Efficacy and ethics of intensive predator management to save endangered caribou

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 4(7)

Published: May 21, 2022

Abstract Lethal population control has a history of application to wildlife management and conservation. There is debate about the efficacy practice, but more controversial ethical justification methods killing one species in favor another. This situation facing conservation woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) Canada. Across multiple jurisdictions, large numbers wolves Canis lupus ), lesser extent bears Ursus americanus coyotes C. latrans are killed through trapping, poisoning or aerial shooting halt reverse continued declines caribou. While there evidence support effectiveness predator as stop‐gap solution, questions remain which this activity can make meaningful contribution long‐term recovery. Also, myriad objections lethal removal predators, even if that name Debates management, just numerous invasive actions for maintaining caribou, made complex by conflation ethics efficacy. Ultimately, solutions recovery require governments stop delaying difficult decisions address real causes decline, habitat change.

Language: Английский

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A palaeogenomic investigation of overharvest implications in an endemic wild reindeer subspecies

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(5)

Published: Jan. 27, 2024

Overharvest can severely reduce the abundance and distribution of a species thereby impact its genetic diversity threaten future viability. remains an ongoing issue for Arctic mammals, which due to climate change now also confront one fastest changing environments on Earth. The high-arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), endemic Svalbard, experienced harvest-induced demographic bottleneck that occurred during 17-20th centuries. Here, we investigate changes in diversity, population structure, gene-specific differentiation after this overharvesting event. Using whole-genome shotgun sequencing, generated first ancient historical nuclear (n = 11) mitochondrial 18) genomes from (up 4000 BP) integrated these data with large collection modern genome sequences 90) infer temporal changes. We show hunting resulted major restructuring populations. Near-extirpation followed by pronounced drift has altered allele frequencies important genes contributing diverse biological functions. Median heterozygosity was reduced 26%, while only limited extent, likely already low pre-harvest complex post-harvest recolonization process. Such genomic erosion isolation populations past anthropogenic disturbance will play role metapopulation dynamics (i.e., extirpation, recolonization) under further change. Our results case study therefore emphasize need understand long-term interplay past, current, stressors wildlife conservation.

Language: Английский

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Ratchet effects revisited: power effects and systematic bias in natural resource management

FACETS, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 10, P. 1 - 10

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Regulatory ratchets arise when governance appears to be effective, but actually masks a steady loss of natural capital. This occurs biases in environmental impact assessment (EIA) systematically underestimate the true large developments, generated by statistical convention fixing α at 0.05 (Type 1 error or false positive rate; i.e., probability concluding that development will have an there is none) while β, negative rate (failing detect impact, Type 2 error), often fixed 0.2. asymmetry (β > α) generates higher likelihood mistakenly permitting than preventing it. Beyond bias EIA, routine regulations are ineffective due low compliance, inadequate thresholds, and broad exemptions, which tend cryptically institutionalize net loss. Measuring inefficiency regulation foundational correcting regulatory identifying pathways towards no Like from major cumulative protections also needs estimated offset active habitat restoration; this should delivered as core program resource management agencies, with goal fully integrating mitigation hierarchy into governance.

Language: Английский

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Reproducing extractivism: A political ecology analysis of strategic environmental assessment and hydrocarbon extraction in the Arctic

Geoforum, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 162, P. 104275 - 104275

Published: April 14, 2025

Language: Английский

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A new model for selecting valued components in environmental assessment: Lessons from an Indigenous-led cumulative effects management program

Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 106, P. 107519 - 107519

Published: May 1, 2024

Valued components (VCs) are at the core of impact assessment (IA), cumulative effects management (CEM), and other environmental planning processes. However, research that exists on VC selection identifies major conceptual methodological flaws in conventional approaches used most project-based IAs, including poor understanding, inadequate guidance, insufficient engagement with local stakeholders Indigenous communities, failure to incorporate perspectives, knowledge, values decision-making. To address these flaws, this paper proposes a new community-based method for selecting VCs, which was developed Indigenous-led CEM program Metlakatla First Nation (located northwest coast Canada). The is grounded informed by knowledge as well scientific research. It uses six-step approach identify VCs prioritize them, based clear decision-making criteria, deliberative community dialogue, explicit consideration implementation constraints. high-priority their program, but could also be adapted use IA processes improve selection. A comparison results application Program recent proponent-led large industrial project territory shows addresses many deficiencies model generates substantially different set better reflect knowledge.

Language: Английский

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Advancing the consideration of ecological connectivity in environmental assessment: Synthesis and next steps forward

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 40(6), P. 451 - 459

Published: Nov. 2, 2022

Language: Английский

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Why are projects rarely rejected in environmental impact assessments? Narratives of justifiability in Brazilian and Canadian review reports

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 64(11), P. 1940 - 1962

Published: Jan. 6, 2021

Projects that undergo environmental impact assessment (EIA) are rarely rejected. Online registries and anecdotal evidence suggest authorities approve almost all proposed assessed projects, though often with mitigation requirements. The objective of this study was: 1) to identify the rules or criteria reviewers must observe when considering acceptance rejection projects; 2) understand how rare cases decisions justified by reviewers. Data were collected through literature regulatory reviews, content analysis review reports related five Canadian seven Brazilian rejected projects. Reviewers from Canada Brazil adopted similar approaches decision-making based on qualitative reasoning. Rejection recommendations reasons, such as significance biophysical impacts, sensitivity locations community values. influence reviewers' final remains unknown. highlights practical implications calls for greater transparency rigor in EIA decision-making.

Language: Английский

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Years late and millions short: A predictive audit of economic impacts for coal mines in British Columbia, Canada

Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 100, P. 107074 - 107074

Published: Feb. 21, 2023

Language: Английский

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The So-called Modern ‘Sustainable Forestry’ Destroys Wilderness, Old-Growth Forest Landscapes and Ecological Services Worldwide: A Short First-Hand Review and Global Narrative on the Use of ‘Growth-and-Yield’ as a Destructive and Even Impossible Goal

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Old-growth forest wilderness areas are on a rapid global decline. Science-based sustainable management (SFM) is practised worldwide but here we show with ground-truthed examples across the world that it not finite landmass: encroaches in areas, employs road network, has negative energy budget, makes landscape-scale vegetation younger, and destroys old-growth forests, besides other impacts. The 'modern' concept of managed forests promoted tree plantations to sequester carbon quickly produce timber presented meta-analysis from over 15 nations first-hand accounts by authors as standing full conflict promotion welfare all their ecological services planet. Policies concepts exposed used agencies, institutions NGOs promote neoliberal plantations, harming ancient forested landscapes associated human cultures societies well atmosphere well-being.

Language: Английский

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Differential responses of woodland caribou to fire and forestry across boreal and montane ecosystems—a literature review

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 7, 2024

Abstract Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a landscape-level and planning process that common across North America. A primary tenet of EBM the area intensity anthropogenic disturbance should mimic historical natural focal ecosystem. Biodiversity persist, at least coarse scale, where disturbance, such as forest harvesting, matches disturbance. However, failing some species, particularly those are dependent on old forest. Across many areas Canada, woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) declining because direct indirect effects habitat loss fragmentation. This even though often follows principles EBM. We conducted qualitative comparison responses to wildfire considering broad range responses, including selection distribution, forage, movement patterns, population dynamics. found while harvesting both influence caribou, negative generally greater following harvesting. For example, result in habitat, but more likely shift, abandon or contract their response harvest. The literature also suggested stronger harvest when compared wildfire. difference could be residual structure associated with well extensive resource roads necessary for forestry operations. Although there sound theoretical support EBM, practice, implemented, may not effective maintaining ultimately populations caribou.

Language: Английский

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