1
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Sells SN, Costello CM. Predicting future grizzly bear habitat use in the Bitterroot Ecosystem under recolonization and reintroduction scenarios. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308043. [PMID: 39231120 PMCID: PMC11373846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Many conservation actions must be implemented with limited data. This is especially true when planning recovery efforts for extirpated populations, such as grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) within the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE), where strategies for reestablishing a resident population are being evaluated. Here, we applied individual-based movement models developed for a nearby grizzly bear population to predict habitat use in and near the BE, under scenarios of natural recolonization, reintroduction, and a combination. All simulations predicted that habitat use by grizzly bears would be higher in the northern half of the study area. Under the natural recolonization scenario, use was concentrated in Montana, but became more uniform across the northern BE in Idaho over time. Use was more concentrated in east-central Idaho under the reintroduction scenario. Assuming that natural recolonization continues even if bears are reintroduced, use remained widespread across the northern half of the BE and surrounding areas. Predicted habitat maps for the natural recolonization scenario aligned well with outlier and GPS collar data available for grizzly bears in the study area, with Spearman rank correlations of ≥0.93 and mean class values of ≥9.1 (where class 10 was the highest relative predicted use; each class 1-10 represented 10% of the landscape). In total, 52.4% of outlier locations and 79% of GPS collar locations were in class 10 in our predicted habitat maps for natural recolonization. Simulated grizzly bears selected habitats over a much larger landscape than the BE itself under all scenarios, including multiple-use and private lands, similar to existing populations that have expanded beyond recovery zones. This highlights the importance of recognizing and planning for the role of private lands in recovery efforts, including understanding resources needed to prevent and respond to human-grizzly bear conflict and maintain public acceptance of grizzly bears over a large landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Sells
- U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, Ecology and Evolution Program, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Cecily M Costello
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Kalispell, Montana, United States of America
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2
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Passoni G, Coulson T, Cagnacci F. Celebrating wildlife population recovery through education. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:101-105. [PMID: 38065709 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Large mammal populations are rapidly recovering across Europe, yet people have not readapted to living with wild animals, resulting in human-wildlife conflict. We believe that society should unite to make the most of the instances of nature recovery, and propose science and education as the key to success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioele Passoni
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Rd, Oxford OX1 3SZ, United Kingdom; Animal Ecology Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Edmund Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy.
| | - Tim Coulson
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Rd, Oxford OX1 3SZ, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Animal Ecology Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Edmund Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
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3
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Salvatori M, Oberosler V, Rinaldi M, Franceschini A, Truschi S, Pedrini P, Rovero F. Crowded mountains: Long-term effects of human outdoor recreation on a community of wild mammals monitored with systematic camera trapping. AMBIO 2023; 52:1085-1097. [PMID: 36626062 PMCID: PMC10160289 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01825-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor recreation in natural areas has become an increasingly popular activity globally, yet the long-term effects on wildlife are poorly known. Reconciling human access to nature and wildlife conservation requires sound evaluations of how outdoor activities affect biodiversity in space and time. We aimed to contribute to this topic by asking whether tourism in the world-renown Dolomites, Italy, affected wild mammals in the long term, and if it elicited spatial or temporal avoidance. We detected mammals by systematic camera trapping over seven consecutive summers at 60, consistently sampled, sites, and estimated trends in occurrence at community and species levels through a dynamic community occupancy model, combined with site use intensity and an index of nocturnality. Overall, 70% of the 520 000 images obtained depicted humans, whose presence intensified over the 7-year period. Nonetheless, both community and most species-level occurrences increased. However, human activities caused a strong temporal avoidance in the whole community, especially in most disturbed sites, while spatial avoidance was observed only for bigger-sized species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Salvatori
- Department of Biology, University of Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Valentina Oberosler
- MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Margherita Rinaldi
- MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Ente di Gestione per i Parchi e la Biodiversità Emilia Occidentale, Piazza Ferrari, 5, 43013 Langhirano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Franceschini
- MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3 Canada
- Wildlife Initiative Italia, Via Rovigo, 12, Pederobba, Italy
| | - Stefania Truschi
- MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Science, University of Firenze, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrini
- MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Francesco Rovero
- Department of Biology, University of Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- MUSE - Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
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4
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Dando TR, Crowley SL, Young RP, Carter SP, McDonald RA. Social feasibility assessments in conservation translocations. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 38:459-472. [PMID: 36567154 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Improving the effectiveness of conservation translocations could contribute to reversing global biodiversity loss. Although evaluations of ecological factors affecting translocation outcomes are commonplace, consideration of human social factors remains rare, hindering improvements to this conservation practice. We analysed 550 translocation case studies to explore the inclusion of social factors in project feasibility assessments. Reviewed projects often failed to assess social feasibility, and assessments, where attempted, tended to be narrow in scope. Consequently, challenges such as proactively addressing conflict often remained unaddressed. Insufficient knowledge sharing and prioritisation of ecological feasibility, to the detriment of social feasibility, remain barriers to effective planning. Successful outcomes of translocations are linked to early assessment of social feasibility and to the establishment of long-term commitments between people, places, and partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Dando
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK.
| | - Sarah L Crowley
- Centre for Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK
| | - Richard P Young
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, Channel Islands
| | - Stephen P Carter
- Vincent Wildlife Trust, 3 and 4 Bronsil Courtyard, Eastnor, Ledbury HR8 1EP, Herefordshire, UK
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK.
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5
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Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos). MAMMAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-022-00654-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractStable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman’s metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations.
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6
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Alston JD, Clark JD, Gibbs DB, Hast J. Density, harvest rates, and growth of a reintroduced American black bear population. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Alston
- Department of Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries, 427 Plant Biotechnology Building, 2505 E. J. Chapman Drive, University of Tennessee Knoxville TN 37996 USA
| | - Joseph D. Clark
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Southern Appalachian Research Branch, 427 Plant Biotechnology Building, 2505 E. J. Chapman Drive, University of Tennessee Knoxville TN 37996 USA
| | - Daniel B. Gibbs
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, 3030 Wildlife Way Morristown TN 37814 USA
| | - John Hast
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1 Sportsman's Lane Frankfort KY 40601 USA
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7
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Patterns of Human–Brown Bear Conflict in the Urban Area of Brașov, Romania. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14137833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human–bear conflicts are increasing in number due to deforestation, urban expansion, tourism, and habitat invasion by humans. Our study was conducted in Brașov, a picturesque city in central Romania. Brașov is surrounded by forests and has significant tourist traffic, but also much uncollected garbage and many garbage containers, which attract brown bears. We recorded human–bear conflicts in four districts (Răcădău, the Historic Centre, Noua, and Gară) between 2004 and 2018, finding 55 cases in total, of which in 19 cases involving people, 4 people were killed and 32 were injured. In 36 cases, there were no human victims. We mapped the locations of human–bear conflicts and garbage containers, then analysed their space–time location and human victims in terms of behavioural factors. The altitudes at which brown bears were identified ranged from 580 to 790 m, whereas bears were found in the city at distances of between 100 and 2600 m from the forest. The highest frequency of human–bear conflicts occurred during summer and autumn, and the most common behavioural factor was human outdoor activities. This study provides an important background for understanding human–bear conflicts and will help local authorities develop effective strategies to reduce human–bear conflicts and mitigate risk.
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8
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Zan Zeng, Wang H, Gao S, van Gils H, Zhou Y, Huang L, Wang X. Identification of Release Habitat of Captive-bred Mammals Demonstrated for Giant Panda in Sichuan Province, China. BIOL BULL+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359021130082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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9
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Franchini M, Corazzin M, Bovolenta S, Filacorda S. The Return of Large Carnivores and Extensive Farming Systems: A Review of Stakeholders' Perception at an EU Level. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061735. [PMID: 34200713 PMCID: PMC8229100 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Conflicts between large carnivores and human activities undermine both the maintenance of livestock practices as well as the conservation of carnivores across Europe. Because large carnivore management is driven by a common EU policy, the purpose of this research was to assess stakeholders' perception towards bears and wolves at an EU level. We conducted a systematic search and subsequent analysis of 40 peer-reviewed studies collected from 1990 to September 2020 within Member States of the EU. Rural inhabitants and hunters exhibited the most negative attitude compared to urban inhabitants and conservationists, whose attitude was more positive. We showed that direct experience with predators as a consequence of ongoing re-colonization may have affected the degree of acceptance of certain categories and that the long-term coexistence between humans and carnivores does not necessarily imply increased tolerance. To encourage coexistence, we recommend monitoring changes in attitudes over time relative to carnivore population dynamics.
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10
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Cost of Coexisting with a Relict Large Carnivore Population: Impact of Apennine Brown Bears, 2005-2015. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051453. [PMID: 34069365 PMCID: PMC8158715 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-carnivore conflicts are a major conservation issue. As bears are expanding their range in Europe's human-modified landscapes, it is increasingly important to understand, prevent, and address human-bear conflicts and evaluate mitigation strategies in areas of historical coexistence. Based on verified claims, we assessed costs, patterns, and drivers of bear damages in the relict Apennine brown bear population in the Abruzzo Lazio and Molise National Park (PNALM), central Italy. During 2005-2015, 203 ± 71 (SD) damage events were verified annually, equivalent to 75,987 ± 30,038 €/year paid for compensation. Most damages occurred in summer and fall, with livestock depredation, especially sheep and cattle calves, prevailing over other types of damages, with apiaries ranking second in costs of compensation. Transhumant livestock owners were less impacted than residential ones, and farms that adopted prevention measures loaned from the PNALM were less susceptible to bear damages. Livestock farms chronically damaged by bears represented 8 ± 3% of those annually impacted, corresponding to 24 ± 6% of compensation costs. Further improvements in the conflict mitigation policy adopted by the PNALM include integrated prevention, conditional compensation, and participatory processes. We discuss the implications of our study for Human-bear coexistence in broader contexts.
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11
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McLellan ML, McLellan BN, Sollmann R, Wittmer HU. Vital rates of two small populations of brown bears in Canada and range-wide relationship between population size and trend. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:3422-3434. [PMID: 33841794 PMCID: PMC8019027 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying mechanisms of population change is fundamental for conserving small and declining populations and determining effective management strategies. Few studies, however, have measured the demographic components of population change for small populations of mammals (<50 individuals). We estimated vital rates and trends in two adjacent but genetically distinct, threatened brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations in British Columbia, Canada, following the cessation of hunting. One population had approximately 45 resident bears but had some genetic and geographic connectivity to neighboring populations, while the other population had <25 individuals and was isolated. We estimated population-specific vital rates by monitoring survival and reproduction of telemetered female bears and their dependent offspring from 2005 to 2018. In the larger, connected population, independent female survival was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.96-1.00) and the survival of cubs in their first year was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.62-0.95). In the smaller, isolated population, independent female survival was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.64-0.93) and first-year cub survival was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.11-0.67). Reproductive rates did not differ between populations. The large differences in age-specific survival estimates resulted in a projected population increase in the larger population (λ = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04-1.13) and population decrease in the smaller population (λ = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72-0.95). Low female survival in the smaller population was the result of both continued human-caused mortality and an unusually high rate of natural mortality. Low cub survival may have been due to inbreeding and the loss of genetic diversity common in small populations, or to limited resources. In a systematic literature review, we compared our population trend estimates with those reported for other small populations (<300 individuals) of brown bears. Results suggest that once brown bear populations become small and isolated, populations rarely increase and, even with intensive management, recovery remains challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L. McLellan
- School of Biological SciencesVictoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
| | | | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of California DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Heiko U. Wittmer
- School of Biological SciencesVictoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
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12
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Cimatti M, Ranc N, Benítez‐López A, Maiorano L, Boitani L, Cagnacci F, Čengić M, Ciucci P, Huijbregts MAJ, Krofel M, López‐Bao JV, Selva N, Andren H, Bautista C, Ćirović D, Hemmingmoore H, Reinhardt I, Marenče M, Mertzanis Y, Pedrotti L, Trbojević I, Zetterberg A, Zwijacz‐Kozica T, Santini L. Large carnivore expansion in Europe is associated with human population density and land cover changes. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cimatti
- Department of Environmental Science Institute for Wetland and Water Research Faculty of Science Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin” “La Sapienza” University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Nathan Ranc
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Department Harvard University Cambridge MA USA
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology Research and Innovation Centre Fondazione Edmund Mach Trento Italy
| | - Ana Benítez‐López
- Department of Environmental Science Institute for Wetland and Water Research Faculty of Science Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Integrative Ecology Group Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD‐CSIC) Sevilla Spain
| | - Luigi Maiorano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin” “La Sapienza” University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Luigi Boitani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin” “La Sapienza” University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology Research and Innovation Centre Fondazione Edmund Mach Trento Italy
| | - Mirza Čengić
- Department of Environmental Science Institute for Wetland and Water Research Faculty of Science Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin” “La Sapienza” University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Mark A. J. Huijbregts
- Department of Environmental Science Institute for Wetland and Water Research Faculty of Science Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department for Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
| | | | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
| | - Henrik Andren
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Carlos Bautista
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
| | - Duško Ćirović
- Faculty of Biology University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | - Heather Hemmingmoore
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Ilka Reinhardt
- LUPUS – German Institute for Wolf Monitoring and Research Spreewitz Germany
| | | | - Yorgos Mertzanis
- Callisto – Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Luca Pedrotti
- Forest and Wildlife Service Provincia di Trento Italy
| | - Igor Trbojević
- Faculty of Sciences University of Banja Luka Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Faculty of Ecology Independent University of Banja Luka Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | | | - Luca Santini
- Department of Environmental Science Institute for Wetland and Water Research Faculty of Science Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems National Research Council Montelibretti Italy
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13
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O'Sullivan RJ, Aykanat T, Johnston SE, Rogan G, Poole R, Prodöhl PA, de Eyto E, Primmer CR, McGinnity P, Reed TE. Captive-bred Atlantic salmon released into the wild have fewer offspring than wild-bred fish and decrease population productivity. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201671. [PMID: 33081620 PMCID: PMC7661298 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of captive-bred animals into the wild is commonly practised to restore or supplement wild populations but comes with a suite of ecological and genetic consequences. Vast numbers of hatchery-reared fish are released annually, ostensibly to restore/enhance wild populations or provide greater angling returns. While previous studies have shown that captive-bred fish perform poorly in the wild relative to wild-bred conspecifics, few have measured individual lifetime reproductive success (LRS) and how this affects population productivity. Here, we analyse data on Atlantic salmon from an intensely studied catchment into which varying numbers of captive-bred fish have escaped/been released and potentially bred over several decades. Using a molecular pedigree, we demonstrate that, on average, the LRS of captive-bred individuals was only 36% that of wild-bred individuals. A significant LRS difference remained after excluding individuals that left no surviving offspring, some of which might have simply failed to spawn, consistent with transgenerational effects on offspring survival. The annual productivity of the mixed population (wild-bred plus captive-bred) was lower in years where captive-bred fish comprised a greater fraction of potential spawners. These results bolster previous empirical and theoretical findings that intentional stocking, or non-intentional escapees, threaten, rather than enhance, recipient natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan James O'Sullivan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.,Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Tutku Aykanat
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Ger Rogan
- Marine Institute, Furnace, Newport, Mayo, Ireland
| | | | - Paulo A Prodöhl
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Craig R Primmer
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Philip McGinnity
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.,Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Marine Institute, Furnace, Newport, Mayo, Ireland
| | - Thomas Eric Reed
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.,Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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14
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Recio MR, Knauer F, Molinari‐Jobin A, Huber Đ, Filacorda S, Jerina K. Context‐dependent behaviour and connectivity of recolonizing brown bear populations identify transboundary conservation challenges in Central Europe. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. R. Recio
- Unit of Biodiversity and Conservation Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry Rey Juan Carlos University Madrid Spain
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - F. Knauer
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria
| | | | - Đ. Huber
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
| | - S. Filacorda
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences University of Udine Udine Italy
| | - K. Jerina
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
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15
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Nordén J, Abrego N, Boddy L, Bässler C, Dahlberg A, Halme P, Hällfors M, Maurice S, Menkis A, Miettinen O, Mäkipää R, Ovaskainen O, Penttilä R, Saine S, Snäll T, Junninen K. Ten principles for conservation translocations of threatened wood-inhabiting fungi. FUNGAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2020.100919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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16
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Tattoni C. Nomen omen. Toponyms predict recolonization and extinction patterns for large carnivores. NATURE CONSERVATION 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.37.38279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The names given to places are a legacy of the past distribution of animal and plant species. The hypothesis tested in this work is that the density of toponyms can be used to predict the range of two large and charismatic species over time: the wolf and the brown bear in Italy. Kernel density maps of the toponyms were created and different thresholds of density were overlapped with the present and the historical ranges for both species. The density level maps were tested with the Kappa statistics against available historical ranges for both species. The pattern of the density in toponyms overlapped with the pattern of contraction and expansion reported in literature for both species over time. The minimum historical distributions of wolves and brown bears occurred at the highest densities of toponyms (95% isopleth value) and, overall, the various kernels thresholds showed an excellent agreement with the historical maps with an average Kappa of 0.84 ± 0.5.
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17
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Tattoni C. Nomen omen. Toponyms predict recolonization and extinction patterns for large carnivores. NATURE CONSERVATION 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.36.38279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The names given to places are a legacy of the past distribution of animal and plant species. The hypothesis tested in this work is that the density of toponyms can be used to predict the range of two large and charismatic species over time: the wolf and the brown bear in Italy. Kernel density maps of the toponyms were created and different thresholds of density were overlapped with the present and the historical ranges for both species. The density level maps were tested with the Kappa statistics against available historical ranges for both species. The pattern of the density in toponyms overlapped with the pattern of contraction and expansion reported in literature for both species over time. The minimum historical distributions of wolves and brown bears occurred at the highest densities of toponyms (95% isopleth value) and, overall, the various kernels thresholds showed an excellent agreement with the historical maps with an average Kappa of 0.84 ± 0.5.
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Murphy SM, Hast JT, Augustine BC, Weisrock DW, Clark JD, Kocka DM, Ryan CW, Sajecki JL, Cox JJ. Early genetic outcomes of American black bear reintroductions in the Central Appalachians, USA. URSUS 2019. [DOI: 10.2192/ursu-d-18-00011.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean M. Murphy
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - John T. Hast
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Ben C. Augustine
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - David W. Weisrock
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Joseph D. Clark
- United States Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Southern Appalachian Research Branch, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - David M. Kocka
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Verona, VA 24482, USA
| | - Christopher W. Ryan
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, South Charleston, WV 25303, USA
| | - Jaime L. Sajecki
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Verona, VA 24482, USA
| | - John J. Cox
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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Chirichella R, Mustoni A, Zibordi F, Armanini M, Caliari A, Apollonio M. Rent a room in the Alps: winter den site preferences of native and reintroduced brown bears. MAMMAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-018-0402-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Giangregorio P, Norman AJ, Davoli F, Spong G. Testing a new SNP-chip on the Alpine and Apennine brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations using non-invasive samples. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-018-1017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Gonzalez EG, Blanco JC, Ballesteros F, Alcaraz L, Palomero G, Doadrio I. Genetic and demographic recovery of an isolated population of brown bear Ursus arctos L., 1758. PeerJ 2016; 4:e1928. [PMID: 27168963 PMCID: PMC4860320 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The brown bear Ursus arctos L., 1758 population of the Cantabrian Mountains (northwestern Spain) became isolated from other bear populations in Europe about 500 years ago and has declined due to hunting and habitat degradation. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Cantabrian population split into eastern and western subpopulations, and genetic exchange between them ceased. In the early 1990s, total population size was estimated to be < 100 bears. Subsequently, reduction in human-caused mortality has brought about an increase in numbers, mainly in the western subpopulation, likely promoting male-mediated migration and gene flow from the western nucleus to the eastern. To evaluate the possible genetic recovery of the small and genetically depauperate eastern subpopulation, in 2013 and 2014 we genotyped hair and faeces samples (116 from the eastern subpopulation and 36 from the western) for 18 microsatellite markers. Data from the annual count of females with cubs of the year (COY) during the past twenty-six years was used to analyze demographic changes. The number of females with COY fell to a minimum of seven in the western and three in eastern subpopulations in the biennium 1993-1994 and reached a respective maximum of 54 and 10 individuals in 2013-2014. We also observed increased bear dispersal and gene flow, mainly from the western to the eastern subpopulation. Of the 26 unique genotypes detected in the eastern subpopulation, 14 (54%) presented an admixture composition, and seven (27%) were determined to be migrants from the western subpopulation. Hence, the two separated and clearly structured subpopulations identified in the past currently show some degree of genetic admixture. This research shows the partial demographic recovery and a change in genetic composition due to migration process in a population of bears that has been isolated for several centuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena G. Gonzalez
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Lourdes Alcaraz
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Doadrio
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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