Shifted distribution baselines: neglecting long-term biodiversity records risks overlooking potentially suitable habitat for conservation management

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 374(1788), P. 20190215 - 20190215

Published: Nov. 4, 2019

Setting appropriate conservation measures to halt the loss of biodiversity requires a good understanding species' habitat requirements and potential distribution. Recent (past few decades) ecological data are typically used estimate understand species’ niches. However, historical local extinctions may have truncated species–environment relationships, resulting in biased perception preferences. This result incorrect assessments area potentially available for their conservation. Incorporating long-term (centuries-old) occurrence records with recent provide better information on relationships improve modelling suitability. We test whether neglecting leads an underestimation niche distribution identify which species more vulnerable this effect. compare outputs models hypervolumes built using only those both (post-1500) records, set 34 large mammal South Africa. find that, while is adequate some species, adding analyses impacts estimates suitability 12 (34%) our dataset, that effect significantly higher carnivores. These results show spatial risks misunderstanding, generally underestimating, niches, turn lead ill-informed management decisions, significant implications effectiveness efforts. article part discussion meeting issue ‘The past foreign country: how much can fossil record actually inform conservation?’

Language: Английский

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An ecoregion‐based approach to restoring the world's intact large mammal assemblages

Ecography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2022(4)

Published: Jan. 27, 2022

Assemblages of large mammal species play a disproportionate role in the structure and composition natural habitats. Loss these assemblages destabilizes systems, while their recovery can restore ecological integrity. Here we take an ecoregion‐based approach to identify landscapes that retain historically present assemblages, map ecoregions where reintroduction 1–3 could intact assemblages. Intact occur across more than one‐third 730 terrestrial mammals were present, 22% complete > 20% ecoregion area. Twenty species, if reintroduced or allowed recolonize through improved connectivity, increase area world containing by 54% (11 116 000 km 2 ). Each have at least two large, habitat areas (> 10 ) given ecoregion. Timely integration efforts for strengthens area‐based targets being considered under Convention on Biological Diversity.

Language: Английский

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Top-down and bottom-up effects modulate species co-existence in a context of top predator restoration

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: March 13, 2023

Abstract Mesopredators abundance is often limited by top-order predators and also key food resources. However, the contribution of these bidirectional forces to structure carnivore community still unclear. Here, we studied how presence absence an apex predator which currently recovering its former distribution range, Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus ), determined absolute fine-scale spatiotemporal avoidance mechanisms two sympatric mesocarnivores (stone marten Martes foina common genet Genetta genetta ) with different dietary plasticity. We hypothesized that causes a mesopredator suppression subordinate develop segregation strategies in respect their trophic niche breadth. placed 120 camera-traps Southern Spain for 8 months consecutive years estimate mesocarnivore abundances using SCR Bayesian models, prey availability assess spatio-temporal patterns. found reduced up 10 times. Stone marten, broad resources spectrum, showed total spatial exclusion predator. Meanwhile, allowed persist low density inside territories, probably taking advantage high preferred prey. Thus, strength top-down bottom-up effects was rather species-specific. Given recent recovery large populations worldwide, variation levels on species could modify ecosystem functions provided contrasting ways.

Language: Английский

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Shorebirds-driven trophic cascade helps restore coastal wetland multifunctionality

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 6, 2023

Abstract Ecosystem restoration has traditionally focused on re-establishing vegetation and other foundation species at basal trophic levels, with mixed outcomes. Here, we show that threatened shorebirds could be important to restoring coastal wetland multifunctionality. We carried out surveys manipulative field experiments in a region along the Yellow Sea affected by invasive cordgrass Spartina alterniflora . found planting native plants alone failed restore multifunctionality experiment. Shorebird exclusion weakened multifunctionality, whereas mimicking higher predation before shorebird population declines excluding their key prey – crab grazers enhanced The mechanism underlying these effects is simple cascade, whereby control otherwise suppress recovery destabilize sediments (via bioturbation). Our findings suggest harnessing top-down of through habitat conservation, rewilding, or temporary simulation consumptive non-consumptive should explored as nature-based solution degraded wetlands.

Language: Английский

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Restoring Asia’s roar: Opportunities for tiger recovery across the historic range

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: April 20, 2023

Wildlife conservation in the Anthropocene requires bold solutions including restoration of ecosystems and species. The recovery large carnivore populations is a goal which can generate significant benefits terms ecosystem services, ecological functionality, human well-being. Tigers Panthera tigris , Asia’s most iconic species, are currently restricted to less than 10% their historic range with recent national extinctions from number countries mainland Southeast Asia. Tiger through expansion suitable habitat, robust prey base, high levels institutional support for conservation. We explored government produce ranking political opportunities tiger across current former countries. used this analysis, combination globally remotely sensed data-sets on impact, show that there potential expansion. identified expanses unoccupied, but potentially suitable, habitat at least 14 all extant four extirpated – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Kazakhstan. Thirty-two percent areas were within 50-km, 50% 100-km, highlighting many landscapes could be driven by natural dispersal tigers provided connectivity maintained or enhanced. proportion existing protected varied between <5% India, Indonesia, China, >60% Thailand Cambodia. As such socially appropriate approaches, collaboration local communities, will necessary areas. recommend some we have should highlighted as future country governments. Whilst sites identify require detailed ground-truthing, reintroductions need extensive planning feasibility assessments, safeguarding these human-carnivore coexistence provide planetary both Global Sustainable Development Goals.

Language: Английский

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Improving reintroduction success in large carnivores through individual-based modelling: How to reintroduce Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) to Scotland

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 234, P. 140 - 153

Published: March 28, 2019

Language: Английский

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Early genetic outcomes of American black bear reintroductions in the Central Appalachians, USA

Ursus, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 29(2), P. 119 - 119

Published: May 29, 2019

Habitat loss and overexploitation extirpated American black bears (Ursus americanus) from most of the Central Appalachians, USA, by early 20th Century. To attempt to restore southwestern portion this region, 2 reintroductions that used small founder groups (n = 27 55 bears), but different release methods (hard vs. soft), were conducted during 1990s. We collected hair samples 2004–2016 in reintroduced Big South Fork (BSF) Kentucky–Virginia populations (KVP), their respective Great Smoky Mountains (GSM) Shenandoah National Park (SNP) source populations, a neighboring population southern West Virginia (SWV) investigate genetic outcomes bear reintroduction. Despite having undergone bottlenecks, diversity remained similar between sources approximately 15 years after events (ranges: AR 4.86–5.61; HO 0.67–0.75; HE 0.65–0.71). Effective sizes KVP BSF (NE 31 36, respectively) substantially smaller than SNP GSM 119 156, respectively), supporting effects. Genetic structure analysis indicated hard-released (i.e., no acclimation period) group likely declined considerably, whereas soft-released mostly intact, suggesting superior effectiveness soft releases. Asymmetrical gene flow via immigration SWV has resulted recovering initial reduction. Sustained isolation, NE, size may warrant continued monitoring determine if is established or NE declines. For future reintroductions, we suggest managers consider sourcing founders with high soft-releasing locales are, possible, within dispersal capability extant mitigate potential consequences effects isolation.

Language: Английский

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A 20-Year Review of the Status and Distribution of African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus) in South Africa

African Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 50(1), P. 8 - 8

Published: Feb. 11, 2020

South Africa is one of only seven countries with a viable population African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). The national in 2017 was 372 adults and yearlings comprised three subpopulations: 1) Kruger National Park (Kruger), 2) an intensively managed metapopulation established through reintroductions into isolated, fenced reserves, 3) free-roaming that occurs naturally outside protected areas. We assessed the long-term (four dog generations, ∼20 years) trends size growth rate within each these subpopulations. found supports substantial population, which has declined over time. subpopulation increased significantly time (both number packs), likely due to intensive conservation efforts reintroduction 15 additional reserves since 1998. remained small but stable, even though packs anthropogenic threats. overall stable increased. consistently supported highest proportion last two decades. However, contribution It clear despite differences survey effort among subpopulations, (∼500) dogs, becoming increasingly important. circumstances country necessitate, demonstrate benefit of, intensive, adaptive management for dogs. While this assessment provides baseline information would greatly from equal standardized methods accurately assess trends.

Language: Английский

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Ecological correlates of large carnivore depredation on sheep in Europe

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30, P. e01798 - e01798

Published: Sept. 10, 2021

Sharing space with large carnivores on a human-dominated continent like Europe results in multiple conflictful interactions human interests, of which depredation livestock is the most widespread. We conducted an analysis impact by all four European sheep farming 10 countries, during period 2010–2015. ran hierarchical Simultaneous Autoregressive model, to assess influence several ecological factors reported levels. About 35,000 (SD = 4110) kills were compensated ten countries as caused annually, representing 0.5% total stock. Of them, 45% recognized killed wolves, 24% wolverines, 19% lynx and 12% bears. found positive relationship between wolf distribution number sheep, but not for other three species. Depredation levels lower areas where carnivore presence has been continuous compared they disappeared returned last 50 years. Our study shows that few can produce high damage, when contribution environmental, social, economic systems predisposes it, whereas populations limited same components system reduce probability depredations occur. Time coexistence plays favour progressive reduction associated costs, provided responsible agencies focus their attention both compensation co-adaptation.

Language: Английский

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Predation risk can modify the foraging behaviour of frugivorous carnivores: Implications of rewilding apex predators for plant–animal mutualisms

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 91(5), P. 1024 - 1035

Published: March 23, 2022

Abstract Apex predators play key roles in food webs and their recovery can trigger trophic cascades some ecosystems. Intra‐guild competition reduce the abundances of smaller perceived predation risk alter foraging behaviour thereby limiting seed dispersal by frugivorous carnivores. However, little is known about how plant–frugivore mutualisms could be disturbed presence larger predators. We evaluated top‐down effect regional superpredator, Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus , on number visits fruits consumed medium‐sized carnivores, as well identified individuals, examining consumption likelihood time. carried out a field experiment which we placed pear Pyrus bourgaeana beneath fruiting trees monitored removal both inside outside ranges. Using camera traps, recorded red fox Vulpes vulpes Eurasian badger Meles meles stone marten Martes foina they time spent foraging. Red was most frequent fruit consumer carnivore. found there were fewer less foxes ranges, but did not seem to affect badgers. observe any territories. The also altered ranges whereby efficient, consuming per unit having shorter visits. Local availability resources, forest coverage individual personality important variables understand visitation landscape fear. Our results show potential cascade from apex primary producers. carnivore numbers induce shifts feeding that may modify patterns with likely consequences for demography many fleshy‐fruited plant species. conclude knowledge ecological interactions making up an asset design effective conservation strategies, particularly rewilding programs.

Language: Английский

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