Endangered species lack research on the outcomes of conservation action

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

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract Given widespread biodiversity declines, there is an urgent need to ensure that conservation interventions are working. Yet, evidence regarding the effectiveness of actions often lacking. Using a case study 209 terrestrial species listed as Endangered in Canada, we conducted literature review collate base on to: (1) explore outcomes documented for each and (2) identify knowledge gaps. Action‐oriented research constituted only 2% all peer‐reviewed across target species, 61% found no investigating actions. Protected areas, habitat creation, artificial shelter, alternative farming practices were broadly beneficial most which these assessed. Habitat restoration frequently studied, but 38% harmful, ineffective, or demonstrated mixed results. The prescribed burns, timber harvesting approaches, vegetation control was examined greatest number yet 17%–30% negative effects. Our synthesis demonstrates lack published many implemented recovery at risk extinction, highlighting alarming gap literature.

Language: Английский

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Mammalian predator and prey responses to recreation and land use across multiple scales provide limited support for the human shield hypothesis

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Outdoor recreation is widespread, with uncertain effects on wildlife. The human shield hypothesis (HSH) suggests that could have differential predators and prey, predator avoidance of humans creating a spatial refuge 'shielding' prey from people. generality the HSH remains to be tested across larger scales, wherein shielding may prove generalizable, or diminish variability in ecological contexts. We combined data 446 camera traps 79,279 sampling days 10 landscapes spanning 15,840 km

Language: Английский

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Camera trapping in ecology: A new section for wildlife research

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(3)

Published: March 1, 2023

Ecological research is undergoing a substantial transformation. Camera trapping—"capturing" photograph remotely, allowing observation of wildlife separately from the observer—has been around for over century. However, it emerged as substantive mode sampling occurrence only about three decades ago (Kucera & Barrett, 2011; O'Connell et al., 2011) and now rapidly improving innovating, changing face ecology (Burton 2015). With repeated made possible across space time, limited by logistics resources, observations can be gathered analyzed at unprecedented spatial temporal scales. engineering relatively inexpensive camera models that do not require costly support systems (such those needed satellite telemetry), traps also serve to democratize research. trapping has consequently spread global south developing countries (Agha 2018; Cremonesi 2021; Galindo-Aguilar 2022). Many private citizens run their own traps; networking these citizen scientists have yielded great insights will continue so (McShea 2016). are being employed Indigenous peoples ask questions on traditional territories (Artelle Fisher 2021), an important step towards meeting principles United Nations Declaration Rights Peoples (Gilbert, 2007). Camera-trap spans ecological hierarchy, with applications animal behavior (Caravaggi 2017, 2020) such diel activity (Frey 2017; Rowcliffe 2014), populations (Bischof 2020; Gardner 2010), species' distributions (Rich Tobler 2015), communities (Ahumada Wittische 2021). adequate inferential logic analysis, more complex processes species interactions discerned (Beirne Clare 2016; Niedballa 2019). The field rich planting seeds new ideas. In fact, though largely used mammals, expanding taxonomically include vegetation (Seyednasrollah 2019; Sun herptiles (Moore Welbourne 2020), avifauna (Jachowski 2015; Murphy 2018). Software advanced in-step hardware. Converting images numerical data easier custom software, much open-source (Greenberg Young Processes automatic identification developed greatly speed up image classification process "big data" (Duggan Shepley Conceptual advances, frameworks understanding how detections sample underlying processes, paving way sophisticated (Glover-Kapfer Hofmeester Tremendous discoveries lay in future. Networking arrays different landscapes—even globally, similar weather networks (Steenweg 2017)—will allow macroecological scale never before (Chen 2022; Magle Rich 2017). Notwithstanding, await small focal studies too—these foundations inference. We endeavors Ecology Evolution's section Trapping Ecology. journal's mandate author-friendly, without gatekeeping assessments importance barrier, makes us place welcomes both small-scale autecological large-scale syntheses. This philosophy help authors work read scientific community—we believe this Section goal. first volume featured its camera-trapping study (Fisher 2011), paper desk-rejected several other journals "interesting but improbable" among fare. Editorial team gave chance, 100 citations later, continues stimulate debate (Stuber Fontaine, Since then, we published s camera-trap studies. eagerly anticipating many papers dedicated Section, Evolution plans forefront proliferation research, platform thought debate. Jason Thomas Fisher: Conceptualization (equal); writing – original draft (equal). None. No available.

Language: Английский

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Mammal responses to human recreation depend on landscape context

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(7), P. e0300870 - e0300870

Published: July 18, 2024

Rapid growth in outdoor recreation may have important and varied effects on terrestrial mammal communities. Few studies investigated factors influencing variation observed responses of multiple species to recreation. We used data from 155 camera traps, western Alberta (Canada), a hierarchical Bayesian community modelling framework document 15 recreation, test for differential between predators prey, evaluate the influence local context. Factors characterizing context were trail designation (i.e., use by motorized vs non-motorized), management type, forest cover, landscape disturbance, season. three measures characterize pressure: distance trail, density, an index intensity derived platform Strava. found limited evidence strong or consistent space use. However, was better explained interaction than either their own. The strongest density type; mammals more likely avoid sites near higher trails areas with restrictive management. that designation, although there not clear differences designated vs. non-motorized Overall, we species- context-dependent. Limiting be reducing negative impacts within conservation areas. show using yields insight into human disturbances wildlife. recommend investigating how different characteristics (noise, speed, visibility) animal behaviors. Multispecies monitoring across landscapes vary pressure can lead adaptive approach ensuring coexistence

Language: Английский

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Ecosystem Dynamics and Environmental Health Management: Linking Processes to Human Wellbeing

Environmental science and engineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 3 - 24

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Climate change mitigation through woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) habitat restoration in British Columbia

Environmental Research Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. 025004 - 025004

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Climate change poses a significant global threat, requiring rapid and effective mitigation strategies to limit future warming. Tree planting is commonly proposed readily implementable natural climate solution. It also vital component of habitat restoration for the threatened woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus) . There potential goals conservation carbon sequestration be combined co-benefits. We examine this opportunity by estimating impacts tree in range British Columbia (BC), Canada. To do so, we couple Landsat-derived datasets with Physiological Processes Predicting Growth, process-based model forest growth. compare informed needs maximum under multiple scenarios including shared socio‐economic pathways (SSP) 2, representing ∼2.7 °C warming, SSP5, ∼4.4 Trees were modelled as planted 2025. Province-wide 2100, maximum-carbon averaged 1062 Mg CO 2 · ha −1 planted, while resulted an average 930 reduction 12%. found that relative between herds remained similar across warming that, most ecotypes, increased from 5% 7% coldest (∼2.7 warming) warmest (∼4.4 scenario. Variability was observed herds, highlighting importance spatially-explicit, herd-level analysis growth when planning activities. Our findings indicate large co-benefits BC all modelled. They underscore value models evaluating implications areas changing climate.

Language: Английский

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A cautionary tale comparing spatial count and partial identity models for estimating densities of threatened and unmarked populations

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 38, P. e02268 - e02268

Published: Aug. 18, 2022

Population monitoring is critical to wildlife conservation, but density estimation difficult for wide-ranging, unmarked species inhabiting remote habitats. Furthermore, recent investigations into with camera trap data has revealed models be potentially unreliable, prompting cautious application and continued model development. Two related approaches increasing appeal include spatial count (SC), which infer latent identities from the pattern of detections, partial identity (SPIM), additionally leverage covariates (e.g., sex, antler point count, presence GPS/radio collar). To assess performance models, we applied SC SPIM threatened boreal caribou in Canada, are declining have few rigorous estimates across their broad distribution inform conservation efforts. In particular, focused on two spatially proximate ranges northern Alberta, Canada that differ estimated demographic trends, disturbance histories, abundances predators apparent competitors. Estimates varied over a 4 year period (2016 – 2019), were higher region more stable reported growth rates less anthropogenic (mode estimates: 155 225/1000 km2 vs. 19 96/1000 km2). However, differed by modeling approach had low variable precision, hindering inferences about population status trajectories. Simulations suggest may been biased precise. likely underestimated mistaking detections neighboring individuals as recaptures single individual, although also overestimated inflating assignment probabilities non-existent individuals. Findings highlight need explore how grouping dynamics non-independent movement violate assumptions reduce ability distinguish We advocate investigation accuracy approaches, ecological sampling conditions appropriate different coordination efforts analyses improve inferences.

Language: Английский

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A synthetic review of terrestrial biological research from the Alberta oil sands region: 10 years of published literature

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 18(2), P. 388 - 406

Published: Sept. 12, 2021

In the past decade, a large volume of peer-reviewed papers has examined potential impacts oil and gas resource extraction in Canadian sands (OS). A proportion focuses on terrestrial biology: wildlife, birds, vegetation. We provide qualitative synthesis condition environment region (OSR) from 2009 to 2020 identify gaps progress cumulative effects assessments. Our objectives were (1) qualitatively synthesize critically review knowledge OSR; (2) consistent trends generalizable conclusions; (3) pinpoint need greater monitoring or research effort. visualize foci by allocating conceptual model for OS. Despite recent increase publications, focus remained concentrated few key stressors, especially landscape disturbance, taxa interest. Stressor response is well represented, but direct pathways (linkages between stressors responses) limited. Important include understanding at multiple spatial scales, mammal health monitoring, focused local resources important Indigenous communities, geospatial coverage availability, including higher attribute resolution human footprint, comprehensive land cover mapping, up-to-date LiDAR coverage. Causal attribution based proximity operations orientation common may be limited strength inference that it provides. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:388-406. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment Management published Wiley Periodicals LLC behalf Society Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Language: Английский

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Stairway to heaven or highway to hell? How characteristics of forest roads shape their use by large mammals in the boreal forest

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 510, P. 120108 - 120108

Published: Feb. 23, 2022

Language: Английский

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Behavioral “bycatch” from camera trap surveys yields insights on prey responses to human‐mediated predation risk

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(7)

Published: July 1, 2022

Human disturbance directly affects animal populations and communities, but indirect effects of on species behaviors are less well understood. For instance, may alter predator activity cause knock-on to predator-sensitive foraging in prey. Camera traps provide an emerging opportunity investigate such disturbance-mediated impacts across multiple scales. We used camera trap data test predictions about behavior three ungulate (caribou

Language: Английский

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