Big city life: carnivores in urban environments

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 287(1), P. 1 - 23

Published: April 19, 2012

Abstract Cities may represent one of the most challenging environments for carnivorous mammals. For example, cities have a dearth vegetation and other natural resources, coupled with increased habitat fragmentation an abundance roads as well altered climate (e.g. temperature, light, rainfall water runoff). It is therefore intriguing that several carnivore species become established in across globe. Medium‐sized carnivores such red fox, coyote, Eurasian badger raccoon not only survive but also managed to exploit anthropogenic food sources shelter their significant advantage, achieving higher population densities than are found under conditions. In addition, although they live permanently within cities, even large bears, wolves hyaenas derive benefit from living adjacent urbanized areas. this review, we examine history urban adaptation by mammalian carnivores, explore where living, what eat, kills them behavioural consequences We review biology exploring traits body size dietary flexibility. Finally, consider having populations areas, both humans these charismatic conclusion, time massive environmental change globe, continuing encroachment urbanization upon wilderness areas substantially reducing availability habitats many species; therefore, understanding any taxon able adapt anthropogenically disturbed systems must aid us controlling developing suitable conservation measures future species.

Language: Английский

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Human–Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 41(1), P. 143 - 171

Published: Sept. 12, 2016

Human interactions with wildlife are a defining experience of human existence. These can be positive or negative. People compete for food and resources, have eradicated dangerous species; co-opted domesticated valuable applied wide range social, behavioral, technical approaches to reduce negative wildlife. This conflict has led the extinction reduction numerous species uncountable deaths economic losses. Recent advances in our understanding growing number conservation coexistence outcomes. I summarize synthesize factors that contribute conflict, mitigate encourage coexistence, emerging trends debates. Fertile areas scholarship include scale complexity, models scenarios, generalizable patterns, expanding boundaries what is considered using new tools technologies, information sharing collaboration, implications global change. The time may ripe identify field, anthrotherology, brings together scholars practitioners from different disciplinary perspectives address human–wildlife coexistence.

Language: Английский

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Promoting and preserving biodiversity in the urban forest

Urban forestry & urban greening, Journal Year: 2006, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. 195 - 201

Published: Oct. 18, 2006

Language: Английский

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Motivations for Conserving Urban Biodiversity

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 24(2), P. 432 - 440

Published: Sept. 22, 2009

Abstract: In a time of increasing urbanization, the fundamental value conserving urban biodiversity remains controversial. How much fixed budget should be spent on conservation in versus nonurban landscapes? The answer depend goals that drive our actions, yet proponents often fail to specify motivation for protecting biodiversity. This is an important shortcoming several fronts, including missed opportunity make stronger appeal those who believe biology focus exclusively more natural, wilder landscapes. We argue areas do offer venue biology, but we must become better at choosing and articulating goals. explored seven possible motivations conservation: preserving local biodiversity, creating stepping stones habitat, understanding facilitating responses environmental change, conducting education, providing ecosystem services, fulfilling ethical responsibilities, improving human well‐being. To attain all these goals, challenges faced are common environment, such as localized pollution, disruption structure, limited availability land. There are, however, also specific only particular meaning different will require approaches actions. highlights importance specifying behind conservation. If unknown, progress cannot assessed.

Language: Английский

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Behavioural adjustments for a life in the city

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 85(5), P. 1101 - 1112

Published: March 5, 2013

Language: Английский

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Birdsong and anthropogenic noise: implications and applications for conservation

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2007, Volume and Issue: 17(1), P. 72 - 83

Published: Sept. 3, 2007

Abstract The dramatic increase in human activities all over the world has caused, on an evolutionary time scale, a sudden rise especially low‐pitched noise levels. Ambient may be detrimental to birds through direct stress, masking of predator arrival or associated alarm calls, and by interference acoustic signals general. Two most important functions avian are territory defence mate attraction. Both these hampered when signal efficiency is reduced rising levels, resulting negative fitness consequences. Many bird species less abundant near highways studies becoming available reproductive success noisy territories. Urbanization typically leads homogenization communities large geographical ranges. We review current evidence for whether how anthropogenic plays role patterns decline diversity density. also provide details case study great tits ( Parus major ), successful urban species. Great show features that other lack make them unsuitable city life. hypothesize behavioural plasticity singing behaviour allow more adapt human‐altered environments we address potential microevolutionary changes speciation European blackbirds Turdus merula ). conclude providing overview mitigating measures abate levels degrading breeding areas. Bird conservationists probably gain realizing humans often benefit from same only slightly modified measures.

Language: Английский

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Fifteen forms of biodiversity trend in the Anthropocene

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 30(2), P. 104 - 113

Published: Dec. 24, 2014

Language: Английский

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Behavioural responses to human‐induced environmental change

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 86(3), P. 640 - 657

Published: Oct. 27, 2010

The initial response of individuals to human‐induced environmental change is often behavioural. This can improve the performance under sudden, large‐scale perturbations and maintain viable populations. also give additional time for genetic changes arise and, hence, facilitate adaptation new conditions. On other hand, maladaptive responses, which reduce individual fitness, may occur when encounter conditions that population has not experienced during its evolutionary history, decrease viability. A growing number studies find human disturbances induce behavioural both directly by altering factors influence fitness. Common causes responses are in transmission information, concentration endocrine disrupters, availability resources, possibility dispersal, abundance interacting species. Frequent alterations habitat choice, movements, foraging, social behaviour reproductive behaviour. Behavioural depend on genetically determined reaction norm individuals, evolves over generations. Populations first respond with plasticity, whereafter through innovations patterns within across generations, finally, evolution Only a restricted species show adaptations make them thrive severely disturbed environments. Hence, rapid diversity native species, while facilitating spread invasive highly plastic behaviours. Consequently, have profound effects distribution, adaptation, speciation extinction populations biodiversity. better understanding mechanisms their consequences could our ability predict

Language: Английский

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Biotic homogenization: a new research agenda for conservation biogeography

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2006, Volume and Issue: 33(12), P. 2027 - 2039

Published: Aug. 22, 2006

Abstract Aim Biotic homogenization describes the process by which species invasions and extinctions increase genetic, taxonomic or functional similarity of two more biotas over a specified time interval. The study biotic is young rapidly emerging research area in budding field conservation biogeography, this paper aims to synthesize our current knowledge advocate systematic approach its investigation. Methods Based on comprehensive examination primary literature reviews homogenization, including definition, quantification, underlying ecological mechanisms, environmental drivers, empirical evidence for different groups, potential evolutionary implications. Important gaps are then identified, areas new that show greatest promise advancing thinking highlighted. Results Current patterns, mechanisms implications highly variable across but general incomplete. Quantitative estimates almost exclusively limited freshwater fishes plants United States, principal drivers remain elusive. To date has focused genetic received inadequate attention. Trends past decade, however, suggest as topic greater interest. Main conclusions My investigation revealed number important priority needs science homogenization. Future studies should examine community properties (species occurrence abundance) at multiple spatial temporal scales, with careful attention paid various biological (invasions vs. extinctions) (environmental alteration interactions) involved. Perhaps most importantly, recognize there possible outcomes resulting from accumulation extinctions, differentiation whereby decreases time.

Language: Английский

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Urban biodiversity: patterns and mechanisms

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 1223(1), P. 69 - 81

Published: March 1, 2011

The patterns of biodiversity changes in cities are now fairly well established, although diversity temperate much better studied than other climate zones. Generally, plant species richness often increases due to importation exotic species, whereas animal declines. Abundances some groups, especially birds and arthropods, increase urban areas despite declines richness. Although several models have been proposed for change, the processes underlying poorly understood. We argue that humans directly control plants but relatively few animals microbes—the remaining biological community is determined by this “template” upon which natural ecological evolutionary act. As a result, conserving or reconstructing habitats defined vegetation within no guarantee components will follow suit. Understanding human‐controlled alter essential biodiversity. This comprise growing fraction world's repository future.

Language: Английский

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