal relationships, indicating disproportionate recolonization ability anthropogenic pressures. observed significant female several during study period, suggesting still ongoing expansion whereas males might have already reached limits. These findings show that is recovering from centuries persecution severe contraction. sheds light on challenges carnivores human-dominated landscapes time space.

Language: Английский

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Mapping cumulative pressures on the grazing lands of northern Fennoscandia

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Sept. 30, 2022

Abstract Traditional grazing areas in Europe have declined substantially over the last century. Specifically, northern Fennoscandia, land is disturbed by cumulative land-use pressures. Here we analysed configuration of for reindeer and sheep Fennoscandia relation to concurrent pressures from tourism, road railway networks, forestry, industrial wind energy facilities, together with predator presence climate change. Our results show that 85% region affected at least one pressure 60% multiple pressures, co-occurring rising temperatures. As such, a majority exposed Fennoscandia. We stress that, if expansion leads abandonment intensification other areas, it could irreversibly change vegetation Fennoscandian mountain landscape.

Language: Английский

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The trophic distribution of biomass in ecosystems with co-occurring wildlife and livestock

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Abstract Trophic interactions regulate populations, but anthropogenic processes influence primary productivity and consumption by both herbivore carnivore species. ecology studies often focus on natural systems such as protected areas, even though livestock globally comprise the majority of terrestrial vertebrate biomass. Here we explore spatial temporal patterns in distribution biomass between plants, large herbivores carnivores (> 10 kg) Norwegian rangelands, including wildlife livestock. We find high variation relationship plant biomass, with positive negative divergence observed from expectations based productivity. Meanwhile, despite recent partial recoveries densities across Norway, is still lower than expected if are excluded estimation. Our study highlights how trends reflect policy development. The role husbandry management thus key determining realised distributions anthropogenically influenced ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Norwegian sheep farmers’ perception of the advantages and disadvantages of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies

Journal of Rural Studies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 117, P. 103684 - 103684

Published: April 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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Knowledge Claims and Struggles in Decentralized Large Carnivore Governance: Insights From Norway and Sweden

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: June 5, 2020

Keywords: large carnivore management1, pastoral communities2, decentralization3, knowledge spheres4, conflicts5. Ensuring sustainable populations while simultaneously sustaining active and viable communities creates conflicts that are difficult to resolve. This article examines how different systems meet interact in governance Norway Sweden. Drawing on a broad range of sources, including observations meetings, public documents, reports interviews, addition local national newspaper clippings Internet sites, we study two processes regional management (Nordland, Jämtland, Sweden). We explore forms have been mobilized, reproduced, transferred legitimized policies regulations these processes. Further, examine the interplay between scientific experience-based at levels scales both countries. In Norway, 'clear zoning' has established as basic instrument achieve 'population goals' for carnivores. show locally situated – our account represented through Regional Large Carnivore Committee, which includes political parties' Sami Parliament representatives experiences real barriers by being overrun Ministry Climate Environment, their process revising plan. Sweden where carnivores is devolved authorities stakeholder-based Wildlife Management Delegations, attempts regionally solve often overthrown environmental protection agency or court cases initiated movement. Hence, compromises potentially could undermined. The analysis shows countries founded decentralized authority level, actors struggle views, be acknowledged counted valid process. While model opens inclusion systems, this system yet acknowledge challenges dismissed marginalized across scales.

Language: Английский

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Wolverine density distribution reflects past persecution and current management in Scandinavia

Ecography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(9)

Published: June 23, 2023

After centuries of intense persecution, several large carnivore species in Europe and North America have experienced a rebound. Today's spatial configuration populations has likely arisen from the interplay between their ecological traits current environmental conditions, but also history persecution protection. Yet, due to challenge studying population‐level phenomena, we are rarely able disentangle quantify influence past present factors driving distribution density these controversial species. Using capture‐recapture models data set 742 genetically identified wolverines Gulo gulo collected over ½ million km 2 across entire range Norway Sweden, identify landscape‐level explaining population Scandinavian Peninsula. Distance relict along Swedish–Norwegian border, where wolverine survived long remains key determinant today. However, regional differences management conditions played an important role shaping patterns present‐day density. Specifically, found evidence slower recolonization areas that had lower goals terms desired number annual reproductions. Management transboundary at biologically relevant scales may be inhibited by administrative fragmentation. as our study shows, monitoring is achievable prerequisite for comprehensive understanding carnivores increasingly anthropogenic landscape.

Language: Английский

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Patterns of cattle and sheep losses related to large carnivores and other causes in the outfields of Norway

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 305, P. 111107 - 111107

Published: March 26, 2025

Language: Английский

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Governing dual objectives within single policy mixes: an empirical analysis of large carnivore policies in six European countries

Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 15

Published: Nov. 3, 2020

Policy mixes (i.e. the total structure of policy processes, strategies, and instruments) are complex constructs that can quickly become incoherent, inconsistent, incomprehensive. This is amplified when mix strives to meet multiple objectives simultaneously, such as in case large carnivore mixes. Building on Rogge Reichardt's analytical framework for analysis mixes, we compare Norway, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Germany (specifically Saxony Bavaria), Spain Castilla y León). The study shows countries show signs lacking vertical horizontal coherence design weak consistency between designated instruments, and, a consequence, comprehensiveness. We conclude creating consistent, coherent, comprehensive build requires stepping away from sectorized development, toward holistic, systemic approach, strong collaborative structures across boundaries regions, inclusion diverse stakeholders, constant care attention address all simultaneously rather than isolation.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying anthropogenic wolf mortality in relation to hunting regulations and landscape attributes across North America

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(5)

Published: May 1, 2022

Understanding the types and magnitude of human-caused mortality is essential for maintaining viable large carnivore populations. We used a database cause-specific to examine how hunting regulations landscape configurations influenced North American gray wolves (Canis lupus). Our dataset included 21 studies that monitored fates 3564 reported 1442 mortalities. Human-caused accounted 61% overall, with 23% due illegal harvest, 16% legal 12% result management removal. The overall proportion anthropogenic wolf was lowest in areas an open season compared closed or mixed regulations, suggesting harvest neither fully additive nor compensatory. Proportion from removal reduced season, may reduce human-wolf conflicts alternatively have less potential removals (e.g., livestock depredation). natural habitat negatively correlated mortality. Additionally, increased greater fragmentation. observed association between patches reductions several sources reiterate importance preservation maintain Furthermore, effective populations via implementation conflict humans. Effective conservation will depend on holistic strategies integrate ecological socioeconomic factors facilitate their long-term coexistence

Language: Английский

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Effects of Cattle and Cervids on Plants and Flower-Visiting Insects in Young Spruce Plantations

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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