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Gillson L, Hoffman MT, Gell PA, Ekblom A, Bond WJ. Trees, carbon, and the psychology of landscapes. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:359-367. [PMID: 38129213 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Mitigating climate change while safeguarding biodiversity and livelihoods is a major challenge. However, rampant afforestation threatens biodiversity and livelihoods, with questionable benefits to carbon storage. The narrative of landscape degradation is often applied without considering the history of the landscape. While some landscapes are undoubtedly deforested, others existed in open or mosaic states before human intervention, or have been deliberately maintained as such. In psychology, a 'fundamental attribution error' is made when characteristics are attributed without consideration of context or circumstances. We apply this concept to landscapes, and then propose a process that avoids attribution errors by testing a null hypothesis regarding past forest extent, using palaeoecology and other long-term data, alongside ecological and stakeholder knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Gillson
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; From May 2024: Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - M Timm Hoffman
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter A Gell
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Ballarat, Australia
| | | | - William J Bond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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2
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Socio-economic factors correlating with illegal use of giraffe body parts. ORYX 2023. [DOI: 10.1017/s003060532200062x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Unsustainable hunting, both illegal and legal, has led to the extirpation of many species. In the last 35 years giraffe Giraffa spp. populations have declined precipitously, with extinctions documented in seven African countries. Amongst the various reasons for these population declines, poaching is believed to play an important role in some areas. Giraffes are primarily hunted for consumption and for the use of their body parts as trophies and in traditional medicine. However, the socio-economic factors that correlate with the use of giraffe body parts are not well understood. We conducted our study in Tsavo Conservation Area, Kenya, which experiences high levels of poaching. We used semi-structured surveys amongst 331 households to document how giraffe body parts are typically acquired and their intended use (i.e. trophy, medicinal or consumptive). We then used logistic regression models to assess the correlations between nine socio-economic factors and the use of giraffe body parts. We found that giraffe body parts had mostly consumptive and trophy uses. One-time suppliers, opportunistic access and widely known markets were the most common means of acquiring giraffe body parts. Results from our models showed that three variables (gender: men, occupation: tourism worker, and land ownership) were correlated significantly and positively with the use of giraffe body parts. We describe the complex links between socio-economic factors and the use of giraffe body parts and highlight the importance of implementing mitigation measures adapted to local contexts to combat a challenge that many species of conservation concern are facing.
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Miriti MN, Rawson AJ, Mansfield B. The history of natural history and race: Decolonizing human dimensions of ecology. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2748. [PMID: 36130911 PMCID: PMC10078011 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Natural history, loosely defined as the observational study of organisms in the habitats where they occur, is recognized at the roots of ecology. Although the centrality of natural history in ecology has shifted over time, natural history is currently in resurgence: many again consider it to be the foundation of ecological and evolutionary inquiry and advocate the value of organism-centered approaches to address contemporary ecological challenges. Educators identify natural history as the foundational entryway into the practice of ecology, for example in the Ecological Society of America's Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) framework. A strong natural history foundation can help generate testable hypotheses to refine mechanistic understanding of the drivers regulating species distributions and abundances and to inform restoration and conservation efforts. Given the resurgence of natural history as the foundation for ecological knowledge and practice, it is important to recognize that natural history has a long history of racism that has impacted ecological thought and priorities. This history shapes not only who conducts ecological science but also foundational ecological concepts. For example, natural history's emphasis on pristine nature untouched by humans disregards or appropriates stewardship and knowledge of most of the world's population. Because of the legacy of chattel slavery, this exclusion is particularly strong for people of African descent. This exclusion narrows ecological inquiry, limits the capacity to find solutions to ecological problems, and risks interventions that perpetuate the relation between eugenics, ecological knowledge, and natural systems. If ecology is to become an inclusive, responsive, and resilient discipline, this knowledge gap must be addressed. We here present the colonial and racist underpinnings of natural history and offer strategies to expand inclusion in the study of nature. Natural history was steeped in racism, providing a hierarchy of cultures and a taxonomy of races. Complementing growing interest in traditional and Indigenous ecological knowledge, we focus on Black ecological knowledge, for example in the study of "maroon ecologies." Addressing the racist history of natural history is necessary for removing structural and racist barriers to diverse participation and expanding ecological knowledge bases in service of better and more just science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria N. Miriti
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal BiologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Ariel J. Rawson
- Department of GeographyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Becky Mansfield
- Department of GeographyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
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Mudumba T, Moll RJ, Jingo S, Riley S, Macdonald DW, Astaras C, Montgomery RA. Influence of social status and industrial development on poaching acceptability. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Mullenbach LE, Breyer B, Cutts BB, Rivers L, Larson LR. An antiracist, anticolonial agenda for urban greening and conservation. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Mullenbach
- Department of Geography & Environmental Sustainability University of Oklahoma Norman Oklahoma USA
| | - Betsy Breyer
- Department of Geography Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - Bethany B. Cutts
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
- Center for Geospatial Analytics North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Louie Rivers
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Lincoln R. Larson
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
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Montgomery RA, Raupp J, Mukhwana M, Greenleaf A, Mudumba T, Muruthi P. The efficacy of interventions to protect crops from raiding elephants. AMBIO 2022; 51:716-727. [PMID: 34173175 PMCID: PMC8800974 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01587-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Both African elephants (Loxodonta spp.) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) across their range come into conflict with people because of their crop-raiding behavior, which presents profound impediments to farmer livelihoods. In response, a series of interventions, designed to reduce elephant crop raiding have been applied. Based on an extensive review of elephant crop-raiding studies published over a 31-year period, we identified four primary categories of interventions including: (i) detection efforts; (ii) preemptive measures; (iii) fencing and trenches; and (iv) deterrent techniques. The interventions reported to be most effective involved chili peppers (i.e., fences, spray, and briquettes) and crop guarding coupled with deterrents. The extent to which these interventions can be applied more widely is unclear as only two studies examined efficacy across sites in more than one country. Thus, future inquiry should evaluate the ability of effective interventions, or indeed a combination of interventions, to be applied across the range of elephants to reduce crop raiding at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Montgomery
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Oxon OX13 5QL UK
| | - Jamie Raupp
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and Their Prey (RECaP) Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Methodius Mukhwana
- African Wildlife Foundation, Uganda Office, Plot 9 Bukoto Crescent, Naguru, P.O. Box 37346, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ashley Greenleaf
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and Their Prey (RECaP) Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Tutilo Mudumba
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and Their Prey (RECaP) Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Philip Muruthi
- African Wildlife Foundation, Headquarters, Ngong Road, Karen, P.O. Box 310, 00502 Nairobi, Kenya
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Montgomery RA, Pointer AM, Jingo S, Kasozi H, Ogada M, Mudumba T. OUP accepted manuscript. Bioscience 2022; 72:549-559. [PMID: 35677291 PMCID: PMC9169897 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Because biodiversity loss has largely been attributed to human actions, people, particularly those in the Global South, are regularly depicted as threats to conservation. This context has facilitated rapid growth in green militarization, with fierce crackdowns against real or perceived environmental offenders. We designed an undergraduate course to assess student perspectives on biodiversity conservation and social justice and positioned those students to contribute to a human heritage-centered conservation (HHCC) initiative situated in Uganda. We evaluated changes in perspectives using pre- and postcourse surveys and reflection instruments. Although the students started the course prioritizing biodiversity conservation, even when it was costly to human well-being, by the end of the course, they were recognizing and remarking on the central importance of social justice within conservation. We present a framework for further integration of HHCC approaches into higher education courses so as to conserve the integrity of coupled human and natural systems globally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sophia Jingo
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Herbert Kasozi
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | | | - Tutilo Mudumba
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Ruppert KA, Lenguya L, Letoluai A, Limo I, Owen MA, Pilfold NW, Wachira P, Glikman JA. Avoiding parachute science when addressing conflict over wildlife. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kirstie A. Ruppert
- Conservation Science & Wildlife Health San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido California USA
| | - Laiyon Lenguya
- Loisaba Conservancy Laikipia Kenya
- University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences Nairobi Kenya
| | - Ambrose Letoluai
- Loisaba Conservancy Laikipia Kenya
- Africa Nazarene University Ongata Rongai Kenya
| | - Isaac Limo
- Loisaba Conservancy Laikipia Kenya
- Wildlife Research and Training Institute Naivasha Kenya
| | - Megan A. Owen
- Conservation Science & Wildlife Health San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido California USA
| | - Nicholas W. Pilfold
- Conservation Science & Wildlife Health San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido California USA
| | | | - Jenny A. Glikman
- Conservation Science & Wildlife Health San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido California USA
- Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados (IESA‐CSIC) Córdoba Spain
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Rieder E, Larson LR, 't Sas-Rolfes M, Kopainsky B. Using Participatory System Dynamics Modeling to Address Complex Conservation Problems: Tiger Farming as a Case Study. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.696615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation practitioners routinely work within complex social-ecological systems to address threats facing biodiversity and to promote positive human-wildlife interactions. Inadequate understanding of the direct and indirect, short- and long-term consequences of decision making within these dynamic systems can lead to misdiagnosed problems and interventions with perverse outcomes, exacerbating conflict. Participatory system dynamics (SD) modeling is a process that encourages stakeholder engagement, synthesizes research and knowledge, increases trust and consensus and improves transdisciplinary collaboration to solve these complex types of problems. Tiger conservation exemplifies a set of interventions in a complex social-ecological system. Wild tigers remain severely threatened by various factors, including habitat constraints, human-wildlife conflict, and persistent consumer demand for their body parts. Opinions differ on whether commercial captive tiger facilities reduce or increase the threat from poaching for trade, resulting in policy conflict among diverse stakeholder groups. This paper explains how we are working with international conservation partners in a virtual environment to utilize a participatory SD modeling approach with the goal of better understanding and promoting coexistence of humans and wild tigers. We highlight a step-by-step process that others might use to apply participatory SD modeling to address similar conservation challenges, building trust and consensus among diverse partners to reduce conflict and improve the efficacy of conservation interventions.
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Mudumba T, Jingo S, Heit D, Montgomery RA. The landscape configuration and lethality of snare poaching of sympatric guilds of large carnivores and ungulates. Afr J Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tutilo Mudumba
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing MI USA
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences College of Natural Sciences Makerere University Kampala Uganda
| | - Sophia Jingo
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing MI USA
| | - David Heit
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing MI USA
| | - Robert A. Montgomery
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing MI USA
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11
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Montgomery RA. Poaching is Not One Big Thing. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:472-475. [PMID: 32396813 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Among science and society, poaching is often depicted as one big dark conservation problem. In actuality, there are three main categories of poaching, with innumerable subcategories, including trophy, medicative, and consumptive poaching. Recognition of the complexity of poaching is vital to the effective alignment of conservation practice and social justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Montgomery
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey (RECaP) Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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