1
|
Wikar Z, Ciechanowski M, Zwolicki A. The positive response of small terrestrial and semi-aquatic mammals to beaver damming. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167568. [PMID: 37797774 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167568] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem engineers, such as the Eurasian beaver, Castor fiber, transform habitats, thereby creating favourable conditions for other species and increasing biodiversity. Multiple studies have revealed that beaver ponds are valuable habitats for invertebrates and vertebrates, including other mammals, but the impact of watercourse damming on the fauna of small terrestrial rodents and shrews has not yet been documented. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of beaver dams and consequent flooding enrich the small mammal assemblage both quantitatively and qualitatively. We live-trapped small mammals at nine beaver-modified sites on 300-metre transects alongside dammed watercourses, starting from the dam through to the pond to the sections with unmodified lotic conditions. The abundance and species richness of trapped small mammals were highest near the dams and declined with distance. Additionally, five out of 12 trapped species significantly decreased their abundance with linear distance along the shoreline from the dam and none revealed the opposite trend. Four species were more abundant on plots subjected to beaver-related inundation (especially Sorex minutus and Micromys minutus), while none were present solely on uninundated plots. Among the semi-aquatic species, two water shrews benefited from beaver activity in different ways. Neomys milleri occurred only in flooded sections, while N. fodiens preferred unmodified sections, but was the most numerous species closer to the dams, as per known patterns of competitive displacement observed in Central Europe. An important factor affecting small mammals, the herbaceous layer cover, appeared to be interdependent with damming. We provide the first unequivocal evidence that the presence of beaver dams facilitate the abundance and diversity of small mammals, presumably due to increased food abundance, availability of shelter and habitat connectivity. Beaver-created wetlands may act as potential refuges for species most susceptible to the consequences of anthropogenic climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Wikar
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Mateusz Ciechanowski
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adrian Zwolicki
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Warne RK, Chaber AL. Assessing Disease Risks in Wildlife Translocation Projects: A Comprehensive Review of Disease Incidents. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3379. [PMID: 37958133 PMCID: PMC10649731 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213379] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although translocation projects have been instrumental in the supplementation or restoration of some wild populations, they also carry a large risk of disease transmission to native and translocated animals. This study systematically reviewed conservation translocation projects to identify projects that met the criteria for a translocation significant disease incursion (TSDI), whereby the translocation resulted in negative population growth rates or the failure of populations to grow due to an infectious disease-either in the native or translocated species. In doing so, risk factors for these incidents could be identified. Analysis of the resulting 30 TSDIs demonstrated that there was equal representation of TSDIs using wild-caught and captive-bred animals. Additionally, the type of pathogen predisposed in a TSDI was more likely a result of the animal group translocated (e.g., fungal pathogens were more likely to be detected in amphibian translocations) and it was nearly five times more likely for a disease to be encountered by a translocated species than for a disease to be introduced to a native population. However, there are numerous project-specific predisposing factors for TSDIs, and therefore it is essential that future translocation projects conduct thorough disease risk analysis as well as report their outcomes for the benefit of their own and future translocations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne-Lise Chaber
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Mudla Wirra Road, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Carroll T, Cardou F, Dornelas M, Thomas CD, Vellend M. Biodiversity change under adaptive community dynamics. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:3525-3538. [PMID: 36916852 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16680] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Compositional change is a ubiquitous response of ecological communities to environmental drivers of global change, but is often regarded as evidence of declining "biotic integrity" relative to historical baselines. Adaptive compositional change, however, is a foundational idea in evolutionary biology, whereby changes in gene frequencies within species boost population-level fitness, allowing populations to persist as the environment changes. Here, we present an analogous idea for ecological communities based on core concepts of fitness and selection. Changes in community composition (i.e., frequencies of genetic differences among species) in response to environmental change should normally increase the average fitnessof community members. We refer to compositional changes that improve the functional match, or "fit," between organisms' traits and their environment as adaptive community dynamics. Environmental change (e.g., land-use change) commonly reduces the fit between antecedent communities and new environments. Subsequent change in community composition in response to environmental changes, however, should normally increase community-level fit, as the success of at least some constituent species increases. We argue that adaptive community dynamics are likely to improve or maintain ecosystem function (e.g., by maintaining productivity). Adaptive community responses may simultaneously produce some changes that are considered societally desirable (e.g., increased carbon storage) and others that are undesirable (e.g., declines of certain species), just as evolutionary responses within species may be deemed desirable (e.g., evolutionary rescue of an endangered species) or undesirable (e.g., enhanced virulence of an agricultural pest). When assessing possible management interventions, it is important to distinguish between drivers of environmental change (e.g., undesired climate warming) and adaptive community responses, which may generate some desirable outcomes. Efforts to facilitate, accept, or resist ecological change require separate consideration of drivers and responses, and may highlight the need to reconsider preferences for historical baseline communities over communities that are better adapted to the new conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadhg Carroll
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Françoise Cardou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maria Dornelas
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Chris D Thomas
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Vellend
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York, UK
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Sherbrooke, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rey PL, Vittoz P, Petitpierre B, Adde A, Guisan A. Linking plant and vertebrate species to Nature's Contributions to People in the Swiss Alps. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7312. [PMID: 37147401 PMCID: PMC10163046 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34236-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the late 1990s, Nature's Contributions to People (NCPs; i.e. ecosystem services) were used as a putative leverage for fostering nature preservation. NCPs have largely been defined and mapped at the landscape level using land use and cover classifications. However, NCP mapping attempts based directly on individual species are still uncommon. Given that species shape ecosystems and ultimately deliver NCPs, mapping NCPs based on species distribution data should deliver highly meaningful results. This requires first establishing a census of the species-to-NCP relationships. However, datasets quantifying these relationships across several species and NCPs are rare. Here, we fill this gap by compiling literature and expert knowledge to establish the relationships of 1816 tracheophyte and 250 vertebrate species with 17 NCPs in the Swiss Alps. We illustrated the 31,098 identified species-NCP relationships for the two lineages and discuss why such a table is a key initial step in building spatial predictions of NCPs directly from species data, e.g. to ultimately complement spatial conservation planning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Louis Rey
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Pascal Vittoz
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Blaise Petitpierre
- Info Flora, c/o Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève, Chambésy-Genève, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Adde
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Guisan
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Oliveira S, Buckley P, Consorte-McCrea A. A glimpse of the long view: Human attitudes to an established population of Eurasian beaver (castor fiber) in the lowlands of south-east England. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.925594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is a native species to Britain that after being absent for 400 years has been restored to the English countryside. The first beavers were released into a reserve in Kent in 2001/02, making this one of the first beaver release areas in the UK. This paper examines attitudes towards beaver presence in the landscape as well as public perception of beaver benefits and impacts with respect to the environment and human society.MethodsQualitative questionnaires were utilised to investigate factors influencing social attitudes and support for beaver reintroduction, as well as the relationship between sociodemographic variables and attitudes. Inhabitants of Kent and its immediate surroundings were surveyed during June and July of 2020 (n=407) with a focus on three interest groups – environmentalists, farmers and the general public.ResultsPerceptions included mostly beneficial impacts on nature and biodiversity, whereas less positive impacts were associated with economics, agriculture and fisheries. In general, local attitudes towards beavers were positive, mainly sustained by feelings of liking this wildlife species and valuing their presence. People´s attitudes positively influence willingness to support the reintroduction of beavers. Twenty years after their initial release, results indicate broad support for the beaver reintroduction in Kent and people´s tolerance of beavers. The majority of respondents were in favour of nonintrusive management techniques to mitigate beavers’ undesirable impacts.DiscussionThese findings suggest the need to develop an optimal management strategy that incorporates public views and gives advice on the best approach to manage this wildlife species. This research provides theoretical and practical underpinning for beaver management and conservation in Britain.
Collapse
|
6
|
Westbrook CJ, England K. Relative Effectiveness of Four Different Guards In Preventing Beaver Cutting of Urban Trees. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 70:97-104. [PMID: 35532811 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-022-01658-z] [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: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Beavers are expanding into cities as they recolonize their historic range. While they increase the ecological functioning of urban green areas, human-beaver conflicts occur. Public support to deal with conflicts has shifted from population to forage control. Tree guards are becoming popular with management personnel in North America and Europe to reduce damage to valuable trees. The problem is that this management technique has not been studied. We inventoried the tree guard types in use in natural and manicured river parks in the City of Saskatoon, Canada, determined their adherence to an installation protocol by measuring guard dimensions, and assessed the relative effectiveness of guards in protecting trees from beaver cutting. The inventory revealed that four types of tree guards are in use, ranging from light gauge chicken wire to heavy gauge chain link fencing. Overall, 11% of the trees with guards that we inventoried were cut by beavers, but variation among guard types was observed. Less than 10% of trees with type i and ii guards were beaver cut whereas 17% of trees with types iii and iv guards were beaver cut. Fewer trees were cut when there was adherence to installation protocol, regardless of guard type. Cut trees with guard types i, iii and iv experienced both minor and major damage whereas cut trees with guard type ii experienced only minor damage. The study results have implications for developing effectiveness and implementation monitoring plans for tree guards as part of an overall beaver management plan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cherie J Westbrook
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C8, Canada.
| | - Kirby England
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C8, Canada
- School of Environmental Sciences, Lethbridge College, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 1L6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Evans MJ, Weeks AR, Scheele BC, Gordon IJ, Neaves LE, Andrewartha TA, Brockett B, Rapley S, Smith KJ, Wilson BA, Manning AD. Coexistence conservation: Reconciling threatened species and invasive predators through adaptive ecological and evolutionary approaches. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Andrew R. Weeks
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Ben C. Scheele
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
- The James Hutton Institute Dundee UK
- Central Queensland University Townsville Queensland Australia
- Land & water, CSIRO Townsville Queensland Australia
- Lead, Protected Places Mission, National Environmental Science Program Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Cairns Queensland Australia
| | - Linda E. Neaves
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Tim A. Andrewartha
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Brittany Brockett
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Shoshana Rapley
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Kiarrah J. Smith
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Belinda A. Wilson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Renewed coexistence: learning from steering group stakeholders on a beaver reintroduction project in England. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021; 68:1. [PMID: 34876892 PMCID: PMC8640482 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01555-6] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Species reintroductions are growing in popularity, and example motivations include supporting species populations or the restoration of ecosystem function. Interactions between humans and the reintroduced species are likely to occur post-reintroduction. Coexistence between humans and wildlife is adaptive and dynamic, in part requiring management of conflicts between humans and wildlife, or of conflicts between humans over wildlife management. We seek to learn from the experiences of steering group members in a Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) project in England and identify how governance of coexistence with reintroduced species may differ from the governance of coexistence with species that are already present in the landscape. Using a qualitative thematic analysis of an online survey, we identify a series of lessons in six key areas: (1) project governance, (2) stakeholder engagement, (3) research and monitoring programme, (4) strategy to manage arising conflicts, (5) public engagement, and (6) broad perspectives on reintroduction trials. We advocate for reflective evaluation as an essential component of reintroduction projects to enable knowledge-sharing from experiences, leading to improved practices in the future. Reflecting on our analysis, we identify and define ‘Renewed Coexistence’—a new term that draws on pre-existing coexistence knowledge but identifies the unique elements that relate to governing coexistence with reintroduced species.
Collapse
|
9
|
Fedorca A, Ciocirlan E, Pasca C, Fedorca M, Gridan A, Ionescu G. Genetic structure of Eurasian beaver in Romania: insights after two decades from the reintroduction. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01546-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractOnce exploited for fur, meat, and extracting the yellowish exudate called castoreum, the Eurasian beaver disappeared from Romania during the eighteenth century. After, the reintroductions carried out two decades ago are currently thriving in the Danube River basin. Using nine nSSR markers, we analysed samples from 98 individuals, and we found no genetic substructure, suggesting high dispersal and gene flow capabilities. The stepwise mutation model (SMM) indicated the existence of a recent genetic bottleneck, though the Eurasian beaver retains high levels of genetic diversity and population growth facilitated variation in nSSR loci. A fine-scale spatial correlation in females was detected, contrasting with males’ dispersal on longer distances. While the movement and establishment of individuals’ new territories were made under natural predation pressure, the mix following natural expansion improved the fitness and could contribute to a higher genetic diversity than the source population. With any reintroduction, a focus on capturing individuals from various geographic origins, as well as securing many and suitable founding individuals (adults, subadults, and juveniles) with mixed origins, could secure the post-genetic bottleneck recovery and higher genetic diversity. Beyond this conservation success, future management strategies should consider building a National Action Plan (NAP) for the species, including a permanent genetic monitoring programme for Eurasian beaver.
Collapse
|
10
|
Phelan R, Kareiva P, Marvier M, Robbins P, Weber M. Why intended consequences? CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.408] [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)
| | | | - Michelle Marvier
- Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences Santa Clara University Santa Clara California USA
| | - Paul Robbins
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Brazier RE, Puttock A, Graham HA, Auster RE, Davies KH, Brown CML. Beaver: Nature's ecosystem engineers. WIRES. WATER 2021; 8:e1494. [PMID: 33614026 PMCID: PMC7883483 DOI: 10.1002/wat2.1494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Beavers have the ability to modify ecosystems profoundly to meet their ecological needs, with significant associated hydrological, geomorphological, ecological, and societal impacts. To bring together understanding of the role that beavers may play in the management of water resources, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, this article reviews the state-of-the-art scientific understanding of the beaver as the quintessential ecosystem engineer. This review has a European focus but examines key research considering both Castor fiber-the Eurasian beaver and Castor canadensis-its North American counterpart. In recent decades species reintroductions across Europe, concurrent with natural expansion of refugia populations has led to the return of C. fiber to much of its European range with recent reviews estimating that the C. fiber population in Europe numbers over 1.5 million individuals. As such, there is an increasing need for understanding of the impacts of beaver in intensively populated and managed, contemporary European landscapes. This review summarizes how beaver impact: (a) ecosystem structure and geomorphology, (b) hydrology and water resources, (c) water quality, (d) freshwater ecology, and (e) humans and society. It concludes by examining future considerations that may need to be resolved as beavers further expand in the northern hemisphere with an emphasis upon the ecosystem services that they can provide and the associated management that will be necessary to maximize the benefits and minimize conflicts. This article is categorized under:Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan Puttock
- Department of GeographyUniversity of ExeterDevonUK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bode M. Covert rewilding: Modelling the detection of an unofficial translocation of Tasmanian devils to the Australian mainland. Conserv Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bode
- School of Mathematical Sciences Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Campbell-Palmer R, Senn H, Girling S, Pizzi R, Elliott M, Gaywood M, Rosell F. Beaver genetic surveillance in Britain. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
|
14
|
Wildlife tourism in reintroduction projects: Exploring social and economic benefits of beaver in local settings. J Nat Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
15
|
Halley DJ, Saveljev AP, Rosell F. Population and distribution of beavers
Castor fiber
and
Castor canadensis
in Eurasia. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Duncan J. Halley
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research PO Box 5685 Sluppen TrondheimNO‐7485 Norway
| | - Alexander P. Saveljev
- Department of Animal Ecology Russian Research Institute of Game Management and Fur Farming 79 Preobrazhenskaya Str. Kirov610000 Russia
| | - Frank Rosell
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences University of South‐Eastern Norway Gullbringveien 36 Bø i TelemarkNO‐3800 Norway
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jordan NR, Smith BP, Appleby RG, van Eeden LM, Webster HS. Addressing inequality and intolerance in human-wildlife coexistence. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:803-810. [PMID: 32406972 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Millennia of human conflict with wildlife have built a culture of intolerance toward wildlife among some stakeholders. We explored 2 key obstacles to improved human-wildlife coexistence: coexistence inequality (how the costs and benefits of coexisting with wildlife are unequally shared) and intolerance. The costs of coexisting with wildlife are often disproportionately borne by the so-called global south and rural communities, and the benefits often flow to the global north and urban dwellers. Attitudes and behaviors toward wildlife (tolerance versus intolerance) vary with social and cultural norms. We suggest more empathetic advocacy is needed that, for example, promotes conservation while appropriately considering those who bear the costs of conflict with wildlife. To achieve more equitable cost-sharing, we suggest limiting the costs incurred by those most affected or by sharing those costs more widely. For example, we advocate for the development of improved wildlife compensation schemes, increasing the scale of rewilding efforts, and preventing wildlife-derived revenue leaching out of the local communities bearing the costs of coexistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil R Jordan
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of BEES, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, NSW, 2830, Australia
- Botswana Predator Conservation, Maun, Botswana
| | - Bradley P Smith
- Smith Human-Wildlife Coexistence Lab, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, QLD, 5034, Australia
| | - Robert G Appleby
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Lily M van Eeden
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- School of Forest and Environmental Sciences, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, U.S.A
| | - Hugh S Webster
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RH, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Graham HA, Puttock A, Macfarlane WW, Wheaton JM, Gilbert JT, Campbell-Palmer R, Elliott M, Gaywood MJ, Anderson K, Brazier RE. Modelling Eurasian beaver foraging habitat and dam suitability, for predicting the location and number of dams throughout catchments in Great Britain. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020; 66:42. [PMID: 32647501 PMCID: PMC7319418 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-01379-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) populations are expanding across Europe. Depending on location, beaver dams bring multiple benefits and/or require management. Using nationally available data, we developed: a Beaver Forage Index (BFI), identifying beaver foraging habitat, and a Beaver Dam Capacity (BDC) model, classifying suitability of river reaches for dam construction, to estimate location and number of dams at catchment scales. Models were executed across three catchments, in Great Britain (GB), containing beaver. An area of 6747 km2 was analysed for BFI and 16,739 km of stream for BDC. Field surveys identified 258 km of channel containing beaver activity and 89 dams, providing data to test predictions. Models were evaluated using a categorical binomial Bayesian framework to calculate probability of foraging and dam construction. BFI and BDC models successfully categorised the use of reaches for foraging and damming, with higher scoring reaches being preferred. Highest scoring categories were ca. 31 and 79 times more likely to be used than the lowest for foraging and damming respectively. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression showed that modelled dam capacity was significantly related (p = 0.01) to observed damming and was used to predict numbers of dams that may occur. Estimated densities of dams, averaged across each catchment, ranged from 0.4 to 1.6 dams/km, though local densities may be up to 30 dams/km. These models provide fundamental information describing the distribution of beaver foraging habitat, where dams may be constructed and how many may occur. This supports the development of policy and management concerning the reintroduction and recolonisation of beaver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Joseph M. Wheaton
- Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT USA
| | - Jordan T. Gilbert
- Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT USA
| | | | | | - Martin J. Gaywood
- Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Leachkin Rd, Inverness, UK
| | - Karen Anderson
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Coz DM, Young JC. Conflicts over wildlife conservation: Learning from the reintroduction of beavers in Scotland. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliette C. Young
- NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Penicuik UK
- Agroécologie AgroSup DijonINRAEUniversity of Bourgogne Franche‐Comté Dijon France
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wróbel M, Krysztofiak-Kaniewska A. Long-term dynamics of and potential management strategies for the beaver ( Castor fiber) population in Poland. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2020.1727969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Wróbel
- Department of Forest Ecology, Forest Research Institute, Sękocin Stary, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
A geospatial analysis of ecosystem engineer activity and its use during species reintroduction. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|