Impact of wild prey availability on livestock predation by snow leopards

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 4(6), P. 170026 - 170026

Published: June 1, 2017

An increasing proportion of the world's poor is rearing livestock today, and global population growing. Livestock predation by large carnivores their retaliatory killing becoming an economic conservation concern. A common recommendation for carnivore reducing on to increase wild prey populations based assumption that will consume this alternative food. predation, however, could either reduce or intensify with increases in depending choice trends abundance. We show extent endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia intensifies density ungulate prey, subsequently stabilizes. found density, estimated at seven sites, was a positive linear function ungulates—the preferred prey—and showed no discernible relationship density. also modelled increased Our results suggest would benefit from ungulates, but problem pastoralists. The potential benefits abundance can be overwhelmed resultant populations. Snow efforts aimed facilitating must accompanied greater assistance better protection offsetting damage caused carnivores.

Language: Английский

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Snow Leopard and Himalayan Wolf: Food Habits and Prey Selection in the Central Himalayas, Nepal

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 12(2), P. e0170549 - e0170549

Published: Feb. 8, 2017

Top carnivores play an important role in maintaining energy flow and functioning of the ecosystem, a clear understanding their diets foraging strategies is essential for developing effective conservation strategies. In this paper, we compared prey selection snow leopards wolves based on analyses genotyped scats (snow n = 182, 57), collected within 26 sampling grid cells (5×5 km) that were distributed across vast landscape ca 5000 km2 Central Himalayas, Nepal. Within cells, sampled abundances using double observer method. We found interspecific differences diet composition reflected respective habitat preferences, i.e. significantly preferred cliff-dwelling wild ungulates (mainly bharal, 57% identified material scat samples), whereas typically plain-dwellers (Tibetan gazelle, kiang argali, 31%). Livestock was consumed less frequently than proportional availability by both predators leopard 27%; wolf 24%), but significant avoidance only detected among leopards. Among livestock species, horses goats, avoided yaks, used sheep as available. factors influencing Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Wolves showed seasonal occurrence small mammals/birds, probably due to winter hibernation prey, marmots. For leopard, depended sex latitude. Wild increased while decreased from south north, latitudinal gradient availability. occurred more male (males: 47%, females: 21%), females 48%, 70%). The sexual difference agrees with previous telemetry studies other large carnivores, may reflect high-risk high-gain strategy males.

Language: Английский

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Governing trade‐offs in ecosystem services and disservices to achieve human–wildlife coexistence

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 33(3), P. 543 - 553

Published: Oct. 23, 2018

Sustaining wildlife populations, which provide both ecosystem services and disservices, represents a worldwide conservation challenge. The Ostrom's social-ecological systems frameworks have been adopted across natural social sciences to characterize benefits from nature. Despite their generalizability, individually they do not include explicit tools for addressing the sustainable management of many populations. For instance, framework does specifically address competing perspectives on wildlife, whereas provides limited representation governance context wherein such are embedded. We developed unified disservices (SEEDS) that advances by explicitly acknowledging importance embedded in contexts. SEEDS emulates hierarchical structure systems, but adds subsystems reflecting heterogeneous stakeholder views experiences wildlife-based disservices. To facilitate operationalizing further broader analyses human-wildlife we devised list variables describe subsystems, as types level cost benefit sharing, participation stakeholders. Steps implement involve engaging local communities stakeholders define analyze interactions outcomes, identify leverage points actions remedy unwanted outcomes. These steps connect with other existing approaches research can guide or within individual new insights options coexistence.Control de las Compensaciones los Servicios y Perjuicios Ambientales para Lograr la Coexistencia entre Humanos Fauna Resumen El mantenimiento poblaciones silvestres fauna, cuales proporcionan servicios perjuicios, representa un reto conservación nivel mundial. Los ambientales marcos trabajo sistemas socio-ecológicos Ostrom se han adoptado en ciencias naturales sociales caracterizar beneficios que proporciona naturaleza. A pesar ser generalizables, individualmente no incluyen herramientas explícitas tratar el manejo sustentable muchas silvestres. Por ejemplo, marco trata manera específica perspectivas rivales sobre mientras una representación limitada del contexto gobierno están embebidas dichas rivales. Desarrollamos socio-ecológico unificado perjuicios (SEEDS, inglés) impulsa ambos al reconocer explícitamente importancia fauna contextos gobierno. emula estructura jerárquica Ostrom, pero añade subsistemas reflejan visión experiencias heterogéneas accionistas tienen basados fauna. Para facilitar operación ampliar análisis todos humano-fauna, diseñamos lista describir SEEDS, como tipos niveles costo beneficio reparto, participación accionistas. pasos implementar involucran comprometer comunidades locales definan subsistemas, analicen interacciones resultados, e identifiquen puntos acciones ventaja remediar resultados deseados. Estos conectan con otras estrategias investigación socio-ecológica pueden guiar través varios o dentro individuales proporcionar nueva información opciones coexistencia humanos fauna.维持野生生物种群既提供了生态系统服务, 也带来了不良影响, 是世界性的保护挑战。自然科学和社会科学中都采用了生态系统服务和奥斯特罗姆社会-生态系统框架来表示从自然中获得的收益。虽然它们得到了广泛应用, 但就单一框架而言, 它们并不含有解决许多野生生物种群可持续管理问题的直接工具。例如, 奥斯特罗姆框架没有明确地应对关于野生生物相互冲突的观点, 而生态系统框架也只是对纳入了这些观点的社会和管理方面的内容进行了有限的表述。我们设计了一个统一的生态系统服务及不良影响的社会-生态学框架 (social-ecological services, SEEDS), 明确了在社会及管理背景下加入对野生生物的不同观点的重要性, 是对原有的两个框架的发展。这个 框架效法奥斯特罗姆社会-生态系统的层级结构, 但增加了子系统来反映利益相关者对基于野生生物的服务及不良影响的不同观点和经验。为了促进 框架的实施、推进对人类-野生生物系统更广泛的分析, 我们设计了一系列变量来描述 的子系统, 如服务和不良影响的类型和等级、成本分担和利益共享、利益相关者的社会参与等。 的实施步骤包括促进当地社区和利益相关者的参与以定义子系统、分析相互作用和结果, 和确定补救不当结果的关键点及行动。这些步骤将 和其它社会-生态研究中的现有方法建立了联系, 可以指导多系统或单一系统的分析, 为可持续的人类-野生生物共存提供深入理解和管理措施。【翻译: 胡怡思; 审校: 聂永刚】.

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Identification of human–carnivore conflict hotspots to prioritize mitigation efforts

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 7(24), P. 10630 - 10639

Published: Nov. 5, 2017

Abstract Human–carnivore conflict is a primary driver of carnivore declines worldwide and resolving these conflicts conservation priority. However, resources to mitigate are limited should be focused on areas highest We conducted 820 semistructured interviews with community members living within Kenya's Maasai Mara ecosystem. A multiscale analysis was used determine the influence husbandry environmental factors livestock depredation inside enclosures (bomas). Areas high proportion closed habitat protected had risk depredation. Depredation most likely occur at weak bomas households where there were fewer dogs. results identify potential hotspots by mapping probability across landscape. 21.4% landscape classified as risk, areas, 53.4% that interviewed bomas. Synthesis applications . With available human–carnivore conflicts, it imperative identified Focusing mitigation measures high‐risk may reduce lead decrease in retaliatory killings predators.

Language: Английский

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Landscape of fear and human-predator coexistence: Applying spatial predator-prey interaction theory to understand and reduce carnivore-livestock conflict

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 236, P. 464 - 473

Published: June 12, 2019

Language: Английский

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An ecological framework for contextualizing carnivore–livestock conflict

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 34(4), P. 854 - 867

Published: May 14, 2020

Abstract Carnivore predation on livestock is a complex management and policy challenge, yet it also intrinsically an ecological interaction between predators prey. Human–wildlife interactions occur in socioecological systems which human environmental processes are closely linked. However, underlying human–wildlife conflict key to unpacking its complexity concrete identifiable mechanisms that lead events. To better understand how theory accords with wild domestic prey, we developed framework describe drivers of livestock. We based this foundational current research used examine (e.g., density‐mediated effects, behaviorally mediated optimal foraging theory) through specific interventions operate, analyzed the determinants failure success 3 case studies: snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ), wolves Canis lupus cougars Puma concolor ). The varied, context‐dependent successes failures these studies demonstrated utility using ground carnivore–livestock conflict. Mitigation appears require understanding fundamental theories work within predator–prey systems.

Language: Английский

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Costs of Livestock Depredation by Large Carnivores in Sweden 2001 to 2013

Ecological Economics, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 143, P. 188 - 198

Published: July 23, 2017

Livestock depredation by large carnivores entails economic damage to farmers in many parts of the world. The aim this paper is analyse and compare costs livestock Sweden across different carnivore species counties. To end, we estimate government's compensation cost function using Swedish data on county level over period 2001 2013. Compensation due three are considered: brown bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus) lynx (Lynx lynx). results show that a 1% increase density leads 0.3–0.4% costs, whereas sheep 0.8 1.1% for bears wolves, respectively. A larger share unfenced pastures associated with higher bear. marginal an additional individual varies considerably between counties, ranging 1 82 EUR lynxes, 0 266 bears, 52 1067 wolves.

Language: Английский

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Patterns of livestock depredation by snow leopards and other large carnivores in the Central Himalayas, Nepal

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 17, P. e00536 - e00536

Published: Jan. 1, 2019

Quantifying livestock losses due to large carnivores and understanding the impact on local people is vital for formulating long-term mitigation strategies. In Annapurna-Manaslu landscape (6621 km2) in central Himalayas, Nepal, we conducted a semi-structured questionnaire survey quantitatively assess snow leopards, wolves, other carnivores. We aimed at assessing how were related sizes species composition of herds as well ecological conditions within grazing areas, i.e. topography, densities predators wild domestic prey. interviewed 428 respondents - 184 selected randomly ("random households") estimating extent loss carnivore predation, 244 from households with known depredation ("conflict households"). Compared studies Nepal elsewhere, quite low (i.e. 0.9% 2.0% among random- conflict households, respectively), presumably spatial scale our study variation villages. The suggests that human-wildlife requires site-specific measures. Snow leopards responsible more than half kills (62%), while wolves killed an estimated 17%. Using generalized linear mixed effects models, found probability increased herd size, so those owning mainly stock (e.g. yak horses). suspect this might be being less attended dispersed grazing. prey density revealed was lowest areas high livestock, highest where both abundant. This illustrates relationship between natural abundance complex context dependent, it therefore difficult predict outcome management actions enhancing base.

Language: Английский

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How long do anti-predator interventions remain effective? Patterns, thresholds and uncertainty

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 6(9), P. 190826 - 190826

Published: Sept. 11, 2019

Human–predator conflicts are globally widespread, and effective interventions essential to protect human assets from predator attacks. As effectiveness also has a temporal dimension, it is of importance know how long remain most determine time thresholds at which begins decrease. To address this, we conducted systematic review the changes in non-invasive against terrestrial mammalian predators, defining trend line for each published case. We found only 26 cases 14 publications, mainly referring electric fences ( n = 7 cases) deterrents cases). calving control highly longest time, reducing damage by 100% periods between three months 3 years. The acoustical light as well guarding animals eroded quite fast after one five months. Supplemental feeding was be counter-productive increasing over instead it. stress that vital make monitoring routine requirement all intervention applications suggest standardize can produce meaningful affordable information.

Language: Английский

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Response of wildlife communities to human activities in the distribution area of the North China Leopard

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51, P. e02872 - e02872

Published: March 1, 2024

Currently, human activities are among the most important factors affecting distribution of wildlife, and conservationists around world working to uncover true impact on wildlife. With rapid disappearance tigers wolves in North China recent decades, leopards have become only top predators. However, responses including leopards, leopard areas remain unknown. This study systematically quantified disturbance village distance as gradient variables measure intensity activities, community threshold analysis was used analyze response wildlife communities area. The results showed that had effects community. There were different thresholds for 19 species, activities. findings show reasonable control activity according (0.14 times/day) may be beneficial result will help clarify role umbrella species conservation. ecological can provide reliable development scientific management policies

Language: Английский

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