Large carnivore expansion in Europe is associated with human population density and land cover changes

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(4), P. 602 - 617

Published: Jan. 18, 2021

Abstract Aim The recent recovery of large carnivores in Europe has been explained as resulting from a decrease human persecution driven by widespread rural land abandonment, paralleled forest cover increase and the consequent availability shelter prey. We investigated whether population density changes are related to relative probability occurrence three European carnivores: grey wolf ( Canis lupus ), Eurasian lynx Lynx ) brown bear Ursus arctos ). Location Europe, west 64° longitude. Methods fitted multi‐temporal species distribution models using >50,000 points with time series cover, landscape configuration, protected areas, hunting regulations covering 24‐year period (1992–2015). Within temporal window considered, we then predicted habitat suitability for throughout Europe. Results Between 1992 2015, increased Eastern Balkans, North‐West Iberian Peninsula Northern Scandinavia, but showed mixed trends Western Southern These were primarily associated increases decreases density, and, additionally, mosaics cropland natural vegetation. Main conclusions Recent appear have altered pattern whereas protection level did not play role. While projected largely match observed carnivore populations, found mismatches expansion wolves Central where factors included our may played dominant This suggests that carnivores’ co‐existence humans landscapes is limited availability, other such favourable tolerance policy.

Language: Английский

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Responsibility, equity, justice, and inclusion in dynamic human–wildlife interactions

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 21(8), P. 380 - 387

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

In an era of rapid environmental change, human–wildlife interactions (HWIs) are increasingly complex and pervasive across ecosystems. Negative outcomes from such continue to warrant much attention, given their implications for conservation human livelihoods. However, framing HWIs solely along a coexistence–conflict continuum is overly simplistic because coexistence not devoid conflict negates the temporal dynamics potential outcomes. Furthermore, without thorough consideration governing principles, will persistently result in negative skewed perspective within scientific community among public. Here we argue that incorporating principles responsibility, equity, justice, inclusion (REJI) into conservation‐oriented activities can influence intensity, severity, duration throughout HWI life cycle. The conceptual framework present both complements expands assessment anticipation outcomes, which inherently contingent on practice, cultural sensitivity, interdisciplinary approaches.

Language: Английский

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Continuing recovery of wolves in Europe

PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. e0000158 - e0000158

Published: Feb. 25, 2025

The recovery of wolves ( Canis lupus ) across Europe is a notable conservation success in region with extensive human alteration landscapes and high population densities. We provide comprehensive update on wolf populations Europe, estimated at over 21,500 individuals by 2022, representing 58% increase the past decade. Despite challenges densities significant land use for agriculture, industry, urbanization, have demonstrated remarkable adaptability increasing trends most European countries. Improved monitoring techniques, although varying quality scope, played crucial role tracking this recovery. Annually, kill approximately 56,000 domestic animals EU, risk unevenly distributed differently handled regions. Damage compensation costs 17 million EUR every year to Positive economic impacts from presence, such as those related reducing traffic accidents wild ungulates or supporting wildlife tourism, remain under studied. Wolf supported diverse policy legal instruments LIFE programs, stakeholder platforms, well EU Habitats Directive Bern Convention. Coexisting newly established entails managing activities, including livestock depredation, competition game, fear attacks humans, amidst social political views Sustainable coexistence continues operate evolving complex social, economic, landscapes, often characterized intense debates regarding policies.

Language: Английский

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Farmer perceptions of the vulnerabilities of traditional livestock farming systems under global change

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 26, 2025

Abstract The continuity of traditional extensive livestock farming is being challenged by rapid socioeconomic and environmental changes, threatening livelihoods ecosystem services critical to food security sustainability. We conducted a large-scale assessment involving 255 farmers across six systems in Spain understand their perceptions vulnerabilities. Using the Coupled Infrastructure Systems framework, we identified 24 different vulnerabilities, mainly caused external biophysical disturbances, such as resource costs, low profitability products, climate variability, conflicts with wildlife. main factors explaining these vulnerabilities were primary productivity, farm location, presence large predators, climatic conditions. findings highlight complex interplay provide important insights for maintenance Europe. This information crucial informing policy decisions aimed at supporting ensuring contribution security, sustainability biodiversity conservation.

Language: Английский

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Why so negative? Exploring the socio-economic impacts of large carnivores from a European perspective

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 255, P. 108918 - 108918

Published: Feb. 6, 2021

Language: Английский

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Emotional states elicited by wolf videos are diverse and explain general attitudes towards wolves

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(3), P. 1288 - 1302

Published: April 23, 2024

Abstract Emotions are short, intuitive mental processes that important components of people's cognitions. They can influence attitudes (i.e. positive or negative evaluations objects), and they involved in decision‐making processes. In the context human‐wildlife coexistence, mostly emotional dispositions have been studied decontextualized, stable tendencies to react a certain way towards wildlife), contrast states quick reactions elicited specific contexts), which overlooked. This limits our understanding role diversity shaping wildlife species. Here, we quantified by context‐specific wolf encounters featured set YouTube videos. We conducted social survey rural populations 24 randomly selected cities France ( n = 795) (i) quantify (ii) test relationship between wolves, accounting for individual regional factors. found were most expressed across six contexts encounter surprise, interest fear, this order. Emotional was highly context‐specific, with significantly different identity, dispersion extremization encounters. Most variance explained factors alone (28%) best model including all three groups predictors (emotional, factors) 57% variance. The strongest effects on those anger joy. Fear had only half effect joy attitudes. Synthesis applications : Our results highlight importance context‐specificity human‐carnivore coexistence. Complementary previous studies focusing single emotions decontextualized dispositions, quantifying diverse, context‐dependent be helpful improve ways: address relevant triggering anger, is feeling rooted perceived injustice, reduce biases involving fear carnivores given extremely low probability risks human life (iii) promote like better reflect costs benefits sharing landscapes large carnivores. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Interactions between livestock guarding dogs and wolves in the southern French Alps

Journal of Vertebrate Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 69(3)

Published: Dec. 1, 2020

Thirty years after the return of grey wolves (Canis lupus) to French Alps, number livestock losses is on rise despite guarding dogs (LGDs) being widely used. Their relevance is, therefore, questioned by some sheep owner associations. To date, no study has investigated how LGDs interact with in pastures. We present results a 6-year totalling 3,300 hours direct night-time observations record nature, frequency and outcomes LGD-wolf interactions southern Alps. recorded 476 wolf events presence LGDs, including 175 interactions, 66% which were agonistic. Most (65%) occurred at distance > 100 m from flock average involved more than wolves. In approached flocks 134 times resulting attack (65%), attacks victim (24.6%), or ≥ 1 (10.4%). Our suggest that are complex do not simply occur immediate vicinity flock. recommend using groups 6 reinforcing wider radius around limit isolated improve protection against attacks.

Language: Английский

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Understanding habitat selection of range‐expanding populations of large carnivores: 20 years of grey wolves (Canis lupus) recolonizing Germany

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 30(1), P. 71 - 86

Published: Nov. 4, 2023

Abstract Aim The non‐stationarity in habitat selection of expanding populations poses a significant challenge for spatial forecasting. Focusing on the grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) natural recolonization Germany, we compared performance different distribution modelling approaches predicting suitability unoccupied areas. Furthermore, analysed whether showed newly colonized areas, which will impact predictions potential habitat. Location Germany. Methods Using telemetry data as presence points, predictive five based combinations algorithms—GLMM, MaxEnt and ensemble modelling—and two background point strategies. We used homogeneous Poisson process to draw points from either minimum convex polygons derived or whole area known be occupied by wolves. Models were fit first years validated against independent representing expansion species. best‐performing approach was then further investigate species' response spatiotemporal restricted datasets that represented colonization steps. Results While all performed similarly when evaluated subset models, model integrated best range expansion. subsequent steps differed substantially global model, highlighting towards human disturbance during process. Main Conclusions telemetry‐only overfitted using available increased reliability forecasts. pointed wolves settling areas first, filling nearby lower‐quality population increases. Our results caution extrapolation space‐for‐time substitutions at least with

Language: Английский

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(Co)producing landscapes of coexistence: A historical political ecology of human-wolf relations in Italy

Geoforum, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 149, P. 103958 - 103958

Published: Jan. 27, 2024

There is increasing interest in human-wildlife coexistence. In Europe, coexistence with expanding large carnivore populations a pressing issue. Seeking to inform contemporary management an historical perspective, this study investigates the formation of human-wolf relations Italy during critical periods wolf decline (since nineteenth century) and comeback closing decades twentieth century). Specifically, adopts 'more-than-human political ecology' approach, focused on exploring entangled influence non-human agency wider economies (co)production relations. Such analysis used fill knowledge gaps these key events management, which are currently explained from either more rigid structural angle or depoliticised lenses. The analyses bring together pivotal work Italian historians scholars topics capitalist development ecology, ethology Italy. This highlights how onset capitalism around end 1700s inadvertently affected rise particularly problematic behaviours that period, were turn managed through intensification persecution. Wolves co-shaped need desire for their conservation near 1900s, alongside postmodern regime promoted return wolves period. (re)alignment logics, however, displaced costs wolf's onto local communities, exacerbating conflict. comes two main implications: first, it problematises fixed representations non-humans, highlighting instead adaptive capacities alterity; second, further conceives non-humans as constant co-becoming human practices economies, emphasising change conviviality. These may Europe beyond, well other contexts

Language: Английский

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Applying Participatory Processes to Address Conflicts Over the Conservation of Large Carnivores: Understanding Conditions for Successful Management

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

Published: June 30, 2020

Social conflicts over large carnivores are becoming more frequent following the general recovery of in human shaped landscapes Europe. To manage a detailed knowledge is necessary on social, economic, cultural but also interpersonal dimensions conflicts. This can be achieved through participatory engagement all stakeholders within procedure tailored to local contexts. We looked at conditions for implementing above approach areas intense carnivores-human conflict across Europe (bear and wolves), where traditional management policies do not appear successful, as often based urgent responses emergency situations. focussed four we interviewed characterize assess potential mitigation interventions processes. focused key aspects related social conflicts: (a) perception current situation relationship with other stakeholders; (b) availability accessibility information communication; (c) ecological impacts; (d) promotion coexistence Interviews were analyzed Redpath et al (2013) framework. show that (lack of) trust between relevant authorities well lack genuine communication among features With specific reference carnivores, or inaccessibility reliable reported cases by stakeholders, need proactive inclusive developed implemented authorities. A consistent message was support from institutions pivotal effective carnivores. Our findings highlight importance deeper mutual understanding issues addressed

Language: Английский

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