Widespread habitat for Europe's largest herbivores, but poor connectivity limits recolonization

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(3), P. 423 - 437

Published: Jan. 11, 2023

Abstract Aim Several large‐mammal species in Europe have recovered and recolonized parts of their historical ranges. Knowing where suitable habitat exists, thus range expansions are possible, is important for proactively promoting coexistence between people large mammals shared landscapes. We aimed to assess the opportunities limitations Europe's two largest herbivores, European bison ( Bison bonasus ) moose Alces alces ). Location Central Europe. Methods used occurrence datasets from multiple populations distribution models map environmentally habitats across Europe, human pressure inside potential habitat. then circuit theory modeling identify recolonization corridors. Results found widespread both (>120,000 km 2 (>244,000 ), suggesting substantial expansions. However, much was associated with high (37% 43% moose, respectively), particularly west identified a strong east–west gradient decreasing connectivity, major barriers likely limiting natural many areas. Main conclusions restoring herbivores functional roles we also highlight considerable challenges conservation planning wildlife management, including areas leads human–wildlife conflict movement prevent expansion. Conservation measures broad‐scale connectivity needed order allow recolonize Finally, our analyses maps indicate but isolated patches that unlikely be colonized candidate locations reintroductions establish reservoir populations. More generally, work emphasizes transboundary cooperation ecological roles, foster

Language: Английский

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Mapping opportunities for the use of land management strategies to address fire risk in Europe

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 346, P. 118941 - 118941

Published: Sept. 15, 2023

Many parts of Europe face increasing challenges managing wildfires. Although wildfire is an integral part certain ecosystems, fires in many places are becoming larger and more intense, driven largely by climate change, land abandonment, changes fuel management with important socioeconomic, environmental, ecosystem services consequences for Europe. In order to envision a comprehensive fire risk mitigation strategy Europe, spatial assessment opportunities manage fuels at the landscape-scale needed. Our study explored suitability three strategies (LMS)-herbivory, mechanical removal, prescribed burn-which can create heterogenous fuelscapes, thereby reducing element risk. We created maps each LMS using adoption factors identified systematic literature review (n = 123). compared these areas historical occurrence as proxy prioritize key intervention. found that over quarter was suitable multiple within greater risk, creating concurrent synergistic use strategies. Options were limited southern where burn be uniquely viable amongst evaluated. Opportunities also restricted some high northern herbivory only LMS. findings take wide-view target decision making focused on However, other must taken into account successfully local scales, including socio-cultural appropriateness LMS, viability incentive schemes, possible trade-offs goals, such carbon storage biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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A European-scale analysis reveals the complex roles of anthropogenic and climatic factors in driving the initiation of large wildfires

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 917, P. 170443 - 170443

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Analysing wildfire initiation patterns and identifying their primary drivers is essential for the development of more efficient fire prevention strategies. However, such analyses have traditionally been conducted at local or national scales, hindering cross-border comparisons formulation broad-scale policy initiatives. In this study, we present an analysis spatial variability initiations across Europe, focusing specifically on moderate to large fires (> 100 ha), examining influence both human climatic factors areas. We estimated using machine learning algorithms, Random Forest (RF), covering majority European territory (referred as "ET scale"). The models were trained data extracted from a satellite burned area product, comprising occurring 2001 2019. developed six RF models: three considering all larger than ha, focused solely largest events 1000 ha). Models predictors separately, well types mixed together. found that demonstrated predictive capacity, with AUC values ranging 79 % 81 %; while based only variables had poor capacity (AUC 60 %). Feature importance analysis, Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), allowed us assess Territory. Aridity evapotranspiration strongest effect initiation. Among variables, population density aging considerable effects initiation, former strong in estimating fires, latter important role prediction very fires. Distance roads forest-agriculture interfaces also relevant some models. A better understanding main should help designing forest management strategies, particularly light growing climate change, it would affect severity areas risk. Factors be part comprehensive approach risk assessment, reduction adaption, contributing effective mitigation continent.

Language: Английский

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The Olfactory Landscape Concept: A Key Source of Past, Present, and Future Information Driving Animal Movement and Decision-making

BioScience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 72(8), P. 745 - 752

Published: May 4, 2022

Odor is everywhere, emitted across the landscape from predators, prey, decaying carcasses, conspecifics, vegetation, surface water, and smoke. Many animals exploit odor to find food, avoid threats, attract or judge potential mates. Here, we focus on in terrestrial ecosystems introduce concept of an olfactory landscape: real-time dynamic contours reflecting patchy distribution resources risks, providing a key source information used by many their movement decision-making. Incorporating into current frameworks ecology animal behavior will provide mechanistic link help answer significant questions about where, why, when move, how they do so efficiently both space time. By understanding use make crucial decisions affecting fitness, can then manipulate modify ecological interactions and, ultimately, ecosystem consequences these interactions.

Language: Английский

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Ignition Locations and Simplified Design Guidelines for Enhancing the Resilience of Dwellings against Wildland Fires

Fire, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(2), P. 40 - 40

Published: Jan. 28, 2024

This paper presents a study based on new fireproof design guidelines for dwellings against the impact of wildfires. The main objective is to present results from surveys large wildfires 2017 in Portugal, identifying vulnerabilities that may result spot ignitions when exposed Utilizing information gathered these surveys, it possible recommend fire resistance and reaction class requirements using European indoor standards adapting them suit wildfire conditions. focuses classical predominantly located high-risk zones within wildland–urban interface. These assessments have potential generate construction recommendations employing traditional materials commonly found industry.

Language: Английский

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Mapping livestock grazing in semi-natural areas in the European Union and United Kingdom

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(2)

Published: Feb. 14, 2024

Abstract Context Livestock grazing throughout Europe has resulted in high diversity of semi-natural areas past centuries. Currently, most low intensity relying on vegetation is found primarily marginal lands. These still host a high-level biodiversity but are subject to abandonment and agricultural intensification. Objectives Spatial information where grazed, how contextual geographic conditions encourage or limit missing, hindering their protection. We present an interdisciplinary approach map the spatial distribution European Union (EU) United Kingdom (UK). Methods first interviewed experts from countries, who provided us with estimates across selected land cover classes per environmental zone Member State. Subsequently, we analysed through maximum entropy modeling using pan-European in-situ data observations (using LUCAS, EU wide use survey) set characteristics representing local socio-economic, terrain, soil climatic context. Results The expert-derived suggest that 20.6% (or 134 thousand km 2 ) + UK although livestock densities. In addition, find there great variety region factors explain occurrence grazing: while some regions, farmers’ age distance markets important, others terrain climate influencing location grazing. Finally, were able both probability as well actual for whole UK. Conclusions can assist prioritizing future conservation efforts these unique systems.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the motivation and challenges for land-users engaged in sustainable grazing in Europe

Land Use Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 141, P. 107146 - 107146

Published: March 29, 2024

Grazing of both domestic and wild large herbivores can contribute to multiple ecosystem services. However, grazing systems strongly differ in the intensity management outcomes, we define sustainable as which benefits environmental Previous studies have found that, general, with relatively low densities animals, minimal only targeted applications deworming other medicinal treatments, are most sustainable. for people engaged such management, a key question is what their challenges motivation. We conducted interviews 74 land-users, who eight case-study areas Europe. Employing capability, opportunity motivation-behaviour model (COM-B), identified motivation factors driving these land-users face. that capability linked land abandonment rural exodus impact upon land-users' especially parts South Eastern Furthermore, environment were particularly important remote areas. In addition, economic aspects be behaviour, fiscal measures Common Agricultural Policy. Moreover, our results indicate engagement often intrinsically motivated by interest nature conservation, intergenerational continuity cohesion community. Based on results, using Behaviour Change Wheel, identify interventions could facilitate encourage capabilities opportunities conduct management. These include incentivising extensification subsidies, developing direct market possibilities removing administrative hurdles practises related very extensive semi-wild grazing.

Language: Английский

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Planning for the future: Grasslands, herbivores, and nature‐based solutions

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(11), P. 2442 - 2450

Published: May 15, 2024

Abstract Global interest and investment in nature‐based solutions (NbS) are rapidly increasing because of the potential this approach to concurrently counter biodiversity loss, provide cost‐effective measures for climate change adaptations, maintain natural processes that underpin human health wellbeing. Recognition is growing grasslands many regions will protect carbon stores more effectively than forests warmer, drier, fire‐prone conditions future while also serving as hotspots biodiversity. Yet have received less attention their NbS potential. Despite wide‐ranging goals approach, investments focused narrowly on using plants meet pledges, often without considering plant interactions with herbivores abiotic environment jointly control ecosystem functioning success solutions. Here, we review roles large small vertebrate invertebrate play ability world's solutions, a focus wild herbivore impacts storage. Synthesis . Planning holistic, ecologically informed view includes role interaction allow likely achieve successful, sustainable outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Livestock Management for the Delivery of Ecosystem Services in Fire-Prone Shrublands of Atlantic Iberia

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(5), P. 2775 - 2775

Published: Feb. 26, 2022

In the northwest of Iberian Peninsula, characterized by its humid climate, large rural areas are being abandoned, mostly in less-favoured covered heathlands, which present a low nutritive quality for livestock production. The high combustibility these shrublands is driving wildfire incidence with negative environmental and economic effects. this review, some aspects on occurrence potential grazing to reduce woody phytomass fire risk heathland-dominated whilst maintaining production preserving biodiversity summarized. Heathlands may be partially improved—converted grassland—to better meet animals’ nutritional requirements while acting as ‘natural’ firebreaks. specific behaviour offers opportunity combine different domestic herbivores (mixed grazing) achieve sustainable systems utilizing heterogeneous resources. Cattle, sheep, goats, horses have role provision ecosystem services such food conservation. Genotype x environment interactions shape ability animals cope poor vegetation conditions, smaller species breeds performing than larger animals. Goats indicated arrest encroachment. Sustainable affordable heathland–grassland mosaics selecting appropriate production, thus favouring economies lowering risk.

Language: Английский

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Spatial Patterns and Intensity of Land Abandonment Drive Wildfire Hazard and Likelihood in Mediterranean Agropastoral Areas

Land, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11(11), P. 1942 - 1942

Published: Oct. 31, 2022

In Mediterranean agropastoral areas, land abandonment is a key driver of wildfire risk as fuel load and continuity increase. To gain insights into the potential impacts on in fire-prone fire-spread modeling approach to evaluate variations induced by different spatial patterns percentages was applied. The study carried out 1200 km2 area located north-western Sardinia (Italy) mostly covered herbaceous fuels. We compared nine scenarios, which consisted control conditions (NA) eight scenarios obtained combining four intensity levels (10, 20, 30, 40%) two abandonment. hypothesized variation dead depth within abandoned polygons with respect conditions. For each scenario, hazard likelihood at landscape scale assessed simulating over 17,000 seasons using minimum travel time (MTT) fire spread algorithm. Wildfire simulations replicated weather associated largest fires observed were run 40 m resolution, consistent input files. Our results highlighted that growing amounts substantially increased burn probability, high flame length probability size level. Considering given percentage abandonment, generated likelihood, but average values not significantly different. annual burned from about 2400 ha 3100 40% findings this work demonstrate progressive lands can lead severe modifications behavior thus promoting large fast-spreading events. approaches allow us estimate risks posed future wildfires rural communities, ecosystems anthropic context adopt optimize smart prevention planning strategies mitigate these threats.

Language: Английский

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