Leopard (Panthera pardus) status, distribution, and the research efforts across its range

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 4, С. e1974 - e1974

Опубликована: Май 4, 2016

The leopard's (Panthera pardus) broad geographic range, remarkable adaptability, and secretive nature have contributed to a misconception that this species might not be severely threatened across its range. We find only are several subspecies regional populations critically endangered but also the overall range loss is greater than average for terrestrial large carnivores. To assess status, we compile 6,000 records at 2,500 locations from over 1,300 sources on historic (post 1750) current distribution. map Africa Asia, delineating areas where confirmed present, possibly extinct or almost certainly extinct. leopard now occupies 25-37% of obscures important differences between subspecies. Of nine recognized subspecies, three (P. p. pardus, fusca, saxicolor) account 97% extant while another orientalis, nimr, japonensis) each lost as much 98% their Isolation, small patch sizes, few remaining patches further threaten six less 100,000 km(2) Approximately 17% protected, although some far less. found research was increasing, effort primarily with most whereas in need urgent attention were neglected.

Язык: Английский

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An interdisciplinary review of current and future approaches to improving human–predator relations

Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 31(3), С. 513 - 523

Опубликована: Окт. 26, 2016

Abstract In a world of shrinking habitats and increasing competition for natural resources, potentially dangerous predators bring the challenges coexisting with wildlife sharply into focus. Through interdisciplinary collaboration among authors trained in humanities, social sciences, we reviewed current approaches to mitigating adverse human–predator encounters devised vision future understanding such encounters. Limitations mitigation include too much focus on negative impacts; oversimplified equating levels damage conflict; unsuccessful technical fixes resulting from failure engage locals, address hidden costs, or understand cultural (nonscientific) explanations causality attacks. An emerging literature suggests that better frame successfully mitigate relations conservation professionals need consider dispensing conflict as dominant framework thinking about encounters; work out what conflicts are really (they may be human–human conflicts); unravel historical contexts particular conflicts; explore different ways animals. The idea cosmopolitan natures help think more clearly both local global context. These new perspectives research practice recommendation focused use approaches, including human‐animal geography, multispecies ethnography, environmental humanities notably history. Managers should carefully how they beliefs wildlife, all parties agree constitutes good evidence, develop processes methods conflicts, decide monitor evaluate these. Demand immediate solutions benefit development favors dispute resolution fixes, which obscures important underlying drivers conflicts. If these not considered, well‐intentioned efforts human–wildlife will fail.

Язык: Английский

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Lion ( Panthera leo ) populations are declining rapidly across Africa, except in intensively managed areas

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2015, Номер 112(48), С. 14894 - 14899

Опубликована: Окт. 26, 2015

Significance At a regional scale, lion populations in West, Central, and East Africa are likely to suffer projected 50% decline over the next two decades, whereas only increasing southern Africa. Many either now gone or expected disappear within few decades extent that intensively managed may soon supersede iconic savannah landscapes as most successful sites for conservation. The rapid disappearance of lions suggests major trophic downgrading African ecosystems with no longer playing pivotal role apex predator.

Язык: Английский

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Rewilding: Science, Practice, and Politics

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Год журнала: 2015, Номер 40(1), С. 39 - 62

Опубликована: Сен. 2, 2015

Rewilding is being promoted as an ambitious alternative to current approaches nature conservation. Interest growing in popular and scientific literatures, rewilding the subject of significant comment debate, outstripping research conservation practice. Projects are found world over, with concentrations Europe, North America, on tropical islands. A common aim maintain, or increase, biodiversity, while reducing impact present past human interventions through restoration species ecological processes. The term has been applied diverse concepts practices. We review historical emergence its various overlapping meanings, aims, approaches, illustrate this a description four flagship case studies. science centered three different baselines: Pleistocene, Holocene, novel contemporary ecosystems. choice baseline differing implications for variety contexts. projects involve range practical components—such passive management, reintroduction, taxon substitution—some which have attracted criticism. They also raise series political, social, ethical concerns where they conflict more established forms environmental management. In conclusion, we summarize goals, tools, contexts that account variations identify priorities future

Язык: Английский

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Managing conflict between large carnivores and livestock

Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 32(1), С. 26 - 34

Опубликована: Май 29, 2017

Abstract Large carnivores are persecuted globally because they threaten human industries and livelihoods. How this conflict is managed has consequences for the conservation of large biodiversity more broadly. Mitigating human–predator should be evidence‐based accommodate people's values while protecting carnivores. Despite much research into large‐carnivore coexistence strategies, there have been few attempts to document success conflict‐mitigation strategies on a global scale. We conducted meta‐analysis mitigation related humans. focused conflicts that arise from threat pose livestock. first used structured unstructured searching identify replicated studies before–after or control–impact design measure change in livestock loss as result implementing management intervention. then extracted relevant data these calculate an overall effect size each intervention type. Research effort focus varied among continents aligned with histories cultures shaped production attitudes toward Livestock guardian animals most effectively reduced losses. Lethal control was second effective control, although its most, lethal did not differ significantly. Financial incentives promoted tolerance some settings retaliatory killings. suggest location‐specific, incorporate cultural environmental conditions, designed such return financial investment can evaluated. Improved monitoring measures urgently required promote policy.

Язык: Английский

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Anthropogenic ecosystem disturbance and the recovery debt

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 8(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 20, 2017

Abstract Ecosystem recovery from anthropogenic disturbances, either without human intervention or assisted by ecological restoration, is increasingly occurring worldwide. As ecosystems progress through recovery, it important to estimate any resulting deficit in biodiversity and functions. Here we use data 3,035 sampling plots worldwide, quantify the interim reduction of functions during process (that is, ‘recovery debt’). Compared with reference levels, recovering run annual deficits 46–51% for organism abundance, 27–33% species diversity, 32–42% carbon cycling 31–41% nitrogen cycling. Our results are consistent across biomes but not degrading factors. suggest that restored have less diversity than ‘undisturbed’ ecosystems, even if complete reached, an debt will accumulate. Under such circumstances, increasing quantity less-functional restoration offsetting inadequate alternatives ecosystem protection.

Язык: Английский

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Carnivore conservation needs evidence-based livestock protection

PLoS Biology, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 16(9), С. e2005577 - e2005577

Опубликована: Сен. 18, 2018

Carnivore predation on livestock often leads people to retaliate. Persecution by humans has contributed strongly global endangerment of carnivores. Preventing losses would help achieve three goals common many human societies: preserve nature, protect animal welfare, and safeguard livelihoods. Between 2016 2018, four independent reviews evaluated >40 years research lethal nonlethal interventions for reducing livestock. From 114 studies, we find a striking conclusion: scarce quantitative comparisons against experimental controls preclude strong inference about the effectiveness methods. For wise investment public resources in protecting carnivores, evidence should be prerequisite policy making or large-scale funding any method or, at minimum, measured during implementation. An appropriate base is needed, recommend coalition scientists managers formed establish encourage use consistent standards future evaluations.

Язык: Английский

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Impacts of hunting on tropical forests in Southeast Asia

Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 30(5), С. 972 - 981

Опубликована: Июнь 24, 2016

Abstract Although deforestation and forest degradation have long been considered the most significant threats to tropical biodiversity, across Southeast Asia (Northeast India, Indochina, Sundaland, Philippines) substantial areas of natural habitat few wild animals (>1 kg), bar a hunting‐tolerant species. To document hunting impacts on vertebrate populations regionally, we conducted an extensive literature review, including papers in local journals reports governmental nongovernmental agencies. Evidence from multiple sites indicated animal declined precipitously region since approximately 1980, many species are now extirpated portions their former ranges. Hunting is by far greatest immediate threat survival region's endangered vertebrates. Causes recent overhunting include improved access forests markets, technology, escalating demand for meat, wildlife‐derived medicinal products, as pets. hunters often take common species, such pigs or rats, own consumption, they rarer opportunistically sell surplus meat commercially valuable products. There also widespread targeted high‐value Consequently, currently practiced, cannot be sustainable anywhere region, places enforcement protected‐area protected‐species legislation weak. The international community's focus cross‐border trade fails address overexploitation wildlife because sale largely issue harvest consumed villages, rural towns, nearby cities. In addition enforcement, efforts engage manage through practices urgently needed. Unless there step change reduce exploitation levels, will likely lose its iconic others besides, within next years.

Язык: Английский

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Paws without claws? Ecological effects of large carnivores in anthropogenic landscapes

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 283(1841), С. 20161625 - 20161625

Опубликована: Окт. 26, 2016

Large carnivores are frequently presented as saviours of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning through their creation trophic cascades, an idea largely based on studies coming primarily out relatively natural landscapes. However, in large parts the world, particularly Europe, live returning to strongly human-modified ecosystems. At present, we lack a coherent framework predict effects these anthropogenic We review how human actions influence ecological roles by affecting density or behaviour those mesopredators prey species. argue that potential for density-mediated cascades landscapes is limited unproductive areas where even low carnivore numbers may impact densities landscape allowed reach ecologically functional densities. The behaviourally mediated be larger more widespread, because affect behaviour. conclude predator–prey interactions will highly context-dependent often attenuate carnivores. highlight knowledge gaps outline new research avenue study role

Язык: Английский

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Prey depletion as a threat to the world's large carnivores

Royal Society Open Science, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 3(8), С. 160252 - 160252

Опубликована: Авг. 1, 2016

Large terrestrial carnivores are an ecologically important, charismatic and highly endangered group of species. Here, we assess the importance prey depletion as a driver large carnivore endangerment globally using lists species for each compiled from literature. We consider spatial variation in endangerment, changes over time causes depletion, finding considerable evidence that loss base is major wide-ranging threat among In particular, clouded leopard ( Neofelis nebulosa ), Sunda diardi tiger Panthera tigris dhole Cuon alpinus ) Ethiopian wolf Canis simensis all have at least 40% their classified threatened on International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) Red List and, along with Panethra pardus these except 50% declining. Of 494 our analysis, average just 6.9% ranges overlap protected areas. Together results show holistic approach to conservation involves protecting both directly upon which they depend.

Язык: Английский

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