An inconvenient misconception: Climate change is not the principal driver of biodiversity loss

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 15(3)

Published: Jan. 20, 2022

Abstract The current perception that climate change is the principal threat to biodiversity at best premature. Although highly relevant, it detracts focus and effort from primary threats: habitat destruction overexploitation. We collated causes of vertebrate extinctions since 1900, information for amphibia, birds, mammals IUCN Red List, scrutinized others’ attempts compare with commensurate anthropogenic threats. In each analysis, none arguments founded on change's wide‐ranging effects are as urgent those loss Present conservation efforts must refocus these issues. Conserving ecosystems by focusing major threats not only protects but available, economically viable, global strategy reverse change.

Language: Английский

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Disturbances in North American boreal forest and Arctic tundra: impacts, interactions, and responses

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(11), P. 113001 - 113001

Published: Oct. 10, 2022

Abstract Ecosystems in the North American Arctic-Boreal Zone (ABZ) experience a diverse set of disturbances associated with wildfire, permafrost dynamics, geomorphic processes, insect outbreaks and pathogens, extreme weather events, human activity. Climate warming ABZ is occurring at over twice rate global average, as result extent, frequency, severity these are increasing rapidly. Disturbances span wide gradient spatiotemporal scales have varying impacts on ecosystem properties function. However, many relatively understudied different sensitivities to climate trajectories recovery, resulting considerable uncertainty land use vegetation dynamics interactions between disturbance types. Here we review current knowledge their precursors, impacts, temporal frequencies, spatial extents, severity. We also summarize feedbacks among characterize typical loss recovery response using satellite time-series. conclude summary critical data gaps identify priorities for future study.

Language: Английский

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Indigenous‐led conservation: Pathways to recovery for the nearly extirpatedKlinse‐Zamountain caribou

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(5)

Published: March 23, 2022

Abstract Indigenous Peoples around the northern hemisphere have long relied on caribou for subsistence and ceremonial community purposes. Unfortunately, despite recovery efforts by federal provincial agencies, are currently in decline many areas across Canada. In response to recent dramatic declines of mountain populations within their traditional territory, West Moberly First Nations Saulteau (collectively, “Nations”) came together create a new vision lands they stewarded shared. The focused Klinse‐Za subpopulation, which had once encompassed so that Elders remarked were “like bugs landscape.” declined from ~250 1990s only 38 2013, rendering harvest nonviable infringing treaty rights livelihood. collaboration with groups governments, this Indigenous‐led conservation initiative paired short‐term population actions, predator reduction maternal penning, long‐term habitat protection an effort self‐sustaining population. Here, we review these actions promising evidence abundance has more than doubled animals 2013 101 2021, representing rapid growth actions. With looming extirpation averted, securing landmark agreement 2020 protects over 7986‐km 2 area. Agreement provides >85% subpopulation (up 1.8% protected pre‐conservation agreement) affords moderate neighboring subpopulations (29%–47% areas, up 0%–20%). This set both Canadian governments path recover reinstate culturally meaningful hunt. highlights how governance leadership can be catalyst needed establish enhance endangered species recovery, honor cultural connections now imperiled wildlife.

Language: Английский

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Density‐dependent responses of moose to hunting and landscape change

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract In many areas of the boreal forests and temperate mountains Canada, resource extraction activities have created forage conditions that are favourable to growth moose ( Alces alces ) populations. turn, these increased populations buoy abundance wolves Canis lupus ), which then negative impacts on caribou Rangifer tarandus Consequently, been declining where extraction, moose, occur. To abate unsustainable predation pressure by wolves, hunting quota was expanded for 17 years reduce stabilize population in Revelstoke Valley, British Columbia, Canada. However, a reduction forestry activity paired with habitat protections slowed early seral favour moose. both hunter‐caused mortality loss may contributing observed declines occurred during this period. Within changing regulatory biophysical landscape, we sought address two research objectives. First, evaluated how increasing influenced total yield harvested animals. We expected density‐dependent responses would bolster number harvestable animals landscape. Second, tested different forest harvest scenarios might influence habitat, wolf densities, thus rates into future decades. used data from GPS collars (39 individuals), eight aerial surveys, hunter statistics, estimates carrying capacity thresholds, records. The latter series spanned 1961–2020 informed selection function calculations our first objective as well predictive modelling second objective. Between 2003 2020, found amounts declined 44.8%. There were 42% more under quotas than projected be simulated status quo quota. As stabilized, higher recruitment (e.g. calf:cow ratios) further contributed Our simulations indicated only harvesting scenario low enough 2040 cease entirely 2020. Practical implication: an mitigated effects caribou, aided recovery, struck balance also provided food security recreational opportunities harvesters.

Language: Английский

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A Parasite Not a Cannibal? How the State and Capital Protect Accumulation Amid Devastation

Antipode, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 6, 2025

Abstract Nancy Fraser's recent book, Cannibal Capitalism , breathes new life into the eco‐Marxist concept of ecological contradiction, arguing capitalism destroys its own conditions possibility like a serpent eating tail. thesis appears to be playing out in British Columbia forests, where industry is closing mills and cutting jobs, decrying an increasingly limited “fibre basket”. But amid ecosystem degradation industrial forestry has wrought over decades, including impacts now‐endangered caribou, firms state protect capital's ability accumulate: move capital outside BC; replenishes trees, maintains “investability”, attempts avoid caribou extinction without constricting access nature. thus more parasitic than cannibalistic. Taking long view, BC is, broadly, durable despite being anti‐ecological, part due state's powerful stabilising role.

Language: Английский

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What do caribou eat? A review of the literature on caribou diet

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 100(3), P. 197 - 207

Published: Jan. 5, 2022

Historically, the study of caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1788)) diet has been specific to herds few comprehensive circumpolar analyses Rangifer exist. As a result, certain items may play an outsized role in Zeitgeist, e.g., lichen. We challenge this notion test relevant importance various within context prevailing hypotheses. provide systematic overview 30 studies reporting biologically hypotheses about spatial temporal dietary variation. Our results indicate that winter primarily consume lichen, but warmer seasons when primary productivity is lower, graminoids other vascular plants. In more productive environments, where have competitors predators, consumption lichen increase. Overall, our description reveals it highly variable, circumstances can plants, then they will. climate change affects Boreal Arctic ecosystems, type volume food consumed by become increasingly important focus for conservation management caribou.

Language: Английский

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Trends in Bark Beetle Impacts in North America During a Period (2000–2020) of Rapid Environmental Change

Journal of Forestry, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 120(6), P. 693 - 713

Published: July 22, 2022

Abstract Of the more than five hundred and fifty species of North American bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), approximately twenty occasionally cause large amounts tree mortality in conifer forests. During 2000–2020, trends beetle impacts changed dramatically across America compared to those observed during mid- late 20th century. We review tools tactics available for suppression prevention provide an overview temporal spatial forests 2000–2020. Higher were several western accompanied by substantial declines eastern driven reductions southern pine (Dendroctonus frontalis) activity southeastern United States. Regional differences likely result from a higher richness both their hosts America, stronger direct indirect effects climate change (warming drying) on forest composition, management history, other abiotic stressors disturbances. Study Implications Compared century, have had increased reduced latter foresters natural resource managers reduce negative Furthermore, we potential explanations recent between America.

Language: Английский

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Effectiveness of population‐based recovery actions for threatened southern mountain caribou

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(4)

Published: April 17, 2024

Abstract Habitat loss is affecting many species, including the southern mountain caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) population in western North America. Over last half century, this threatened population's range and abundance have dramatically contracted. An integrated model was used to analyze 51 years (1973–2023) of demographic data from 40 subpopulations assess effectiveness population‐based recovery actions at increasing growth. Reducing potential limiting factors on populations offered a rare opportunity identify causes decline methods recovery. Southern declined by 51% between 1991 2023, 37% were functionally extirpated. Wolf reduction only action that consistently increased growth when applied isolation, combinations wolf reductions with maternal penning or supplemental feeding provided rapid but four subpopulations. As 52%, compared simulation no interventions. When predation pressure reduced, observed, even under contemporary climate change high levels habitat loss. Unless will continue be extirpated well before conservation restoration can become effective.

Language: Английский

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Demographic responses of nearly extirpated endangered mountain caribou to recovery actions in Central British Columbia

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(5)

Published: March 23, 2022

Abstract Recovering endangered species is a difficult and often controversial task that challenges status quo land uses. Southern Mountain caribou are threatened ecotype of historically ranged in southwestern Canada northwestern USA epitomize the tension between resource extraction, biodiversity conservation, Indigenous Peoples' treaty rights. Human‐induced habitat alteration considered ultimate cause population declines, whereby an increased abundance primary prey—such as moose deer—elevates predator populations creates unsustainable mortality. Here we focus on Klinse‐Za Quintette subpopulations, part Central Group British Columbia. These subpopulations were trending toward immediate extirpation until collaborative group initiated recovery by implementing two short‐term actions. We test effectiveness these actions—maternity penning adult females their calves, reduction predator, wolves—in increasing vital rates growth. received both actions, whereas only wolf reductions, providing opportunity to efficacy Between 1995 2021, followed 162 collared female for 414 animal‐years estimate survival used aerial counts calf recruitment. combined data integrated model growth, total abundance, action effectiveness. Results suggest declining rapidly (λ = 0.90–0.93 ) before interventions would have been functionally extirpated (<10 animals) within 10–15 years. Wolf growth ~0.12 each subpopulation. halted decline allowed them increase 1.05 , but alone stabilized 1.02). However, maternity further ~0.06, which when with grow 1.08). Taken together, actions survival, recruitment, overall more than doubling abundance. Our results reductions can be effective at numbers short term, while long‐term commitments protection restoration made.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying forest disturbance regimes within caribou (Rangifer tarandus) range in British Columbia

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 19, 2024

Abstract Habitat disturbance is a major driver of the decline woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) in Canada. Different agents and regimes negatively impact populations to different degrees. It therefore critical that land managers scientists studying have detailed understanding affecting habitat. In this work we use recent advances satellite-based detection quantify polygonal forest ecotypes herds British Columbia (BC) from 1985 2019. Additionally, utilize data investigate harvesting rates since implementation Species at Risk Act (SARA) publication recovery strategies for BC. Southern Mountain are most threatened yet experienced highest disturbance, with 22.75% forested habitat within their ranges disturbed during study period. Over period, found total, 16.4% area was across all herd ranges. Our findings indicate BC face high, many cases increasing, levels disturbance. results provide scale, highlight need effective policies aimed preserving

Language: Английский

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