Mechanistic insights into the role of large carnivores for ecosystem structure and functioning

Ecography, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 43(12), P. 1752 - 1763

Published: Sept. 6, 2020

Large carnivores can exert top–down effects in ecosystems, but the size of these are largely unknown. Empirical investigation on importance large for ecosystem structure and functioning presents a number challenges due to spatio‐temporal scale complexity such dynamics. Here, we applied mechanistic global model investigate influence large‐carnivore removal from undisturbed ecosystems. First, simulated inspect geographic pattern control disentangle functional role different environmental contexts. Second, conducted four small‐scale simulation experiments understand direct indirect changes food‐web under conditions. We found that exerted by (> 21 kg) trigger trophic cascades, leading an overall decrease autotroph biomass globally. Furthermore, loss resulted increase mesopredators. The magnitude was positively related primary productivity (NPP), line with ‘exploitation hypothesis’. In addition, seasonality NPP dampened change following carnivores. Our results reinforce idea play fundamental shaping further declines extinctions substantial responses. findings also support previous studies suggesting natural dynamics have been severely modified still changing as result widespread decline extinction

Language: Английский

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“Milking the lions”: An analysis of conservation performance payments in eastern and southern Africa

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

Abstract Conservation performance payments (CPPs) aim to encourage coexistence between humans and large carnivores by tying species presence or abundance. While there is growing interest in the development of these programs, they remain subject little empirical research. Furthermore, no literature on CPPs for Africa, despite continent's global importance carnivore conservation fact that multiple such schemes are currently operation. This research establishes where how function identifies recurring challenges associated with their implementation. We conducted semi‐structured interviews representatives nine payment programs operating across five countries eastern southern Africa. find theoretical simplicity, local complexities, pragmatism mean significant variation operate. includes differences monitoring methods, governance, all aspects payments. The inclusion input conditionality (i.e., fines bonuses certain actions) a majority also prevailing conceptualization as entirely results‐based. Recurring include securing long‐term funding, setting suitable levels, ensuring equitable governance. Practitioners view promising approach conservation, but roll‐out risks moving faster than our understanding them.

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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Anthropogenic and environmental factors determine occupancy and rarity of large carnivores in the Omo Valley, southwest Ethiopia

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(2)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Large carnivores in Ethiopia are declining numbers and range due to human population pressure, habitat fragmentation loss, compounded by low political interest for conservation. To conserve large carnivores, it is important study the impact of these factors on their occupancy. For this purpose, un‐baited camera traps were deployed Chebera Churchura, Maze Omo National Parks Tama Community Conservation Area using a 25 km 2 grid 2‐month periods each Protected from 2020 2022. We tested effects environmental anthropogenic covariates carnivore occupancy while accounting imperfect detection multispecies model. recorded all six Valley. However, number level vary across sites; Park only where species recorded. had highest lion detections lowest leopard spotted hyaena detections, but its small size led inconclusive results any further analysis. Due densities, insufficient analyse lion, cheetah, striped African wild dog Churchura Tama. The mean marginal probability was Omo, reverse hyaena. determined prey elevation Parks. Furthermore, both visit areas with settlement Practical implication : explore strategies improve conservation area. highlight limitations trapping importance conserving larger landscape

Language: Английский

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How the race to achieve Aichi Target 11 could jeopardize the effective conservation of biodiversity in Canada and beyond

Marine Policy, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 99, P. 312 - 323

Published: Nov. 16, 2018

Language: Английский

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Linking wilderness mapping and connectivity modelling: A methodological framework for wildland network planning

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 251, P. 108679 - 108679

Published: Sept. 24, 2020

Language: Английский

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Prey partitioning and livestock consumption in the world’s richest large carnivore assemblage

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(22), P. 4887 - 4897.e5

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

Language: Английский

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Protecting Half the Planet and Transforming Human Systems Are Complementary Goals

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Nov. 18, 2021

The unfolding crises of mass extinction and climate change call for urgent action in response. To limit biodiversity losses avert the worst effects disruption, we must greatly expand nature protection while simultaneously downsizing transforming human systems. conservation initiative Nature Needs Half (or Earth), calling half Earth's land seas, is commensurate with enormous challenges face. Critics have objected to this as harboring hardship people near protected areas failing confront growth economy main engine global ecological destruction. In response first criticism, affirm that policies be designed implemented collaboration Indigenous local communities. second argue protecting Earth needs complemented by downscaling reforming economic life, humanely gradually reducing population, changing food production consumption. By generously, contracting enterprise, can create conditions achieving justice well-being both other species. If fail do so, instead accept a chaotic impoverished world will dangerous us all.

Language: Английский

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Identifying regime shifts, transients and late warning signals for proactive ecosystem management

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 290, P. 110433 - 110433

Published: Jan. 14, 2024

Conservation Biology fosters the study of Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity aiming at protecting species their habitats from menaces causing erosion biotic interactions extinctions. Its ultimate goal is to preserve promote sustainable ecological management maintaining both ecosystem's resilience services. Ecosystems display complex patterns in time space due intrinsic nonlinear nature can suffer regime shifts driven by agents global change. During last decades, Ecology has turned equilibrium metaphor paradigm non-equilibrium dynamics. This involves putting into scene multiple stable states, shifts, stochasticity, transients. These aspects are also crucial for biological conservation since they play a fundamental role species' persistence, ecosystems' resilience, detecting warning signals prior either collapse or recovery ecosystem. In this contribution, we discuss caused tipping points real ecosystems. Then, provide information on some known dynamical features theoretical ecology systems theory associated points, mainly given transient phenomena characteristic statistical tied early signals. illustrated with single-species mathematical model including facilitation immigration. We introduce evidence late as way identify when point been surpassed but system still remains state may be possible. Our main near concepts conservationist community bridges between such

Language: Английский

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Wolves for Yellowstone: dynamics in time and space

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 99(5), P. 1021 - 1031

Published: Sept. 5, 2018

The reintroduction of gray wolves (Canis lupus) to Yellowstone National Park is the most celebrated ecological experiment in history. As predicted by population models, rapid recovery a wolf caused both temporal and spatial variability wolf–ungulate interactions that likewise generated variation expression trophic cascades. This has amplified vegetation Yellowstone, particularly with willow (Salix spp.) cottonwood (Populus riparian areas, associated changes food webs. Increasing influences grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), cougars (Puma concolor), bison (Bison bison) are making what initially was predominantly an elk–wolf interaction into increasingly complex system. Outside however, humans have dominant influence western North America overwhelms cascades resulting appear be bottom-up on community structure function. Complex unexpected ecosystem responses reinforce value national parks other protected areas as baseline reserves.

Language: Английский

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