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Rezaei S, Mohammadi A, Bencini R, Rooney T, Naderi M. Identifying connectivity for two sympatric carnivores in human-dominated landscapes in central Iran. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269179. [PMID: 35709185 PMCID: PMC9202930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Central Iran supports a diversity of carnivores, most of which are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Carnivore conservation requires the identification and preservation of core habitats and ensuring connectivity between them. In the present study, we used species distribution modeling to predict habitat suitability and connectivity modeling to predict linkage (resistant kernel and factorial least-cost path analyses) for grey wolf and golden jackal in central Iran. For grey wolf, elevation, topographic ruggedness, and distance to Conservation Areas (CAs) were the strongest predictors; for golden jackal, distance to human settlements, dump sites and topographic ruggedness were the most influential variables in predicting the occurrence of this species. Our results also indicated a high potential for large parts of the landscape to support the occurrence of these two canid species. The largest and the most crucial core habitats and corridor paths for the conservation of both species are located in the southern part of the study landscape. We found a small overlap between golden jackal corridor paths and core habitats with CAs, which has important implications for conservation and future viability of the golden jackal populations. Some sections of core areas are bisected by roads, where most vehicle collisions with grey wolf and golden jackal occurred. To minimize mortality risk, we propose that successful conservation of both species will necessitate integrated landscape-level management, as well as conservation of core areas and corridors and development of mitigation strategies to reduce vehicle collisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Rezaei
- Faculty of Science Engineering, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Alireza Mohammadi
- Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Roberta Bencini
- Department of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia UWA, Perth, Australia
| | - Thomas Rooney
- Department of Biological Science, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Morteza Naderi
- Department of Agriculture and Environment, University of Arak, Arak, Iran
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2
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Khan S, Shrotriya S, Sadhukhan S, Lyngdoh S, Goyal SP, Habib B. Comparative Ecological Perspectives of Two Ancient Lineages of Gray Wolves: Woolly Wolf (Canis lupus chanco) and Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes). Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.775612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Geographical isolation can often lead to speciation, and two disconnected populations of the same species living in drastically different bioclimatic regions provide an opportunity to understand the process of speciation. The Woolly wolf is found in the cold-arid, Trans-Himalayan landscape, while the Indian wolf inhabits the semi-arid grasslands of Central India. Both the lineages of wolves from India have generated scientific debate on their taxonomic status in recent years. In this study, we collected data and reviewed published literature to document the ecological and behavioral differences between the Woolly wolf and the Indian wolf. Most studies have used genetic data; hence we discuss variation in spatial ecology, habitat preferences, vocalization, diet diversity and cranial measurements of these two subspecies. The spatial ecology of two lineages was compared from the data on three Woolly and ten Indian wolves tagged with GPS collars. The telemetry data shows that there has been no difference in the day-night movement of Woolly wolves, whereas Indian wolves show significant high displacement during the night. The BBMM method indicated that Woolly wolf home ranges were three times larger than the Indian wolf. The Woolly wolf diet is comprised of 20 different types of food items, whereas the Indian wolf diet consists of 17 types. The Woolly and Indian wolf largely depend upon domestic prey base, i.e., 48.44 and 40.34%, respectively. We found no differences in the howling parameters of these subspecies. Moreover, the Woolly wolf skull was significantly longer and broader than the Indian wolf. Wolves of India are ancient and diverged from the main clade about 200,000–1,000,000 years ago. Their genetic and ecological evolution in different bioclimatic zones has resulted in considerable differences as distinct subspecies. The present study is a step in understanding ecological differences between two important, genetically unique subspecies of wolves.
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Mohammadi A, Alambeigi A, López‐Bao JV, Taghavi L, Kaboli M. Living with wolves: Lessons learned from Iran. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources University of Jiroft Jiroft Iran
| | - Amir Alambeigi
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agricultural Economics and Development University of Tehran Karaj Iran
| | | | - Lobat Taghavi
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University Tehran Iran
| | - Mohammad Kaboli
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources University of Tehran Karaj Iran
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Identifying priority core habitats and corridors for effective conservation of brown bears in Iran. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1044. [PMID: 33441776 PMCID: PMC7806652 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79970-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Iran lies at the southernmost range limit of brown bears globally. Therefore, understanding the habitat associations and patterns of population connectivity for brown bears in Iran is relevant for the species’ conservation. We applied species distribution modeling to predict habitat suitability and connectivity modeling to identify population core areas and corridors. Our results showed that forest density, topographical roughness, NDVI and human footprint were the most influential variables in predicting brown bear distribution. The most crucial core areas and corridor networks for brown bear are concentrated in the Alborz and Zagros Mountains. These two core areas were predicted to be fragmented into a total of fifteen isolated patches if dispersal of brown bear across the landscape is limited to 50,000 cost units, and aggregates into two isolated habitat patches if the species is capable of dispersing 400,000 cost units. We found low overlap between corridors, and core habitats with protected areas, suggesting that the existing protected area network may not be adequate for the conservation of brown bear in Iran. Our results suggest that effective conservation of brown bears in Iran requires protection of both core habitats and the corridors between them, especially outside Iran’s network of protected areas.
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Ciucci P, Mancinelli S, Boitani L, Gallo O, Grottoli L. Anthropogenic food subsidies hinder the ecological role of wolves: Insights for conservation of apex predators in human-modified landscapes. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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6
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Farhadinia MS, Heit DR, Montgomery RA, Johnson PJ, Hobeali K, Hunter LTB, Macdonald DW. Vertical relief facilitates spatial segregation of a high density large carnivore population. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. Farhadinia
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford Oxford UK
- Oxford Martin School, Univ. of Oxford 34 Broad St. OX1 3BD Oxford UK
| | - David R. Heit
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory, Michigan State Univ. East Lansing MI USA
| | - Robert A. Montgomery
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory, Michigan State Univ. East Lansing MI USA
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | - Luke T. B. Hunter
- Big Cats Program, Centre for Global Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx USA
- School of Life Sciences, Westville Campus, Univ. of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford Oxford UK
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7
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Ambarlı H. Analysis of wolf–human conflicts: implications for damage mitigation measures. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1320-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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8
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Werhahn G, Kusi N, Li X, Chen C, Zhi L, Lázaro Martín R, Sillero-Zubiri C, Macdonald DW. Himalayan wolf foraging ecology and the importance of wild prey. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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9
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Human dimensions of wildlife conservation in Iran: Assessment of human-wildlife conflict in restoring a wide-ranging endangered species. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220702. [PMID: 31374100 PMCID: PMC6677293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-wildlife conflicts restrict conservation efforts, especially for wide-ranging animals whose home ranges overlap with human activities. We conducted a study to understand conflicts with, and factors influencing the perceived value of an expanding population of onagers (Equus hemionus onager) in local communities in southern Iran. We asked about locals’ perceptions of six potential management strategies intended to lessen human-onager conflict. We found that human-onager conflict was restricted to 45% of respondents within the Bahram-e-Goor Protected Area, all of whom were involved in farming or herding activities. Locals within the protected area were more knowledgeable about onagers and valued onagers more than those living outside the protected area. The perceived value of onagers increased with level of education, total annual income, and perceptions of onager population trends; the perceived value of onagers decreased with the magnitude of conflict between onagers and locals. To tolerate or avoid conflicts with onagers, locals were supportive of monetary compensation and changing from a traditional lifestyle to industrialized farming (for farmers) or livestock production (for herders) with the help of government; locals did not support selling land to the government. Our study is among the first in human-wildlife conflict and local attitudes towards an endangered species and its recovery in Iran. We conclude that current levels of human-onager conflict are relatively low and perceived value of onagers is still relatively high. Therefore, wildlife authorities should consider the development of mitigation strategies with local communities before conflicts intensify.
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Sarkar R, Sau S, Bhadra A. Scavengers can be choosers: A study on food preference in free-ranging dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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11
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Mohammadi A, Kaboli M, Sazatornil V, López-Bao JV. Anthropogenic food resources sustain wolves in conflict scenarios of Western Iran. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218345. [PMID: 31206529 PMCID: PMC6576759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The feeding ecology of gray wolves has been investigated extensively worldwide. Despite previous studies on food habits of wolves in Asia and Iran, none has focused on the diet of the species in a scenario of depleted of wild prey and with recent records of attacks on humans. Here, we combined telemetry methods and scat analysis to study the diet of wolves in areas of Hamadan province, Iran, where medium to large wild prey is almost absent. Between October 2015 and March 2017, we studied the feeding behavior (by identifying feeding sites through clusters of GPS locations) of three wolves fitted with GPS collars, belonging to different wolf packs. We also collected and analyzed 110 wolf scats during the same period within the same areas. Overall, we investigated 850 clusters of GPS locations in the field, and identified 312 feeding sites. Most feeding clusters were linked to dumpsites and poultry farms around villages. We found 142 and 170 events of predatory (kill sites) and scavenging behavior, respectively. Prey composition based on kill sites was comprised of 74.6% livestock, 19.7% lagomorphs, 3.5% dogs, 1.4% red fox, and 0.7% golden jackal. Similarly, prey composition based on scavenging clusters was comprised of 79.9% livestock, 10.6% red fox, and 9.4% golden jackal. Scat analysis, however, indicated that livestock (34.3%), garbage (23.7%), poultry (16.0%), and European hare (15.4%) were the most frequent food items. We discuss the role of anthropogenic food sources in a context where agonistic wolf-human encounters occur recurrently, and suggest management guidelines regarding illegal dumping of animal carcasses and garbage dumpsites, in order to minimize wolf-human negative interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Environment Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kaboli
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
- * E-mail:
| | - Víctor Sazatornil
- Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Solsona, Spain
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12
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Majgaonkar I, Vaidyanathan S, Srivathsa A, Shivakumar S, Limaye S, Athreya V. Land‐sharing potential of large carnivores in human‐modified landscapes of western India. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Iravatee Majgaonkar
- Centre for Wildlife Studies Bengaluru India
- Conservation Science DepartmentWildlife Conservation Society India Bengaluru India
| | - Srinivas Vaidyanathan
- Wildlife Biology and Conservation DepartmentFoundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning Auroville India
| | - Arjun Srivathsa
- Conservation Science DepartmentWildlife Conservation Society India Bengaluru India
- School of Natural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Florida Gainesville Florida
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and ConservationUniversity of Florida Gainesville Florida
| | - Shweta Shivakumar
- Centre for Wildlife Studies Bengaluru India
- Conservation Science DepartmentWildlife Conservation Society India Bengaluru India
| | - Sunil Limaye
- Maharashtra Forest DepartmentOffice of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Nagpur India
| | - Vidya Athreya
- Conservation Science DepartmentWildlife Conservation Society India Bengaluru India
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13
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Hamid A, Mahmood T, Fatima H, Hennelly LM, Akrim F, Hussain A, Waseem M. Origin, ecology and human conflict of gray wolf (Canis lupus) in Suleman Range, South Waziristan, Pakistan. MAMMALIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2018-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The gray wolf (Canis lupus; Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most widespread terrestrial species and occurs in a variety of habitats. While well studied in North America and Europe, wolf populations in Asia are among the most evolutionarily distinct, endangered and data deficient. The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is a subspecies of gray wolf that ranges from Southwest Asia to the Indian Subcontinent. Despite being categorized as “Endangered” in Pakistan, data on the gray wolf’s status, ecology and distribution are poorly understood. The current study investigates its genetic distinctiveness, distribution, feeding ecology and wolf livestock conflict in the Suleman Range, South Waziristan, Pakistan. We confirmed that the gray wolf is present in South Waziristan and is genetically similar to the wolves of Iran and Saudi Arabia based on their mtDNA D-loop haplotypes. The gray wolf was recorded at eight different sampling sites in the study area with elevational range between 1642 m to 2688 m. We estimated a population of 15 wolves, with a density of 0.62 individuals/km2 area surveyed. An analysis on scats revealed 52% contribution from livestock (with goats and sheep being the preferred prey) and 48% from wild prey. Biomass consumption showed gray wolf relied heavily on domestic prey (88%) during the summer season, resulting in human conflict with 28 wolves killed in response to livestock depredation during 2016–2017, requiring immediate conservation measures to save its remaining population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Hamid
- Department of Wildlife Management , PMAS Arid Agriculture University , Rawalpindi , Pakistan
| | - Tariq Mahmood
- Department of Wildlife Management , PMAS Arid Agriculture University , Rawalpindi, 46300 , Pakistan
| | - Hira Fatima
- Department of Wildlife Management , PMAS Arid Agriculture University , Rawalpindi , Pakistan
| | - Lauren Mae Hennelly
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1-Shields Avenue , University of California , Davis, CA 95616 , USA
| | - Faraz Akrim
- Department of Wildlife Management , PMAS Arid Agriculture University , Rawalpindi , Pakistan
| | - Abid Hussain
- Department of Wildlife Management , PMAS Arid Agriculture University , Rawalpindi , Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Waseem
- Department of Wildlife Management , PMAS Arid Agriculture University , Rawalpindi , Pakistan
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14
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Crop variety and prey richness affect spatial patterns of human-wildlife conflicts in Iran’s Hyrcanian forests. J Nat Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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15
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Newsome TM, Fleming PJS, Dickman CR, Doherty TS, Ripple WJ, Ritchie EG, Wirsing AJ. Making a New Dog? Bioscience 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/bix022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Allen LR, Stewart-Moore N, Byrne D, Allen BL. Guardian dogs protect sheep by guarding sheep, not by establishing territories and excluding predators. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/an16030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Guardian animals have been a common non-lethal method for reducing predator impacts on livestock for centuries in Europe. But elsewhere, livestock producers sometimes doubt whether such methods work or are compatible with modern livestock husbandry practices in extensive grazing systems. In this study we evaluate the hypothesis that guardian dogs primarily ‘work’ by establishing and defending territories from which canid predators are excluded. Eight maremmas and six free-ranging wild dogs of different sexes were fitted with GPS collars and monitored for 7 months on a large sheep property in north Queensland, Australia. Wild dog incursions into the territories of adjacent wild dogs and maremmas were recorded. Wild dog territories never overlapped and their home ranges infrequently overlapped. In contrast, 713 hourly locations from 120 wild dog incursions into maremma territories were recorded, mostly from three wild dogs. These three wild dogs spent a mean of 2.5–5.9 h inside maremma territories during incursions. At this location, maremmas worked by guarding sheep and prohibiting fine-scale interaction between wild dogs and sheep, not by establishing a territory respected by wild dogs. We conclude that shepherding behaviour and boisterous vocalisations of guardian dogs combined with the flocking behaviour of sheep circumvents attacks on sheep but does not prevent nor discourage wild dogs from foraging in close proximity. Certain husbandry practices and the behaviour of sheep at parturition may incur greater predation risk.
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Capitani C, Chynoweth M, Kusak J, Çoban E, Şekercioğlu ÇH. Wolf diet in an agricultural landscape of north-eastern Turkey. MAMMALIA 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2014-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn this study, we investigated wolf feeding ecology in Kars province, north-eastern Turkey, by analysing 72 scat samples collected in spring 2013. Ongoing camera trap surveys suggest that large wild ungulates are exceptionally rare in the region. On the contrary, livestock is abundant. Accordingly, scats analysis revealed that livestock constituted most of the biomass intake for wolves, although small mammals were the most frequent prey items. Wild ungulates were occasional prey, and although wolves make use of the main village garbage dump as a food source, garbage remains were scarce in scat samples. Wolf dependence on anthropogenic resources, primarily livestock, generates human-wildlife conflicts in the study area. Uncontrolled carcass disposal seems to boost this wolf behaviour. Synanthropy enhances the probability of wolf-human encounters and thus increases the risk of direct persecution, vehicle collisions, and hybridisation with dogs. When livestock is not available, small mammals are an important alternative prey for wolves. This may increase interspecific competition, particularly with lynx, which is also lacking natural prey in the area. Our preliminary results contribute to wolf ecology and conservation in the Anatolian-Caucasian range, where further studies are urgently needed to generate baseline data.
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Lagos L, Bárcena F. EU Sanitary Regulation on Livestock Disposal: Implications for the Diet of Wolves. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 56:890-902. [PMID: 26105972 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0571-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Sanitary and environmental regulations may have indirect effects on the wildlife and ecosystem services beyond their regulatory scope. To illustrate such effects, this paper examines how EU sanitary measures, in conjunction with additional regulations and socio-economic changes, have caused wolf diet to shift in Galicia, northwestern Spain. Prior to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis in Europe in 2000, livestock carcasses used to be left on the field and were eaten by scavengers and carnivores. As a result of the BSE crisis, sanitary regulations regarding the disposal of livestock carcasses were introduced. These regulations affected the populations of avian scavengers. We hypothesize that wolf ecology has also been affected by the aforementioned regulations. We analysed wolf diet for the period 2003-2006 and compared the results with those of a previously published study (1974-1978). We found a shift in wolf feeding habits following the implementation of these EU regulations. A decrease in carrion consumption was registered, and wolves increased their feeding on the rising population of wild ungulates, especially on roe deer, and on wild pony. Future regulations should assess their potential indirect effects in the early stages of drafting to allow for the design of proper mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lagos
- Institute of Research and Food Analysis, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, c/Constantino Candeira s/n. Campus Sur, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain,
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Torres RT, Silva N, Brotas G, Fonseca C. To Eat or Not To Eat? The Diet of the Endangered Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) in a Human-Dominated Landscape in Central Portugal. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129379. [PMID: 26030294 PMCID: PMC4452520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock predation by large carnivores and their persecution by local communities are major conservation concerns. In order to prevent speculations and reduce conflicts, it is crucial to get detailed and accurate data on predators’ dietary ecology, which is particularly important in human dominated landscapes where livestock densities are high. This is the case of the endangered Iberian wolf in Portugal, an endemic subspecies of the Iberian Peninsula, which has seen its population distribution and abundance decline throughout the 20th century. Accordingly, the diet of the Iberian wolf was analyzed, using scat analysis, in a humanized landscape in central Portugal. From 2011 to 2014, a total of 295 wolf scats were collected from transects distributed throughout the study area, prospected on a monthly basis. Scat analysis indicated a high dependence of Iberian wolf on livestock. Domestic goat predominated the diet (62% of the scats), followed by cow (20%) and sheep (13%); the only wild ungulate present in the scat analysis was the wild boar (4% of the scats). Our results show that even though livestock constitute most part of wolves diet, different livestock species may represent different predation opportunities. We conclude that the high levels of livestock consumption may be a result of low diversity and density of wild ungulates that settles livestock as the only abundant prey for wolves. Our findings help on the understanding of the Iberian wolf feeding ecology and have implications for conflict management strategies. Finally, management implications are discussed and solutions are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Tinoco Torres
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicole Silva
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Brotas
- Associação de Conservação do Habitat do Lobo Ibérico, Rua 25 de Abril, Esposende, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
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Considering sampling approaches when determining carnivore diets: the importance of where, how, and when scats are collected. MAMMAL RES 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-015-0222-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Spatial heterogeneity in human activities favors the persistence of wolves in agroecosystems. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108080. [PMID: 25251567 PMCID: PMC4176725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As human populations expand, there is increasing demand and pressure for land. Under this scenario, behavioural flexibility and adaptation become important processes leading to the persistence of large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes such as agroecosystems. A growing interest has recently emerged on the outcome of the coexistence between wolves and humans in these systems. It has been suggested that spatial heterogeneity in human activities would be a major environmental factor modulating vulnerability and persistence of this contentious species in agroecosystems. Here, we combined information from 35 den sites detected between 2011 and 2012 in agroecosystems of western Iran (Hamedan province), a set of environmental variables measured at landscape and fine spatial scales, and generalized linear models to identify patterns of den site selection by wolves in a highly-modified agroecosystem. On a landscape level, wolves selected a mixture of rangelands with scattered dry-farms on hillsides (showing a low human use) to locate their dens, avoiding areas with high densities of settlements and primary roads. On a fine spatial scale, wolves primarily excavated dens into the sides of elevated steep-slope hills with availability of water bodies in the vicinity of den sites, and wolves were relegated to dig in places with coarse-soil particles. Our results suggest that vulnerability of wolves in human-dominated landscapes could be compensated by the existence of spatial heterogeneity in human activities. Such heterogeneity would favor wolf persistence in agroecosystems favoring a land sharing model of coexistence between wolves and people.
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