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Gara TW, Mpakairi KS, Nampira TC, Oduro Appiah J, Muumbe TP, Dube T. Integrating
RADAR
and optical imagery improve the modelling of carbon stocks in a mopane‐dominated African savannah dry forest. Afr J Ecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tawanda W. Gara
- Department of Environmental Science and Management California State Polytechnic University Humboldt Arcata California USA
| | - Kudzai S. Mpakairi
- Department of Earth Sciences, Institute of Water Studies University of the Western Cape Bellville South Africa
| | - Tinotenda C. Nampira
- Department of Geography, Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation University of Zimbabwe Harare Zimbabwe
| | - Joseph Oduro Appiah
- Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Analysis California State Polytechnic University Humboldt Arcata California USA
| | - Tasiyiwa P. Muumbe
- Department for Earth Observation Friedrich Schiller University Jena Jena Germany
| | - Timothy Dube
- Department of Earth Sciences, Institute of Water Studies University of the Western Cape Bellville South Africa
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LaSharr TN, Long RA, Heffelfinger JR, Bleich VC, Krausman PR, Bowyer RT, Shannon JM, Klaver RW, Brewer CE, Cox M, Holland AA, Hubbs A, Lehman CP, Muir JD, Sterling B, Monteith KL. Hunting and mountain sheep: Do current harvest practices affect horn growth? Evol Appl 2019; 12:1823-1836. [PMID: 31548860 PMCID: PMC6752155 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of human harvest on evolution of secondary sexual characteristics has implications for sustainable management of wildlife populations. The phenotypic consequences of selectively removing males with large horns or antlers from ungulate populations have been a topic of heightened concern in recent years. Harvest can affect size of horn-like structures in two ways: (a) shifting age structure toward younger age classes, which can reduce the mean size of horn-like structures, or (b) selecting against genes that produce large, fast-growing males. We evaluated effects of age, climatic and forage conditions, and metrics of harvest on horn size and growth of mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis ssp.) in 72 hunt areas across North America from 1981 to 2016. In 50% of hunt areas, changes in mean horn size during the study period were related to changes in age structure of harvested sheep. Environmental conditions explained directional changes in horn growth in 28% of hunt areas, 7% of which did not exhibit change before accounting for effects of the environment. After accounting for age and environment, horn size of mountain sheep was stable or increasing in the majority (~78%) of hunt areas. Age-specific horn size declined in 44% of hunt areas where harvest was regulated solely by morphological criteria, which supports the notion that harvest practices that are simultaneously selective and intensive might lead to changes in horn growth. Nevertheless, phenotypic consequences are not a foregone conclusion in the face of selective harvest; over half of the hunt areas with highly selective and intensive harvest did not exhibit age-specific declines in horn size. Our results demonstrate that while harvest regimes are an important consideration, horn growth of harvested male mountain sheep has remained largely stable, indicating that changes in horn growth patterns are an unlikely consequence of harvest across most of North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayler N. LaSharr
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWYUSA
| | - Ryan A. Long
- Department of Fish and Wildlife SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIDUSA
| | | | - Vernon C. Bleich
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Nevada RenoRenoNVUSA
| | - Paul R. Krausman
- School of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
| | - R. Terry Bowyer
- Institute of Arctic BiologyUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAKUSA
| | | | - Robert W. Klaver
- US Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
| | - Clay E. Brewer
- Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—Wild Sheep Working GroupTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentRochelleTXUSA
| | - Mike Cox
- Nevada Department of WildlifeRenoNVUSA
| | | | - Anne Hubbs
- Alberta Environment and ParksRocky Mountain HouseABCanada
| | | | | | | | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWYUSA
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Coulson T, Schindler S, Traill L, Kendall BE. Predicting the evolutionary consequences of trophy hunting on a quantitative trait. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Coulson
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OxfordSouth Parks RoadOxfordOX1 3PSUnited Kingdom
| | - Susanne Schindler
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichWinterthurer Str. 190CH‐8057ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Lochran Traill
- Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and PalaeoecologyJohn Moores UniversityJames Parsons Building, Byrom StreetLiverpoolL3 3AFUnited Kingdom
| | - Bruce E. Kendall
- Bren School of Environmental Science & ManagementUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCA93106‐5131USA
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Muposhi VK, Gandiwa E, Bartels P, Makuza SM, Madiri TH. Trophy Hunting and Sustainability: Temporal Dynamics in Trophy Quality and Harvesting Patterns of Wild Herbivores in a Tropical Semi-Arid Savanna Ecosystem. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164429. [PMID: 27736930 PMCID: PMC5063477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The selective nature of trophy hunting may cause changes in desirable phenotypic traits in harvested species. A decline in trophy size of preferred species may reduce hunting destination competitiveness thus compromising the sustainability of trophy hunting as a conservation tool. We explored the trophy quality and trends in harvesting patterns (i.e., 2004-2015) of Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), African elephant (Loxodonta africana), greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and sable (Hippotragus niger) in Matetsi Safari Area, northwest Zimbabwe. We used long-term data on horn and tusk size, age, quota size allocation and offtake levels of selected species. To analyse the effect of year, area and age on the trophy size, quota size and offtake levels, we used linear mixed models. One sample t-test was used to compare observed trophy size with Safari Club International (SCI) minimum score. Trophy sizes for Cape buffalo and African elephant were below the SCI minimum score. Greater kudu trophy sizes were within the minimum score threshold whereas sable trophy sizes were above the SCI minimum score between 2004 and 2015. Age at harvest for Cape buffalo, kudu and sable increased whilst that of elephant remained constant between 2004 and 2015. Quota size allocated for buffalo and the corresponding offtake levels declined over time. Offtake levels of African elephant and Greater kudu declined whilst the quota size did not change between 2004 and 2015. The quota size for sable increased whilst the offtake levels fluctuated without changing for the period 2004-2015. The trophy size and harvesting patterns in these species pose a conservation and management dilemma on the sustainability of trophy hunting in this area. We recommend: (1) temporal and spatial rotational resting of hunting areas to create refuge to improve trophy quality and maintenance of genetic diversity, and (2) introduction of variable trophy fee pricing system based on trophy size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor K. Muposhi
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Edson Gandiwa
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Paul Bartels
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Stanley M. Makuza
- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Tinaapi H. Madiri
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, PO Box CY140, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Muposhi VK, Gandiwa E, Chemura A, Bartels P, Makuza SM, Madiri TH. Habitat Heterogeneity Variably Influences Habitat Selection by Wild Herbivores in a Semi-Arid Tropical Savanna Ecosystem. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163084. [PMID: 27680673 PMCID: PMC5040439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An understanding of the habitat selection patterns by wild herbivores is critical for adaptive management, particularly towards ecosystem management and wildlife conservation in semi arid savanna ecosystems. We tested the following predictions: (i) surface water availability, habitat quality and human presence have a strong influence on the spatial distribution of wild herbivores in the dry season, (ii) habitat suitability for large herbivores would be higher compared to medium-sized herbivores in the dry season, and (iii) spatial extent of suitable habitats for wild herbivores will be different between years, i.e., 2006 and 2010, in Matetsi Safari Area, Zimbabwe. MaxEnt modeling was done to determine the habitat suitability of large herbivores and medium-sized herbivores. MaxEnt modeling of habitat suitability for large herbivores using the environmental variables was successful for the selected species in 2006 and 2010, except for elephant (Loxodonta africana) for the year 2010. Overall, large herbivores probability of occurrence was mostly influenced by distance from rivers. Distance from roads influenced much of the variability in the probability of occurrence of medium-sized herbivores. The overall predicted area for large and medium-sized herbivores was not different. Large herbivores may not necessarily utilize larger habitat patches over medium-sized herbivores due to the habitat homogenizing effect of water provisioning. Effect of surface water availability, proximity to riverine ecosystems and roads on habitat suitability of large and medium-sized herbivores in the dry season was highly variable thus could change from one year to another. We recommend adaptive management initiatives aimed at ensuring dynamic water supply in protected areas through temporal closure and or opening of water points to promote heterogeneity of wildlife habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor K. Muposhi
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
- * E-mail:
| | - Edson Gandiwa
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Abel Chemura
- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Paul Bartels
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Stanley M. Makuza
- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Tinaapi H. Madiri
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, P.O. Box CY140, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
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6
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Crosmary WG, Côté SD, Fritz H. The assessment of the role of trophy hunting in wildlife conservation. Anim Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W.-G. Crosmary
- Département de Biologie; Université Laval; Québec Canada
- CNRS-UMR 5558; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; Lyon France
| | - S. D. Côté
- Département de Biologie; Université Laval; Québec Canada
| | - H. Fritz
- CNRS-UMR 5558; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; Lyon France
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Selier SAJ, Di Minin E. Monitoring required for effective sustainable use of wildlife. Anim Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. A. J. Selier
- Amarula Elephant Research Programme; School of Life Sciences; University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal South Africa; Durban South Africa
- Biodiversity Research, Monitoring and Assessment; South African National Biodiversity Institute; Pretoria South Africa
| | - E. Di Minin
- Amarula Elephant Research Programme; School of Life Sciences; University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal South Africa; Durban South Africa
- Finnish Centre of Excellence in Metapopulation Biology; Department of Biosciences; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Buckley
- International Chair in Ecotourism Research; Griffith University; Gold Coast QLD Australia
| | - A. Mossaz
- School of Environment; Griffith University; Gold Coast QLD Australia
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