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Lovász L, Korner-Nievergelt F, Amrhein V. Natural grazing by horses and cattle promotes bird diversity in a restored European alluvial grassland. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17777. [PMID: 39040934 PMCID: PMC11262302 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17777] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Context A challenge in grassland conservation is to maintain both the openness and the heterogeneity of the habitat to support the diversity of their animal communities, including birds-a taxon that is known to be sensitive to disturbance. An increasingly used management tool in European grassland conservation, especially in rewilding projects, is grazing by large herbivores such as horses and cattle. These grazers are believed to create and maintain patchy landscapes that promote diversity and richness of other species, but their influence on birds is often debated by conservationists, who raise concerns about the impact of disturbance by the grazers. Objectives Our aim was to examine the relationship between the abundance and species richness of birds across four foraging guilds and the area utilization patterns of Highland cattle and Konik horses in an alluvial grassland in France. We also aimed to examine the influence of land cover and season on the spatial distribution, including abundance and species richness, of different bird guilds present in the grazed area. Methods We used GPS-collars on all grazers and recorded their positions on an hourly basis over a study period of 1.5 years, assessing patterns of area usage. We counted birds weekly along three transects to describe their distribution within the grazed area and carried out land-cover surveys to describe the habitat. To assess how species richness and abundance of birds of different guilds were related to grazer density, season, and habitat characteristics, we used GAMM models in a spatially explicit framework. We also compared bird numbers at our main study site with a nearby non-grazed control area. Results The number of birds in the grazed area was about twice the number in the non-grazed control area. Within the grazed area, the abundance of open-area foraging birds increased with increasing grazer density. The number of woodland-foraging birds was also positively correlated with grazer density but less so than open-area foraging birds. The number of individuals in the aerial and wetland bird guilds was not correlated with the density of grazers. Most bird species and individuals were observed on open landscapes scattered with woody patches and waterbodies, and on areas with moderate grazer density. Conclusions Low-intensity grazing represents a potentially important management tool in creating heterogeneity in alluvial grasslands, thereby promoting suitable habitat for a diverse assemblage of bird species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilla Lovász
- Research Station Petite Camargue Alsacienne, Saint Louis, France
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fränzi Korner-Nievergelt
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Oikostat GmbH, Ettiswil, Switzerland
| | - Valentin Amrhein
- Research Station Petite Camargue Alsacienne, Saint Louis, France
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Sun X, Sitters J, Ruytinx J, Wassen MJ, Olde Venterink H. Microbial community composition in the dung of five sympatric European herbivore species. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11071. [PMID: 38481755 PMCID: PMC10933625 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11071] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The dung microbiome is a complex system that is highly influenced by species and diet. This study characterized the dung bacterial and fungal communities of five herbivore species inhabiting the National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, the Netherlands. The five selected herbivore species were rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.), cow (Bos taurus L.), horse (Equus ferus caballus L.), fallow deer (Dama dama L.), and European bison (Bison bonasus L.). We explored the effects of distinct digestive physiology (ruminants vs. non-ruminants) and diverse dietary preferences on the microbial community composition of herbivore dung. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant bacterial phyla in the dung of all five herbivore species, and Ascomycota was the predominant fungal phylum. Verrucomicrobiota and Mucoromycota were more present in horse dung and Proteobacteria were more abundant in rabbit dung than the three ruminant dung types. There were few significant differences in the microbial community structure among the three ruminant dung types. The alpha and beta diversity of dung microbial communities significantly differed between ruminants and non-ruminants, especially in bacterial communities. Based on MetaCyc pathways, we found that the primary functions of bacteria in herbivore dung were focused on biosynthesis, various super pathways, and degradation, with a few differences between ruminant and non-ruminant dung. FUNGuild analysis showed that horse dung had more saprotrophic fungi, while the fungi in fallow deer dung had more symbiotrophic properties, with the fungal functions of bison, cow, and rabbit dung somewhere in between. There was also a correlation between microbial community and nutrient composition of the substrate in herbivore dung. Understanding the dung microbial community composition of these herbivore species can enrich the database of mammalian gut microbiomes for studying the mechanisms of microbial community variation while preparing for exploring a new perspective to study the impact of herbivores on ecosystems through dung deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingzhao Sun
- Research Group WILDVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Judith Sitters
- Research Group WILDVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
- B‐WARE Research CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Joske Ruytinx
- Research Groups Microbiology and Plant GeneticsVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Martin J. Wassen
- Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable DevelopmentUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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Anna C, Martyna P, Marcin S, Dawid W. Habitat use by semi-feral Konik horses on wetlands-three-year GPS study. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1033. [PMID: 37563498 PMCID: PMC10415426 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11605-y] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Free-ranging grazers are increasingly being introduced to areas of high natural value, such as wetlands. There is also growing attention that has been paid to the historical role of herbivores in shaping ecosystems and landscapes. Even though studies on the grazing of free-range horses were carried out in different regions and climates, still little is known about their habitat selection on heterogeneous marshy areas in the temperate region of Europe. The aim of this study was to investigate the habitat use by contemporary Konik horses during the growing season on the basis of three-year GPS data for a semi-feral herd kept on wetlands. Almost 68% of the occurrence of Konik horses were in open habitats. The assessment of habitat selection by the horses confirmed their strong preferences for grasslands on mid-forest dunes and forest avoidance. Konik horses somewhat preferred mowed fen meadows, but the animals displayed differences in the selection of habitat, probably depending on its humidity and weather conditions in a given year which may limit the role of grazing in protecting these communities. Horses need different habitats in wetlands such as fen meadows, forest, and grasslands on the mineral hills. This should be taken into consideration for landscape management in areas where the introduction of wild or semi-wild horse populations is planned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chodkiewicz Anna
- Institute of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Str, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Prończuk Martyna
- Institute of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Str, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Studnicki Marcin
- Institute of Agriculture, Department of Biometry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 159 Nowoursynowska Str, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wójcik Dawid
- , Biebrza National Park, Osowiec-Twierdza 8, 19-110, Goniądz, Poland
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4
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Viksten SM, Hartmann E, Schneller K, Steen M. Welfare of extensively managed Swedish Gotland ponies. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e21. [PMID: 38487419 PMCID: PMC10936338 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.20] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that grazing horses could be used as a credible tool for landscape conservation which would, at the same time, improve horse welfare as opposed to conventional housing. A study was conducted between May 2014 and April 2015 on 12 one year old Gotland ponies managed extensively without supplementary feed. Monthly animal welfare assessments (n = 13) revealed welfare issues in most of the horses, i.e. low body condition score (BCS < 3/5), recurring poor skin condition in 11/12 horses and ocular discharge in 7/12 horses. At the end of the study, compared to the beginning, chafing and poor skin condition increased while coat condition improved. A correlation was found between a negative reaction (score > 0) in the human approach test and BCS < 3 and ocular discharge. Avoidance Distance test values were correlated with faecal parasite counts (> 350 eggs per gram [EPG]). These results indicate that the horses had acceptable welfare during late spring/summer (May-September) and that some horses required additional feed during winter. The animal welfare protocol proved to be an efficient tool for monitoring welfare. The results showed that factors important for extensive management are: daily monitoring; enclosures that provide sufficient feed; access to recovery enclosure; and habituation of horses to human approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elke Hartmann
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health, Box 7068, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Margareta Steen
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Swedish Centre for Animal Welfare, Box 7053, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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5
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Irob K, Blaum N, Weiss‐Aparicio A, Hauptfleisch M, Hering R, Uiseb K, Tietjen B. Savanna resilience to droughts increases with the proportion of browsing wild herbivores and plant functional diversity. J Appl Ecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Katja Irob
- Freie Universität Berlin, Theoretical Ecology Institute of Biology Berlin Germany
| | - Niels Blaum
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation University of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Alex Weiss‐Aparicio
- Freie Universität Berlin, Theoretical Ecology Institute of Biology Berlin Germany
| | - Morgan Hauptfleisch
- Biodiversity Research Centre Namibia University of Science and Technology Windhoek Namibia
| | - Robert Hering
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation University of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Kenneth Uiseb
- Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Windhoek Namibia
| | - Britta Tietjen
- Freie Universität Berlin, Theoretical Ecology Institute of Biology Berlin Germany
- Berlin‐Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB) Berlin Germany
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6
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Lovász L, Fages A, Amrhein V. Konik, Tarpan, European wild horse: An origin story with conservation implications. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Petrelli S, Buglione M, Maselli V, Troiano C, Larson G, Frantz L, Manin A, Ricca E, Baccigalupi L, Wright D, Pietri C, Fulgione D. Population genomic, olfactory, dietary, and gut microbiota analyses demonstrate the unique evolutionary trajectory of feral pigs. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:220-237. [PMID: 34676935 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Domestication is an intriguing evolutionary process. Many domestic populations are subjected to strong human-mediated selection, and when some individuals return to the wild, they are again subjected to selective forces associated with new environments. Generally, these feral populations evolve into something different from their wild predecessors and their members typically possess a combination of both wild and human selected traits. Feralisation can manifest in different forms on a spectrum from a wild to a domestic phenotype. This depends on how the rewilded domesticated populations can readapt to natural environments based on how much potential and flexibility the ancestral genome retains after its domestication signature. Whether feralisation leads to the evolution of new traits that do not exist in the wild or to convergence with wild forms, however, remains unclear. To address this question, we performed population genomic, olfactory, dietary, and gut microbiota analyses on different populations of Sus scrofa (wild boar, hybrid, feral and several domestic pig breeds). Porcine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis shows that the feral population represents a cluster distinctly separate from all others. Its members display signatures of past artificial selection, as demonstrated by values of FST in specific regions of the genome and bottleneck signature, such as the number and length of runs of homozygosity. Generalised FST values, reacquired olfactory abilities, diet, and gut microbiota variation show current responses to natural selection. Our results suggest that feral pigs are an independent evolutionary unit which can persist so long as levels of human intervention remain unchanged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Petrelli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Buglione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Maselli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Troiano
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Greger Larson
- The Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology Research Network, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laurent Frantz
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Aurelie Manin
- The Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology Research Network, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ezio Ricca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Loredana Baccigalupi
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Dominic Wright
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christian Pietri
- Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de Haute-Corse (FDCHC), Résidence Nouvelle-Corniche, St Joseph, Bastia, France
| | - Domenico Fulgione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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8
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Boyce PN, McLoughlin PD. Ecological Interactions Involving Feral Horses and Predators: Review with Implications for Biodiversity Conservation. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul N. Boyce
- Department of Biology University of Saskatchewan 112 Science Place Saskatoon SK S7N 5E2 Canada
| | - Philip D. McLoughlin
- Department of Biology University of Saskatchewan 112 Science Place Saskatoon SK S7N 5E2 Canada
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Mata JC, Buitenwerf R, Svenning JC. Enhancing monitoring of rewilding progress through wildlife tracking and remote sensing. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253148. [PMID: 34242225 PMCID: PMC8270134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Defaunation is a global threat to biodiversity that can be counteracted through trophic rewilding, a restoration strategy that promotes self-regulating ecosystems through active reintroductions or passive management. In order to estimate success in restoration initiatives, progress of the rewilding projects is measured and monitored. However, a spatially explicit understanding of rewilding and rewilding potential in a rewilding site has been absent so far. We present a novel approach for monitoring rewilding progress that focuses on a spatially explicit estimate of progress and ecological integrity within rewilding initiatives. This framework uses habitat classification of the site and tracking data of the reintroduced animals, to model their habitat selection. Through this we measure and map realized and potential rewilding. We operationalize the framework in an ongoing rewilding project in the Iberá Wetlands, Corrientes, Argentina. The majority of areas (76%) predicted to be occupied by reintroduced fauna were only predicted to be selected by one species. Of the four species in the rewilding project, only the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) filled the majority of its potential distribution, whereas pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) and lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) filled less than 23% of theirs. After rewilding we found a 10% increase in the proportion of the study area with high ecological integrity. Through this case study, we showed that this framework can be used to assess the spatial progress of a rewilding site. By incorporating wildlife tracking and satellite-based remote sensing, we are integrating a spatial component to monitoring of rewilding projects that should lead to more detailed understanding of the progress of rewilding. Applying this framework would facilitate decision-making for practitioners and inform species management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Carolina Mata
- Department of Biology, Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Robert Buitenwerf
- Department of Biology, Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Department of Biology, Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Scasta JD, Hennig JD, Calkins CM. Feral horse cause-specific mortality relative to mustering (gathering) and individual demographic attributes in the USA. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/wr20157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextMustering (gathering) feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) often cause mortalities, yet cause-specific details are lacking.
AimsGiven the need to optimise horse welfare, we analysed public horse muster data from the USA to understand specific causes of mortalities.
MethodsWe coded 393 individual horse mortality reports for 92 cause-specific mortality terms (keywords informing the deciphering of specific causes of mortality classified as anatomical, causal or conditional) and demographic details (age, sex, and body condition). Data were derived from 50 musters across seven states with at least one horse mortality. Musters were coded for type (helicopter or bait), emergency or regular planned efforts, and number of horses mustered and shipped daily.
Key ResultsMore horses were euthanased than died naturally (330 (84.0%) and 39 (9.9%) respectively), and more horses had chronic than acute conditions (317 (80.7%) and 76 (19.3%) respectively), with both trends holding for both sexes and across ages. Body condition scores (BCS) for female horses were skewed low, whereas male horse BCS data were more normally distributed. Female horses had lower BCS than did male horses (P < 0.001). On average, each horse mortality had two cause-specific mortality terms, ranging from 1 to 7. Only 57 horses (14.5%) had terms describing anatomy, cause and condition, concurrently. Phi coefficients (φ; indicators of fidelity and constancy) for cause-specific terms were related to demographic or muster attributes and were analysed with post hoc ANOVA tests of estimated marginal means to allow for ranking. Female horses were most often described as emaciated, weak, and starving, whereas male horses were described as lame, arthritic, blind or dangerous. Bait trapping and emergency musters included horses that were starving, dehydrated and weak.
ConclusionsGenerally, disorders associated with legs and feet, eyes, necks and nutrition were the most prevalent cause-specific mortality issues. Using a machine learning approach, validation and test accuracy were high for predicting euthanasia versus natural mortalities, but low for predicting acute versus chronic mortalities. Individual horse demographics or daily muster features had a greater relative influence than did capture type or emergency status in both comparisons.
ImplicationsThese results provide practical insight for potential cause-specific mortalities relative to demographics and muster techniques.
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Garrido P, Edenius L, Mikusiński G, Skarin A, Jansson A, Thulin CG. Experimental rewilding may restore abandoned wood-pastures if policy allows. AMBIO 2021; 50:101-112. [PMID: 32152907 PMCID: PMC7708577 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-020-01320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Large herbivores play key roles in terrestrial ecosystems. Continuous defaunation processes have produced cascade effects on plant community composition, vegetation structure, and even climate. Wood-pastures were created by traditional management practices that have maintained open structures and biodiversity for millennia. In Europe, despite the broad recognition of their biological importance, such landscapes are declining due to land-use changes. This calls for finding urgent solutions for wood-pasture conservation. To test whether introducing an ecological replacement of an extinct wild horse could have positive effects on wood-pasture restoration, we designed a 3-year rewilding experiment. Horses created a more open wood-pasture structure by browsing on seedlings and saplings, affected tree composition via selective browsing and controlled the colonization of woody vegetation in grassland-dominated areas. Thus, rewilding could be a potential avenue for wood-pasture restoration and biodiversity conservation. However, such benefits may not materialize without a necessary paradigm and political shift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Garrido
- School for Forest Management, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 739 21 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Edenius
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Grzegorz Mikusiński
- School for Forest Management, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 739 21 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Anna Skarin
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Jansson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carl-Gustaf Thulin
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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Tydén E, Jansson A, Ringmark S. Parasites in Horses Kept in A 2.5 Year-Round Grazing System in Nordic Conditions without Supplementary Feeding. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9121156. [PMID: 31861066 PMCID: PMC6940839 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Grazing horses year-round may be a means to increase biodiversity. In this study, parasite occurrence was documented on a monthly basis in 1- to 3-year-old Gotlandsruss stallions grazed year-round for 2.5 years. Horses became infected by several parasites and, when needed (>200 strongyle eggs/gram feces), horses were dewormed with the anthelmintic drug pyrantel, which has low or no ecotoxic impact on soil fauna. This strategy failed to control small strongyle occurrence. Horses excreted larger amounts of small strongyle eggs during summer–autumn than during the rest of the year, and the number of excreted eggs increased year-on-year. High small strongyle egg excretion did not seem to affect the body condition of the horses. Some horses were also infested with chewing louse, but did not scratch more than unaffected horses. We found that to keep egg excretion below 200, pyrantel was not sufficient and a substance known to be toxic to dung fauna and freshwater invertebrates had to be used on some occasions. Abstract Horse grazing can be favorable from a biological diversity perspective. This study documented the occurrence of endo- and ectoparasites and sought to reduce parasite egg excretion with the anthelmintic drug pyrantel in 12 Gotlandsruss stallions maintained in a year-round grazing system for 2.5 years. Feces samples were collected monthly and all horses were treated with pyrantel, the anthelmintic drug of choice in biological diversity preservation, at study population mean cyathostomin eggs per gram (EPG) of >200. The relationship between cyathostomin EPG and body condition was studied, as was horse behavioral response to Bovicola equi (chewing louse) infestation. Eggs of cyathostomins (small strongyles), Parascaris spp. (roundworm), Oxyuris equi (pinworm), Anoplocephala perfoliata (tapeworm), and Gasterophilus spp. (botfly) were detected at least once during the trial. Excretion of cyathostomin eggs was highest during summer–autumn and increased year-on-year. No relationship was found between cyathostomin EPG and body condition. Infestation with B. equi did not affect the number of scratching sessions compared with unaffected horses. Therefore, in this year-round grazing system, pyrantel treatment had to be complemented with moxidectin to reduce excretion of cyathostomin eggs, thus compromising biological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tydén
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Anna Jansson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Sara Ringmark
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-18-671422
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Root‐Bernstein M, Ladle R. Ecology of a widespread large omnivore, Homo sapiens, and its impacts on ecosystem processes. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:10874-10894. [PMID: 31641442 PMCID: PMC6802023 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Discussions of defaunation and taxon substitution have concentrated on megafaunal herbivores and carnivores, but mainly overlooked the particular ecological importance of megafaunal omnivores. In particular, the Homo spp. have been almost completely ignored in this context, despite the extinction of all but one hominin species present since the Plio-Pleistocene. Large omnivores have a particular set of ecological functions reflecting their foraging flexibility and the varied disturbances they create, functions that may maintain ecosystem stability and resilience. Here, we put the ecology of Homo sapiens in the context of comparative interspecific ecological roles and impacts, focusing on the large omnivore guild, as well as comparative intraspecific variation, focusing on hunter-gatherers.We provide an overview of the functional traits of H. sapiens, which can be used to spontaneously provide the functions for currently ecologically extinct or endangered ecosystem processes. We consider the negative impacts of variations in H. sapiens phenotypic strategies, its possible status as an invasive species, and the potential to take advantage of its learning capacities to decouple negative and positive impacts.We provide examples of how practices related to foraging, transhumance, and hunting could contribute to rewilding-inspired programs either drawing on hunter-gatherer baselines of H. sapiens, or as proxies for extinct or threatened large omnivores. We propose that a greater focus on intraspecific ecological variation and interspecific comparative ecology of H. sapiens can provide new avenues for conservation and ecological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Root‐Bernstein
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of BioscienceAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Institute of Ecology and BiodiversitySantiagoChile
- UMR Sciences pour l'Action et le Développement, Activités, Produits, TerritoiresINRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris‐SaclayThiverval‐GrignonFrance
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES)SantiagoChile
| | - Richard Ladle
- School of Science and HealthFederal University of AlagoasAlagoasBrazil
- School of Geography and the EnvironmentOxford UniversityOxfordUK
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Impact of Year-Round Grazing by Horses on Pasture Nutrient Dynamics and the Correlation with Pasture Nutrient Content and Fecal Nutrient Composition. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9080500. [PMID: 31362460 PMCID: PMC6720502 DOI: 10.3390/ani9080500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Horse grazing may benefit biodiversity, but the impact of year-round grazing on nutrient dynamics has not been evaluated previously. This study compared pasture quality in a forest-grassland landscape grazed year-round by horses with that in exclosed mown areas. Twelve Gotlandsruss stallions were kept without supplementary feeding in three enclosures (~0.35 horse/ha) outside Uppsala, Sweden, from May 2014 to September 2016. Each enclosure contained three mown exclosures, where grass sward samples were collected monthly and analyzed for chemical composition and vegetation density. Fecal grab samples were collected and analyzed for crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) content. There were no differences in exclosure pasture energy or CP content between enclosures (p > 0.05). In grazed areas, there were differences in grass energy and CP content (p > 0.05) between enclosures. During the three summers studied, energy and CP content increased in the enclosures, but decreased in the exclosures. By the end, biomass content/ha was greater in the enclosures than in the exclosures. Fecal OM and CP content showed moderate to strong correlations with pasture nutrient content (r = 0.3-0.8, p < 0.05). Thus, in contrast to monthly mowing, horse grazing diversified pasture chemical composition and increased its nutritive value.
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15
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Implications of Spatial Habitat Diversity on Diet Selection of European Bison and Przewalski´s Horses in a Rewilding Area. DIVERSITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11040063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In Europe, the interest in introducing megaherbivores to achieve ambitious habitat restoration goals is increasing. In this study, we present the results of a one-year monitoring program in a rewilding project in Germany (Doeberitzer Heide), where European bison (Bison bonasus) and Przewalski´s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) were introduced for ecological restoration purposes. Our objectives were to investigate diet and habitat preferences of Przewalski´s horses and European bison under free-choice conditions without fodder supplementation. In a random forest classification approach, we used multitemporal RapidEye time series imagery to map the diversity of available habitats within the study area. This spatially explicit habitat distribution from satellite imagery was combined with direct field observations of seasonal diet preferences of both species. In line with the availability of preferred forage plants, European bison and Przewalski´s horses both showed seasonal habitat preferences. Because of their different preferences for forage plants, they did not overlap in habitat use except for a short time in the colder season. European bison used open habitats and especially wet open habitats more than expected based on available habitats in the study area. Comparative foraging and feeding niches should be considered in the establishment of multispecies projects to maximize the outcome of restoration processes.
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Jarvie S, Svenning JC. Using species distribution modelling to determine opportunities for trophic rewilding under future scenarios of climate change. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170446. [PMID: 30348873 PMCID: PMC6231076 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophic rewilding, the (re)introduction of species to promote self-regulating biodiverse ecosystems, is a future-oriented approach to ecological restoration. In the twenty-first century and beyond, human-mediated climate change looms as a major threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem function. A critical aspect in planning trophic rewilding projects is the selection of suitable sites that match the needs of the focal species under both current and future climates. Species distribution models (SDMs) are currently the main tools to derive spatially explicit predictions of environmental suitability for species, but the extent of their adoption for trophic rewilding projects has been limited. Here, we provide an overview of applications of SDMs to trophic rewilding projects, outline methodological choices and issues, and provide a synthesis and outlook. We then predict the potential distribution of 17 large-bodied taxa proposed as trophic rewilding candidates and which represent different continents and habitats. We identified widespread climatic suitability for these species in the discussed (re)introduction regions under current climates. Climatic conditions generally remain suitable in the future, although some species will experience reduced suitability in parts of these regions. We conclude that climate change is not a major barrier to trophic rewilding as currently discussed in the literature.This article is part of the theme issue 'Trophic rewilding: consequences for ecosystems under global change'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Jarvie
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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17
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Valdés-Correcher E, Rodriguez E, Kemp YJM, Wassen MJ, Cromsigt JPGM. Comparing the impact of a grazing regime with European bison versus one with free-ranging cattle on coastal dune vegetation in the Netherlands. MAMMAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-018-0373-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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18
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Pettorelli N, Barlow J, Stephens PA, Durant SM, Connor B, Schulte to Bühne H, Sandom CJ, Wentworth J, du Toit JT. Making rewilding fit for policy. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Lancaster UK
| | - Philip A. Stephens
- Conservation Ecology Group; Department of Biosciences; Durham University; Durham UK
| | - Sarah M. Durant
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; London UK
| | - Ben Connor
- British Ecological Society; Charles Darwin House; London UK
| | | | | | - Jonathan Wentworth
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; Houses of Parliament; London UK
| | - Johan T. du Toit
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT USA
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19
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Hofman-Kamińska E, Bocherens H, Borowik T, Drucker DG, Kowalczyk R. Stable isotope signatures of large herbivore foraging habitats across Europe. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190723. [PMID: 29293647 PMCID: PMC5749876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated how do environmental and climatic factors, but also management, affect the carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope composition in bone collagen of the two largest contemporary herbivores: European bison (Bison bonasus) and moose (Alces alces) across Europe. We also analysed how different scenarios of population recovery- reintroduction in bison and natural recovery in moose influenced feeding habitats and diet of these two species and compared isotopic signatures of modern populations of bison and moose (living in human-altered landscapes) with those occurring in early Holocene. We found that δ13C of modern bison and moose decreased with increasing forest cover. Decreasing forest cover, increasing mean annual temperature and feeding on farm crops caused an increase in δ15N in bison, while no factor significantly affected δ15N in moose. We showed significant differences in δ13C and δ15N among modern bison populations, in contrast to moose populations. Variation in both isotopes in bison resulted from inter-population differences, while in moose it was mainly an effect of intra-population variation. Almost all modern bison populations differed in δ13C and δ15N from early Holocene bison. Such differences were not observed in moose. It indicates refugee status of European bison. Our results yielded evidence that habitat structure, management and a different history of population recovery have a strong influence on foraging behaviour of large herbivores reflected in stable isotope signatures. Influence of forest structure on carbon isotope signatures of studied herbivores supports the “canopy effect” hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hervé Bocherens
- Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Forschungsbereich Paläobiologie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoecology (HEP), Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tomasz Borowik
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Dorothée G. Drucker
- Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Forschungsbereich Paläobiologie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoecology (HEP), Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rafał Kowalczyk
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
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20
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Nüchel J, Bøcher PK, Xiao W, Zhu AX, Svenning JC. Snub-nosed monkeys ( Rhinopithecus): potential distribution and its implication for conservation. BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 2018; 27:1517-1538. [PMID: 31258260 PMCID: PMC6560942 DOI: 10.1007/s10531-018-1507-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Many threatened species have undergone range retraction, and are confined to small fragmented populations. To increase their survival prospects, it is necessary to find suitable habitat outside their current range, to increase and interconnect populations. Species distribution models may be used to this purpose and can be an important part of the conservation strategies. One pitfall is that such mapping will typically assume that the current distribution represents the optimal habitat, which may not be the case for threatened species. Here, we use maximum entropy modelling (Maxent) and rectilinear bioclimatic envelope modelling with current and historical distribution data, together with the location of protected areas, and environmental and anthropogenic variables, to answer three key questions for the conservation of Rhinopithecus, a highly endangered genus of primates consisting of five species of which three are endemic to China, one is endemic to China and Myanmar and one is endemic to Vietnam; Which environmental variables best predict the distribution? To what extent is Rhinopithecus living in an anthropogenically truncated niche space? What is the genus’ potential distribution in the region? Mean temperature of coldest and warmest quarter together with annual precipitation and precipitation during the driest quarter were the variables that best explained Rhinopithecus’ distribution. The historical records were generally in warmer and wetter areas and in lower elevation than the current distribution, strongly suggesting that Rhinopithecus today survives in an anthropogenic truncated niche space. There is 305,800–319,325 km2 of climatic suitable area within protected areas in China, of which 96,525–100,275 km2 and 17,175–17,550 km2 have tree cover above 50 and 75%, respectively. The models also show that the area predicted as climatic suitable using Maxent was 72–89% larger when historical records were included. Our results emphasise the importance of considering historical records when assessing restoration potential and show that there is high potential for restoring Rhinopithecus to parts of its former range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Nüchel
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Peder Klith Bøcher
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Wen Xiao
- Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali, 671003 Yunnan China
| | - A-Xing Zhu
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023 Jiangsu China
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
- Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 550 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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21
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Cromsigt JPGM, Kemp YJM, Rodriguez E, Kivit H. Rewilding Europe's large grazer community: how functionally diverse are the diets of European bison, cattle, and horses? Restor Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; 90183 Umeå Sweden
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology; Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; Port Elizabeth South Africa
| | - Yvonne J. M. Kemp
- ARK Nature, Molenveldlaan 43; 6523 RJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
- PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland, Postbus 2113; 1990 AC Velserbroek The Netherlands
| | - Esther Rodriguez
- PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland, Postbus 2113; 1990 AC Velserbroek The Netherlands
| | - Hubert Kivit
- PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland, Postbus 2113; 1990 AC Velserbroek The Netherlands
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23
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Galetti M, Root-Bernstein M, Svenning JC. Challenges and opportunities for rewilding South American landscapes. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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24
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Root-Bernstein M, Galetti M, Ladle RJ. Rewilding South America: Ten key questions. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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25
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Baker AG, Cornelissen P, Bhagwat SA, Vera FWM, Willis KJ. Quantification of population sizes of large herbivores and their long‐term functional role in ecosystems using dung fungal spores. Methods Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ambroise G. Baker
- Oxford Long‐Term Ecology Laboratory Department of Zoology Biodiversity Institute University of Oxford Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Department of Geography University College London London WC1E 6BT UK
| | | | - Shonil A. Bhagwat
- Department of Geography The Open University Milton Keynes MK7 6AA UK
- School of Geography and the Environment University of Oxford Oxford OX1 3QY UK
| | - Fransciscus W. M. Vera
- University of Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Science NL‐9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Katherine J. Willis
- Oxford Long‐Term Ecology Laboratory Department of Zoology Biodiversity Institute University of Oxford Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- University of Bergen, Department of Biology PO Box 7803 N‐5020 Bergen Norway
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Richmond TW9 3AB Surrey UK
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26
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Reply to Rubenstein and Rubenstein: Time to move on from ideological debates on rewilding. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 113:E2-3. [PMID: 26676583 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1521891113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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