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Wilson KL, Sawyer AC, Potapova A, Bailey CJ, LoScerbo D, Sweeney-Bergen EK, Hodgson EE, Pitman KJ, Seitz KM, Law LK, Warkentin L, Wilson SM, Atlas WI, Braun DC, Sloat MR, Tinker MT, Moore JW. The role of spatial structure in at-risk metapopulation recoveries. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2898. [PMID: 37303288 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Metapopulations are often managed as a single contiguous population despite the spatial structure underlying their local and regional dynamics. Disturbances from human activities can also be spatially structured with mortality impacts concentrated to just a few local populations among the aggregate. Scale transitions between local and regional processes can generate emergent properties whereby the whole system can fail to recover as quickly as expected for an equivalent single population. Here, we draw on theory and empirical case studies to ask: what is the consequence of spatially structured ecological and disturbance processes on metapopulation recoveries? We suggest that exploring this question could help address knowledge gaps for managing metapopulations including: Why do some metapopulations recover quickly while others remain collapsed? And, what risks are unaccounted for when metapopulations are managed at aggregate scales? First, we used model simulations to examine how scale transitions among ecological and disturbance conditions interact to generate emergent metapopulation recovery outcomes. In general, we found that the spatial structure of disturbance was a strong determinant of recovery outcomes. Specifically, disturbances that unevenly impacted local populations consistently generated the slowest recoveries and highest conservation risks. Ecological conditions that dampened metapopulation recoveries included low dispersal, variable local demography, sparsely connected habitat networks, and spatially and temporally correlated stochastic processes. Second, we illustrate the unexpected challenges of managing metapopulations by examining the recoveries of three USA federally listed endangered species: Florida Everglade snail kites, California and Alaska sea otters, and Snake River Chinook salmon. Overall, our results show the pivotal role of spatial structure in metapopulation recoveries whereby the interplay between local and regional processes shapes the resilience of the whole system. With this understanding, we provide guidelines for resource managers tasked with conserving and managing metapopulations and identify opportunities for research to support the application of metapopulation theory to real-world challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L Wilson
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alexandra C Sawyer
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anna Potapova
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Colin J Bailey
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniella LoScerbo
- Cooperative Resource Management Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elissa K Sweeney-Bergen
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emma E Hodgson
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kara J Pitman
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Karl M Seitz
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lauren K Law
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Warkentin
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Samantha M Wilson
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - William I Atlas
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Douglas C Braun
- Cooperative Resource Management Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - M Tim Tinker
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Jonathan W Moore
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Cooperative Resource Management Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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2
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Silver JJ, Okamoto DK, Armitage D, Alexander SM, (Kam’ayaam/Chachim’multhnii) CA, Burt JM, Jingwas) RJ(N, Lee LC, Muhl EK, Salomon AK, Stoll JS. Fish, people, and systems of power: understanding and disrupting feedback between colonialism and fisheries science. Am Nat 2022; 200:168-180. [DOI: 10.1086/720152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Brakes P, Carroll EL, Dall SRX, Keith SA, McGregor PK, Mesnick SL, Noad MJ, Rendell L, Robbins MM, Rutz C, Thornton A, Whiten A, Whiting MJ, Aplin LM, Bearhop S, Ciucci P, Fishlock V, Ford JKB, Notarbartolo di Sciara G, Simmonds MP, Spina F, Wade PR, Whitehead H, Williams J, Garland EC. A deepening understanding of animal culture suggests lessons for conservation. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202718. [PMID: 33878919 PMCID: PMC8059593 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A key goal of conservation is to protect biodiversity by supporting the long-term persistence of viable, natural populations of wild species. Conservation practice has long been guided by genetic, ecological and demographic indicators of risk. Emerging evidence of animal culture across diverse taxa and its role as a driver of evolutionary diversification, population structure and demographic processes may be essential for augmenting these conventional conservation approaches and decision-making. Animal culture was the focus of a ground-breaking resolution under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), an international treaty operating under the UN Environment Programme. Here, we synthesize existing evidence to demonstrate how social learning and animal culture interact with processes important to conservation management. Specifically, we explore how social learning might influence population viability and be an important resource in response to anthropogenic change, and provide examples of how it can result in phenotypically distinct units with different, socially learnt behavioural strategies. While identifying culture and social learning can be challenging, indirect identification and parsimonious inferences may be informative. Finally, we identify relevant methodologies and provide a framework for viewing behavioural data through a cultural lens which might provide new insights for conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa Brakes
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Brookfield House, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ, UK
| | - Emma L. Carroll
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Sasha R. X. Dall
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Sally A. Keith
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | | | - Sarah L. Mesnick
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0203, USA
| | - Michael J. Noad
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Luke Rendell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Martha M. Robbins
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Rutz
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Alex Thornton
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Andrew Whiten
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, UK
| | - Martin J. Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lucy M. Aplin
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell 78315, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78467, Germany
| | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vicki Fishlock
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
- Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Langata 00509, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John K. B. Ford
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Mark P. Simmonds
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK
- Humane Society International, London N1 7LY, UK
| | - Fernando Spina
- Istituto Superiore Protezione Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), I-40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Paul R. Wade
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Hal Whitehead
- Biology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H4R2
| | - James Williams
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, Peterborough PE1 1JY, UK
| | - Ellen C. Garland
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
- Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
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Okamoto DK, Hessing-Lewis M, Samhouri JF, Shelton AO, Stier A, Levin PS, Salomon AK. Spatial variation in exploited metapopulations obscures risk of collapse. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02051. [PMID: 31820525 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Unanticipated declines among exploited species have commonly occurred despite harvests that appeared sustainable prior to collapse. This is particularly true in the oceans where spatial scales of management are often mismatched with spatially complex metapopulations. We explore causes, consequences, and potential solutions for spatial mismatches in harvested metapopulations in three ways. First, we generate novel theory illustrating when and how harvesting metapopulations increases spatial variability and in turn masks local-scale volatility. Second, we illustrate why spatial variability in harvested metapopulations leads to negative consequences using an empirical example of a Pacific herring metapopulation. Finally, we construct a numerical management strategy evaluation model to identify and highlight potential solutions for mismatches in spatial scale and spatial variability. Our results highlight that spatial complexity can promote stability at large scales, however, ignoring spatial complexity produces cryptic and negative consequences for people and animals that interact with resources at small scales. Harvesting metapopulations magnifies spatial variability, which creates discrepancies between regional and local trends while increasing risk of local population collapses. Such effects asymmetrically impact locally constrained fishers and predators, which are more exposed to risks of localized collapses. Importantly, we show that dynamically optimizing harvest can minimize local risk without sacrificing yield. Thus, multiple nested scales of management may be necessary to avoid cryptic collapses in metapopulations and the ensuing ecological, social, and economic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K Okamoto
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
- Hakai Institute, Hyacinthe Bay Road, Quadra Island, Vancouver, British Columbia, V0P 1H0, Canada
- School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 643A Science Road, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Margot Hessing-Lewis
- Hakai Institute, Hyacinthe Bay Road, Quadra Island, Vancouver, British Columbia, V0P 1H0, Canada
| | - Jameal F Samhouri
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, Washington, 98112, USA
| | - Andrew O Shelton
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, Washington, 98112, USA
| | - Adrian Stier
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Philip S Levin
- The Nature Conservancy, 74 Wall Street, Seattle, California, 98121, USA
- School of Environment and Forestry Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Anne K Salomon
- Hakai Institute, Hyacinthe Bay Road, Quadra Island, Vancouver, British Columbia, V0P 1H0, Canada
- School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 643A Science Road, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
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5
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Langangen Ø, Färber L, Stige LC, Diekert FK, Barth JMI, Matschiner M, Berg PR, Star B, Stenseth NC, Jentoft S, Durant JM. Ticket to spawn: Combining economic and genetic data to evaluate the effect of climate and demographic structure on spawning distribution in Atlantic cod. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2019; 25:134-143. [PMID: 30300937 PMCID: PMC7379705 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming and harvesting affect the dynamics of species across the globe through a multitude of mechanisms, including distribution changes. In fish, migrations to and distribution on spawning grounds are likely influenced by both climate warming and harvesting. The Northeast Arctic (NEA) cod (Gadus morhua) performs seasonal migrations from its feeding grounds in the Barents Sea to spawning grounds along the Norwegian coast. The distribution of cod between the spawning grounds has historically changed at decadal scales, mainly due to variable use of the northern and southern margins of the spawning area. Based on historical landing records, two major hypotheses have been put forward to explain these changes: climate and harvesting. Climate could affect the distribution through, for example, spatial habitat shifts. Harvesting could affect the distribution through impacting the demographic structure. If demographic structure is important, theory predicts increasing spawner size with migration distance. Here, we evaluate these hypotheses with modern data from a period (2000-2016) of increasing temperature and recovering stock structure. We first analyze economic data from the Norwegian fisheries to investigate geographical differences in size of spawning fish among spawning grounds, as well as interannual differences in mean latitude of spawning in relation to changes in temperature and demographic parameters. Second, we analyze genetically determined fish sampled at the spawning grounds to unambiguously separate between migratory NEA cod and potentially smaller sized coastal cod of local origin. Our results indicate smaller spawners farther away from the feeding grounds, hence not supporting the hypothesis that harvesting is a main driver for the contemporary spawning ground distribution. We find a positive correlation between annual mean spawning latitude and temperature. In conclusion, based on contemporary data, there is more support for climate compared to harvesting in shaping spawning ground distribution in this major fish stock in the North Atlantic Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Øystein Langangen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Leonie Färber
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Leif C. Stige
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Florian K. Diekert
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of EconomicsHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Julia M. I. Barth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Michael Matschiner
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Zoological InstituteUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Paul R. Berg
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Centre for Coastal Research (CCR), Department of Natural SciencesUniversity of AgderKristiansandNorway
| | - Bastiaan Star
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Nils Chr. Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Centre for Coastal Research (CCR), Department of Natural SciencesUniversity of AgderKristiansandNorway
| | - Sissel Jentoft
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Joël M. Durant
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
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