U.S. conservation translocations: Over a century of intended consequences

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 3(4)

Published: March 5, 2021

Abstract Conservation translocations (reintroductions, reinforcements, ecological replacements, and assisted colonization) have played a vital necessary role in conserving endangered species ecosystems. Yet concerns over potential unintended consequences frequently hinder the progress of translocation activities. We reviewed history U.S. to ask: how often were intended benefits result versus harmful consequences? found that key recovery for 30% (14 47) delisted taxa. Translocations been performed, are planned, or part continuing actions 70% (1,112 1,580) listed threatened Of 1,014 total taxa we with recorded conservation spanning 125 years, only one restricted instance caused loss biodiversity. All other reports negative by performed economic cultural interests absence conservation‐based governance. Examples included fish stocking sport biological control programs agricultural pests. this analysis because they can be used as tools, directly benefit In addition, raised examples results during planning process. However, 1.4% (42) 3,014 agents released globally ecosystem‐level deleterious impacts. these initially before 1980s practice governance recent decades reduced off‐target impacts from practice. Two themes emerged our review: (a) routinely yielded their without producing harm, (b) when damage did occur, it was regulation. This evidence shows well‐planned efforts produce ecosystem benefits, which should weighed against costs inaction deliberating strategies.

Language: Английский

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Conceptualizing Human–Nature Relationships: Implications of Human Exceptionalist Thinking for Sustainability and Conservation

Topics in Cognitive Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 357 - 387

Published: April 22, 2023

The ways in which people conceptualize the human-nature relationship have significant implications for proenvironmental values and attitudes, sustainable behavior, environmental policy measures. Human exceptionalism (HE) is one such conceptual framework, involving belief that humans human societies exist independently of ecosystems they are embedded, promoting a sharp ontological boundary between rest natural world. In this paper, we introduce HE more depth, exploring impact on perceptions relationship, role culture HE, speculating origins HE. We consider potential decision-making, conservation science, behavior. present empirical evidence pervasiveness consequences WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich Democratic) populations, interventions. Finally, close with human-exceptionalist thinking other sustainability-related fields, including practices, nature management, climate change adaptation, science. Understanding cognitive social drivers disconnect vital planet now dominated by change, as not only increasingly impacted disasters, but choices make can ever dire sustainability ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Rethinking the evaluation of animal translocations

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 292, P. 110523 - 110523

Published: March 16, 2024

Translocations are the human-mediated movements of living organisms for conservation and non-conservation purposes. Conservation translocations have become popular important tools. Nevertheless, they commonly lack a standard definition success clear evaluation criteria. We used literature review to investigate if how translocation is defined assessed, research case studies clarified drivers failure. reviewed primary scientific reports IUCN Global Reintroduction Perspectives (GRPs) that focused on raptors, species high socio-ecological value but often endangered by human activities. found neither usually reported explicit definitions or standardised assessments success. The only few were mainly shaped ecological biological considerations, with criteria varying based types. GRPs included frequent mismatches across report sections evaluate Despite ecological, species-intrinsic factors being set as indicators, major difficulties encountered methodological socio-political, concerning community. call rethinking in better reflect their multidimensionality practice, further investigation challenges between conservationists. To guide future translocations, we propose an framework acknowledges multiple dimensions subjectivity its outcomes, process learning perspectives at different timescales. also recommend known importance sociopolitical should favour redefinition field from reintroduction biology science.

Language: Английский

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A benefit–risk analysis for biological control introductions based on the protection of native biodiversity

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(6)

Published: July 30, 2024

The release of biological control agents has been an important means controlling invasive species for over 150 years. While these releases have led to the sustainable 250 pest and weed worldwide, a minority caused environmental harm. A growing recognition risks focus on risk assessment beginning in 1990s along with precipitous decline releases. this new greatly improved safety control, it came at cost lost opportunities solve problems associated species. framework that incorporates benefits is thus needed understand net effects We introduce such framework, using native biodiversity as common currency both risks. model based interactions among four categories organisms: (1) agent, (2) (pest or weed) targeted by (3) one more stand benefit from target species, (4) are being harmed released agent. Conservation values potentially benefited incorporated well, they weighted according three axes: vulnerability extinction, ecosystem services provided, cultural significance. Further, we incorporate potential indirect which consider will result mainly ecological process agent enrichment may occur if exploits but does not weed. illustrate use retrospectively analyzing vedalia beetle, Novius (= Rodolia) cardinalis, cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi, Galapagos Islands. particularly adaptable natural areas, can also be used managed settings, where protects through reduction pesticide use.

Language: Английский

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Agriculture and biodiversity damage: A prospective evaluation of the impact of Brazilian agriculture on its ecoregions through life cycle assessment methodology

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 899, P. 165762 - 165762

Published: July 24, 2023

Language: Английский

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Jaguar (Panthera onca) in California: A History and a Future

Bulletin Southern California Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 123(2)

Published: Jan. 20, 2025

Language: Английский

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Exploring a unified definition of ecological complexity towards restoration

Total Environment Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 200125 - 200125

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Accelerating the reintroduction of endangered Sacramento River winter-run Chinook Salmon to Battle Creek, California using captive broodstock

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 24, 2025

ABSTRACT Objective Sacramento River winter-run Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawystcha (SRWCS) is the most critically endangered population of in California’s Central Valley (CCV). A severe and persistent drought CCV from 2012 to 2016 caused near complete loss several cohorts SRWCS, leading fish managers accelerate plans for reintroducing species historically significant habitat Battle Creek (BC) with captive broodstock. We document these reintroduction efforts, evaluate success program, determine opportunities limitations similar broodstock programs other systems. Methods SRWCS was established progeny adults that were collected spawned at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery. The originating this released into BC, familial origins adult returns BC genetically identified. An ensemble random forests model used effects factors on precocity return as adults. Results successful produced offspring returned tributary. Although producing returns, challenges associated maturation had strong precocity. Spawning success, measured by number eyed eggs per female size (mm), influential determinant Cryopreservation a negative effect success. Other minimal timing. Conclusions This study elucidates critical trade-offs between release negatively affect spawning through supplementary actions, such using cryopreserved milt. As imperiled salmonid populations face decision use adaptive management will be necessary manage risks benefits alternative strategies.

Language: Английский

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Conservation science and the ethos of restraint

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 3(4)

Published: Feb. 20, 2021

Abstract Despite aiming to make conservation science and practice more effective, many conservationists default excessive precaution, advocating conservative actions—or even inaction. The field suffers from an understandable aversion unintended consequences, especially for approaches involving biotechnology “next‐generation” interventions. We call this precautionary attitude among the ethos of restraint argue replacing it with responsible action . Loosening will require (a) holistically accounting comparative risks, benefits, costs novel approaches; (b) gathering data on their consequences; (c) engaging in dialogue about intended consequences values; (d) pursuing adaptive implementation strategies. Adopting requires grasping that precaution proaction are not diametrically opposed attitudes. Instead, we must decide what level or is warranted, do, a case‐by‐case basis.

Language: Английский

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Temporal variation in translocated Isle Royale wolf diet

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

Published: March 1, 2023

Abstract Wolves ( Canis lupus ) can exert top‐down pressure and shape ecological communities through the predation of ungulates beavers (Castor spp.). Therefore, understanding wolf foraging is critical to estimating their ecosystem‐level effects. Specifically, if wolves are consumers that optimize tradeoffs between cost benefits prey acquisition, changes in these factors may lead prey‐switching or negative‐density dependent selection with potential consequences for community stability. For wolves, affecting include vulnerability, risk, reward, availability, which vary temporally. We described diet by frequency occurrence percent biomass characterized using remains found scats on Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA, during May–October 2019 2020. used logistic regression estimate consumption over time. predicted temporal variation (availability and/or vulnerability) such as adult moose Alces alces ), calf moose, beaver Castor canadensis diets. analyzed 206 identified 62% beaver, 26% 12% other species (birds, smaller mammals, wolves). Adult were more likely occur May when poor condition following winter. The calves peaked June–mid‐July birth but before vulnerability declined they matured. By contrast, scat did not change time, reflecting importance low‐handling items recently introduced lone paired wolves. Our results demonstrate responsive costs. Temporal fluctuation influence wolves' role respond increased risk altering breeding behavior.

Language: Английский

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