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Griesberger P, Kunz F, Hackländer K, Mattsson B. Building a decision-support tool to inform sustainability approaches under complexity: Case study on managing wild ruminants. AMBIO 2024; 53:1307-1322. [PMID: 38632210 PMCID: PMC11300410 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02020-9] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
In wildlife management, differing perspectives among stakeholders generate conflicts about how to achieve disparate sustainability goals that include ecological, economic, and sociocultural dimensions. To mitigate such conflicts, decisions regarding wildlife management must be taken thoughtfully. To our knowledge, there exists no integrative modeling framework to inform these decisions, considering all dimensions of sustainability. We constructed a decision-support tool based on stakeholder workshops and a Bayesian decision network to inform management of wild ruminants in the federal state of Lower Austria. We use collaborative decision analysis to compare resource allocations while accounting for trade-offs among dimensions of sustainability. The tool is designed for application by non-technical users across diverse decision-making contexts with particular sets of wildlife management actions, objectives, and uncertainties. Our tool represents an important step toward developing and evaluating a transparent and replicable approach for mitigating wildlife-based conflicts in Europe and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Griesberger
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Florian Kunz
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Hackländer
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brady Mattsson
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Escobar-González M, López-Martín JM, Mentaberre G, Valldeperes M, Estruch J, Tampach S, Castillo-Contreras R, Conejero C, Roldán J, Lavín S, Serrano E, López-Olvera JR. Evaluating hunting and capture methods for urban wild boar population management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173463. [PMID: 38802001 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173463] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Wild ungulates are expanding in range and number worldwide leading to an urgent need to manage their populations to minimize conflicts and promote coexistence with humans. In the metropolitan area of Barcelona (MAB), wild boar is the main wildlife species causing a nuisance, from traffic accidents to health risks. Selective harvesting of specific sex and age classes and reducing anthropogenic food resources would be the most efficient approach to dealing with overpopulation. Nonetheless, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the age and sex selectivity of the capture methods currently applied in the MAB for wild boar population control. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the performance and age and sex bias of different hunting and capture methods and the seasonal patterns in their performance (number of captured individuals per event). From February 2014 to August 2022, 1454 wild boars were captured in the MAB using drop net, teleanaesthesia, cage traps, night stalks, and drive hunting. We applied generalized linear models (GLM) to compare the performance of these methods for the total number of wild boars, the wild boars belonging to each age category (i.e., adult, yearling, and juvenile), and for each season. The studied capture methods showed age-class bias and sex bias in adults (>2 years). Drive hunting and drop net removed mainly adult females and yearlings (1-2 years), with drive hunting having the highest performance for adult males. Instead, cage traps and drop net were the best methods to capture juveniles (<1 year). Overall, global performance was higher in summer, decreasingly followed by autumn and spring, winter being the worst performing season. Wildlife managers and researchers should consider the different performance and sex and age bias of each hunting and capture method, as well as the associated public cost, to improve efficiency and achieve the best results in wild boar population management.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Escobar-González
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josep-Maria López-Martín
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Departament d'Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain
| | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Ciència Animal, Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Agraria (ETSEA), Universitat de Lleida (UdL), Lleida, Spain
| | - Marta Valldeperes
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Estruch
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefania Tampach
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Castillo-Contreras
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Fundación Artemisan, Avda. Rey Santo 8, 13001 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Carles Conejero
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Roldán
- Forestal Catalana SA, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Lavín
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Ramón López-Olvera
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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3
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Cerri J, Musto C, Ferretti M, Delogu M, Bertolino S, Martinoli A, Bisi F, Preatoni DG, Tattoni C, Apollonio M. COVID-19 could accelerate the decline in recreational hunting: A natural experiment from Northern Italy. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0309017. [PMID: 39150926 PMCID: PMC11329146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Although many studies highlighted the potential of COVID-19 to reshape existing models of wildlife management, empirical research on this topic has been scarce, particularly in Europe. We investigated the potential of COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate the ongoing decline in an aging population of recreational hunters in Italy. Namely, we modelled spatiotemporal trends between 2011 and 2021 in the number of recreational hunters in 50 Italian provinces with a varying incidence of COVID-19, and temporally delayed waves of infection. Compared to projections from 2011-2019 data, we detected a lower number of hunters who enrolled for the hunting season, both in 2020 (14 provinces) and in 2021 (15 provinces). The provinces with the highest incidence of COVID-19 in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions were also those experiencing the most marked decrease in hunting participation. Our findings revealed that a wildlife management system based on recreational hunting can be rapidly destabilized by epidemics and their associated public health measures, particularly when the average age of hunters is high, like in Italy. Considered the high incidence attained by COVID-19 in many European countries, where hunters are pivotal for the management of large ungulates and where they were already declining before the pandemic, our findings call for further large-scale research about the impact of COVID-19 on hunting participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Cerri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Carmela Musto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Delogu
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandro Bertolino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Adriano Martinoli
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Francesco Bisi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Clara Tattoni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Luo Z, Pei C, Zhang H, Wang Y, Zhang B, Hu D. Nutritional Partitioning among Sympatric Ungulates in Eastern Tibet. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2205. [PMID: 39123731 PMCID: PMC11310961 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152205] [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: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Wild ungulates play crucial roles in maintaining the structure and function of local ecosystems. The alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaste), white-lipped deer (Przewalskium albirostris), and red serow (Capricornis rubidus) are widely distributed throughout the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains of Tibet. However, research on the mechanisms underlying their coexistence in the same habitat remains lacking. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the coexistence of these species based on their dietary preferences through DNA barcoding using the fecal samples of these animals collected from the study area. These species consume a wide variety of food types. Alpine musk deer, white-lipped deer, and red serow consume plants belonging to 74 families and 114 genera, 62 families and 122 genera, and 63 families and 113 genera, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the nutritional ecological niche among these species, primarily manifested in the differentiation of food types and selection of food at the genus level. Owing to differences in social behavior, body size, and habitat selection, these three species further expand their differentiation in resource selection, thereby making more efficient use of environmental resources. Our findings indicate these factors are the primary reasons for the stable coexistence of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Defu Hu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Z.L.); (C.P.); (H.Z.); (Y.W.); (B.Z.)
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5
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Liepiņa AA, Ieviņa S, Bāders E, Done G, Matisons R, Jaunslaviete I, Bērziņa B, Jansons Ā. Bite Me: Bark Stripping Showed Negligible Effect on Volume Growth of Norway Spruce in Latvia. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2014. [PMID: 39124133 PMCID: PMC11313968 DOI: 10.3390/plants13152014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, increasing populations of cervid species in the Baltic region have reduced the quality and vitality of cultivated Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands. This study evaluated the effect of bark stripping on the volume growth of spruce trees in Latvia. Data collection took place in two forest stands. In each stand, 20 Norway spruce trees were sampled, 10 with visible bark damage scars and 10 control trees. Stem discs were collected from control trees at specified heights (0 m, 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.3 m, and 2 m, and then at one-metre intervals up to the top) and from damaged trees at additional specific points relative to the damage. Each disc was sanded and scanned; tree ring widths were measured in 16 radial directions using WinDendro 2012a software. Annual volume growth reconstruction was performed for each tree. Changes in relative volume growth were analysed in interaction with scar parameters, tree type (damaged/control), and pre-damage volume using linear regression models. The significance of parameter interactions was assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pairwise comparisons of estimated marginal means (EMMs) were conducted using Tukey's HSD post hoc test. No significant effect of bark stripping on the total stem volume increment was detected. However, the length of bark stripping scars had a significant impact on relative volume growth in the lower parts of the stems. These findings underscore the importance of further research examining a broader spectrum of cervid damage intensity and the effects of repeated damage on tree survival and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Anta Liepiņa
- Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, Rīgas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
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Delisle ZJ, Reeling CJ, Caudell JN, McCallen EB, Swihart RK. Targeted recreational hunting can reduce animal-vehicle collisions and generate substantial revenue for wildlife management agencies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173460. [PMID: 38788939 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173460] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Reduction of conflicts arising from human-wildlife interactions is necessary for coexistence. Collisions between animals and automobiles cost the world's economy billions of dollars, and wildlife management agencies often are responsible for reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. But wildlife agencies have few proven options for reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions that are effective and financially feasible at large spatiotemporal scales germane to management. Recreational hunting by humans is a primary population management tool available for use with abundant wild ungulates that often collide with automobiles. Therefore, we tested how well policies designed to increase human hunting of deer (longer hunting seasons and increased harvest limits) reduced collisions between white-tailed deer and automobiles along 618 km of high-risk roadways in Indiana, USA. We used a 20-y dataset that compiled >300,000 deer-vehicle collisions. Targeted recreational hunting decreased deer-vehicle collisions by 21.12 % and saved society up to $653,756 (95 % CIs = $286,063-$1,154,118) in economic damages from 2018 to 2022. Potential savings was up to $1,265,694 (95 % CIs = $579,108-$2,402,813) during the same 5-y span if relaxed hunting regulations occurred along all high-risk roadways. Moreover, license sales from targeted hunting generated $206,268 in revenue for wildlife management. Targeted hunting is likely effective in other systems where ungulate-vehicle collisions are prevalent, as behavioral changes in response to human hunting has been documented in many ungulate species across several continents. Our methods are attractive for management agencies with limited funds, as relaxed hunting regulations are relatively inexpensive to implement and may generate substantial additional revenue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zackary J Delisle
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA; Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Carson J Reeling
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Joe N Caudell
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
| | - Emily B McCallen
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
| | - Robert K Swihart
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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7
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Kontsiotis VJ, Polychronidis A, Liordos V. Motivation and Habits of a Wild Boar-Hunting Community. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1940. [PMID: 38998052 PMCID: PMC11240660 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131940] [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: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a widespread ungulate, the populations of which have recently increased throughout most of its range. This increase has caused negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and society. Nowadays, the wild boar is considered both a valuable game and a pest. Wildlife managers need to know the habits and motivations of wild boar hunters, a key stakeholder group, for effectively managing this controversial mammal. We carried out face-to-face interviews with 134 wild boar hunters in the Evros Prefecture, in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, northern Greece to determine their hunting habits and their motivation for hunting. Most hunters owned a hunting dog (84.3%), hunted in groups of eight to nine people for 48 days, traveled 60 km, stayed outdoors for 4 nights, and spent weekly EUR 61 on average in each hunting season. Two motivations for wild boar hunting were prominent among the hunters (assessed on a 5-point scale; 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree): a strong recreation motivation (hunting as a recreational activity; mean score 4.159 ± 1.144 SD) and a considerable utility motivation (hunting for its use values; 3.404 ± 1.11). Both recreation and utility motivations were positively associated with the preference for further increases in wild boar populations. Sociodemographic characteristics and hunting habits variously affected motivations and preferred future population trends. The findings revealed specific habits and strong motivations among hunters. Such findings will be useful for designing and implementing education and outreach programs for informing hunters about the negative impacts of wild boars and the need for their control. The participation of hunters in the management process will be critical for its success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios J Kontsiotis
- Department of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, P.O. Box 172, 66100 Drama, Greece
| | - Apostolos Polychronidis
- Department of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, P.O. Box 172, 66100 Drama, Greece
| | - Vasilios Liordos
- Department of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, P.O. Box 172, 66100 Drama, Greece
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Barroso P, Zanet S, Ferroglio E. Meteorological, demographic, and environmental risk factors for Leishmania infantum in wildlife. Res Vet Sci 2024; 173:105288. [PMID: 38718544 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105288] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is an important and neglected vector-borne zoonotic protozoa endemic in the Mediterranean basin. Several wild and domestic mammals can contribute to maintaining its circulation but their importance as effective reservoirs is still under discussion and varies depending on local ecological communities. By combining environmental, climatic, and individual information, this study assessed the presence of L. infantum DNA in a set of wild species from Northwestern Italy and the potential ecological factors related to the risk of infection. From 2020 to 2022, 304 free-ranging wild animals were analyzed for the detection of L. infantum DNA in the spleen and popliteal lymph node (when available). The prevalence obtained in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was higher than those previously reported (% ± confidence interval 95%; 42.9 ± 18.4% and 27 ± 6.6% in wild boar and roe deer, respectively), and this is the first report of this parasite infecting the coypu Myocastor coypus (60 ± 34.7%). L. infantum DNA was detected in all the seasons including those free of adult sandflies and seasonal differences were minimal, suggesting a long course of infection. The models revealed that animals from rainy areas with higher greenness during the summer, highly populated by humans and predominantly covered by water surfaces had a higher risk of L. infantum. This study contributes to confirming previous findings on the existence of a sylvatic cycle for L. infantum in certain regions of Italy, as well as on the potential epidemiological role of roe deer for this parasite given the elevated prevalence found.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Barroso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy; Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain.
| | - S Zanet
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - E Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
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Davoli M, Svenning JC. Future changes in society and climate may strongly shape wild large-herbivore faunas across Europe. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230334. [PMID: 38583466 PMCID: PMC10999261 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Restoring wild communities of large herbivores is critical for the conservation of biodiverse ecosystems, but environmental changes in the twenty-first century could drastically affect the availability of habitats. We projected future habitat dynamics for 18 wild large herbivores in Europe and the relative future potential patterns of species richness and assemblage mean body weight considering four alternative scenarios of socioeconomic development in human society and greenhouse gas emissions (SSP1-RCP2.6, SSP2-RCP4.5, SSP3-RCP7.0, SSP5-RCP8.5). Under SSP1-RCP2.6, corresponding to a transition towards sustainable development, we found stable habitat suitability for most species and overall stable assemblage mean body weight compared to the present, with an average increase in species richness (in 2100: 3.03 ± 1.55 compared to today's 2.25 ± 1.31 species/area). The other scenarios are generally unfavourable for the conservation of wild large herbivores, although under the SSP5-RCP8.5 scenario there would be increase in species richness and assemblage mean body weight in some southern regions (e.g. + 62.86 kg mean body weight in Balkans/Greece). Our results suggest that a shift towards a sustainable socioeconomic development would overall provide the best prospect of our maintaining or even increasing the diversity of wild herbivore assemblages in Europe, thereby promoting trophic complexity and the potential to restore functioning and self-regulating ecosystems. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Davoli
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) & Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'Università 32, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Louhichi M, Khorchani T, Petretto M, Eifler D, Eifler M, Dadi K, Zaidi A, Karssene Y, Chammem M. Spatiotemporal Mechanisms of the Coexistence of Reintroduced Scimitar-Horned Oryx and Native Dorcas Gazelle in Sidi Toui National Park, Tunisia. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1475. [PMID: 38791692 PMCID: PMC11117359 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Examining the distribution patterns and spatiotemporal niche overlap of sympatric species is crucial for understanding core concepts in community ecology and for the effective management of multi-species habitats within shared landscapes. Using data from 26 camera-traps, recorded over two years (December 2020-November 2022), in Sidi Toui National Park (STNP), Tunisia, we investigate habitat use and activity patterns of the scimitar-horned oryx (n = 1865 captures) and dorcas gazelle (n = 1208 captures). Using information theory and multi-model inference methods, along with the Pianka index, we evaluated the habitat characteristics influencing species distribution and their spatial niche overlap. To delineate daily activity patterns, we applied kernel density estimation. Our findings indicate minimal spatial overlap and distinct environmental factors determining suitable habitats for each species. Furthermore, we found significant temporal niche overlaps, indicative of synchrony in daily activity patterns, with both species showing peak activity at dawn and dusk. Our results indicated that oryx and gazelle differ in at least one dimension of their ecological niche at the current density levels, which contributes to their long-term and stable coexistence in STNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marouane Louhichi
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
- Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes 6072, Tunisia
| | - Touhami Khorchani
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
| | - Marie Petretto
- Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH, UK;
| | - Douglas Eifler
- Erell Institute, 2808 Meadow Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (D.E.); (M.E.)
| | - Maria Eifler
- Erell Institute, 2808 Meadow Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (D.E.); (M.E.)
| | - Kamel Dadi
- Laboratoire des Écosystèmes Pastoraux et Valorisation des Plantes Spontanées et des Microorganismes Associés, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA) de Medénine, Medenine 4119, Tunisia;
| | - Ali Zaidi
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yamna Karssene
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
| | - Mohsen Chammem
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
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11
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Dobor L, Baldo M, Bílek L, Barka I, Máliš F, Štěpánek P, Hlásny T. The interacting effect of climate change and herbivory can trigger large-scale transformations of European temperate forests. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17194. [PMID: 38385958 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17194] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
In many regions of Europe, large wild herbivores alter forest community composition through their foraging preferences, hinder the forest's natural adaptive responses to climate change, and reduce ecosystem resilience. We investigated a widespread European forest type, a mixed forest dominated by Picea abies, which has recently experienced an unprecedented level of disturbance across the continent. Using the forest landscape model iLand, we investigated the combined effect of climate change and herbivory on forest structure, composition, and carbon and identified conditions leading to ecosystem transitions on a 300-year timescale. Eight climate change scenarios, driven by Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5, combined with three levels of regeneration browsing, were tested. We found that the persistence of the current level of browsing pressure impedes adaptive changes in community composition and sustains the presence of the vulnerable yet less palatable P. abies. These development trajectories were tortuous, characterized by a high disturbance intensity. On the contrary, reduced herbivory initiated a transformation towards the naturally dominant broadleaved species that was associated with an increased forest carbon and a considerably reduced disturbance. The conditions of RCP4.5 combined with high and moderate browsing levels preserved the forest within its reference range of variability, defining the actual boundaries of resilience. The remaining combinations of browsing and climate change led to ecosystem transitions. Under RCP4.5 with browsing effects excluded, the new equilibrium conditions were achieved within 120 years, whereas the stabilization was delayed by 50-100 years under RCP8.5 with higher browsing intensities. We conclude that forests dominated by P. abies are prone to transitions driven by climate change. However, reducing herbivory can set the forest on a stable and predictable trajectory, whereas sustaining the current browsing levels can lead to heightened disturbance activity, extended transition times, and high variability in the target conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Dobor
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Marco Baldo
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Bílek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Barka
- National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - František Máliš
- National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Petr Štěpánek
- Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Hlásny
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
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Moore JH, Gibson L, Amir Z, Chanthorn W, Ahmad AH, Jansen PA, Mendes CP, Onuma M, Peres CA, Luskin MS. The rise of hyperabundant native generalists threatens both humans and nature. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1829-1844. [PMID: 37311559 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In many disturbed terrestrial landscapes, a subset of native generalist vertebrates thrives. The population trends of these disturbance-tolerant species may be driven by multiple factors, including habitat preferences, foraging opportunities (including crop raiding or human refuse), lower mortality when their predators are persecuted (the 'human shield' effect) and reduced competition due to declines of disturbance-sensitive species. A pronounced elevation in the abundance of disturbance-tolerant wildlife can drive numerous cascading impacts on food webs, biodiversity, vegetation structure and people in coupled human-natural systems. There is also concern for increased risk of zoonotic disease transfer to humans and domestic animals from wildlife species with high pathogen loads as their abundance and proximity to humans increases. Here we use field data from 58 landscapes to document a supra-regional phenomenon of the hyperabundance and community dominance of Southeast Asian wild pigs and macaques. These two groups were chosen as prime candidates capable of reaching hyperabundance as they are edge adapted, with gregarious social structure, omnivorous diets, rapid reproduction and high tolerance to human proximity. Compared to intact interior forests, population densities in degraded forests were 148% and 87% higher for wild boar and macaques, respectively. In landscapes with >60% oil palm coverage, wild boar and pig-tailed macaque estimated abundances were 337% and 447% higher than landscapes with <1% oil palm coverage, respectively, suggesting marked demographic benefits accrued by crop raiding on calorie-rich food subsidies. There was extreme community dominance in forest landscapes with >20% oil palm cover where two pig and two macaque species accounted for >80% of independent camera trap detections, leaving <20% for the other 85 mammal species >1 kg considered. Establishing the population trends of pigs and macaques is imperative since they are linked to cascading impacts on the fauna and flora of local forest ecosystems, disease and human health, and economics (i.e., crop losses). The severity of potential negative cascading effects may motivate control efforts to achieve ecosystem integrity, human health and conservation objectives. Our review concludes that the rise of native generalists can be mediated by specific types of degradation, which influences the ecology and conservation of natural areas, creating both positive and detrimental impacts on intact ecosystems and human society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Moore
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Luke Gibson
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zachary Amir
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Wirong Chanthorn
- Department of Environmental Technology and Management, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Jatujak District, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Abdul Hamid Ahmad
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, 88400, Malaysia
| | - Patrick A Jansen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, 6708 PB, Netherlands
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Roosevelt Ave. Tupper Building - 401, Panama City, 0843-03092, Panama
| | - Calebe P Mendes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Manabu Onuma
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onagava, Tsukuba-City, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Carlos A Peres
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Instituto Juruá, R. Ajuricaba, 359 - Aleixo, Manaus, 69083-020, Brazil
| | - Matthew Scott Luskin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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13
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Bödeker K, Jordan-Fragstein C, Vor T, Ammer C, Knoke T. Abrupt height growth setbacks show overbrowsing of tree saplings, which can be reduced by raising deer harvest. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12021. [PMID: 37491457 PMCID: PMC10368749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38951-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Intensive ungulate browsing significantly impacts forests worldwide. However, it is usually not single browsing events that lead to sapling mortality, but the little-researched interactions of browsed saplings with their biotic and abiotic environment. (I) Our objective was to assess the impact of ungulate browsing on the growth of young saplings relative to other environmental factors by utilizing their height increment as a sensitive measure of vitality to indicate their status. (II) Furthermore, we aimed to identify factors affecting ungulate browsing at our study sites, assessed as browsing probabilities, and identify effective mitigation measures for browsing impact. We analyzed an extensive sapling dataset of 248 wildlife exclosures, which were erected in 2016 in beech dominated forests across Germany and assessed annually until 2020. (I) Browsing probability and light availability were the most influential parameters for selectively browsed, admixed tree species (e.g., sycamore maple). Height increment showed abrupt setbacks, which caused a permanent collapse of growth when browsing exceeded a certain level. However, light availability enhanced height increment. (II) An increase in deer harvest reduced the browsing probability of selectively browsed species considerably. We conclude that the growth-inhibiting effect of ungulate browsing is a multifactorial phenomenon, which can be mitigated by silvicultural management and efficient hunting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Bödeker
- Institute of Forest Management, Department of Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
| | - Claudia Jordan-Fragstein
- Chair of Forest Protection, Institute of Silviculture and Forest Protection, Tecnical Universeity of Dresden, Pienner Straße 8, 01737, Tharandt, Germany
| | - Torsten Vor
- Faculty of Resource Management, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Büsgenweg 1a, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Ammer
- Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones and Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Knoke
- Institute of Forest Management, Department of Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
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Vacek Z, Vacek S, Cukor J. European forests under global climate change: Review of tree growth processes, crises and management strategies. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 332:117353. [PMID: 36716544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing global climate change is challenging all sectors, forestry notwithstanding. On the one hand, forest ecosystems are exposed to and threatened by climate change, but on the other hand, forests can influence the course of climate change by regulating the water regime, air quality, carbon sequestration, and even reduce climate extremes. Therefore, it is crucial to see climate change not only as a risk causing forest disturbances and economic consequences but also as an opportunity for innovative approaches to forest management, conservation, and silviculture based on the results of long-term research. We reviewed 365 studies evaluating the impact of climate change on European forest ecosystems, all published during the last 30 years (1993-2022). The most significant consequences of climate change include more frequent and destructive large-scale forest disturbances (wildfire, windstorm, drought, flood, bark beetle, root rot), and tree species migration. Species distribution shifts and changes in tree growth rate have substantial effects on ecosystem carbon storage. Diameter/volume increment changed from -1 to +99% in Central and Northern Europe, while it decreased from -12 to -49% in Southern Europe across tree species over the last ca. 50 years. However, it is important to sharply focus on the causes of climate change and subsequently, on adaptive strategies, which can successfully include the creation of species-diverse, spatially and age-wise structured stands (decrease drought stress and increase production), prolongation of the regenerative period, or the use of suitable introduced tree species (e.g., Douglas fir, black pine, and Mediterranean oaks). But the desired changes are based on increasing diversity and the mitigation of climate change, and will require significantly higher initial costs for silviculture practices. In conclusion, the scope and complexity of the topic require further comprehensive and long-term studies focusing on international cooperation. We see a critical gap in the transfer of research results into actual forest practice, which will be the key factor influencing afforestation of forest stands and forest growth in the following decades. What our forests will look like for future generations and what the resulting impact of climate change will be on forestry is in the hands of forest managers, depending on supportive forestry research and climate change policy, including adaptive and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Vacek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Stanislav Vacek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Cukor
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic; Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady 136, 252 02 Jíloviště, Czech Republic
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15
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Kojola I, Hallikainen V, Nivala V, Heikkinen S, Tikkunen M, Huhta E, Ruha L, Pusenius J. Wolf attacks on hunting dogs are negatively related to prey abundance in Finland: an analysis at the wolf territory level. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01652-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Attacks by wolves (Canis lupus) on dogs (C. familiaris) presumably are motivated both by preying and elimination of potential competitors. Regardless of these alternative motivations in wolves, the risk of attacks might be higher when the density of primary prey is low. We examined how many dogs do territorial wolves in Finland kill in relation to the population density of the most abundant ungulates, moose (Alces alces), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Most attacks by wolves on dogs take place in hunting with dogs. The number of wolf-killed dogs was in highly significant negative relationship to the population density of white-tailed deer and to total ungulate biomass per unit area which is largely determined by the density of white-tailed deer. Our results indicate that abundant wild prey would decrease the risk at which wolves attack dogs. On the other side of the coin prevail two hard facts which wildlife managers had to take a notice. White-tailed deer, although a potential mitigator of wolf–human conflict, is an alien species and a partner in > 6000 traffic collisions annually in Finland. One factor that seemed to increase the risk of wolf attacks on dogs is the low ungulate density in regions where moose is the only remarkable ungulate prey. Higher moose densities could decrease the risk of attacks, but on the other hand, higher densities could increase the risk of serious traffic collisions and browsing damages in forests.
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Fertility Control for Wildlife: A European Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030428. [PMID: 36766317 PMCID: PMC9913817 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Trends of human population growth and landscape development in Europe show that wildlife impacts are escalating. Lethal methods, traditionally employed to mitigate these impacts, are often ineffective, environmentally hazardous and face increasing public opposition. Fertility control is advocated as a humane tool to mitigate these impacts. This review describes mammalian and avian wildlife contraceptives' effect on reproduction of individuals and populations, delivery methods, potential costs and feasibility of using fertility control in European contexts. These contexts include small, isolated wildlife populations and situations in which lethal control is either illegal or socially unacceptable, such as urban settings, national parks and areas where rewilding occurs. The review highlights knowledge gaps, such as impact of fertility control on recruitment, social and spatial behaviour and on target and non-target species, provides a decision framework to assist decisions about the potential use of wildlife fertility control, and suggests eight reasons for Europe to invest in this area. Although developing and registering contraceptives in Europe will have substantial costs, these are relatively small when compared to wildlife's economic and environmental impact. Developing safe and effective contraceptives will be essential if European countries want to meet public demand for methods to promote human-wildlife coexistence.
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Marada P, Cukor J, Kuběnka M, Linda R, Vacek Z, Vacek S. New agri-environmental measures have a direct effect on wildlife and economy on conventional agricultural land. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15000. [PMID: 36967992 PMCID: PMC10038087 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this article is to evaluate economic profits along with return on investment and also the impact of newly designed agri-environmental measures (AEM) on the presence of bioindicator species-European hare and roe deer-in comparison to conventionally cultivated agricultural land. The abundance of European hare was, on average, 4.5-6.7 times higher on AEM compared to the standard agricultural regime and 3.5-6.4 times higher in the case of roe deer in 2020 and 2021. From an economic point of view, the highest incomes were found for extensive orchard alleys and standard conventional crops-wheat and rapeseed rotation. The cash flow from extensive orchard was 4.3 times larger and wheat and rapeseed were 3.5 times larger than from the clover grass mixture. Moreover, the lowest value of operational expenses was found in the case of extensive orchard alleys. The payback period ranged from 16.02 years (wheat and rapeseed rotation) to 53.6 years (clover grass mixture). It is crucial not to assess the economic parameters separately but optimize them with sustainable wildlife management and other benefits that provide ecological and efficient directions of AEM for future generations. However, the performed economic analysis highlights the significantly lower incomes of most components of AEM. We see a principal issue of AEMs usage in the lack of strong incentives for farmers to maximize conservation outcomes. Therefore, the AEMs are often placed in locations with presumed low agriculture profit, which is often related to insignificant conservation effects. Thus, the incomparable AEMs profitability compared to conventional agriculture has to be reflected by the agricultural policy at the European Union level and subsidy policy of particular member states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Marada
- Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Cukor
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
- Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Rostislav Linda
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Vacek
- Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Ungulates and Their Impact on Reptiles: A Review of Interspecific Relationships. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Several ungulate species are showing increasing population patterns within their geographical distribution ranges, leading to constant interactions with other animal species. Varying densities and activities of different ungulates may result in diverse impacts on other coexisting species groups, including large numbers of threatened species, such as reptiles. In this study, we performed an analysis of the available literature to investigate the impacts of ungulates on reptiles. We aimed to reveal the diversity of: (1) the geographical and environmental distribution of related investigations; (2) the ungulate and reptile species involved; and (3) the characteristics of interactions (direct or indirect, positive or negative) from 69 publications. Our results show that the most papers were reported from the Americas (42%) and Australia (28%). The proportions of studies were balanced for wild ungulates (53%) and livestock (47%). Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was found to be the most problematic species on reptiles whereas reptiles which suffered the harshest impacts were Squamates (i.e., lizards, and snakes). Ungulate activities (e.g., digging by wild boar) may directly harm reptiles (consuming or killing them) or indirectly affect them by modifying their habitats or destroying their hideouts. Some preferential effects were also noted (e.g., by moderate livestock grazing or when wild ungulates are prey for large reptiles). Published livestock impacts were mainly indirect and mostly negatively linked to overgrazing. We conclude that it is important to manage and monitor the densities of ungulates to minimize their negative impacts on reptile species, especially in case of wild boar and grazing livestock, but also to maintain their moderate beneficial effects (e.g., as prey basis).
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Abstract
Ungulate populations are increasing across Europe with important implications for forest plant communities. Concurrently, atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition continues to eutrophicate forests, threatening many rare, often more nutrient-efficient, plant species. These pressures may critically interact to shape biodiversity as in grassland and tundra systems, yet any potential interactions in forests remain poorly understood. Here, we combined vegetation resurveys from 52 sites across 13 European countries to test how changes in ungulate herbivory and eutrophication drive long-term changes in forest understorey communities. Increases in herbivory were associated with elevated temporal species turnover, however, identities of winner and loser species depended on N levels. Under low levels of N-deposition, herbivory favored threatened and small-ranged species while reducing the proportion of non-native and nutrient-demanding species. Yet all these trends were reversed under high levels of N-deposition. Herbivores also reduced shrub cover, likely exacerbating N effects by increasing light levels in the understorey. Eutrophication levels may therefore determine whether herbivory acts as a catalyst for the "N time bomb" or as a conservation tool in temperate forests.
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Reproductive performance and sex ratio adjustment of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) in South Korea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21774. [PMID: 36526656 PMCID: PMC9758127 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The wild boar (Sus scrofa), a polygynous species, rapidly expanded its geographical range and increased its population size in South Korea following the extinction of large carnivores and changes to rural environments. Understanding wild boar reproductive traits and strategies is essential for their effective management; however, studies in this area are lacking. Using samples collected from hunting bags, the relationships between 1) litter size and female weight and 2) fetal sex ratio and female body condition were examined to understand wild boar life-history strategies. Wild boars showed a seasonal breeding pattern that maximized reproduction. Litter size (mean = 5.7 ± 1.7) was correlated with female weight, whereas fetal sex ratio was not explained by female body condition. However, the heaviest ranked fetuses within the litters were male-biased. Wild boars aged three years or less accounted for 90% of the total population, and sexual dimorphism developed from two years of age. Considering that their reproductive strategy is more effective (i.e., early gestation and large litter size) than that of other polygynous species, the Trivers-Willard model was not supported for the wild boars in this study. Instead, females adjusted the sex of the heaviest fetus in the litter to maximize lifetime reproductive success.
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Drimaj J, Kamler J, Rečková Z, Mikulka O. Seasonal variation in testicular biometry of wild boar in the game preserve. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.22059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Drimaj
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: , ,
| | - Jiří Kamler
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: , ,
| | - Zuzana Rečková
- Department of Animal Breeding, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail:
| | - Ondřej Mikulka
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: , ,
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Thom D, Ammer C, Annighöfer P, Aszalós R, Dittrich S, Hagge J, Keeton WS, Kovacs B, Krautkrämer O, Müller J, von Oheimb G, Seidl R. Regeneration in European beech forests after drought: the effects of microclimate, deadwood and browsing. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH 2022; 142:259-273. [PMID: 37065509 PMCID: PMC10085954 DOI: 10.1007/s10342-022-01520-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED With progressing climate change, increasing weather extremes will endanger tree regeneration. Canopy openings provide light for tree establishment, but also reduce the microclimatic buffering effect of forests. Thus, disturbances can have both positive and negative impacts on tree regeneration. In 2015, three years before an extreme drought episode hit Central Europe, we established a manipulation experiment with a factorial block design in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)-dominated forests. At five sites located in southeastern Germany, we conducted three censuses of tree regeneration after implementing two different canopy disturbances (aggregated and distributed canopy openings), and four deadwood treatments (retaining downed, standing, downed + standing deadwood and removing all deadwood), as well as in one untreated control plot. In addition, we measured understory light levels and recorded local air temperature and humidity over five years. We (i) tested the effects of experimental disturbance and deadwood treatments on regeneration and (ii) identified the drivers of regeneration density as well as seedling species and structural diversity. Regeneration density increased over time. Aggregated canopy openings supported species and structural diversity, but reduced regeneration density. Tree regeneration was positively associated with understory light levels, while maximum vapor pressure deficit influenced tree regeneration negatively. Deadwood and browsing impacts on regeneration varied and were inconclusive. Our study indicates that despite the drought episode regeneration in beech-dominated forests persisted under moderately disturbed canopies. However, the positive effect of increased light availability on tree regeneration might have been offset by harsher microclimate after canopies have been disturbed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10342-022-01520-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Thom
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, 617 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Christian Ammer
- Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Annighöfer
- Forestry and Agroforestry Systems Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Réka Aszalós
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány Út 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163 Hungary
| | - Sebastian Dittrich
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Department of Forest Sciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
| | - Jonas Hagge
- Forest Nature Conservation, Northwest German Forest Research Institute, Prof.-Oelkers-Str. 6, 34346 Hann. Münden, Germany
- Forest Nature Conservation, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - William S. Keeton
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, 617 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Bence Kovacs
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány Út 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163 Hungary
| | - Ole Krautkrämer
- Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Karl-Von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- LPV, Thüringer Wald E. V., Rennsteigstraße 18, 98673 Eisfeld, OT Friedrichshöhe Germany
| | - Jörg Müller
- Ecological Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany
- Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Strasse 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Goddert von Oheimb
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Department of Forest Sciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
| | - Rupert Seidl
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Berchtesgaden National Park, Doktorberg 6, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
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Relationship between Blood Parameters and Outcome in Rescued Roe Deer. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243469. [PMID: 36552389 PMCID: PMC9774528 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243469] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterinary facility admissions of wild animals are increasing alongside the interest in wildlife diseases. To improve animal welfare, it is therefore important to increase veterinarians’ knowledge of wild animal medicine and to improve the clinical and diagnostic procedures, especially in the case of patients affected by trauma or multiple traumas. Blood analysis can be a quick and minimally invasive way of gathering useful clinical information for adequate treatment and management, and, together with a good clinical examination, to help predict hospitalisation outcomes. Few papers have reported reference ranges for the haematological and biochemical parameters of roe deer. This study evaluates the haematological and biochemical parameters in traumatised roe deer in relation to animal hospitalisation outcomes. The study was carried out on a cohort of 98 roe deer divided into groups according to their age and hospitalisation outcome. For each animal, a panel of haematological and biochemical parameters was performed. Significant differences were found between unweaned (<4 months old) groups in terms of MCV, MCH, CK, creatinine, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin, and between weaned (>4 months old) groups for total bilirubin. Creatine kinase, creatinine, and bilirubin may be useful indicators to correlate with the severity of trauma and help predict prognosis.
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The Application of 3D Imaging as an Appropriate Method of Wildlife Craniometry: Evaluation of Accuracy and Measurement Efficiency. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233256. [PMID: 36496776 PMCID: PMC9739653 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The suitability of CT and 3D scanners for craniometric proposes was tested using digital calipers when determining linear measurements, and a measuring cylinder was used for the accuracy of 3D printing of deer antlers obtained by the CT and 3D scanners. The resolution of digitized objects from a 3D scanner ranged from 0.008 mm to 0.122 mm. For mandibular dimensions, a positive deviation (p < 0.01) from the primary control measurement was recorded. The average antler volume measured with the cylinder was 60.47 cm3 at the first measurement, in the case of the CT scanner 61.62 cm3 and for the 3D scanner 64.76 cm3—both technologies exhibit a positive deviation from the primary measurement. Precise sensing and measurements can be used to evaluate the quality and evolution of wildlife populations, create digital museum collections, or to examine in detail certain traits such as antler and horn development or dentition.
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Cuadrado-Matías R, Baz-Flores S, Peralbo-Moreno A, Herrero-García G, Risalde MA, Barroso P, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Ruiz-Rodriguez C, Ruiz-Fons F. Determinants of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus exposure dynamics in Mediterranean environments. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3571-3581. [PMID: 36183164 PMCID: PMC10092370 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14720] [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: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging tick-borne human disease in Spain. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics and exposure risk determinants of CCHF virus (CCHFV) in animal models is essential to predict the time and areas of highest transmission risk. With this goal, we designed a longitudinal survey of two wild ungulate species, the red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), in Doñana National Park, a protected Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot with high ungulate and CCHFV vector abundance, and which is also one of the main stopover sites for migratory birds between Africa and western Europe. Both ungulates are hosts to the principal CCHFV vector in Spain, Hyalomma lusitanicum. We sampled wild ungulates annually from 2005 to 2020 and analysed the frequency of exposure to CCHFV by a double-antigen ELISA. The annual exposure risk was modelled as a function of environmental traits in an approach to understanding exposure risk determinants that allow us to predict the most likely places and years for CCHFV transmission. The main findings show that H. lusitanicum abundance is a fundamental driver of the fine-scale spatial CCHFV transmission risk, while inter-annual risk variation is conditioned by virus/vector hosts, host community structure and weather variations. The most relevant conclusion of the study is that the emergence of CCHF in Spain might be associated with recent wild ungulate population changes promoting higher vector abundance. This work provides relevant insights into the transmission dynamics of CCHFV in enzootic scenarios that would allow deepening the understanding of the ecology of CCHFV and its major determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Cuadrado-Matías
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Sara Baz-Flores
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Alfonso Peralbo-Moreno
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Gloria Herrero-García
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - María A Risalde
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC (ISCIII), CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Barroso
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.,Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carmen Ruiz-Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Konôpka B, Šebeň V, Pajtík J, Shipley LA. Influence of Tree Species and Size on Bark Browsing by Large Wild Herbivores. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2925. [PMID: 36365378 PMCID: PMC9653979 DOI: 10.3390/plants11212925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Although an important part of the ecosystem, large wild herbivores (LWH), especially red deer (Cervus elaphus L.), cause significant damage to economically valuable timber in forests of Central Europe. Recent work has demonstrated that less valuable softwood broadleaved trees can act as “biological control” that helps reduce bark browsing on more valuable trees in a mixed stand. To better understand the factors that influence how much bark area and mass are removed by LWH from these broadleaved trees, we took advantage of a novel “natural” experiment that occurred after a breach in a herbivory exclosure surrounding a 10-year old mixed broadleaved/conifer stand in the Western Carpathians in north-western Slovakia. We measured the area of old (up to 2 years previously) and new browsed patches on stems of common aspen (Populus tremula L.), common rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) and goat willow (Salix caprea L.), and their position along the vertical profile of the stem. The browsed bark area (cm2) was then converted to the bark mass (g) removed and the proportion of browsed bark to total bark (%) using conversion equations. Our models demonstrated that the amount of bark removed was influenced by tree species, stem diameter, age of browsing (old vs. new), and stem section along the vertical profile. LWH removed the most bark area from willow but the most bark mass from aspen because aspen had thicker bark than the other tree species. Bark browsing was greater on trees > 6 cm basal diameter. The distribution of bark browsing along the vertical profile was symmetrical (unimodal) with maximum intensity at 101−125 cm from the ground, which corresponds with the height most optimal for feeding by red deer. However, previous browsing in 2019 and 2020 caused new browsing on willow in 2021 to be focused in stem sections lower (51−75 cm) and higher (126−150 cm) than that optima. By quantifying browsing patterns and the amount of bark that is accessible to LWH for forage on the most attractive softwood broadleaved trees, our work will contribute to developing better methods for protecting commercially important species such as European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) in areas of Central Europe that are greatly affected by increasing population density of LWH, especially red deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan Konôpka
- National Forest Centre, Forest Research Institute, T. G. Masaryka 22, SK-960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Šebeň
- National Forest Centre, Forest Research Institute, T. G. Masaryka 22, SK-960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Pajtík
- National Forest Centre, Forest Research Institute, T. G. Masaryka 22, SK-960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Lisa A. Shipley
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2812, USA
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Mega J, Santos-Silva S, Loureiro A, Palmeira JD, Torres RT, Rivero-Juarez A, Carmena D, Mesquita J. Balantioides coli Fecal Excretion in Hunted Wild Cervids (Cervus elaphus and Dama dama) from Portugal. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111242. [PMID: 36364993 PMCID: PMC9699091 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Balantioides coli is a zoonotic enteric protozoan parasite of public veterinary health relevance and a concern in animal production and food safety. While wild cervids are recognized reservoirs for several zoonotic pathogens, little is known about the occurrence of B. coli in deer species, especially in Europe. To fill this gap, a total of 130 fecal samples from legally hunted red deer (Cervus elaphus, n = 95) and fallow deer (Dama dama, n = 35) were passively collected during two hunting seasons (October to February; 2018–2019 and 2019–2020) in Portugal. After assessment by PCR assay targeting the complete ITS1–5.8s-rRNA–ITS2 region and the 3’ end of the ssu-rRNA gene of the parasite, a prevalence of 4.2% (4/95, 95% CI: 0.2–8.3) in red deer and of 5.7% (2/35, 95% CI: 0.0–13.4) in fallow deer was found. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses allowed the identification of B. coli genetic variants A (in two red deer) and B (in two red deer and two fallow deer). This is the first molecular-based description of B. coli in European deer species, whose population have increased in density and geographical range in recent years. Continued monitoring of wild ungulates as potential vectors of parasitic infection diseases of zoonotic nature is crucial to safeguard public health and food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Mega
- ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Santos-Silva
- ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Loureiro
- ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Josman D. Palmeira
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rita T. Torres
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain
| | - João Mesquita
- ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-220-428-000
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Kojola I, Hallikainen V, Kübarsepp M, Männil P, Tikkunen M, Heikkinen S. Does prey scarcity increase the risk of wolf attacks on domestic dogs? WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilpo Kojola
- Natural Resources Inst. Finland (Luke) Rovaniemi Finland
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Laguna E, Palencia P, Carpio AJ, Mateos-Aparicio J, Herraiz C, Notario C, Vicente J, Montoro V, Acevedo P. Evaluation of a combined and portable light-ultrasound device with which to deter red deer. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01599-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractHuman–wildlife conflicts are a growing problem in Northern Hemisphere where wild ungulates are one of the taxonomic groups most frequently involved. To mitigate these conflicts, it is essential to develop preventive actions able to avoid encounters between wildlife and human (activities). We here employed photo-trapping to evaluate the behaviour of red deer (Cervus elaphus) when confronted with dissuasive portable deterrents that function on the basis of changing patterns of light and ultrasound. This was done by following a before/after experimental design, with two phases: (i) a test phase, with active deterrents, and (ii) a control phase, without deterrents. When deterrents were activated they achieved a 48.96% reduction in the frequency of use by red deer (up to 66.64% when it was assessed on a thinner Sect. 10 m wide from the line of deterrents) and produced a reduction of 67.71% in the frequency of deterrent-line crossings. However, a habituation effect was detected since the use by red deer of the treatment area increased as time since treatment. These results indicate that these portable devices are effective as regards dissuading deer, mainly on short time scales. The deterrents tested here could be suitable for use at focal points for short periods or in combination with other methods to improve their effectiveness in vulnerability points. This device could potentially be used to mitigate conflicts caused by wildlife species and in response to relevant and timely situations, such as vehicle collisions and damage to crops, among others.
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Torres RT, Cunha MV, Araujo D, Ferreira H, Fonseca C, Palmeira JD. A walk on the wild side: Wild ungulates as potential reservoirs of multi-drug resistant bacteria and genes, including Escherichia coli harbouring CTX-M beta-lactamases. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119367. [PMID: 35489528 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales have been classified as critical priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (WHO). ESBL are universally distributed and, in 2006, were firstly reported on a wild animal. Understanding the relative contributions of wild animals to ESBL circulation in the environment is urgently needed. In this work, we have conducted a nationwide study in Portugal to investigate the occurrence of bacteria carrying clinically significant antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG), using widely distributed wild ungulates as model species. A total of 151 antimicrobial resistant-Enterobacterales isolates were detected from 181 wild ungulates: 50% (44/88) of isolates from wild boar (Sus scrofa), 40.3% (25/62) from red deer (Cervus elaphus), 41.4% (12/29) from fallow deer (Dama dama) and 100% (2/2) from mouflon (Ovis aries subsp. musimon). Selected isolates showed a diversified resistance profile, with particularly high values corresponding to ampicillin (71.5%) and tetracycline (63.6%). Enterobacterales strains carried blaTEM, tetA, tetB, sul2, sul1 or dfrA1 ARG genes. They also carried blaCTX-M-type genes, which are prevalent in human infections, namely CTX-M-14, CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-98. Strikingly, this is the first report of CTX-M-98 in wildlife. Almost 40% (n = 59) of Enterobacterales were multi-drug resistant. The diversity of plasmids carried by ESBL isolates was remarkable, including IncF, K and P. This study highlights the potential role of wild ungulates as environmental reservoirs of CTX-M ESBL-producing E. coli and in the spill-over of AMR bacteria and their determinants. Our findings suggest that wild ungulates are useful as strategic sentinel species of AMR in terrestrial environments, especially in response to potential sources of anthropogenic pollution, providing early warning of potential risks to human, animal and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Tinoco Torres
- Departament of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Mónica V Cunha
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal; Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Débora Araujo
- Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Ferreira
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, REQUIMTE - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Departament of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; ForestWISE - Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest & Fire Management, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Josman Dantas Palmeira
- Departament of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Temporal and Spatial Activity Patterns of Sympatric Wild Ungulates in Qinling Mountains, China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131666. [PMID: 35804566 PMCID: PMC9264793 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Information on species’ niche differentiation will contribute to a greater understanding of the mechanisms of coexistence benefitting the conservation and management of ecological communities. The widespread reduction in apex predators and more restricted hunting management has con-tributed to an increase in the abundance of wild ungulates in the Qinling Mountains, presumably resulting in an intensifying interspecific competition pressure. However, the activity patterns of the species in this region are completely unknown due to difficulty in accessing the locations where they occur. Thus, we used camera trapping to systematically investigate spatial and temporal activity patterns of sympatric ungulates in the Qinling Mountains, where top predators are virtually absent. This intensive camera-trap survey elucidated much more detailed studies of spatial and temporal activity patterns in multiple sympatric wild ungulates under natural conditions. Further, our results provided detailed information of the spatial and temporal ecology of ungulate communities in forest ecosystems, which would be a guide to establishing conservation priorities as well as efficient management programs. Abstract Dramatic increases in populations of wild ungulates have brought a new ecological issue in the Qinling mountains. Information on species’ niche differentiation will contribute to a greater understanding of the mechanisms of coexistence, so as to ultimately benefit the conservation and management of ecological communities. In this study, camera trapping was used to investigate spatial and temporal activity patterns of sympatric wild ungulates in the Qinling Mountains of China, where top predators were virtually absent. We obtained 15,584 independent detections of seven wild ungulate species during 93,606 camera-trap days from April 2014 to October 2017. Results showed that (i) the capture rate differed significantly across species, with the capture rate of reeve muntjac being significantly higher than that of other species; (ii) the wild boar had a higher occupancy rates (ψ = 0.888) than other six ungulates, and distance to settlements had a negative relationship with wild boar (β = −0.24 ± 0.17); (iii) the forest musk deer and mainland serow had low spatial overlaps with other five wild ungulates, while spatial overlap indices of any two given pairs of wild ungulates were relatively high; (iv) all wild ungulates species (expect wild boar) were mainly active during crepuscular and diurnal periods, and showed bimodal activity peaks at around 05:00–07:00 and 17:00–19:00; and finally, (v) all wild ungulates showed moderate to high temporal overlaps. The results provided detailed information of the spatial and temporal ecology of wild ungulate communities in forest ecosystems of China, which also would be a guide to establish conservation priorities as well as efficient management programs.
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Shall the Wild Boar Pass? A Genetically Assessed Ecological Corridor in the Geneva Region. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Landscape fragmentation caused by road infrastructures represents a major threat to the genetic diversity of a region. The resulting genetic isolation between subpopulations may lead to consanguinity, and consequently to population collapse and extinction. However, the construction of wildlife crossings can help maintain connectivity. In the present paper, we evaluated the genetic spatial structuring of populations of wild boars (Sus scrofa) in three areas of the Geneva region connected by an ecological corridor. Those areas are cut off either by a highway that is crossed by a wildlife overpass or by an anthropized sector. Genetic profiling with 9 nuclear microsatellite markers yielded 61 single profiles, which allowed for clustering, parentage, and linkage disequilibrium analyses, uncovering the populations’ genetic structure. We also evaluated whether the genetic structure was affected by the sex of individuals. In our analyses, all individuals clustered into a single genetic group, suggesting that no structure limited significantly the gene flow in the region. However, a recent admixture indicated a potential increase in the gene flow between two of the subpopulations due to the wildlife overpass, while the other part of the ecological corridor was not or was only partially functional. Genetic distances between males were significantly higher than between females, although the role of sex remains unclear as to its influence on population genetics. Finally, in order to avoid a subregion becoming fully isolated, urbanization planning should consider this genetic evaluation and proceed with further monitoring, especially by focusing on species more sensitive to landscape fragmentation.
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Barton O, Gresham A, Healey JR, Cordes LS, Shannon G. The effects of population management on wild ungulates: A systematic map of evidence for UK species. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267385. [PMID: 35687554 PMCID: PMC9187068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over recent decades, the abundance and geographic ranges of wild ungulate species have expanded in many parts of Europe, including the UK. Populations are managed to mitigate their ecological impacts using interventions, such as shooting, fencing and administering contraception. Predicting how target species will respond to interventions is critical for developing sustainable, effective and efficient management strategies. However, the quantity and quality of evidence of the effects of interventions on ungulate species is unclear. To address this, we systematically mapped research on the effects of population management on wild ungulate species resident in the UK. METHODS We searched four bibliographic databases, Google Scholar and nine organisational websites using search terms tested with a library of 30 relevant articles. Worldwide published peer-reviewed articles were considered, supplemented by 'grey' literature from UK-based sources. Three reviewers identified and screened articles for eligibility at title, abstract and full-text levels, based on predefined criteria. Data and metadata were extracted and summarised in a narrative synthesis supported by structured graphical matrices. RESULTS A total of 123 articles were included in the systematic map. Lethal interventions were better represented (85%, n = 105) than non-lethal interventions (25%, n = 25). Outcomes related to demography and behaviour were reported in 95% of articles (n = 117), whereas effects on health, physiology and morphology were studied in only 11% of articles (n = 14). Well-studied species included wild pigs (n = 58), red deer (n = 28) and roe deer (n = 23). CONCLUSIONS Evidence for the effects of population management on wild ungulate species is growing but currently limited and unevenly distributed across intervention types, outcomes and species. Priorities for primary research include: species responses to non-lethal interventions, the side-effects of shooting and studies on sika deer and Chinese muntjac. Shooting is the only intervention for which sufficient evidence exists for systematic review or meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owain Barton
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Gresham
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - John R. Healey
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Line S. Cordes
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Shannon
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
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Henrich M, Hartig F, Dormann CF, Kühl HS, Peters W, Franke F, Peterka T, Šustr P, Heurich M. Deer Behavior Affects Density Estimates With Camera Traps, but Is Outweighed by Spatial Variability. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.881502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Density is a key trait of populations and an essential parameter in ecological research, wildlife conservation and management. Several models have been developed to estimate population density based on camera trapping data, including the random encounter model (REM) and camera trap distance sampling (CTDS). Both models need to account for variation in animal behavior that depends, for example, on the species and sex of the animals along with temporally varying environmental factors. We examined whether the density estimates of REM and CTDS can be improved for Europe’s most numerous deer species, by adjusting the behavior-related model parameters per species and accounting for differences in movement speeds between sexes, seasons, and years. Our results showed that bias through inadequate consideration of animal behavior was exceeded by the uncertainty of the density estimates, which was mainly influenced by variation in the number of independent observations between camera trap locations. The neglection of seasonal and annual differences in movement speed estimates for REM overestimated densities of red deer in autumn and spring by ca. 14%. This GPS telemetry-derived parameter was found to be most problematic for roe deer females in summer and spring when movement behavior was characterized by small-scale displacements relative to the intervals of the GPS fixes. In CTDS, density estimates of red deer improved foremost through the consideration of behavioral reactions to the camera traps (avoiding bias of max. 19%), while species-specific delays between photos had a larger effect for roe deer. In general, the applicability of both REM and CTDS would profit profoundly from improvements in their precision along with the reduction in bias achieved by exploiting the available information on animal behavior in the camera trap data.
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Forsyth DM, Comte S, Davis NE, Bengsen AJ, Côté SD, Hewitt DG, Morellet N, Mysterud A. Methodology matters when estimating deer abundance: a global systematic review and recommendations for improvements. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Forsyth
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit New South Wales Department of Primary Industries 1447 Forest Road Orange NSW 2800 Australia
| | - Sebastien Comte
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit New South Wales Department of Primary Industries 1447 Forest Road Orange NSW 2800 Australia
| | - Naomi E. Davis
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne, Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Andrew J. Bengsen
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit New South Wales Department of Primary Industries 1447 Forest Road Orange NSW 2800 Australia
| | - Steeve D. Côté
- Département de biologie & Centre d'études Nordiques Université Laval Québec G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - David G. Hewitt
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas 78363 USA
| | | | - Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences University of Oslo P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO‐0316 Oslo Norway
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Konôpka B, Pajtík J, Šebeň V, Merganičová K. Modeling Bark Thickness and Bark Biomass on Stems of Four Broadleaved Tree Species. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:1148. [PMID: 35567149 PMCID: PMC9105232 DOI: 10.3390/plants11091148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Considering the surface of individual tree compartments, it is obvious that the main portion of bark, i.e., the largest area and the greatest bulk mass, is located on the stem. We focused on basic bark properties, specifically thickness, surface area, biomass, and specific surface mass (expressed as dry weight per square unit) on stems of four broadleaved species: common aspen (Populus tremula L.), goat willow (Salix caprea L.), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.), and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). Based on the previous work from mature forests, we hypothesize that bark properties of young trees are also species-specific and change along the stem profile. Thus, across the regions of Slovakia, we selected 27 forest stands composed of one of the target broadleaved species with ages up to 12 years. From the selected forests, 600 sample trees were felled and stem bark properties were determined by measuring bark thickness, weighing bark mass after its separation from the stem, and drying to achieve a constant weight. Since the bark originated from trees of varying stem diameters and from different places along the stem (sections from the stem base 0-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151-200, and 201-250 cm), we could create regression models of stem characteristics based on the two mentioned variables. Our results confirmed that bark thickness, thus also specific surface mass, increased with stem diameter and decreased with distance from the stem base. While common aspen had the thickest stem bark (4.5 mm on the stem base of the largest trees) the thinnest bark from the analyzed species was found for sycamore (nearly three times thinner than the bark of aspen). Since all four tree species are very attractive to large wild herbivores as forage, besides other uses, we might consider our bark mass models also in terms of estimating forage potential and quantity of bark mass consumed by the herbivory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan Konôpka
- National Forest Centre, Forest Research Institute Zvolen, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia; (B.K.); (J.P.)
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 000 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Jozef Pajtík
- National Forest Centre, Forest Research Institute Zvolen, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia; (B.K.); (J.P.)
| | - Vladimír Šebeň
- National Forest Centre, Forest Research Institute Zvolen, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia; (B.K.); (J.P.)
| | - Katarína Merganičová
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 000 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Biodiversity of Ecosystems and Landscape, Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia
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Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions in NW of Spain. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14084849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) in many places have a significant impact on wildlife management and road safety. The COVID-19 lockdown enabled the study of the specific impact that traffic has on these events. WVC variation in the Asturias and Cantabria regions (NW of Spain) because of the COVID-19 lockdown reached a maximum reduction of −64.77% during strict confinement but it was minimal or nonexistent during “soft” confinement. The global average value was −30.22% compared with the WVCs registered in the same period in 2019, but only −4.69% considering the average throughout the period 2010–2019. There are huge differences between conventional roads, where the traffic reduction was greater, and highways, where the traffic reduction was lesser during the COVID-19 lockdown. The results depend on the season, the day of the week and the time of day, but mainly on the traffic reduction occurring. The results obtained highlight the need to include the traffic factor in WVC reduction strategies.
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38
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Large-Scale Quantification and Correlates of Ungulate Carrion Production in the Anthropocene. Ecosystems 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-022-00763-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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39
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Paterson JT, Proffitt KM, Rotella JJ. Incorporating vital rates and harvest into stochastic population models to forecast elk population dynamics. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly M. Proffitt
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Bozeman 59718 MT USA
| | - Jay J. Rotella
- Montana State University 310 Lewis Hall Bozeman MT 59718 USA
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Vecvanags A, Aktas K, Pavlovs I, Avots E, Filipovs J, Brauns A, Done G, Jakovels D, Anbarjafari G. Ungulate Detection and Species Classification from Camera Trap Images Using RetinaNet and Faster R-CNN. ENTROPY 2022; 24:e24030353. [PMID: 35327863 PMCID: PMC8947003 DOI: 10.3390/e24030353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the ungulate population density in the wild has impacts on both the wildlife and human society. In order to control the ungulate population movement, monitoring systems such as camera trap networks have been implemented in a non-invasive setup. However, such systems produce a large number of images as the output, hence making it very resource consuming to manually detect the animals. In this paper, we present a new dataset of wild ungulates which was collected in Latvia. Moreover, we demonstrate two methods, which use RetinaNet and Faster R-CNN as backbones, respectively, to detect the animals in the images. We discuss the optimization of training and impact of data augmentation on the performance. Finally, we show the result of aforementioned tune networks over the real world data collected in Latvia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alekss Vecvanags
- Institute for Environmental Solutions, LV-4126 Cēsis, Latvia; (A.V.); (J.F.); (A.B.); (D.J.); (G.A.)
| | - Kadir Aktas
- iCV Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 51009 Tartu, Estonia; (K.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Ilja Pavlovs
- iCV Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 51009 Tartu, Estonia; (K.A.); (I.P.)
| | - Egils Avots
- iCV Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 51009 Tartu, Estonia; (K.A.); (I.P.)
- Forest Owners Consulting Center LCC, LV-4101 Cēsis, Latvia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +372-737-4855
| | - Jevgenijs Filipovs
- Institute for Environmental Solutions, LV-4126 Cēsis, Latvia; (A.V.); (J.F.); (A.B.); (D.J.); (G.A.)
| | - Agris Brauns
- Institute for Environmental Solutions, LV-4126 Cēsis, Latvia; (A.V.); (J.F.); (A.B.); (D.J.); (G.A.)
| | - Gundega Done
- Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia;
| | - Dainis Jakovels
- Institute for Environmental Solutions, LV-4126 Cēsis, Latvia; (A.V.); (J.F.); (A.B.); (D.J.); (G.A.)
| | - Gholamreza Anbarjafari
- Institute for Environmental Solutions, LV-4126 Cēsis, Latvia; (A.V.); (J.F.); (A.B.); (D.J.); (G.A.)
- iCV Lab, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 51009 Tartu, Estonia; (K.A.); (I.P.)
- PwC Advisory, 00180 Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Engineering, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep 27410, Turkey
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Khanyari M, Robinson S, Morgan ER, Salemgareyev A, Milner‐Gulland EJ. Identifying relationships between multi‐scale social–ecological factors to explore ungulate health in a Western Kazakhstan rangeland. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Munib Khanyari
- School of Biological Sciences University of Bristol Bristol UK
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Sciences Oxford University Oxford UK
- Nature Conservation Foundation Mysore India
| | - Sarah Robinson
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Sciences Oxford University Oxford UK
| | - Eric R. Morgan
- School of Biological Sciences Queen's University‐Belfast Belfast UK
| | - Albert Salemgareyev
- Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan Nur‐Sultan Kazakhstan
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Pascual-Rico R, Morales-Reyes Z, Aguilera-Alcalá N, Olszańska A, Sebastián-González E, Naidoo R, Moleón M, Lozano J, Botella F, von Wehrden H, Martín-López B, Sánchez-Zapata JA. Usually hated, sometimes loved: A review of wild ungulates' contributions to people. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 801:149652. [PMID: 34438159 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nature's contributions to people (NCP) may be both beneficial and detrimental to humans' quality of life. Since our origins, humans have been closely related to wild ungulates, which have traditionally played an outstanding role as a source of food or raw materials. Currently, wild ungulates are declining in some regions, but recovering in others throughout passive rewilding processes. This is reshaping human-ungulate interactions. Thus, adequately understanding the benefits and detriments associated with wild ungulate populations is necessary to promote human-ungulate co-existence. Here, we reviewed 575 articles (2000-2019) on human-wild ungulate interactions to identify key knowledge gaps on NCP associated with wild ungulates. Wild ungulate research was mainly distributed into seven research clusters focussing on: (1) silvicultural damage in Eurasia; (2) herbivory and natural vegetation; (3) conflicts in urban areas of North America; (4) agricultural damage in Mediterranean agro-ecosystems; (5) social research in Africa and Asia; (6) agricultural damage in North America; (7) research in natural American Northwest areas. Research mostly focused on detrimental NCP. However, the number of publications mentioning beneficial contributions increased after the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services conceptual framework was implemented. Human-ungulate interactions' research was biased towards the Global North and Cervidae, Suidae and Bovidae families. Regarding detrimental NCP, most publications referred to production damage (e.g. crops), followed by biodiversity damage, and material damage (e.g. traffic collisions). Regarding beneficial NCP, publications mainly highlighted non-material contributions (e.g. recreational hunting), followed by material NCP and regulating contributions (e.g. habitat creation). The main actions taken to manage wild ungulate populations were lethal control and using deterrents and barriers (e.g. fencing), which effectiveness was rarely assessed. Increasing research and awareness about beneficial NCP and effective management tools may help to improve the conservation of wild ungulates and the ecosystems they inhabit to facilitate people-ungulate co-existence in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pascual-Rico
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Zebensui Morales-Reyes
- Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Spain.
| | - Natividad Aguilera-Alcalá
- Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Agnieszka Olszańska
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
| | - Esther Sebastián-González
- Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain; Department of Ecology, University of Alicante, Ctra San Vicente del Raspeig, s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Robin Naidoo
- WWF-US, 1250 24th Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC VfT 1Z4, Canada
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Av. de Fuentenueva, s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Jorge Lozano
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Botella
- Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Henrik von Wehrden
- Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Berta Martín-López
- Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - José A Sánchez-Zapata
- Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Spain
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Broz L, Arregui AG, O'Mahony K. Wild Boar Events and the Veterinarization of Multispecies Coexistence. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.711299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
By considering the emergence and threat of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Europe, this paper demonstrates the growing role of veterinary rationales in reframing contemporary human-wild boar coexistence. Through comparative ethnographies of human-wild boar relations in the Czech Republic, Spain and England, it shows that coexistence is not a predictable and steady process but is also demarked by points of radical change in form, course and atmosphere. Such moments, or wild boar events, can lead to the (re-)formation or magnified influence of certain discourses, practices and power relations in determining strategies of bio-governance. Specifically, this paper highlights how the spread of ASF in Europe has accelerated an already ongoing process of veterinarization, understood as the growing prominence of veterinary sciences in the mediation and reorganization of contemporary socioecologies. This example highlights how veterinary logics increasingly influence localized human-wildlife relations and, through analogous practices of biosecurity and control, also connect different places and geographic contexts.
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Laguna E, Barasona JA, Vicente J, Keuling O, Acevedo P. Differences in wild boar spatial behaviour among land uses and management scenarios in Mediterranean ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148966. [PMID: 34273834 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous wild boar is causing diverse and growing conflicts of socio-ecological and economic relevance worldwide. For that reason, knowledge of its spatial ecology is crucial to designing effective management programmes. But this knowledge is scarce in Mediterranean areas with mixed land uses. We describe the spatial ecology and habitat selection of 41 adult wild boar monitored using GPS collars and analyse the effects of sex and the period (food shortage period, hunting season and food abundance period) under different land uses (protected areas, mixed farms and fenced hunting estates). The spatial ecology of wild boar was characterised by marked temporality, mediated by sex and the land uses in the area. The activity (ACT), daily range (DR) and home range (HR) were higher for males than females, and in mixed farms versus fenced hunting estates, while the lowest values were obtained in protected areas. These effects were more marked for ACT and DR (movement) than HR. The selection of scrublands and avoidance of woodlands was observed where drive hunt events occur (mixed farms and fenced estates), but not in the protected areas. The differences in the requirements, reproductive behaviour and, interestingly, response to disturbance according to sex may explain this dissimilar behaviour. Disturbance originated higher movement rates and the selection of sheltering land cover as a refuge during the hunting season. This information is useful for designing species monitoring and management programmes; including both preventive and reactive actions in response to events such as outbreaks of African swine fever and agricultural damage produced by wild boar in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Laguna
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José A Barasona
- VISAVET, Health Surveillance Centre, Department of Animal Health, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Oliver Keuling
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
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Analysis of Roadkill on the Korean Expressways from 2004 to 2019. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910252. [PMID: 34639556 PMCID: PMC8508254 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Expressways in Korea are high-speed traffic roads connecting important cities. Road infrastructure continues to expand to accommodate the increase in traffic volume associated with the growth of industry and tourism. Here, data on 36,863 roadkill events that occurred on expressway routes managed by the Korea Expressway Corporation between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Characterizing patterns of roadkill is important for prioritizing roadkill mitigation measures. We identified consistently increasing or decreasing trends using Mann–Kendall statistics and Sen’s slope. Roadkill was most common in Gangwon Province and was concentrated between May and June and between October and December. Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) was the most common road-killed species. The trend analysis revealed a statistically significant decline in Gangwon Province and a statistically significant increase in the Capital Area and Chungnam Province. There was a significant increase in wild boar (Sus scrofa) roadkill in the first and fourth quarters. Mitigation measures are needed for regions and species showing increasing trends, including water deer in the first to third quarters, periods for which no decline in water deer roadkill was noted.
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Laguna E, Carpio AJ, Vicente J, Barasona JA, Triguero-Ocaña R, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Gómez-Manzaneque Á, Acevedo P. The spatial ecology of red deer under different land use and management scenarios: Protected areas, mixed farms and fenced hunting estates. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 786:147124. [PMID: 33965822 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge regarding the spatial ecology of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in different environments is crucial if effective management actions are to be designed. However, this knowledge continues to be scarce in the complex contexts of mixed land use and management circumstances. This study describes the spatial ecology of red deer monitored using GPS collars in Mediterranean ecosystems of South-Central Spain, considering the effect of individual and seasonal (food shortage period, rut, hunting season and food abundance period) factors on different land use and management scenarios, namely protected areas, mixed farms and fenced hunting estates. Our results showed less activity (ACT), a shorter daily range (DR) and a smaller home range (HR) during the food shortage period: ACT: 0.38 ± (SD) 0.12; DR: 3010.9 ± 727.3 m; and weekly HR: 122.2 ± 59.6 ha. With regard to land use, individuals were less ACT and had a smaller DR on fenced hunting estates (ACT: 0.24 ± 0.12; DR: 1946.3 ± 706.7 m) than in protected areas (ACT: 0.59 ± 0.12; DR: 4071.4 ± 1068.2 m) or on mixed farms (ACT: 0.57 ± 0.29; DR: 5431.1 ± 1939.5 m) in all the periods studied. Red deer selected land cover with forage and shelter when foraging and resting, respectively. When drive hunt events occurred (mixed farms and fenced hunting estates), the deer were more prone to select safer habitats (scrublands) and avoid open areas (crops or grasslands) than were their counterparts in protected areas. The patterns observed can be explained by sexual and seasonal differences as regards requirements, the response to disturbances and, interestingly, population management. Our results provide useful information with which to design scientifically-based species adaptive management in response to relevant and timely situations in Europe, such as the potential transmission of shared infections, vehicle collisions, and damage to crops and ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Laguna
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Antonio J Carpio
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Zoology, University of Córdoba, C-1 Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - José A Barasona
- VISAVET, Health Surveillance Centre, Department of Animal Health, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Roxana Triguero-Ocaña
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; VISAVET, Health Surveillance Centre, Department of Animal Health, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio), Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), UCLM-CSIC-JCCM, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Skoták V, Kamler J, Klein V. Estimation of Wild Herbivore Damage to Field Crops in the Czech Republic in 2019. ACTA UNIVERSITATIS AGRICULTURAE ET SILVICULTURAE MENDELIANAE BRUNENSIS 2021. [DOI: 10.11118/actaun.2021.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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48
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Assessment and Valorization of Non-Wood Forest Products in Europe: A Quantitative Literature Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13063533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This article presents a quantitative review of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) at the regional scale in Europe. A text mining approach was applied to titles, abstracts, and keywords extracted from articles in the Scopus database. Different investigations, such as concept mapping and specificity analyses of textual corpus, were performed. Our search yielded a massive number of NWFP-related papers. Specifically, research was distributed in different countries, being more prevalent in the Mediterranean and Scandinavian contexts. Several NWFPs were analyzed, with mushrooms, resin, cork, and other forest fruit being the most common ones. Local socioeconomic improvement was one of the major aspects investigated in scientific literature. The proposed methodology applies specific scripts that can be updated, and the output of the present research can be compared with that of the future works. For instance, interest trends of products and methods can be investigated, and gap analyses performed. Finally, the potential implications of this review for researchers and stakeholders are discussed.
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Carpio Camargo AJ, Barasona J, Acevedo P, Fierro Y, Gortazar C, Vigal C, Moreno Á, Vicente J. Assessing red deer hunting management in the Iberian Peninsula: the importance of longitudinal studies. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10872. [PMID: 33604198 PMCID: PMC7869667 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of a wildlife population in relation to hunting strategies is essential to achieve sustainable management. We used monitoring data over 25 years from two red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations with different management (with and without supplemental feeding) in South Central Spain to: (i) characterise the density dependence of population dynamics under contrasted management, and (ii) provide the basis for sustainable extraction by considering the theoretical maximum sustainable yield (MSYt) as the reference. The red deer population displayed a typical management reactive culling approach ('saw-tooth-like' curves), with occasional strong annual harvests but not occurring on a regular basis. Interestingly, we found reduced population growth at high densities in both populations, indicating that density-mediated factors determined population growth even when artificial feeding was provided. However, no effects of sex not age class of the extracted population on the population growth rate were determined. The total number of animals hunted was only slightly above those predicted by MSYt (i.e. K 50%) in both populations, despite high densities close to theoretical K, being consistent throughout the study period. The extraction rates (30.3 and 34.0%, for supplemented and unsupplemented populations, respectively) were 13.3% and 10.2% lower compared to the MSYt situation in the unsupplemented and supplemented populations, respectively. Long term population monitoring data provided feasible and suitable baseline values to optimise the sustainable exploitation of red deer populations in the Mediterranean ecosystem under these contrasting management scenarios. Adaptive management, involving objective-driven decision making informed by data on red deer population dynamic, can contribute (i) to maximising the total extraction over the long term while (ii) reducing the ecological impact of high population densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio José Carpio Camargo
- Department of Zoology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jose Barasona
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pelayo Acevedo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Christian Gortazar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Carlos Vigal
- Los Quintos de Mora, Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales, Toledo, Spain
| | - Ángel Moreno
- Los Quintos de Mora, Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales, Toledo, Spain
| | - Joaquin Vicente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
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Jacob J. In Focus: vertebrate management and risk mitigation. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:597-598. [PMID: 33438843 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
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