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Magoulick KM, Hull V, Liu J. Mammal recovery inside and outside terrestrial protected areas. AMBIO 2024; 53:1296-1306. [PMID: 38600245 PMCID: PMC11300748 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02014-7] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas are a key component of global conservation, and the world is aiming to increase protected areas to cover 30% of land and water through the 30 × 30 Initiative under the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. However, factors affecting their success or failure in regard to promoting mammal population recovery are not well studied, particularly using quantitative approaches comparing across diverse taxa, biomes, and countries. To better understand how protected areas contribute to mammalian recovery, we conducted an analysis of 2706 mammal populations both inside and outside of protected areas worldwide. We calculated the annual percent change of mammal populations within and outside of terrestrial protected areas and examined the relationship between the percent change and a suite of human and natural characteristics including biome, region, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area category, IUCN Red List classification, and taxonomic order. Our results show that overall mammal populations inside and outside of protected areas are relatively stable. It appears that Threatened mammals are doing better inside of protected areas than outside, whereas the opposite is true for species of least concern and Near Threatened species. We also found significant population increases in protected areas classified as category III and significant population decreases in protected and unprotected areas throughout Oceania. Our results demonstrate that terrestrial protected areas can be an important approach for mammalian recovery and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Magoulick
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Vanessa Hull
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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2
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Oduor S, Gichuki NN, Brown JL, Parker J, Kimata D, Murray S, Goldenberg SZ, Schutgens M, Wittemyer G. Adrenal and metabolic hormones demonstrate risk-reward trade-offs for African elephants foraging in human-dominated landscapes. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coae051. [PMID: 39100509 PMCID: PMC11295215 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae051] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
A key driver of the African savannah elephant population decline is the loss of habitat and associated human-elephant conflict. Elephant physiological responses to these pressures, however, are largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as an indicator of adrenal activity and faecal thyroid metabolite (fT3) concentrations as an indicator of metabolic activity in relation to land use, livestock density, and human landscape modification, while controlling for the effects of seasonality and primary productivity (measured using the normalized difference vegetation index). Our best-fit model found that fGCM concentrations to be elevated during the dry season, in areas with higher human modification index values, and those with more agropastoral activities and livestock. There was also a negative relationship between primary productivity and fGCM concentrations. We found fT3 concentrations to be higher during the wet season, in agropastoral landscapes, in locations with higher human activity, and in areas with no livestock. This study highlights how elephants balance nutritional rewards and risks in foraging decisions when using human-dominated landscapes, results that can serve to better interpret elephant behaviour at the human-wildlife interface and contribute to more insightful conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Oduor
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Nathaniel N Gichuki
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Janine L Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Jenna Parker
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, CA 92027, USA
| | - Dennis Kimata
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Suzan Murray
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shifra Z Goldenberg
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, CA 92027, USA
| | - Maurice Schutgens
- Conservation Science Department, Space for Giants, PO Box 174-10400, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Save the Elephants, P. O. Box, 54667 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
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Titcomb G, Uelmen J, Janko M, Nunn C. Infectious disease responses to human climate change adaptations. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17433. [PMID: 39171421 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17433] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Many recent studies have examined the impact of predicted changes in temperature and precipitation patterns on infectious diseases under different greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. But these emissions scenarios symbolize more than altered temperature and precipitation regimes; they also represent differing levels of change in energy, transportation, and food production at a global scale to reduce the effects of climate change. The ways humans respond to climate change, either through adaptation or mitigation, have underappreciated, yet hugely impactful effects on infectious disease transmission, often in complex and sometimes nonintuitive ways. Thus, in addition to investigating the direct effects of climate changes on infectious diseases, it is critical to consider how human preventative measures and adaptations to climate change will alter the environments and hosts that support pathogens. Here, we consider the ways that human responses to climate change will likely impact disease risk in both positive and negative ways. We evaluate the evidence for these impacts based on the available data, and identify research directions needed to address climate change while minimizing externalities associated with infectious disease, especially for vulnerable communities. We identify several different human adaptations to climate change that are likely to affect infectious disease risk independently of the effects of climate change itself. We categorize these changes into adaptation strategies to secure access to water, food, and shelter, and mitigation strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. We recognize that adaptation strategies are more likely to have infectious disease consequences for under-resourced communities, and call attention to the need for socio-ecological studies to connect human behavioral responses to climate change and their impacts on infectious disease. Understanding these effects is crucial as climate change intensifies and the global community builds momentum to slow these changes and reduce their impacts on human health, economic productivity, and political stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Titcomb
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Johnny Uelmen
- Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mark Janko
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Charles Nunn
- Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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4
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Manyenya S, Nthiwa D, Lutta HO, Muturi M, Nyamota R, Mwatondo A, Watene G, Akoko J, Bett B. Multiple pathogens co-exposure and associated risk factors among cattle reared in a wildlife-livestock interface area in Kenya. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1415423. [PMID: 39119353 PMCID: PMC11306132 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1415423] [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: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Understanding multi-pathogen infections/exposures in livestock is critical to inform prevention and control measures against infectious diseases. We investigated the co-exposure of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), Brucella spp., Leptospira spp., and Coxiella burnetii in cattle in three zones stratified by land use change and with different wildlife-livestock interactions in Narok county, Kenya. We also assessed potential risk factors associated with the transmission of these pathogens in cattle. Methods We identified five villages purposively, two each for areas with intensive (zone 1) and moderate wildlife-livestock interactions (zone 2) and one for locations with low wildlife-livestock interactions (zone 3). We sampled 1,170 cattle from 390 herds through a cross-sectional study and tested the serum samples for antibodies against the focal pathogens using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. A questionnaire was administered to gather epidemiological data on the putative risk factors associated with cattle's exposure to the investigated pathogens. Data were analyzed using the Bayesian hierarchical models with herd number as a random effect to adjust for the within-herd clustering of the various co-exposures among cattle. Results Overall, 88.0% (95% CI: 85.0-90.5) of the cattle tested positive for at least one of the targeted pathogens, while 41.7% (95% CI: 37.7-45.8) were seropositive to at least two pathogens. FMDV and Brucella spp. had the highest co-exposure at 33.7% (95% CI: 30.9-36.5), followed by FMDV and Leptospira spp. (21.8%, 95% CI: 19.5-24.4), Leptospira spp. and Brucella spp. (8.8%, 95% CI: 7.2-10.6), FMDV and C. burnetii (1.5%, 95% CI: 0.7-2.8), Brucella spp. and C. burnetii (1.0%, 95% CI: 0.3-2.2), and lowest for Leptospira spp. and C. burnetii (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.0-1.2). Cattle with FMDV and Brucella spp., and Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. co-exposures and those simultaneously exposed to FMDV, Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. were significantly higher in zone 1 than in zones 2 and 3. However, FMDV and Leptospira spp. co-exposure was higher in zones 1 and 2 than zone 3. Discussion/conclusion We recommend the establishment of a One Health surveillance system in the study area to reduce the morbidity of the targeted zoonotic pathogens in cattle and the risks of transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophina Manyenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | - Daniel Nthiwa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Harrison Osundwa Lutta
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Kabete Centre, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mathew Muturi
- Kenya Zoonotic Disease Unit, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Athman Mwatondo
- Kenya Zoonotic Disease Unit, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Grace Watene
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Akoko
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bernard Bett
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
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Kiffner C, Foley CAH, Lee DE, Bond ML, Kioko J, Kissui BM, Lobora AL, Foley LS, Nelson F. The contribution of community-based conservation models to conserving large herbivore populations. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16221. [PMID: 39003385 PMCID: PMC11246445 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66517-9] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
In East Africa, community-based conservation models (CBCMs) have been established to support the conservation of wildlife in fragmented landscapes like the Tarangire Ecosystem, Tanzania. To assess how different management approaches maintained large herbivore populations, we conducted line distance surveys and estimated seasonal densities of elephant, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest in six management units, including three CBCMs, two national parks (positive controls), and one area with little conservation interventions (negative control). Using a Monte-Carlo approach to propagate uncertainties from the density estimates and trend analysis, we analyzed the resulting time series (2011-2019). Densities of the target species were consistently low in the site with little conservation interventions. In contrast, densities of zebra and wildebeest in CBCMs were similar to national parks, providing evidence that CBCMs contributed to the stabilization of these migratory populations in the central part of the ecosystem. CBCMs also supported giraffe and elephant densities similar to those found in national parks. In contrast, the functional connectivity of Lake Manyara National Park has not been augmented by CBCMs. Our analysis suggests that CBCMs can effectively conserve large herbivores, and that maintaining connectivity through CBCMs should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kiffner
- Junior Research Group Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg, Germany.
- The School for Field Studies, Centre For Wildlife Management Studies, PO Box 304, Karatu, Tanzania.
- Department of Land Use & Governance, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Charles A H Foley
- Tanzania Conservation Research Program, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Monica L Bond
- Wild Nature Institute, Concord, NH, USA
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John Kioko
- The School for Field Studies, Centre For Wildlife Management Studies, PO Box 304, Karatu, Tanzania
| | - Bernard M Kissui
- The School for Field Studies, Centre For Wildlife Management Studies, PO Box 304, Karatu, Tanzania
| | - Alex L Lobora
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Lara S Foley
- Tanzania Conservation Research Program, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
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Wall J, Hahn N, Carroll S, Mwiu S, Goss M, Sairowua W, Tiedeman K, Kiambi S, Omondi P, Douglas-Hamilton I, Wittemyer G. Land use drives differential resource selection by African elephants in the Greater Mara Ecosystem, Kenya. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2024; 12:11. [PMID: 38303081 PMCID: PMC10832223 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-023-00436-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Understanding drivers of space use by African elephants is critical to their conservation and management, particularly given their large home-ranges, extensive resource requirements, ecological role as ecosystem engineers, involvement in human-elephant conflict and as a target species for ivory poaching. In this study we investigated resource selection by elephants inhabiting the Greater Mara Ecosystem in Southwestern Kenya in relation to three distinct but spatially contiguous management zones: (i) the government protected Maasai Mara National Reserve (ii) community-owned wildlife conservancies, and (iii) elephant range outside any formal wildlife protected area. We combined GPS tracking data from 49 elephants with spatial covariate information to compare elephant selection across these management zones using a hierarchical Bayesian framework, providing insight regarding how human activities structure elephant spatial behavior. We also contrasted differences in selection by zone across several data strata: sex, season and time-of-day. Our results showed that the strongest selection by elephants was for closed-canopy forest and the strongest avoidance was for open-cover, but that selection behavior varied significantly by management zone and selection for cover was accentuated in human-dominated areas. When contrasting selection parameters according to strata, variability in selection parameter values reduced along a protection gradient whereby elephants tended to behave more similarly (limited plasticity) in the human dominated, unprotected zone and more variably (greater plasticity) in the protected reserve. However, avoidance of slope was consistent across all zones. Differences in selection behavior was greatest between sexes, followed by time-of-day, then management zone and finally season (where seasonal selection showed the least differentiation of the contrasts assessed). By contrasting selection coefficients across strata, our analysis quantifies behavioural switching related to human presence and impact displayed by a cognitively advanced megaherbivore. Our study broadens the knowledge base about the movement ecology of African elephants and builds our capacity for both management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Wall
- Mara Elephant Project, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA.
| | - Nathan Hahn
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | | | - Stephen Mwiu
- Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Naivasha, Kenya
| | - Marc Goss
- Mara Elephant Project, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Kate Tiedeman
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Constance, Germany
| | - Sospeter Kiambi
- Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Naivasha, Kenya
| | - Patrick Omondi
- Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Naivasha, Kenya
| | | | - George Wittemyer
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
- Save the Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
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7
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Chege M, Bertola LD, De Snoo GR, Ngene S, Otieno T, Amoke I, van 't Zelfde M, Dolrenry S, Broekhuis F, Tamis W, De Iongh HH, Elliot NB. Effect of ecological and anthropogenic factors on grouping patterns in African lions across Kenya. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10982. [PMID: 38362173 PMCID: PMC10867360 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Social carnivores frequently live in fission-fusion societies, where individuals that share a common territory or home range may be found alone, in subgroups, or altogether. Absolute group size and subgroup size is expected to vary according to resource distribution, but for species that are susceptible to anthropogenic pressures, other factors may be important drivers. African lions (Panthera leo) are the only truly social felid and lion prides are characterized by fission-fusion dynamics with social groups frequently splitting and reforming, and subgroup membership can change continuously and frequently. The number of individuals in a group can be reflective of social, ecological, and anthropogenic conditions. This dynamic behavior makes understanding lion grouping patterns crucial for tailoring conservation measures. The evolution of group living in lions has been the topic of numerous studies, and we drew on these to formulate hypotheses relating to group size and subgroup size variation. Based on data collected from 199 lion groups across eight sites in Kenya, we found that group sizes were smaller when lions were closer to human settlements, suggesting that edge effects are impacting lions at a national scale. Smaller groups were also more likely when they were far from water, and were associated with very low and very high levels of non-tree vegetation. We found significant differences between the study sites, with the Maasai Mara having the largest groups (mean ± SD = 7.7 ± 4.7, range = 1-19), and Amboseli conservation area the smallest (4.3 ± 3.5, range = 1-14). While long-term studies within a single site are well suited to thoroughly differentiate between absolute group size and subgroup size, our study provides unique insight into the correlates of grouping patterns in a vulnerable species at a national scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mumbi Chege
- Wildlife Research and Training InstituteNaivashaKenya
- Institute of Environmental Sciences CMLLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Geert R. De Snoo
- Institute of Environmental Sciences CMLLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW)WageningenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Femke Broekhuis
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation GroupWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Will Tamis
- Institute of Environmental Sciences CMLLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Hans H. De Iongh
- Institute of Environmental Sciences CMLLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Department BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpenBelgium
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Cravino A, Perelló A, Brazeiro A. Livestock-wildlife interactions: key aspects for reconnecting animal production and wildlife conservation. Anim Front 2024; 14:13-19. [PMID: 38369999 PMCID: PMC10873009 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Cravino
- Grupo Biodiversidad y Ecología de la Conservación, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República. Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alberto Perelló
- SabioTec Spin-off S.L. Edificio Incubadora de empresas UCLM. Camino de Moledores, s/n 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Alejandro Brazeiro
- Grupo Biodiversidad y Ecología de la Conservación, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República. Montevideo, Uruguay
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Huang RM, Maré C, Guldemond RAR, Pimm SL, van Aarde RJ. Protecting and connecting landscapes stabilizes populations of the Endangered savannah elephant. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk2896. [PMID: 38181078 PMCID: PMC10776014 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
The influence of protected areas on the growth of African savannah elephant populations is inadequately known. Across southern Africa, elephant numbers grew at 0.16% annually for the past quarter century. Locally, much depends on metapopulation dynamics-the size and connections of individual populations. Population numbers in large, connected, and strictly protected areas typically increased, were less variable from year to year, and suffered less from poaching. Conversely, populations in buffer areas that are less protected but still connected have more variation in growth from year to year. Buffer areas also differed more in their growth rates, likely due to more threats and dispersal opportunities in the face of such dangers. Isolated populations showed consistently high growth due to a lack of emigration. This suggests that "fortress" conservation generally maintains high growth, while anthropogenic-driven source-sink dynamics within connected conservation clusters drive stability in core areas and variability in buffers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Huang
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Celesté Maré
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Robert A. R. Guldemond
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Stuart L. Pimm
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rudi J. van Aarde
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
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Khan LA, Ahmad B, Chaudhary AA, Minhas RA, Awan MS, Dar NI, Ali U, Ahmad F, Kabir M, Bibi S. The human-wildlife conflict in Musk Deer National Park, Neelum Gureze Valley, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2024; 84:e261655. [DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.261655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Growing human population is a solemn risk to biodiversity at a global level. Massive anthropogenic pressure and invasion in the natural habitats initiated the human-wildlife conflict in rural areas. Present study aimed to assess human-wildlife conflict in Musk Deer National Park (MDNP) from 2013 to 2018. Results revealed an estimated 241784 nomadic and 5589 residential livestock heads grazed in different areas of MDNP during the summer season. A total of 126 heads were depredated by carnivores during the study period. Majority (n=39) of livestock heads were killed in May (n=29). Livestock depredation resulted in economic losses worth 3.115 million PKRs (25744 US$) to the herder community while farmers received 1.629 million PKRs (13466 US$) losses due to crop raiding. Most (64%) of the respondents believed human-wildlife conflict heightened due to scarcity of food or prey in the natural habitats of carnivores. Majority (92%) of the respondents did not like the presence of predators in MDNP. Loss compensation schemes could turn this negative attitude into the positive one and increase tolerance about the presence of carnivores in their vicinity. This study provides an insight into the human-wildlife conflict in MDNP and paves a way for understanding the conflict and conservation of carnivore species in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. A. Khan
- The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - B. Ahmad
- The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | | | - R. A. Minhas
- The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - M. S. Awan
- The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - N. I. Dar
- Wildlife and Fisheries Department, Pakistan
| | - U. Ali
- The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan; Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Pakistan
| | - F. Ahmad
- The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | | | - S. Bibi
- The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan; Wildlife and Fisheries Department, Pakistan
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11
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Carrera-Faja L, Yesson C, Jones BA, Benfield CTO, Kock RA. An Integrated Ecological Niche Modelling Framework for Risk Mapping of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Exposure in African Buffalo ( Syncerus caffer) in the Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem. Pathogens 2023; 12:1423. [PMID: 38133306 PMCID: PMC10747384 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121423] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that threatens livelihoods and food security in developing countries and, in some cases, wild ungulate species conservation. The Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem (GSME) encompasses one of the major wildlife populations of PPR virus (PPRV)-susceptible species left on earth, although no clinical disease has been reported so far. This study aimed to gain further knowledge about PPRV circulation in the GSME by identifying which factors predict PPRV seropositivity in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Following an ecological niche modeling framework to map host-pathogen distribution, two models of PPRV exposure and buffalo habitat suitability were performed using serological data and buffalo censuses. Western Maasai Mara National Reserve and Western Serengeti National Park were identified as high-risk areas for PPRV exposure in buffalo. Variables related to wildlife-livestock interaction contributed to the higher risk of PPRV seropositivity in buffalo, providing supportive evidence that buffalo acquire the virus through contact with infected livestock. These findings can guide the design of cost-effective PPRV surveillance using buffalo as a sentinel species at the identified high-risk locations. As more intensive studies have been carried out in Eastern GSME, this study highlights the need for investigating PPRV dynamics in Western GSME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Carrera-Faja
- Wildlife Conservation Medicine Research Group, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici V, Travessera dels Turons, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Chris Yesson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK;
| | - Bryony A. Jones
- WOAH Collaborating Centre in Risk Analysis and Modelling, Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Camilla T. O. Benfield
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy;
| | - Richard A. Kock
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London NW1 0TU, UK
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Titcomb G, Hulke J, Mantas JN, Gituku B, Young H. Cattle aggregations at shared resources create potential parasite exposure hotspots for wildlife. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20232239. [PMID: 38052242 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2239] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally rising livestock populations and declining wildlife numbers are likely to dramatically change disease risk for wildlife and livestock, especially at resources where they congregate. However, limited understanding of interspecific transmission dynamics at these hotspots hinders disease prediction or mitigation. In this study, we combined gastrointestinal nematode density and host foraging activity measurements from our prior work in an East African tropical savannah system with three estimates of parasite sharing capacity to investigate how interspecific exposures alter the relative riskiness of an important resource - water - among cattle and five dominant herbivore species. We found that due to their high parasite output, water dependence and parasite sharing capacity, cattle greatly increased potential parasite exposures at water sources for wild ruminants. When untreated for parasites, cattle accounted for over two-thirds of total potential exposures around water for wild ruminants, driving 2-23-fold increases in relative exposure levels at water sources. Simulated changes in wildlife and cattle ratios showed that water sources become increasingly important hotspots of interspecific transmission for wild ruminants when relative abundance of cattle parasites increases. These results emphasize that livestock have significant potential to alter the level and distribution of parasite exposures across the landscape for wild ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Titcomb
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1019, CO, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Jenna Hulke
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Benard Gituku
- Ecological Monitoring Unit, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Hillary Young
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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13
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Pritchard AJ, Fefferman NH. Trade-offs in resource access and health by avoidance of self-fouling, motivated via disgust. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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14
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Socio-economic factors correlating with illegal use of giraffe body parts. ORYX 2023. [DOI: 10.1017/s003060532200062x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Unsustainable hunting, both illegal and legal, has led to the extirpation of many species. In the last 35 years giraffe Giraffa spp. populations have declined precipitously, with extinctions documented in seven African countries. Amongst the various reasons for these population declines, poaching is believed to play an important role in some areas. Giraffes are primarily hunted for consumption and for the use of their body parts as trophies and in traditional medicine. However, the socio-economic factors that correlate with the use of giraffe body parts are not well understood. We conducted our study in Tsavo Conservation Area, Kenya, which experiences high levels of poaching. We used semi-structured surveys amongst 331 households to document how giraffe body parts are typically acquired and their intended use (i.e. trophy, medicinal or consumptive). We then used logistic regression models to assess the correlations between nine socio-economic factors and the use of giraffe body parts. We found that giraffe body parts had mostly consumptive and trophy uses. One-time suppliers, opportunistic access and widely known markets were the most common means of acquiring giraffe body parts. Results from our models showed that three variables (gender: men, occupation: tourism worker, and land ownership) were correlated significantly and positively with the use of giraffe body parts. We describe the complex links between socio-economic factors and the use of giraffe body parts and highlight the importance of implementing mitigation measures adapted to local contexts to combat a challenge that many species of conservation concern are facing.
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15
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Klich D, Didkowska A, Pyziel-Serafin AM, Perlińska-Teresiak M, Wołoszyn-Gałęza A, Żoch K, Balcerak M, Olech W. Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders' perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285245. [PMID: 37134113 PMCID: PMC10155960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens transmitted between wildlife and domestic animals can pose a threat to endangered species, undermine conservation efforts in wildlife, and affect productivity and parasite control in domestic animals. There are several examples of pathogen transmission between European bison and other animals. The present study surveyed breeders from the vicinity of four large wisent populations in eastern Poland about observed contacts between wisent and cattle. Such contacts were noted by 37% of breeders, indicating a significant risk of contact between European bison and cattle in the study areas, even in the areas where the European bison live mainly in a forest complex, i.e., in the Borecka Forest. A higher potential risk of contacts between European bison and cattle was noted in the Białowieska Forest and the Bieszczady Mountains than in the Borecka and Knyszyńska Forests. In the Białowieska Forest, the risk of viral pathogen transmission resulting from contacts is higher (more direct contacts), and in the case of the Bieszczady Mountains, the probability of parasitic diseases is higher. The chance of contacts between European bison and cattle depended on the distance of cattle pastures from human settlements. Moreover, such contact was possible throughout the year, not only in spring and fall. It appears possible to minimize the risk of contacts between wisent and cattle by changing management practices for both species, such as keeping grazing areas as close as possible to settlements, and reducing the time cattle graze on pastures. However, the risk of contact is much greater if European bison populations are large and are dispersed beyond forest complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetic and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Didkowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M Pyziel-Serafin
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Perlińska-Teresiak
- Department of Animal Genetic and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Marek Balcerak
- Department of Animal Breeding, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wanda Olech
- Department of Animal Genetic and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Håkonsson DD, Larsen ER, Eskildsen JK. Effective Information Infrastructures for Collaborative Organizing: The Case of Maasai Mara. ORGANIZATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2022.1642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
This study focuses on how collaborative organizing is achieved in a natural-resource commons, organized as an actor-oriented structure. In a framed field experiment, teams of Maasai livestock owners played a board game related to sustainable usage and preservation of a commons (in this case, grazing areas). We examine team decisions over time and draw inferences about the difference between two information infrastructures: one that enables learning about the ecosystem and one that enables shared situational awareness. We also examine the effectiveness of these information infrastructures in obtaining sustainable usage and preservation of a commons, finding that participants who are subjected to an information infrastructure that enables shared situational awareness are more effective than those subjected to an information infrastructure that only enables learning about the ecosystem. This, we argue, is because shared situational awareness enables members to address their interdependencies related to both task and knowledge interdependence. In other words, without shared situational awareness, they are less efficient at coordinating their actions, despite sharing collaborative values. Based on our findings, we argue that actor-oriented structures should be designed to include information infrastructures that specifically address members’ interdependencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorthe Døjbak Håkonsson
- Interdisciplinary Center for Organizational Architecture (ICOA), Department of Management, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Erik Reimer Larsen
- Interdisciplinary Center for Organizational Architecture (ICOA), Department of Management, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob Kjær Eskildsen
- Interdisciplinary Center for Organizational Architecture (ICOA), Department of Management, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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17
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Tamarozzi F, Kibona T, de Glanville WA, Mappi T, Adonikamu E, Salewi A, Misso K, Maro V, Casulli A, Santoro A, Santolamazza F, Mmbaga BT, Cleaveland S. Cystic echinococcosis in northern Tanzania: a pilot study in Maasai livestock-keeping communities. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:396. [PMID: 36307877 PMCID: PMC9616617 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05518-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are close similarities between the life-cycles of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (E. granulosus s.l.) that causes cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans and Taenia multiceps/Coenurus cerebralis that causes cerebral coenurosis in small ruminants. Recent evidence highlights that livestock in Maasai communities of northern Tanzania are suffering from increases in the prevalence of cerebral coenurosis, leading to concerns about a possible concurrent increased risk of human CE. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of human abdominal CE and the prevalence and species/genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. in livestock in Maasai communities. Methods Human CE was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound on volunteers aged ≥ 7 years in five villages in the Longido and Ngorongoro Districts in northern Tanzania. Infection in ruminants was evaluated through inspection in local abattoirs, followed by molecular identification of one cyst per animal, with a priority for hepatic cysts, using PCR targeting of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COX1), followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and multiplex PCR, and sequencing of non-E. granulosus s.l. samples. Results Ultrasound was performed on 823 volunteers (n = 352 in two villages in Longido District, and n = 471 in three villages of Ngorongoro). Hepatic CE cases were diagnosed only in Ngorongoro (n = 6; 1.3%), of which three had active cysts. Village-level prevalence of CE ranged between 0 and 2.4%. Of the 697 ruminants inspected, 34.4% had parasitic cysts. Molecular identification was achieved for 140 of the 219 (63.9%) cysts sampled. E. granulosus s.l. and T. hydatigena/Cysticercus tenuicollis were identified in 51.4% and 48.6%, respectively, of livestock cysts. E. granulosus s.l. was identified in livestock from both Longido (35.3% of 116 genotyped cysts) and Ngorongoro (91.2% of 34 genotyped cysts). Of the total of 72 E. granuslosus s.l. cysts identified in livestock, 87.5% were E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1–G3 genotypes), 9.7% were E. ortleppi (G5) and one cyst was E. canadensis (G6–10). The three active human cysts, which were removed surgically, were G1–G3 genotypes. Conclusions Multiple species/genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. are circulating in Maasai communities of northern Tanzania. Human CE was detected in villages of Ngorongoro District and a high prevalence of echinococcal cysts was observed in livestock in both districts. More precise estimation of the prevalence in this area and a better understanding of the specific risk factors for CE among Maasai communities in northern Tanzania is needed. Interventions targeting transmission routes common to both E. granulosus s.l. and T. multiceps would have dual benefits for preventing both human and livestock disease. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tamarozzi
- IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy.
| | - Tito Kibona
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Tauta Mappi
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Anande Salewi
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Kennedy Misso
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Venance Maro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Blandina T Mmbaga
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
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18
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Mukeka JM, Ogutu JO, Kanga E, Piepho HP, Røskaft E. Long-term trends in elephant mortality and their causes in Kenya. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.975682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High mortality poses a serious threat to sustainable conservation of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). Using detected carcass data collected by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) during 1992-2017, we analyze temporal and spatial variation in elephant mortality in Kenya. We investigate the major mortality causes and means used to kill elephants, carcass category, tusk recovery status, variation in mortality with elephant age and sex classes, differences between inside and outside protected areas (PAs), the Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants (PIKE) and the overall mortality rate (MR — the number of dead/number of live elephants in a given year). In total 9,182 elephant deaths were recorded during the 26 years. Elephant mortality increased over time and was attributed primarily to natural (33.1%) and human-related causes, particularly ivory poaching (31.5%) and human-elephant conflicts (19.9%). Elephant mortality varied across Kenya’s 47 counties in correspondence with variation in elephant population size and was the highest in the leading elephant range counties of Taita Taveta, Laikipia, Samburu and Meru. Mortality was higher for males and adults and outside the protected areas. Most elephant carcasses had tusks (75.1%) but a few did not (12.5%). Yearly PIKE values peaked in 2012, the year with the highest poaching levels in Kenya during 1992-2017. MR increased throughout 1992-2017. Temporal variation in elephant mortality probability was significantly influenced by human and livestock population densities, average annual maximum temperature and total annual rainfall and the strength of these influences varied across the seven leading elephant range counties of Kenya. Natural processes are increasingly contributing to elephant mortality likely due to climate change and the associated food and water stress, exacerbated by contracting range. Enhancing anti-poaching and strategies for mitigating climate change impacts and human-elephant conflict and reducing range contraction while sustaining habitat connectivity can help reduce mortality and promote elephant conservation. Strengthening enforcement of international wildlife laws can further reduce illegal trade in tusks and killing of elephants.
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19
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Torney CJ, Laxton M, Lloyd‐Jones DJ, Kohi EM, Frederick HL, Moyer DC, Mrisha C, Mwita M, Hopcraft JGC. Estimating the abundance of a group‐living species using multi‐latent spatial models. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Colin J. Torney
- School of Mathematics and Statistics University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Megan Laxton
- School of Mathematics and Statistics University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - David J. Lloyd‐Jones
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Edward M. Kohi
- Conservation Information Monitoring Unit Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute Arusha Tanzania
| | | | - David C. Moyer
- Integrated Research Center The Field Museum of Natural History Chicago IL USA
| | - Chediel Mrisha
- Ministry of the Natural Resources and Tourism Dodoma Tanzania
| | - Machoke Mwita
- Conservation Information Monitoring Unit Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute Arusha Tanzania
| | - J. Grant C. Hopcraft
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health & Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
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20
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New land tenure fences are still cropping up in the Greater Mara. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11064. [PMID: 35794166 PMCID: PMC9259569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15132-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding and intensifying anthropogenic land use is one of the greatest drivers of changes of biodiversity loss and political inequality worldwide. In the Greater Mara, Kenya, a trend of private land enclosure is currently happening, led by smallholders wishing to protect and uphold their land titles. Here we expand on previous work by Løvschal et al. quantifying the rapid, large-scale development of fencing infrastructure that began in 1985 but has increased by 170% from 2010 onwards. We provide fine-scale analysis of the spatial and temporal trends in fencing using high-resolution Sentinel-2 imagery. The formally unprotected regions have distinctly more fences than the rest of the Mara, one experiencing a 740% increase in fenced land in four years. Conservancies have an effect in stemming fencing but fences crop up within and along conservancy boundaries. We estimate the actual geographical coverage of the fences in the Mara to be 130,277 ha (19% of the total region) using an error margin of 8%, derived by calibrating our satellite mapping with ground-truth data. The study suggests the need for revising community-based eco-conservation efforts and pursuing a richer understanding of the socio-political and historical dynamics underlying this phenomenon.
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21
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Ergunay K, Mutinda M, Bourke B, Justi SA, Caicedo-Quiroga L, Kamau J, Mutura S, Akunda IK, Cook E, Gakuya F, Omondi P, Murray S, Zimmerman D, Linton YM. Metagenomic Investigation of Ticks From Kenyan Wildlife Reveals Diverse Microbial Pathogens and New Country Pathogen Records. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:932224. [PMID: 35847110 PMCID: PMC9283121 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.932224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Focusing on the utility of ticks as xenosurveillance sentinels to expose circulating pathogens in Kenyan drylands, host-feeding ticks collected from wild ungulates [buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, hartebeest, impala, rhinoceros (black and white), zebras (Grévy’s and plains)], carnivores (leopards, lions, spotted hyenas, wild dogs), as well as regular domestic and Boran cattle were screened for pathogens using metagenomics. A total of 75 host-feeding ticks [Rhipicephalus (97.3%) and Amblyomma (2.7%)] collected from 15 vertebrate taxa were sequenced in 46 pools. Fifty-six pathogenic bacterial species were detected in 35 pools analyzed for pathogens and relative abundances of major phyla. The most frequently observed species was Escherichia coli (62.8%), followed by Proteus mirabilis (48.5%) and Coxiella burnetii (45.7%). Francisella tularemia and Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) were detected in 14.2 and 13% of the pools, respectively, in ticks collected from wild animals and cattle. This is one of the first reports of JMTV in Kenya, and phylogenetic reconstruction revealed significant divergence from previously known isolates and related viruses. Eight fungal species with human pathogenicity were detected in 5 pools (10.8%). The vector-borne filarial pathogens (Brugia malayi, Dirofilaria immitis, Loa loa), protozoa (Plasmodium spp., Trypanosoma cruzi), and environmental and water-/food-borne pathogens (Entamoeba histolytica, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Naegleria fowleri, Schistosoma spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Trichinella spiralis) were detected. Documented viruses included human mastadenovirus C, Epstein-Barr virus and bovine herpesvirus 5, Trinbago virus, and Guarapuava tymovirus-like virus 1. Our findings confirmed that host-feeding ticks are an efficient sentinel for xenosurveillance and demonstrate clear potential for wildlife-livestock-human pathogen transfer in the Kenyan landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray Ergunay
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington, DC, United States
- *Correspondence: Koray Ergunay,
| | | | - Brian Bourke
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington, DC, United States
| | - Silvia A. Justi
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington, DC, United States
| | - Laura Caicedo-Quiroga
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington, DC, United States
| | - Joseph Kamau
- One Health Centre, Institute of Primate Research (IPR), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samson Mutura
- One Health Centre, Institute of Primate Research (IPR), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Elizabeth Cook
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Francis Gakuya
- Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), Naivasha, Kenya
| | - Patrick Omondi
- Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), Naivasha, Kenya
| | - Suzan Murray
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Unit, Fort Royal, VA, United States
| | - Dawn Zimmerman
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Disease, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Yvonne-Marie Linton
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, United States
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington, DC, United States
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22
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Masese FO, Fuss T, Bistarelli LT, Buchen-Tschiskale C, Singer G. Large herbivorous wildlife and livestock differentially influence the relative importance of different sources of energy for riverine food webs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 828:154452. [PMID: 35278569 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154452] [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: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In many regions of the world, large populations of native wildlife have declined or been replaced by livestock grazing areas and farmlands, with consequences for terrestrial-aquatic ecosystem connectivity and trophic resources supporting food webs in aquatic ecosystems. The river continuum concept (RCC) and the riverine productivity model (RPM) predict a shift of energy supplying aquatic food webs along rivers: from terrestrial inputs in low-order streams to autochthonous production in mid-sized rivers. In Afromontane-savanna landscapes, the shifting numbers of large mammalian wildlife present a physical continuum whose ecological implications for rivers is not clearly understood. Here, we studied the influence of replacing large wildlife (mainly hippos) with livestock on the fractional contribution of C3 vegetation, C4 grasses and periphyton on macroinvertebrates in the Mara River, which is an African montane-savanna river known to receive large subsidy fluxes of terrestrial organic matter and nutrients mediated by large mammalian herbivores (LMH), both wildlife and livestock, in its middle and lower reaches. Using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, we identified spatial patterns in the fractional contribution of allochthonous organic matter from C3 and C4 plants (woody vegetation and grasses, respectively) and autochthonous energy from periphyton for macroinvertebrates at various sites of the Mara River and its tributaries. Potential energy sources and invertebrates were sampled at 80 sites spanning stream orders 1 to 7, various catchment land uses (forest, agriculture and grasslands) and different loading rates of organic matter and nutrients by LMH (livestock and wildlife, i.e., hippopotamus). The fractional contribution of different sources of energy for macroinvertebrates along the river did not follow predictions of the RCC and RPM. First, the fractional contribution of C3 and C4 carbon was not related to river order or location along the fluvial continuum but to the loading of organic matter (dung) by both wildlife and livestock. Notably, C4 carbon was important for macroinvertebrates even in large river sections inhabited by hippos. Second, even in small 1st -3rd order forested streams, periphyton was a major source of energy for macroinvertebrates, and this was fostered by livestock inputs fuelling aquatic primary production throughout the river network. Importantly, our results show that replacing wildlife (hippos) with livestock shifts river systems towards greater reliance on autochthonous sources of energy through an algae-grazer pathway as opposed to reliance on allochthonous inputs of C4 carbon through a detrital pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank O Masese
- University of Eldoret, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya; Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Thomas Fuss
- Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany; Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lukas Thuile Bistarelli
- Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany; Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Caroline Buchen-Tschiskale
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 65, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany; Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straβe 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Gabriel Singer
- Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany; Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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23
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Didarali Z, Kuiper T, Brink CW, Buij R, Virani MZ, Reson EO, Santangeli A. Awareness of environmental legislation as a deterrent for wildlife crime: A case with Masaai pastoralists, poison use and the Kenya Wildlife Act. AMBIO 2022; 51:1632-1642. [PMID: 35079963 PMCID: PMC9110623 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Illegal wildlife crime is a global phenomenon, accelerating the ongoing biodiversity crisis. In the Old World, and particularly in Africa, illegal use of poisons to eliminate carnivores is the main driver of the continental vulture crisis. Knowledge about the underlying source and drivers of this threat is lacking for most areas, including Kenya, a global vulture and biodiversity hotspot. An extensive questionnaire survey of over 1300 respondents was run, using a specialized questioning technique and quantitative analytical approaches. Results show that, while pastoralists have a positive attitude towards vultures, over 20% of them use poisons to eliminate predators. Poisoning was largely driven by livestock losses to predators, and by negative attitude towards predators. Poisoning was less prevalent among respondents aware of the Kenya Wildlife Act. Overall, we suggest that a combination of top-down, e.g. legislation, and bottom-up (such as corrals or compensation) along with awareness campaigns may help reduce poisoning on the ground.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Didarali
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Timothy Kuiper
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Christiaan W. Brink
- BirdLife South Africa, Isdell House, 17 Hume Road, Dunkeld West 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ralph Buij
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 83709 USA
- Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3A, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Munir Z. Virani
- Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, P.O. Box 129555, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Eric O. Reson
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 83709 USA
| | - Andrea Santangeli
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Research Centre for Ecological Change, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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24
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Broekhuis F, Ngene S, Gopalaswamy AM, Mwaura A, Dloniak SM, Ngatia DK, Tyrrell PD, Yamane Y, Elliot NB. Predicting potential distributions of large carnivores in Kenya: An occupancy study to guide conservation. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Femke Broekhuis
- Kenya Wildlife Trust Nairobi Kenya
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group Wageningen University and Research Wageningen The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Stephanie M. Dloniak
- Department of Integrative Biology Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Dedan K. Ngatia
- Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Mpala Research Centre Nanyuki Kenya
| | - Peter D. Tyrrell
- South Rift Association of Land Owners Nairobi Kenya
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney UK
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Yumi Yamane
- Centre for African Area Studies 46 Yoshida‐Shimoadachi Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Nicholas B. Elliot
- Kenya Wildlife Trust Nairobi Kenya
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney UK
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25
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Titcomb GC, Pansu J, Hutchinson MC, Tombak KJ, Hansen CB, Baker CCM, Kartzinel TR, Young HS, Pringle RM. Large-herbivore nemabiomes: patterns of parasite diversity and sharing. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212702. [PMID: 35538775 PMCID: PMC9091847 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amidst global shifts in the distribution and abundance of wildlife and livestock, we have only a rudimentary understanding of ungulate parasite communities and parasite-sharing patterns. We used qPCR and DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples to characterize gastrointestinal nematode (Strongylida) community composition and sharing among 17 sympatric species of wild and domestic large mammalian herbivore in central Kenya. We tested a suite of hypothesis-driven predictions about the role of host traits and phylogenetic relatedness in describing parasite infections. Host species identity explained 27-53% of individual variation in parasite prevalence, richness, community composition and phylogenetic diversity. Host and parasite phylogenies were congruent, host gut morphology predicted parasite community composition and prevalence, and hosts with low evolutionary distinctiveness were centrally positioned in the parasite-sharing network. We found no evidence that host body size, social-group size or feeding height were correlated with parasite composition. Our results highlight the interwoven evolutionary and ecological histories of large herbivores and their gastrointestinal nematodes and suggest that host identity, phylogeny and gut architecture-a phylogenetically conserved trait related to parasite habitat-are the overriding influences on parasite communities. These findings have implications for wildlife management and conservation as wild herbivores are increasingly replaced by livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia C. Titcomb
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA,Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Johan Pansu
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA,ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Matthew C. Hutchinson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Kaia J. Tombak
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA,Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christina B. Hansen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher C. M. Baker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA,US Army ERDC Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Tyler R. Kartzinel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Hillary S. Young
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA,Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Robert M. Pringle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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26
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Riggio J, Foreman K, Freedman E, Gottlieb B, Hendler D, Radomille D, Rodriguez R, Yamashita T, Kioko J, Kiffner C. Predicting wildlife corridors for multiple species in an East African ungulate community. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265136. [PMID: 35381018 PMCID: PMC8982851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife corridors are typically designed for single species, yet holistic conservation approaches require corridors suitable for multiple species. Modelling habitat linkages for wildlife is based on several modelling steps (each involving multiple choices), and in the case of multi-species corridors, an approach to optimize single species corridors to few or a single functional corridor for multiple species. To model robust corridors for multiple species and simultaneously evaluate the impact of methodological choices, we develop a multi-method approach to delineate corridors that effectively capture movement of multiple wildlife species, while limiting the area required. Using wildlife presence data collected along ground-based line transects between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, Tanzania, we assessed species-habitat association in both ensemble and stacked species distribution frameworks and used these to estimate linearly and non-linearly scaled landscape resistances for seven ungulate species. We evaluated habitat suitability and least-cost and circuit theory-based connectivity models for each species individually and generated a multi-species corridor. Our results revealed that species-habitat relationships and subsequent corridors differed across species, but the pattern of predicted landscape connectivity across the study area was similar for all seven species regardless of method (circuit theory or least-cost) and scaling of the habitat suitability-based cost surface (linear or non-linear). Stacked species distribution models were highly correlated with the seven species for all model outputs (r = 0.79 to 0.97), while having the greatest overlap with the individual species least-cost corridors (linear model: 61.6%; non-linear model: 60.2%). Zebra was the best single-species proxy for landscape connectivity. Overall, we show that multi-species corridors based on stacked species distribution models achieve relatively low cumulative costs for savanna ungulates as compared to their respective single-species corridors. Given the challenges and costs involved in acquiring data and parameterizing corridor models for multiple species, zebra may act as a suitable proxy species for ungulate corridor conservation in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Riggio
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Katie Foreman
- Department of Environmental Studies, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ethan Freedman
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Becky Gottlieb
- The School for Field Studies, Center for Wildlife Management Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
| | - David Hendler
- Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America
| | - Danielle Radomille
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ryan Rodriguez
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas Yamashita
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, United States of America
| | - John Kioko
- The School for Field Studies, Center for Wildlife Management Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
| | - Christian Kiffner
- The School for Field Studies, Center for Wildlife Management Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
- Junior Research Group Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg, Germany
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27
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Pryke JS, Roets F, Samways MJ. Large African herbivore diversity is essential in transformed landscapes for conserving dung beetle diversity. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James S. Pryke
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Matieland South Africa
| | - Francois Roets
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Matieland South Africa
| | - Michael J. Samways
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Matieland South Africa
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28
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Mutoro NM, Chira R, Gichuki N, Kariuki E, Eberle J, Habel JC, Wykstra M. Dietary preference of cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus) in south-eastern Kenya. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8556. [PMID: 35342561 PMCID: PMC8932225 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of natural ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities has led to the destruction of natural habitats and to the deterioration of habitat quality. Top predators particularly respond sensitively to changes in habitat structures, including the availability of prey. The cheetah Acinonyx jubatus prefers small-medium-sized, wild ungulate prey due to the cheetah's morphological adaptations. However, the majority of the species' population is found beyond protected areas, where habitat structures, species abundances, and community composition are highly influenced by human activities. Only few studies have analyzed the diet preference of cheetahs in relation to prey availability and abundance for rangelands beyond protected areas in Eastern Africa. The study aimed to determine cheetah prey preference in the rangelands of south-eastern Kenya based on scat analyses. We compared dietary preference of cheetah with prey availability. For this purpose, we conducted standardized game counts. We analyzed 27 cheetah scat samples collected across the same study area where we also conducted game counts. We found that Grant's gazelle Gazella granti contributed the highest portion of cheetah's diet, although Thomson's gazelle Gazella thomsonii was the most abundant medium-sized ungulate prey in the study areas. We also recorded two primate species, yellow baboon Papio cynocephalus and vervet monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus, as well as the rock hyrax Procavia capensis in the cheetah diet. These species have never been documented as cheetah prey before. Furthermore, our results document livestock as potential prey for cheetahs. These observations underline that cheetah use diverse prey in rangelands outside protected areas, and that the abundance of specific prey does not influence cheetah prey preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen M Mutoro
- Evolutionary Zoology Department of Environment and Biodiversity University of Salzburg Salzburg Austria
- School of Biological Sciences University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
- Action for Cheetahs in Kenya Nairobi Kenya
| | - Robert Chira
- School of Biological Sciences University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Nathan Gichuki
- School of Biological Sciences University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
| | | | - Jonas Eberle
- Evolutionary Zoology Department of Environment and Biodiversity University of Salzburg Salzburg Austria
| | - Jan Christian Habel
- Evolutionary Zoology Department of Environment and Biodiversity University of Salzburg Salzburg Austria
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29
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Land Use/Cover Change Reduces Elephant Habitat Suitability in the Wami Mbiki–Saadani Wildlife Corridor, Tanzania. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11020307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife corridors are critical for maintaining the viability of isolated wildlife populations and conserving ecosystem functionality. Anthropogenic pressure has negatively impacted wildlife habitats, particularly in corridors between protected areas, but few studies have yet quantitatively assessed habitat changes and corresponding wildlife presence. We quantified land use/land cover and human–elephant conflict trends over the past two decades in the Wami Mbiki–Saadani (WMS) wildlife corridor, Tanzania, using RS and GIS combined with human–wildlife conflict reports. We designed landscape metrics and habitat suitability models for the African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) as a large mammal key species in the WMS ecosystem. Our results showed that forest cover, a highly suitable habitat for elephants, decreased by 3.0% between 1998 and 2008 and 20.3% between 2008 and 2018. Overall, the highly suitable habitat for elephants decreased by 22.4% from 1998 to 2018, when it was scarcely available and when small fragmented patches dominated the unprotected parts of the corridor. Our findings revealed that large mammalian habitat conservation requires approaches beyond habitat-loss detection and must consider other facets of landscape patterns. We suggest strengthening elephant habitat conservation through community conservation awareness, wildlife corridor mapping, and restoration practices to ensure a sustainable pathway to human–wildlife coexistence.
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30
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Wells HBM, Crego RD, Ekadeli J, Namoni M, Kimuyu DM, Odadi WO, Porensky LM, Dougill AJ, Stringer LC, Young TP. Less Is More: Lowering Cattle Stocking Rates Enhances Wild Herbivore Habitat Use and Cattle Foraging Efficiency. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.825689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over a quarter of the world’s land surface is grazed by cattle and other livestock, which are replacing wild herbivores and widely regarded as drivers of global biodiversity declines. The effects of livestock presence versus absence on wild herbivores are well documented. However, the environmental context-specific effects of cattle stocking rate on biodiversity and livestock production are poorly understood, precluding nuanced rangeland management recommendations. To address this, we used a long term exclosure experiment in a semi-arid savanna ecosystem in central Kenya that selectively excludes cattle (at different stocking rates), wild mesoherbivores, and megaherbivores. We investigated the individual and interactive effects of cattle stocking rate (zero/moderate/high) and megaherbivore (>1,000 kg) accessibility on habitat use (measured as dung density) by two dominant wild mesoherbivores (50–1,000 kg; zebra Equus quagga and eland Taurotragus oryx) across the “wet” and “dry” seasons. To explore potential tradeoffs or co-benefits between cattle production and wildlife conservation, we tested for individual and interactive effects of cattle stocking rate and accessibility by wild mesoherbivores and megaherbivores (collectively, large wild herbivores) on the foraging efficiency of cattle across both seasons. Eland habitat use was reduced by cattle at moderate and high stocking rates across both dry and wet seasons and regardless of megaherbivore accessibility. We observed a positive effect of megaherbivores on zebra habitat use at moderate, but not high, stocking rates. Cattle foraging efficiency (g dry matter step–1 min–1) was lower in the high compared to moderate stocking rate treatments during the dry season, and was non-additively reduced by wild mesoherbivores and high cattle stocking rates during the wet season. These results show that high stocking rates are detrimental to wild mesoherbivore habitat use and cattle foraging efficiency, while reducing to moderate stocking rates can benefit zebra habitat use and cattle foraging efficiency. Our findings demonstrate that ecosystem management and restoration efforts across African rangelands that involve reducing cattle stocking rates may represent a win-win for wild herbivore conservation and individual performance of livestock.
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31
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Hays BR, Riginos C, Palmer TM, Doak DF, Gituku BC, Maiyo NJ, Mutisya S, Musila S, Goheen JR. Demographic consequences of mutualism disruption: Browsing and big-headed ant invasion drive acacia population declines. Ecology 2022; 103:e3655. [PMID: 35132627 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Across the globe, biological invasions have disrupted mutualisms, producing reverberating consequences for ecosystems. Although invasive species frequently trigger mutualism disruptions, few studies have quantified the demographic mechanisms by which mutualism breakdown may generate population effects. In a Kenyan savanna, the invasive big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) has disrupted a foundational mutualism between the monodominant whistling-thorn tree (Acacia drepanolobium) and native ants (Crematogaster spp.) that deter browsing by large mammalian herbivores. We conducted experiments to quantify the demographic consequences of this mutualism disruption in the presence and absence of large mammalian herbivores. Invasion by P. megacephala exacerbated population declines of A. drepanolobium, primarily through decreased survival and reproduction of adult trees. However, these fitness reductions were small compared to those resulting from the presence of large mammalian herbivores, which negatively impacted growth and survival. Contrary to expectation, the expulsion of metabolically costly Crematogaster mutualists by P. megacephala did not result in higher population growth rates for trees protected from large mammalian herbivores. Our results suggest that invasive P. megacephala may impose a direct metabolic cost to trees exceeding that of native mutualists while providing no protection from browsing by large mammalian herbivores. Across landscapes, we expect that invasion by P. megacephala will reduce A. drepanolobium populations, but that the magnitude and demographic pathways of this effect will hinge on the presence and abundance of browsers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon R Hays
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
| | - Corinna Riginos
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.,The Nature Conservancy, 258 Main Street, Lander, Wyoming, USA
| | - Todd M Palmer
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel F Doak
- Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Benard C Gituku
- Department of Land Resource Management & Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.,Conservation Department, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Nelly J Maiyo
- Conservation Department, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Samuel Mutisya
- Conservation Department, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Simon Musila
- Mammalogy Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jacob R Goheen
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
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32
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Tyrrell P, Amoke I, Betjes K, Broekhuis F, Buitenwerf R, Carroll S, Hahn N, Haywood D, Klaassen B, Løvschal M, Macdonald D, Maiyo K, Mbithi H, Mwangi N, Ochola C, Odire E, Ondrusek V, Ratemo J, Pope F, Russell S, Sairowua W, Sigilai K, Stabach JA, Svenning JC, Stone E, du Toit JT, Western G, Wittemyer G, Wall J. Landscape Dynamics (landDX) an open-access spatial-temporal database for the Kenya-Tanzania borderlands. Sci Data 2022; 9:8. [PMID: 35042854 PMCID: PMC8766582 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-01100-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The savannas of the Kenya-Tanzania borderland cover >100,000 km2 and is one of the most important regions globally for biodiversity conservation, particularly large mammals. The region also supports >1 million pastoralists and their livestock. In these systems, resources for both large mammals and pastoralists are highly variable in space and time and thus require connected landscapes. However, ongoing fragmentation of (semi-)natural vegetation by smallholder fencing and expansion of agriculture threatens this social-ecological system. Spatial data on fences and agricultural expansion are localized and dispersed among data owners and databases. Here, we synthesized data from several research groups and conservation NGOs and present the first release of the Landscape Dynamics (landDX) spatial-temporal database, covering ~30,000 km2 of southern Kenya. The data includes 31,000 livestock enclosures, nearly 40,000 kilometres of fencing, and 1,500 km2 of agricultural land. We provide caveats and interpretation of the different methodologies used. These data are useful to answer fundamental ecological questions, to quantify the rate of change of ecosystem function and wildlife populations, for conservation and livestock management, and for local and governmental spatial planning. Measurement(s) | livestock enclosures • agriculture • fence | Technology Type(s) | digital curation | Sample Characteristic - Environment | savanna | Sample Characteristic - Location | East Africa |
Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.16828204
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Tyrrell
- South Rift Association of Land Owners, Nairobi, Kenya. .,University of Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Oxford, UK. .,University of Nairobi, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Irene Amoke
- Kenya Wildlife Trust, P.O. Box 86-00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Koen Betjes
- South Rift Association of Land Owners, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Femke Broekhuis
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Buitenwerf
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sarah Carroll
- Colorado State University, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Nathan Hahn
- Colorado State University, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Fort Collins, USA.,Colorado State University, Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Fort Collins, USA
| | | | - Britt Klaassen
- Independent (Rijperweg 91, 1462 MD, Middenbeemster, The Netherlands
| | - Mette Løvschal
- Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies & IMC, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David Macdonald
- University of Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jared A Stabach
- Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Conservation Ecology Center, Washington, USA
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Johan T du Toit
- Mammal Research Institute and Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, USA
| | - Guy Western
- South Rift Association of Land Owners, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - George Wittemyer
- Colorado State University, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Fort Collins, USA.,Save the Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya.,Colorado State University, Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Jake Wall
- Mara Elephant Project, Nairobi, Kenya
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33
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Atickem A, Klapproth M, Fischer M, Zinner D, Loe LE. Home range and habitat selection of female mountain nyalas (Tragelaphus buxtoni) in the human-dominated landscape of the Ethiopian Highlands. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00216-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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34
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The Relationship between Climate Change, Variability, and Food Security: Understanding the Impacts and Building Resilient Food Systems in West Pokot County, Kenya. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14020765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study integrated local and scientific knowledge to assess the impacts of climate change and variability on food security in West Pokot County, Kenya from 1980–2012. It characterized rainfall and temperature from 1980–2011 and the phenology of agricultural vegetation, assessed land use and land cover (LULC) changes, and surveyed local knowledge and perceptions of the relationships between climate change and variability, land use decisions, and food (in)security. The 124 respondents were aware of long-term changes in their environment, with 68% strongly believing that climate has become more variable. The majority of the respondents (88%) reported declining rainfall and rising temperatures, with respondents in the lowland areas reporting shortened growing seasons that affected food production. Meteorological data for 1980–2011 confirmed high inter-annual rainfall variability around the mean value of 973.4 mm/yr but with no notable trend. Temperature data showed an increasing trend between 1980 and 2012 with lowlands and highlands showing changes of +1.25 °C and +1.29 °C, respectively. Land use and land cover changes between 1984 and 2010 showed cropland area increased by +4176% (+33,138 ha), while grassland and forest areas declined by –49% (–96,988 ha) and –38% (–65,010 ha), respectively. These area changes illustrate human-mediated responses to the rainfall variability, such as increased stocking after good rainfall years and crop area expansion. The mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values ranged from 0.36–0.54 within a year, peaking in May and September. For weather-related planning, respondents relied on radio (64%) and traditional forecasters (26%) as predominant information sources. Supporting continuous climate change monitoring, intensified early warning systems, and disseminating relevant information to farmers could help farmers adopt appropriate adaptation strategies.
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35
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Water sources aggregate parasites with increasing effects in more arid conditions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7066. [PMID: 34862389 PMCID: PMC8642388 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27352-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Shifts in landscape heterogeneity and climate can influence animal movement in ways that profoundly alter disease transmission. Water sources that are foci of animal activity have great potential to promote disease transmission, but it is unknown how this varies across a range of hosts and climatic contexts. For fecal-oral parasites, water resources can aggregate many different hosts in small areas, concentrate infectious material, and function as disease hotspots. This may be exacerbated where water is scarce and for species requiring frequent water access. Working in an East African savanna, we show via experimental and observational methods that water sources increase the density of wild and domestic herbivore feces and thus, the concentration of fecal-oral parasites in the environment, by up to two orders of magnitude. We show that this effect is amplified in drier areas and drier periods, creating dynamic and heterogeneous disease landscapes across space and time. We also show that herbivore grazing behaviors that expose them to fecal-oral parasites often increase at water sources relative to background sites, increasing potential parasite transmission at these hotspots. Critically, this effect varies by herbivore species, with strongest effects for two animals of concern for conservation and development: elephants and cattle.
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36
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Abstract
AbstractEvidence climate change is impacting ticks and tick-borne infections is generally lacking. This is primarily because, in most parts of the world, there are no long-term and replicated data on the distribution and abundance of tick populations, and the prevalence and incidence of tick-borne infections. Notable exceptions exist, as in Canada where the northeastern advance of Ixodes scapularis and Lyme borreliosis in the USA prompted the establishment of tick and associated disease surveillance. As a result, the past 30 years recorded the encroachment and spread of I. scapularis and Lyme borreliosis across much of Canada concomitant with a 2-3 °C increase in land surface temperature. A similar northerly advance of I. ricinus [and associated Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)] has been recorded in northern Europe together with expansion of this species’ range to higher altitudes in Central Europe and the Greater Alpine Region, again concomitant with rising temperatures. Changes in tick species composition are being recorded, with increases in more heat tolerant phenotypes (such as Rhipicephalus microplus in Africa), while exotic species, such as Haemaphysalis longicornis and Hyalomma marginatum, are becoming established in the USA and Southern Europe, respectively. In the next 50 years these trends are likely to continue, whereas, at the southern extremities of temperate species’ ranges, diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and TBE may become less prevalent. Where socioeconomic conditions link livestock with livelihoods, as in Pakistan and much of Africa, a One Health approach is needed to tackling ticks and tick-borne infections under the increasing challenges presented by climate change.
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Obanda V, Agwanda B, Blanco-Penedo I, Mwangi IA, King'ori E, Omondi GP, Ahlm C, Evander M, Lwande OW. Livestock Presence Influences the Seroprevalence of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus on Sympatric Wildlife in Kenya. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:809-816. [PMID: 34559011 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic viral disease with the potential of causing public health emergencies. However, less is known about the role of wildlife and livestock in spreading the virus. Therefore, we aimed to assess how the interactions between African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and cattle may influence the seroprevalence of CCHF across livestock-wildlife management systems in Kenya. The study included archived sera samples from buffalo and cattle from wildlife only habitats (Lake Nakuru National Park and Solio conservancy), open wildlife-livestock integrated habitats (Maasai Mara ecosystem and Meru National Park), and closed wildlife-livestock habitats (Ol Pejeta Conservancy) in Kenya. We analyzed 191 buffalo and 139 cattle sera using IDvet multispecies, double-antigen IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The seroprevalence toward Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) was significantly higher for buffalo compared to cattle (75.3% and 28.1%, respectively, p < 0.001). We obtained the highest seroprevalence among buffalo of 92.1% in closed wildlife only systems compared to 28.8% and 46.1% prevalence in closed-integrated and open-integrated systems, respectively. The regression coefficients were all negative for cattle compared to buffalo in both closed-integrated and open-integrated compared to wildlife only system. Our results show that CCHFV circulates among the diverse animal community in Kenya in spatially disconnected foci. The habitat overlap between cattle and buffalo makes cattle a "bridge species" or superspreader host for CCHFV and increases transmission risks to humans. The effect of animal management system on prevalence is depended on tick control on the cattle and not the animal per se. We conclude that buffalo, a host with a longer life span than livestock, is a reservoir and may serve as a sentinel population for longitudinal surveillance of CCHFV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Obanda
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bernard Agwanda
- Department of Mammalogy, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Isabel Blanco-Penedo
- Unit of Veterinary Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Irene Ann Mwangi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Kenya AIDs Vaccine Initiative Institute of Clinical Research, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edward King'ori
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - George P Omondi
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.,Ahadi Veterinary Resource Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Clas Ahlm
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Evander
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Iteba JO, Hein T, Singer GA, Masese FO. Livestock as vectors of organic matter and nutrient loading in aquatic ecosystems in African savannas. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257076. [PMID: 34495982 PMCID: PMC8425544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Populations of large wildlife have declined in many landscapes around the world, and have been replaced or displaced by livestock. The consequences of these changes on the transfer of organic matter (OM) and nutrients from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems are not well understood. We used behavioural data, excretion and egestion rates and C: N: P stoichiometry of dung and urine of zebu cattle, to develop a metabolism-based estimate of loading rates of OM (dung), C, N and P into the Mara River, Kenya. We also directly measured the deposition of OM and urine by cattle into the river during watering. Per head, zebu cattle excrete and/or egest 25.6 g dry matter (DM, 99.6 g wet mass; metabolism) - 27.7 g DM (direct input) of OM, 16.0-21.8 g C, 5.9-9.6 g N, and 0.3-0.5 g P per day into the river. To replace loading rates OM of an individual hippopotamus by cattle, around 100 individuals will be needed, but much less for different elements. In parts of the investigated sub-catchments loading rates by cattle were equivalent to or higher than that of the hippopotamus. The patterns of increased suspended materials and nutrients as a result of livestock activity fit into historical findings on nutrients concentrations, dissolved organic carbon and other variables in agricultural and livestock areas in the Mara River basin. Changing these patterns of carbon and nutrient transport and cycling are having significant effects on the structure and functioning of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob O. Iteba
- Department of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Thomas Hein
- Department of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- WasserCluster Lunz, Lunz am See, Austria
| | - Gabriel A. Singer
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Frank O. Masese
- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Aquatic Science and Ecosystems Group, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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39
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de Jong YA, Butynski TM. Is the southern patas monkey Erythrocebus baumstarki Africa's next primate extinction? Reassessing taxonomy, distribution, abundance, and conservation. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23316. [PMID: 34473367 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23316] [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: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The "Critically Endangered" southern patas monkey Erythrocebus baumstarki, thought to be endemic to Tanzania, has been resurrected to species level based on its geographic isolation, and on the coloration and pattern of its pelage. This study presents the first evidence for E. baumstarki in Kenya and reviews its historic and current geographic distributions based on the literature, museum specimens, online platforms, responses to requests for site records, and our own fieldwork. The distribution of E. baumstarki in the early 20th century was roughly 66,000 km2 . This has declined about 85% to around 9700 km2 at present (post-2009). The current "Extent of Occurrence" is only about 2150 km2 . This species was extirpated from Kenya in about 2015 and from the Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania in about 2011. At present, E. baumstarki appears to be restricted to the protected areas of the western Serengeti, with the western Serengeti National Park being the stronghold. The number of individuals remaining is probably between 100 and 200, including between 50 and 100 mature individuals. The ultimate threat to E. baumstarki is the very rapidly increasing human population, while the main proximate threats are the degradation, loss, and fragmentation of natural habitats, and the related competition with people and livestock for habitat and water, particularly during droughts. Other problems are hunting by poachers and domestic dogs, and probably loss of genetic variation and climate change. This article provides recommendations for reducing the threats and promoting the recovery of E. baumstarki. We hope this article heightens awareness of the dire conservation status of E. baumstarki and encourages an increase in research and conservation action for this monkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne A de Jong
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Thomas M Butynski
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki, Kenya
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40
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Wells HBM, Crego RD, Opedal ØH, Khasoha LM, Alston JM, Reed CG, Weiner S, Kurukura S, Hassan AA, Namoni M, Ekadeli J, Kimuyu DM, Young TP, Kartzinel TR, Palmer TM, Pringle RM, Goheen JR. Experimental evidence that effects of megaherbivores on mesoherbivore space use are influenced by species' traits. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2510-2522. [PMID: 34192343 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13565] [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: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The extinction of 80% of megaherbivore (>1,000 kg) species towards the end of the Pleistocene altered vegetation structure, fire dynamics and nutrient cycling world-wide. Ecologists have proposed (re)introducing megaherbivores or their ecological analogues to restore lost ecosystem functions and reinforce extant but declining megaherbivore populations. However, the effects of megaherbivores on smaller herbivores are poorly understood. We used long-term exclusion experiments and multispecies hierarchical models fitted to dung counts to test (a) the effect of megaherbivores (elephant and giraffe) on the occurrence (dung presence) and use intensity (dung pile density) of mesoherbivores (2-1,000 kg), and (b) the extent to which the responses of each mesoherbivore species was predictable based on their traits (diet and shoulder height) and phylogenetic relatedness. Megaherbivores increased the predicted occurrence and use intensity of zebras but reduced the occurrence and use intensity of several other mesoherbivore species. The negative effect of megaherbivores on mesoherbivore occurrence was stronger for shorter species, regardless of diet or relatedness. Megaherbivores substantially reduced the expected total use intensity (i.e. cumulative dung density of all species) of mesoherbivores, but only minimally reduced the expected species richness (i.e. cumulative predicted occurrence probabilities of all species) of mesoherbivores (by <1 species). Simulated extirpation of megaherbivores altered use intensity by mesoherbivores, which should be considered during (re)introductions of megaherbivores or their ecological proxies. Species' traits (in this case shoulder height) may be more reliable predictors of mesoherbivores' responses to megaherbivores than phylogenetic relatedness, and may be useful for predicting responses of data-limited species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry B M Wells
- Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Space for Giants, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Ramiro D Crego
- National Zoo and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Conservation Ecology Center, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | | | - Leo M Khasoha
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Program in Ecology, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Jesse M Alston
- Program in Ecology, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.,Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS), Görlitz, Germany
| | - Courtney G Reed
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sarah Weiner
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Program in Ecology, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Duncan M Kimuyu
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Department of Natural Resources, Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya
| | - Truman P Young
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Department of Plant Sciences and Ecology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Tyler R Kartzinel
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Todd M Palmer
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert M Pringle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Jacob R Goheen
- Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya.,Program in Ecology, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
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41
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Western D, Mose VN. The changing role of natural and human agencies shaping the ecology of an African savanna ecosystem. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Chanyandura A, Muposhi VK, Gandiwa E, Muboko N. An analysis of threats, strategies, and opportunities for African rhinoceros conservation. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5892-5910. [PMID: 34141191 PMCID: PMC8207337 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity and magnitude of threats to black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros conservation in Africa have triggered global concerns and actions. In this study, we analyzed (i) threats to rhinoceros conservation including external shocks, (ii) historical rhinoceros conservation strategies in Zimbabwe and Africa, more broadly, and (iii) opportunities for enhanced rhinoceros conservation in Zimbabwe and Africa. A literature search from 1975 to 2020 was carried out using a predefined search protocol, involving a number of filters based on a set of keywords to balance search sensitivity with specificity. A total of 193 articles, which were most relevant to key themes on rhinoceros conservation, were used in this study. The common threats to rhinoceros conservation identified in this paper include poaching, habitat fragmentation and loss, international trade in illegal rhino products, and external shocks such as global financial recessions and pandemics. Cascading effects emanating from these threats include small and isolated populations, which are prone to genetic, demographic, and environmental uncertainties. Rhinoceros conservation strategies being implemented include education and awareness campaigns, better equipped and more antipoaching efforts, use of innovative systems and technologies, dehorning, and enhancing safety nets, and livelihoods of local communities. Opportunities for rhinoceros conservation vary across the spatial scale, and these include (a) a well-coordinated stakeholder and community involvement, (b) strategic meta-population management, (c) enhancing law enforcement initiatives through incorporating real-time surveillance technologies and intruder detection sensor networks for crime detection, (d) scaling up demand reduction awareness campaigns, and (e) developing more certified wildlife crime and forensic laboratories, and information repository for international corporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Admire Chanyandura
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and ConservationChinhoyi University of TechnologyChinhoyiZimbabwe
| | - Victor K. Muposhi
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and ConservationChinhoyi University of TechnologyChinhoyiZimbabwe
| | - Edson Gandiwa
- Scientific ServicesZimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management AuthorityHarareZimbabwe
| | - Never Muboko
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and ConservationChinhoyi University of TechnologyChinhoyiZimbabwe
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43
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Large herbivores transform plant-pollinator networks in an African savanna. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2964-2971.e5. [PMID: 34004144 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pollination by animals is a key ecosystem service1,2 and interactions between plants and their pollinators are a model system for studying ecological networks,3,4 yet plant-pollinator networks are typically studied in isolation from the broader ecosystems in which they are embedded. The plants visited by pollinators also interact with other consumer guilds that eat stems, leaves, fruits, or seeds. One such guild, large mammalian herbivores, are well-known ecosystem engineers5-7 and may have substantial impacts on plant-pollinator networks. Although moderate herbivory can sometimes promote plant diversity,8 potentially benefiting pollinators, large herbivores might alternatively reduce resource availability for pollinators by consuming flowers,9 reducing plant density,10 and promoting somatic regrowth over reproduction.11 The direction and magnitude of such effects may hinge on abiotic context-in particular, rainfall, which modulates the effects of ungulates on vegetation.12 Using a long-term, large-scale experiment replicated across a rainfall gradient in central Kenya, we show that a diverse assemblage of native large herbivores, ranging from 5-kg antelopes to 4,000-kg African elephants, limited resource availability for pollinators by reducing flower abundance and diversity; this in turn resulted in fewer pollinator visits and lower pollinator diversity. Exclusion of large herbivores increased floral-resource abundance and pollinator-assemblage diversity, rendering plant-pollinator networks larger, more functionally redundant, and less vulnerable to pollinator extinction. Our results show that species extrinsic to plant-pollinator interactions can indirectly and strongly alter network structure. Forecasting the effects of environmental change on pollination services and interaction webs more broadly will require accounting for the effects of extrinsic keystone species.
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Wood BM, Millar RS, Wright N, Baumgartner J, Holmquist H, Kiffner C. Hunter-Gatherers in context: Mammal community composition in a northern Tanzania landscape used by Hadza foragers and Datoga pastoralists. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251076. [PMID: 33989291 PMCID: PMC8121365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In many regions of sub Saharan Africa large mammals occur in human-dominated areas, yet their community composition and abundance have rarely been described in areas occupied by traditional hunter-gatherers and pastoralists. Surveys of mammal populations in such areas provide important measures of biodiversity and provide ecological context for understanding hunting practices. Using a sampling grid centered on a Hadza hunter-gatherer camp and covering 36 km2 of semi-arid savannah in northern Tanzania, we assessed mammals using camera traps (n = 19 stations) for c. 5 months (2,182 trap nights). In the study area (Tli’ika in the Hadza language), we recorded 36 wild mammal species. Rarefaction curves suggest that sampling effort was sufficient to capture mammal species richness, yet some species known to occur at low densities in the wider area (e.g. African lions, wildebeest) were not detected. Relative abundance indices of wildlife species varied by c. three orders of magnitude, from a mean of 0.04 (African wild dog) to 20.34 capture events per 100 trap-nights (Kirk’s dik dik). To contextualize the relative abundance of wildlife in the study area, we compared our study’s data to comparable camera trap data collected in a fully protected area of northern Tanzania with similar rainfall (Lake Manyara National Park). Raw data and negative binomial regression analyses show that wild herbivores and wild carnivores were generally detected in the national park at higher rates than in the Hadza-occupied region. Livestock were notably absent from the national park, but were detected at high levels in Tli’ika, and cattle was the second most frequently detected species in the Hadza-used area. We discuss how these data inform current conservation efforts, studies of Hadza hunting, and models of hunter-gatherer foraging ecology and diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Wood
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BMW); (CK)
| | | | | | | | | | - Christian Kiffner
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Center For Wildlife Management Studies, The School For Field Studies, Karatu, Tanzania
- * E-mail: (BMW); (CK)
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Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Infection at the Wildlife-Livestock Interface in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, 2015-2019. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050838. [PMID: 34066336 PMCID: PMC8148116 DOI: 10.3390/v13050838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease of goats and sheep that occurs in Africa, the Middle East and Asia with a severe impact on livelihoods and livestock trade. Many wild artiodactyls are susceptible to PPR virus (PPRV) infection, and some outbreaks have threatened endangered wild populations. The role of wild species in PPRV epidemiology is unclear, which is a knowledge gap for the Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR. These studies aimed to investigate PPRV infection in wild artiodactyls in the Greater Serengeti and Amboseli ecosystems of Kenya and Tanzania. Out of 132 animals purposively sampled in 2015–2016, 19.7% were PPRV seropositive by ID Screen PPR competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA; IDvet, France) from the following species: African buffalo, wildebeest, topi, kongoni, Grant’s gazelle, impala, Thomson’s gazelle, warthog and gerenuk, while waterbuck and lesser kudu were seronegative. In 2018–2019, a cross-sectional survey of randomly selected African buffalo and Grant’s gazelle herds was conducted. The weighted estimate of PPRV seroprevalence was 12.0% out of 191 African buffalo and 1.1% out of 139 Grant’s gazelles. All ocular and nasal swabs and faeces were negative by PPRV real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Investigations of a PPR-like disease in sheep and goats confirmed PPRV circulation in the area by rapid detection test and/or RT-qPCR. These results demonstrated serological evidence of PPRV infection in wild artiodactyl species at the wildlife–livestock interface in this ecosystem where PPRV is endemic in domestic small ruminants. Exposure to PPRV could be via spillover from infected small ruminants or from transmission between wild animals, while the relatively low seroprevalence suggests that sustained transmission is unlikely. Further studies of other major wild artiodactyls in this ecosystem are required, such as impala, Thomson’s gazelle and wildebeest.
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Connolly E, Allan J, Brehony P, Aduda A, Western G, Russell S, Dickman A, Tyrrell P. Coexistence in an African pastoral landscape: Evidence that livestock and wildlife temporally partition water resources. Afr J Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Connolly
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - James Allan
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Peadar Brehony
- Department of Geography University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Alice Aduda
- South Rift Association of Landowners Nairobi Kenya
| | - Guy Western
- South Rift Association of Landowners Nairobi Kenya
| | | | - Amy Dickman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Department of Zoology University of OxfordThe Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Oxfordshire UK
| | - Peter Tyrrell
- South Rift Association of Landowners Nairobi Kenya
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Department of Zoology University of OxfordThe Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Oxfordshire UK
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47
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Kamau MW, Brown JL, Hassell JM, Gaymer J, Farnham MW, Mutinda M, Kariuki L, Gakuya F, Martins DJ, Murray S. Establishing East Africa's First Endocrinology Laboratory to Aid in Wildlife Conservation. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3957/056.051.0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen W. Kamau
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington DC 20008, U.S.A
| | - Janine L. Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, U.S.A
| | - James M. Hassell
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington DC 20008, U.S.A
| | - Jamie Gaymer
- Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy, P.O. Box 259-10400, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - MacDonald W. Farnham
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington DC 20008, U.S.A
| | - Mathew Mutinda
- Kenya Wildlife Service P.O. Box 40241 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Linus Kariuki
- Kenya Wildlife Service P.O. Box 40241 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Francis Gakuya
- Kenya Wildlife Service P.O. Box 40241 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Suzan Murray
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington DC 20008, U.S.A
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48
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McInturff A, Miller JRB, Gaynor KM, Brashares JS. Patterns of coyote predation on sheep in California: A socio‐ecological approach to mapping risk of livestock–predator conflict. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alex McInturff
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California, Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Jennifer R. B. Miller
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California, Berkeley Berkeley California
- Center for Conservation Innovation, Defenders of Wildlife Washington District of Columbia
| | - Kaitlyn M. Gaynor
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California, Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Justin S. Brashares
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California, Berkeley Berkeley California
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49
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Kamau J, Ashby E, Shields L, Yu J, Murray S, Vodzak M, Kwallah AO, Ambala P, Zimmerman D. The intersection of land use and human behavior as risk factors for zoonotic pathogen exposure in Laikipia County, Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009143. [PMID: 33606671 PMCID: PMC7894889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009143] [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: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A majority of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are zoonotic, mainly caused through spillover events linked to human-animal interactions. We conducted a survey-based human behavioral study in Laikipia County, Kenya, which is characterized by a dynamic human-wildlife-livestock interface. Questionnaires that assessed human-animal interactions, sanitation, and illnesses experienced within the past year were distributed to 327 participants among five communities in Laikipia. This study aimed to 1) describe variation in reported high-risk behaviors by community type and 2) assess the relationship between specific behaviors and self-reported illnesses. Behavioral trends were assessed in R via Fisher’s exact tests. A generalized linear mixed model with Lasso penalization (GLMMLasso) was used to assess correlations between behaviors and participants’ self-reported illness within the past year, with reported behaviors as independent variables and reported priority symptoms as the outcome. Reported behaviors varied significantly among the study communities. Participants from one community (Pastoralist-1) were significantly more likely to report eating a sick animal in the past year (p< 0.001), collecting an animal found dead to sell in the past year (p<0.0001), and not having a designated location for human waste (p<0.0001) when compared to participants from other communities. The GLMMLasso revealed that reports of an ill person in the household in the past year was significantly associated with self-reported illness. Sixty-eight percent of participants reported that bushmeat is available within the communities. Our study demonstrates community-level variation in behaviors that may influence zoonotic pathogen exposure. We further recommend development of targeted studies that explore behavioral variations among land use systems in animal production contexts. Many infectious diseases, such as H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19, can be spread to humas from animals. In order to reduce the risk of disease “spillover” (disease transmission from an animal to a person), it is important to understand how interactions between humans and animals can influence spread. Certain behaviors, such as eating raw meat, hunting, or sharing drinking water with animals can put people at greater risk of contacting bacteria and viruses that can cause these diseases. Globally, communities that depend on animal production are at heightened risk due to increased contact with animals. In this study, the authors conducted human behavioral surveys among different communities in Kenya that raise livestock. Results show that reported behaviors varied greatly by community. One of the communities reported a significantly higher proportion of behaviors, such as eating raw meat or eating animals found dead. Communities that show high prevalence of these behaviors may be at greater risk for contracting diseases from animals. Understanding this variation is important for developing plans for community outreach and addressing behaviors that can influence risk of disease spread.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Ashby
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Jennifer Yu
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Suzan Murray
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Megan Vodzak
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | - Peris Ambala
- Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dawn Zimmerman
- Global Health Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Brookes VJ, Barrett TE, Ward MP, Roby JA, Hernandez-Jover M, Cross EM, Donnelly CM, Barnes TS, Wilson CS, Khalfan S. A scoping review of African swine fever virus spread between domestic and free-living pigs. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2643-2656. [PMID: 33455062 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Since 2007, African swine fever virus (ASFV) has spread to countries in Europe, Asia and Oceania and has caused devastating impacts on pigs and the pork industry. Transmission can be direct or indirect, and epidemiologic scenarios have been described in which spread occurs between free-living and domestic pigs. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify primary research in which authors made statements to support ASFV transmission between free-living and domestic pigs and assess the circumstances in which transmission events occurred. A search was conducted in five bibliographic databases and the grey literature. Two reviewers (from a team of ten) independently screened each record and charted data (demographics of the pig populations, their husbandry [domestic pigs] and habitat [free-living pigs], the spatial and temporal distribution of ASF, the occurrence or burden of ASF in the populations, and whether ticks were present in the geographic range of the pig populations). Data synthesis included statistics and a narrative summary. From 1,349 records screened, data were charted from 46 individual studies published from 1985 to 2020. Outbreak investigations revealed that whilst poor biosecurity of domestic pig operations was often reported, direct contact resulting in transmission between free-living and domestic pigs was rarely reported. Studies in which quantitative associations were made generally found that spread within populations was more important than spread between populations, although this was not always the case, particularly when domestic pigs were free-ranging. We conclude that there is limited evidence that transmission of ASFV between free-living and domestic pigs is an important feature of ASF epidemiology, especially in the current ASF epidemic in Europe and the Russian Federation. If ASFV elimination cannot be achieved in free-living pigs, compartmentalization of domestic pig populations from free-living populations via biosecurity strategies could be used to support trade of domestic pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J Brookes
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Tamille E Barrett
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin A Roby
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Marta Hernandez-Jover
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily M Cross
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Camilla M Donnelly
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Tamsin S Barnes
- The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Qld, Australia.,The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Gatton, Qld, Australia
| | - Cara S Wilson
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Shahid Khalfan
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
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