Limited evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce livestock predation by large carnivores

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: May 12, 2017

Successful coexistence between large carnivores and humans is conditional upon effective mitigation of the impact these species on humans, such as through livestock depredation. It therefore essential for conservation practitioners, carnivore managing authorities, or owners to know effectiveness interventions intended reduce predation by carnivores. We reviewed scientific literature (1990-2016), searching evidence interventions. found experimental quasi-experimental studies were rare within field, only 21 applied a case-control study design (3.7% publications). used relative risk ratio evaluate studied interventions: changing type, keeping in enclosures, guarding dogs, predator removal, using shock collars carnivores, sterilizing visual auditory deterrents frighten Although there was general lack any interventions, some reduced depredation whereas other did not result urge managers stakeholders move towards an evidence-based management practice researchers conduct intervention with randomized combined systematic reviewing evidence.

Language: Английский

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Human disturbance has contrasting effects on niche partitioning within carnivore communities

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 95(6), P. 1689 - 1705

Published: July 14, 2020

ABSTRACT Among species, coexistence is driven partly by the partitioning of available resources. The mechanisms and competition among species have been a central topic within community ecology, with particular focus on mammalian carnivore research. However, despite growing concern regarding impact humans behaviour very little known about effect interactions. aim this review to establish comprehensive framework for impacts human disturbance three dimensions (spatial, temporal trophic) niche communities subsequent effects both intraguild structure. We conducted systematic literature (246 studies) extracted 46 reported disturbance. found evidence that resource partitioning, either positively or negatively, in all dimensions. repercussions such variations are highly heterogeneous differ according type how landscape and/or availability resources affected. propose theoretical main outcomes structure: ( i ) impedes increasing reducing richness diversity community; ii unbalances competition, affecting stability; iii facilitates decreasing enriching community. call better integration future research interspecific competition.

Language: Английский

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Where can wolves live and how can we live with them?

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 210, P. 310 - 317

Published: May 5, 2017

Language: Английский

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Shining the spotlight on small mammalian carnivores: Global status and threats

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 255, P. 109005 - 109005

Published: Feb. 24, 2021

Language: Английский

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Does restoring apex predators to food webs restore ecosystems? Large carnivores in Yellowstone as a model system

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 94(2)

Published: Jan. 30, 2024

Abstract Modification of food webs is a frequent cause shifts in ecosystem states that resist reversal when the web restored to its original condition. We used restoration large carnivore guild including gray wolves ( Canis lupis ), cougars Felis concolor and grizzly bears Ursus arctos horribilis ) northern range Yellowstone National Park as model system understand how ecosystems might reconfiguration after apex predators web. The absence wolves, cougars, for nearly century from was primary dramatic changes riparian plant communities. Willows Salix spp.) were suppressed height by intense browsing dominant herbivore, elk Cervus canadensis ). loss activity beavers Castor coincided with tall willows. hypothesized interrupted mutualism between willow beavers: engineering critical component habitat willows beavers. This interruption made communities resilient disturbance caused predators. further reductions attributable population size not sufficient prevent suppression growth. To test these hypotheses, we conducted 20‐year, factorial experiment crossed simulated beaver dams exclusion browsing. found grew heights expected only presence reduced experiencing ambient conditions remained well below this expectation. no difference or growth rates experimental controls 21 randomly chosen sites, confirming results representative range‐wide conditions. A reorganized community herbivores implicated conclude carnivores failed restore on Yellowstone's range, supporting hypothesis an alternative stable state primarily extirpation during early 20th century.

Language: Английский

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Habitat selection by Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is primarily driven by avoidance of human activity during day and prey availability during night

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 7(16), P. 6367 - 6381

Published: July 6, 2017

Abstract The greatest threat to the protected Eurasian lynx ( Lynx ) in Central Europe is human‐induced mortality. As availability of prey often peaks human‐modified areas, have balance successful hunting with risk encounters humans. We hypothesized that minimize this by adjusting habitat choices phases day and over seasons. predicted (1) due avoidance human‐dominated areas during daytime, range use higher at nighttime, (2) drives selection night, whereas high cover, terrain inaccessibility, distance human infrastructure drive day, (3) also differs between seasons, altitude being a dominant factor winter. To test these hypotheses, we analyzed telemetry data GPS , VHF 10 Bohemian Forest Ecosystem (Germany, Czech Republic) 2005 2013 using generalized additive mixed models considering various predictor variables. Night ranges exceeded more than 10%. At selected open habitats, such as meadows, which are associated ungulate abundance. By contrast, habitats offering dense understorey cover rugged away from infrastructure. In summer, land‐cover type greatly shaped winter, lower altitudes. concluded need be considered for realistic contribute future management conservation (habitat suitability, carrying capacity) Europe.

Language: Английский

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Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 187(3), P. 573 - 583

Published: April 13, 2018

Where direct killing is rare and niche overlap low, sympatric carnivores may appear to coexist without conflict. Interference interactions, harassment injury from larger still pose a risk smaller mesopredators. Foraging theory suggests that animals should adjust their behaviour accordingly optimise foraging efficiency overall fitness, trading off harvest rate with costs fitness. The of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, was studied automated cameras repeated measures giving-up density (GUD) experiment where olfactory cues were manipulated. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, foxes increased GUDs by 34% quitting rates 29% in response wolf urine. addition leaving more food behind, also responded urine spending less time visiting patches each day altering order compensate for the when patches. Thus, utilised olfaction assess experienced due presence cue gray wolves, Canis lupus. This study identifies behavioural mechanisms which enable competing predators coexist, highlights potential additional ecosystem service pathways arising large carnivores. Given vulnerability anthropogenic disturbance, growing human population intensifying resource consumption, it becomes increasingly important understand ecological processes so land can be managed appropriately.

Language: Английский

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Outsized effect of predation: Wolves alter wetland creation and recolonization by killing ecosystem engineers

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 6(46)

Published: Nov. 13, 2020

Gray wolves are a premier example of how predators can transform ecosystems through trophic cascades. However, whether change as drastically previously suggested has been increasingly questioned. We demonstrate alter wetland creation and recolonization by killing dispersing beavers. Beavers ecosystem engineers that generate most throughout boreal ecosystems. By studying beaver pond patterns coupled with wolf predation on beavers, we determined 84% newly created recolonized ponds remained occupied until the fall, whereas 0% active after killed colonized pond. affecting where when beavers engineer ecosystems, all ecological processes (e.g., water storage, nutrient cycling, forest succession) occur due to beaver-created impoundments. Our study demonstrates have an outsized effect they kill engineers.

Language: Английский

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Sampling bias exaggerates a textbook example of a trophic cascade

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 25(1), P. 177 - 188

Published: Nov. 8, 2021

Understanding trophic cascades in terrestrial wildlife communities is a major challenge because these systems are difficult to sample properly. We show how tradition of non-random sampling has confounded this understanding textbook system (Yellowstone National Park) where carnivore [Canis lupus (wolf)] recovery associated with cascade involving changes herbivore [Cervus canadensis (elk)] behaviour and density that promote plant regeneration. Long-term data indicate practice only the tallest young plants overestimated regeneration overstory aspen (Populus tremuloides) by factor 4-7 compared random it favoured taller than preferred browsing height elk overlooked non-regenerating stands. Random described cascade, but was weaker one described. Our findings highlight critical importance basic principles (e.g. randomisation) for achieving an accurate systems.

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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