Welcoming Wolves? Governing the Return of Large Carnivores in Traditional Pastoral Landscapes

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Sept. 10, 2021

Wolf populations are recovering across Europe and readily recolonize most areas where humans allow their presence. Reintegrating wolves in human-dominated landscapes is a major challenge, particularly places memories experience of coexistence have been lost. Despite the observed expansion trends, little has done to prepare communities for return these apex predators, or understand what fosters perpetuates coexistence. In this study, we present theoretical framework resilient based on four conditions: Effective institutions, large carnivore persistence, social legitimacy, low levels risk vulnerability, nested within social-ecological systems (SES) concept. To empirically show how conditions can be manifested interconnected, knowledge could used improve local capacities, applied case study human–wolf relations Spain. We examined three traditionally pastoral at different states cohabitation with wolves: uninterrupted presence, recent recolonization, imminent return. found that both perceptions capacity coexist them diverged states, was largely determined by diversity vulnerabilities not recognized addressed current management regimes, such as economic precarity weak legitimacy governing institutions. Our results illustrate importance working close contact needs enhance adaptive capacities face rural transitions, beyond those directly related wolves. The complements emerging tools developed researchers practitioners, which offer guidance process situational analysis, planning, resource allocation needed balance conservation livelihoods.

Language: Английский

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Understanding habitat selection of range‐expanding populations of large carnivores: 20 years of grey wolves (Canis lupus) recolonizing Germany

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 30(1), P. 71 - 86

Published: Nov. 4, 2023

Abstract Aim The non‐stationarity in habitat selection of expanding populations poses a significant challenge for spatial forecasting. Focusing on the grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) natural recolonization Germany, we compared performance different distribution modelling approaches predicting suitability unoccupied areas. Furthermore, analysed whether showed newly colonized areas, which will impact predictions potential habitat. Location Germany. Methods Using telemetry data as presence points, predictive five based combinations algorithms—GLMM, MaxEnt and ensemble modelling—and two background point strategies. We used homogeneous Poisson process to draw points from either minimum convex polygons derived or whole area known be occupied by wolves. Models were fit first years validated against independent representing expansion species. best‐performing approach was then further investigate species' response spatiotemporal restricted datasets that represented colonization steps. Results While all performed similarly when evaluated subset models, model integrated best range expansion. subsequent steps differed substantially global model, highlighting towards human disturbance during process. Main Conclusions telemetry‐only overfitted using available increased reliability forecasts. pointed wolves settling areas first, filling nearby lower‐quality population increases. Our results caution extrapolation space‐for‐time substitutions at least with

Language: Английский

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Restoring Asia’s roar: Opportunities for tiger recovery across the historic range

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: April 20, 2023

Wildlife conservation in the Anthropocene requires bold solutions including restoration of ecosystems and species. The recovery large carnivore populations is a goal which can generate significant benefits terms ecosystem services, ecological functionality, human well-being. Tigers Panthera tigris , Asia’s most iconic species, are currently restricted to less than 10% their historic range with recent national extinctions from number countries mainland Southeast Asia. Tiger through expansion suitable habitat, robust prey base, high levels institutional support for conservation. We explored government produce ranking political opportunities tiger across current former countries. used this analysis, combination globally remotely sensed data-sets on impact, show that there potential expansion. identified expanses unoccupied, but potentially suitable, habitat at least 14 all extant four extirpated – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Kazakhstan. Thirty-two percent areas were within 50-km, 50% 100-km, highlighting many landscapes could be driven by natural dispersal tigers provided connectivity maintained or enhanced. proportion existing protected varied between <5% India, Indonesia, China, >60% Thailand Cambodia. As such socially appropriate approaches, collaboration local communities, will necessary areas. recommend some we have should highlighted as future country governments. Whilst sites identify require detailed ground-truthing, reintroductions need extensive planning feasibility assessments, safeguarding these human-carnivore coexistence provide planetary both Global Sustainable Development Goals.

Language: Английский

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(Co)producing landscapes of coexistence: A historical political ecology of human-wolf relations in Italy

Geoforum, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 149, P. 103958 - 103958

Published: Jan. 27, 2024

There is increasing interest in human-wildlife coexistence. In Europe, coexistence with expanding large carnivore populations a pressing issue. Seeking to inform contemporary management an historical perspective, this study investigates the formation of human-wolf relations Italy during critical periods wolf decline (since nineteenth century) and comeback closing decades twentieth century). Specifically, adopts 'more-than-human political ecology' approach, focused on exploring entangled influence non-human agency wider economies (co)production relations. Such analysis used fill knowledge gaps these key events management, which are currently explained from either more rigid structural angle or depoliticised lenses. The analyses bring together pivotal work Italian historians scholars topics capitalist development ecology, ethology Italy. This highlights how onset capitalism around end 1700s inadvertently affected rise particularly problematic behaviours that period, were turn managed through intensification persecution. Wolves co-shaped need desire for their conservation near 1900s, alongside postmodern regime promoted return wolves period. (re)alignment logics, however, displaced costs wolf's onto local communities, exacerbating conflict. comes two main implications: first, it problematises fixed representations non-humans, highlighting instead adaptive capacities alterity; second, further conceives non-humans as constant co-becoming human practices economies, emphasising change conviviality. These may Europe beyond, well other contexts

Language: Английский

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Are Large Carnivores the Real Issue? Solutions for Improving Conflict Management through Stakeholder Participation

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(8), P. 4482 - 4482

Published: April 16, 2021

Social conflicts around large carnivores are increasing in Europe, often associated to the species expansion into human-modified and agricultural landscapes. Large can be seen as an added value by some but a source of difficulties others, depending on different values, attitudes, livelihoods, everyday activities. Therefore, effective involvement interest groups is important identify shape tailored solutions that potentially implemented, complementing top-down approaches might, their own, result lack implementation buy-in. To improve dialogue conflictual situations, part European project promoted Parliament, we assessed practical participatory processes three sample areas Europe where wolves bears have recently been increasingly impacting human Our results demonstrate collaboration among generally contrasting possible. Even situations large-carnivore impacts were unsatisfactorily managed for many years, people still willing eager involved alternative discussion hoping this would lead concrete solutions. An common highlight study was all management interventions agreed upon shared general scope improving conditions most impacted carnivores. The process showed importance building trust supporting knowledge co-production mitigation between stakeholders controversial environmental issues potential trigger meaningful about broader societal issues. direct support competent authorities, well upscaling at larger administrative social scales, remain challenges.

Language: Английский

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Men and wolves: Anthropogenic causes are an important driver of wolf mortality in human-dominated landscapes in Italy

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 32, P. e01892 - e01892

Published: Oct. 26, 2021

Over the last 40 years gray wolf (Canis lupus) re-colonized its historical range in Italy increasing human-predator interactions. However, temporal and spatial trends mortality, including direct indirect persecution, were never summarized. This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on situation of Tuscany Emilia-Romagna regions, hosting a significant proportion Italian population, by: (i) identifying prevalent causes (ii) summarizing their patterns (iii) applying spatially-explicit Generalized Linear Models predict persecution. Between October 2005 February 2021, 212 carcasses collected subjected necropsy, being involved collisions with vehicles (n = 104), poisoned 45), wounded gunshot 24) or blunt objects 4) hanged 2). The illegally killed wolves did not increase through time. Most persecution events occurred between February. None our candidate models outperformed null model covariates such as density sheep farms, number predations livestock, human associated probability having wolves, at municipal scale. Our findings show that conventional correlates combined supposedly high non-retrieved carcasses, fail illegal killings areas where species have become ubiquitous. widespread distribution indicates probably arises from multiple kinds conflicts humans, beyond those husbandry. Wolf conservation should thus address cryptic multi-disciplinary approaches, shared national protocols, socio-ecological studies, support experts’ experience effective sampling schemes for detection carcasses.

Language: Английский

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The spatial distribution and temporal trends of livestock damages caused by wolves in Europe

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 282, P. 110039 - 110039

Published: April 21, 2023

Wolf populations are recovering and expanding across Europe, causing conflicts with livestock owners. Here we compiled incident-based damage data 21 countries for the years 2018, 2019 2020, during which 39,262 wolf-caused incidents were reported from 470 administrative regions. We found substantial regional variation in all aspects of data, including primary target species, density damages, their seasonal distribution, temporal trend. More than half densities regions was explained by area extensively cultivated habitats occupied wolves, namely natural grasslands broad-leaved forests. Regional husbandry practices prevention, while difficult to quantify at a continental scale, appear important factors further modulate these incidents. As illustrated detailed Germany, relationship between number wolf units damages diminished over time, suggesting some adaptation owners local authorities presence, example increasing prevention efforts. argue, trends incidents, robust collection regions, thus informative about intensity wolf-human conflict. estimated majority reflecting current expansion wolves continent. Nonetheless, many increases moderate more one third negative despite growing populations, indicating that wolf-livestock can be successfully mitigated proper management.

Language: Английский

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Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring

Animals, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(5), P. 735 - 735

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

The comprehension of the factors that have influenced recent changes in wolf (Canis lupus) range and diet occurred our study area, characterized by a highly heterogeneous landscape, can shed light on their current process expansion toward plain. Wolf presence was monitored using standardized protocol from 2007 to 2022 carrying out eight monitoring sessions organized seasonal surveys, during which, we collected data. To model dynamics, used dynamic occupancy models considering land cover types wild ungulate abundances as covariates. Moreover, studied through scat analysis, identifying consumed items undigested remains. area progressed mountains lower hills gradually; observed dynamics were driven prey abundance human presence: particular, probability colonization increased with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) abundance, whereas extinction urban areas. showed gradual shift prevalent consumption boar (2007–2008 2011–2012) (continuously increasing 2015 onward). Our results might be related specific adaptation predator local ecology most species: deer.

Language: Английский

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Land of wolves, school of shepherds: the importance of pastoral knowledge on co-existence with large carnivores

Ecosystems and People, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

The wolf (Canis lupus) is recovering and recolonizing its historic range in Europe. In places where wolves have long been absent, their recent recolonization could potentially provoke extensive livestock farmers' opposition. To understand the conditions for grazing-wolf co-existence, we conducted interviews with farmers shepherds to compare three Spanish regions different presence states: uninterrupted presence, sporadic presence. Our results show importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) reducing conflict enabling co-existence. areas were extinct recently recolonized, loss TEK has led less both tolerance awareness benefits they provide. Conversely, uninterrupted, maintaining associated management, such as use mastiff dogs shepherd's role, favored co-existence grazing systems wolves. findings important implications EU Common Agricultural Policy by highlighting urgent need integrate close link between large carnivores. Furthermore, Nature Restoration Law reinforce these same approaches.

Language: Английский

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The trophic distribution of biomass in ecosystems with co-occurring wildlife and livestock

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Abstract Trophic interactions regulate populations, but anthropogenic processes influence primary productivity and consumption by both herbivore carnivore species. ecology studies often focus on natural systems such as protected areas, even though livestock globally comprise the majority of terrestrial vertebrate biomass. Here we explore spatial temporal patterns in distribution biomass between plants, large herbivores carnivores (> 10 kg) Norwegian rangelands, including wildlife livestock. We find high variation relationship plant biomass, with positive negative divergence observed from expectations based productivity. Meanwhile, despite recent partial recoveries densities across Norway, is still lower than expected if are excluded estimation. Our study highlights how trends reflect policy development. The role husbandry management thus key determining realised distributions anthropogenically influenced ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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