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Boyce MS, Carpentier CAE, Linnell JDC. Coexisting with large carnivores based on the Volterra principle. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2025:e14448. [PMID: 39876533 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2024] [Accepted: 11/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2025]
Abstract
Coexistence with large carnivores represents one of the world's highest profile conservation challenges. Ecologists have identified ecological benefits derived from large carnivores (and large herbivores), yet livestock depredation, perceived competition for shared game, risks to pets and humans, and social conflicts often lead to demands for reduction of predator numbers from a range of stakeholder groups. Nearly 100 years ago, Vito Volterra predicted that increased mortality on both prey and predators results in increased abundance of prey and decreased abundance of predators. This principle appears to be robust and often consistent with the objectives of wildlife management. Although seldom recognized, and rarely tested in the field, the Volterra principle is a fundamental outcome of ecological theory with important implications for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Cecile A E Carpentier
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Inland Norway, Koppang, Norway
| | - John D C Linnell
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Inland Norway, Koppang, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Lillehammer, Norway
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Trump T, Knopff K, Morehouse A, Boyce MS. Sustainable elk harvests in Alberta with increasing predator populations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269407. [PMID: 36288266 PMCID: PMC9604012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Large predators often are believed to cause declines in hunter harvests of ungulates due to direct competition for prey with hunters. In Alberta, predators of elk (Cervus elaphus), including grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), cougar (Puma concolor), and wolf (Canis lupus), have increased in recent years. We used trend analysis replicated by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) to examine regional trends in elk harvest and hunter success. Over a 26-yr period, average harvest of elk increased by 5.46% per year for unrestricted bull and by 6.64% per year for limited-quota seasons. Also, over the same time frame, average hunter success increased by 0.2% per year for unrestricted bull and by 0.3% per year for limited-quota seasons, but no trend was detected in hunter effort (P>0.05). Our results show that increasing large-predator populations do not necessarily reduce hunter harvest of elk, and we only found evidence for this in Alberta's mountain WMUs where predation on elk calves has reduced recruitment. Furthermore, data indicate that Alberta's elk harvest management has been sustainable, i.e., hunting has continued while populations of elk have increased throughout most of the province. Wildlife agencies can justify commitments to long-term population monitoring because data allow adaptive management and can inform stakeholders on the status of populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Trump
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kyle Knopff
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Golder Associates, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Morehouse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Winisk Research and Consulting, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Morehouse AT, Hughes C, Manners N, Bectell J, Tigner J. Dealing With Deadstock: A Case Study of Carnivore Conflict Mitigation From Southwestern Alberta. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.786013] [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
Livestock deaths are an unfortunate reality for livestock producers and dead livestock (i.e., deadstock) disposal options can have implications beyond the ranch itself. In Alberta, Canada, natural disposal (i.e., disposing of the carcass in a manner that allows for scavenging) has increased since the 2003 detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canadian cattle. Prior to BSE, rendering companies removed deadstock for free. However, rendering companies started charging producers to remove deadstock to offset costs associated with new regulatory requirements enacted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which has resulted in increased on-farm natural disposal of deadstock. This increase has ecological implications because deadstock are a major attractant for large carnivores. Carnivores feeding on deadstock are often near other agricultural attractants such as stored grain and feed, silage, and living livestock, which can exacerbate conflict potential and pose a risk to human safety. To help mitigate conflicts associated with deadstock, the Waterton Biosphere Reserve's (a local non-profit) Carnivores and Communities Program (CACP) supported expansion of community deadstock removal efforts beginning in 2009, including reimbursement of on-farm removal costs, bear-resistant deadstock bins, and a livestock compost facility (operational 2013–2014). Here, we present an evaluative case study describing the development, implementation, and results of the deadstock removal program, including the compost facility. We tracked the number of head of livestock removed each year, the number of participating landowners, the average cost per head, and total program costs. We also used an online survey to assess participants' perspectives of the deadstock removal program and future needs. To date, the CACP has removed >5,400 livestock carcasses, representing between 15.1 and 22.6% of available carcasses in the program area, and 67.3% of livestock owners indicated they currently use the deadstock removal program to dispose of deadstock. Average cost to compost an animal was significantly less than other removal methods ($36.89 composting vs. $79.59 non-composting, one-tailed t-test, unequal sampling variances: t = 4.08, df = 5.87, p = 0.003). We conclude by discussing both ecological and social implications for deadstock removal as a conflict mitigation measure and make suggestions for future management considerations.
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König HJ, Kiffner C, Kramer-Schadt S, Fürst C, Keuling O, Ford AT. Human-wildlife coexistence in a changing world. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:786-794. [PMID: 32406977 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a key topic in conservation and agricultural research. Decision makers need evidence-based information to design sustainable management plans and policy instruments. However, providing objective decision support can be challenging because realities and perceptions of human-wildlife interactions vary widely between and within rural, urban, and peri-urban areas. Land users who incur costs through wildlife argue that wildlife-related losses should be compensated and that prevention should be subsidized. Supporters of human-wildlife coexistence policies, such as urban-dwelling people, may not face threats to their livelihoods from wildlife. Such spatial heterogeneity in the cost and benefits of living with wildlife is germane in most contemporary societies. This Special Section features contributions on wildlife-induced damages that range from human perspectives (land use, psychology, governance, local attitudes and perceptions, costs and benefits, and HWC and coexistence theory) to ecological perspectives (animal behavior). Building on current literature and articles in this section, we developed a conceptual model to help frame HWC and coexistence dimensions. The framework can be used to determine damage prevention implementation levels and approaches to HWC resolution. Our synthesis revealed that inter- and transdisciplinary approaches and multilevel governance approaches can help stakeholders and institutions implement sustainable management strategies that promote human-wildlife coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes J König
- Junior Research Group Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, Müncheberg, D-15374, Germany
| | - Christian Kiffner
- Center for Wildlife Management Studies, The School for Field Studies (SFS), PO Box 304, Karatu, Tanzania
| | - Stephanie Kramer-Schadt
- Department of Biology, Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, D-12165, Germany
- Department of Ecological Dynamics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, Berlin, D-10315, Germany
| | - Christine Fürst
- Institute for Geosciences and Geography, Dept. Sustainable Landscape Development, Martin-Luther University Halle (MLU), Von-Seckendorff-Platz 4, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany
| | - Oliver Keuling
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover, D-30173, Germany
| | - Adam T Ford
- Department of Biology, The University of British Columbia (UBC), 1177 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
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Morehouse AT, Hughes C, Manners N, Bectell J, Bruder T. Carnivores and Communities: A Case Study of Human-Carnivore Conflict Mitigation in Southwestern Alberta. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Dai Y, Xue Y, Hacker CE, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Liu F, Li D. Human-carnivore conflicts and mitigation options in Qinghai province, China. J Nat Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2019.125776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Dai Y, Hacker CE, Zhang Y, Li W, Li J, Zhang Y, Bona G, Liu H, Li Y, Xue Y, Li D. Identifying the risk regions of house break-ins caused by Tibetan brown bears ( Ursus arctos pruinosus) in the Sanjiangyuan region, China. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:13979-13990. [PMID: 31938496 PMCID: PMC6953560 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Damage to homesteads by brown bears (Ursus arctos) has become commonplace in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Science-based solutions for preventing damages can contribute to the establishment of mechanisms that promote human-bear coexistence. We examined the spatial distribution patterns of house break-ins by Tibetan brown bears (U. a. pruinosus) in Zhiduo County of the Sanjiangyuan region in China. Occurrence points of bear damage were collected from field surveys completed from 2017 to 2019. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was then used to assess house break-in risk. Circuit theory modeling was used to simulate risk diffusion paths based on the risk map generated from our MaxEnt model. The results showed that (a) the total risk area of house break-ins caused by brown bears was 11,577.91 km2, accounting for 29.85% of Zhiduo County, with most of the risk areas were distributed in Sanjiangyuan National Park, accounting for 58.31% of the total risk area; (b) regions of alpine meadow located in Sanjiangyuan National Park with a high human population density were associated with higher risk; (c) risk diffusion paths extended southeast to northwest, connecting the inside of Sanjiangyuan National Park to its outside border; and (d) eastern Suojia, southern Zhahe, eastern Duocai, and southern Jiajiboluo had more risk diffusion paths than other areas examined, indicating higher risk for brown bear break-ins in these areas. Risk diffusion paths will need strong conservation management to facilitate migration and gene flow of brown bears and to alleviate bear damage, and implementation of compensation schemes may be necessary in risk areas to offset financial burdens. Our analytical methods can be applied to conflict reduction efforts and wildlife conservation planning across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchuan Dai
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and ProtectionChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity ConservationState Forestry and Grassland AdministrationBeijingChina
| | | | - Yuguang Zhang
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and ProtectionChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity ConservationState Forestry and Grassland AdministrationBeijingChina
| | - Wenwen Li
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological EngineeringMinistry of EducationCollege of Life SciencesBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jia Li
- Institute of Desertification StudiesChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
| | - Yu Zhang
- Qilian Mountain National Park Qinghai AdministrationXiningChina
| | | | - Haodong Liu
- Research Institute of Forest Resource Information TechniquesChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
| | - Ye Li
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and ProtectionChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity ConservationState Forestry and Grassland AdministrationBeijingChina
| | - Yadong Xue
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and ProtectionChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity ConservationState Forestry and Grassland AdministrationBeijingChina
| | - Diqiang Li
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and ProtectionChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity ConservationState Forestry and Grassland AdministrationBeijingChina
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Yravedra J, Maté-González MÁ, Courtenay LA, González-Aguilera D, Fernández MF. The use of canid tooth marks on bone for the identification of livestock predation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16301. [PMID: 31705057 PMCID: PMC6841930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52807-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically wolves and humans have had a conflictive relationship which has driven the wolf to extinction in some areas across Northern America and Europe. The last decades have seen a rise of multiple government programs to protect wolf populations. Nevertheless, these programs have been controversial in rural areas, product of the predation of livestock by carnivores. As a response to such issues, governments have presented large scale economic plans to compensate the respected owners. The current issue lies in the lack of reliable techniques that can be used to detect the predator responsible for livestock predation. This has led to complications when obtaining subsidies, creating conflict between landowners and government officials. The objectives of this study therefore are to provide a new alternative approach to differentiating between tooth marks of different predators responsible for livestock predation. Here we present the use of geometric morphometrics and Machine Learning algorithms to discern between different carnivores through in depth analysis of the tooth marks they leave on bone. These results present high classification rates with up to 100% accuracy in some cases, successfully differentiating between wolves, dogs and fox tooth marks.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Yravedra
- Department of Prehistory, Ancien History and Archaeology, Complutense University, Prof. Aranguren s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,C.A.I. Arqueometría, Complutense University, Prof. Aranguren s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ángel Maté-González
- Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, Hornos Caleros 50, 05003, Avila, Spain.,Gran Duque de Alba Institution, Diputación Provincial de Ávila, Paseo Dos de Mayo, 8, 05001, Ávila, Spain
| | - Lloyd A Courtenay
- Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, Hornos Caleros 50, 05003, Avila, Spain.,Department of Prehistory, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Avinguda de Catalunya 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain.,Institut de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES). Zona educacional, Campus Sescelades URV (Edifici W3) E3, 43700, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Diego González-Aguilera
- Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, Hornos Caleros 50, 05003, Avila, Spain
| | - Maximiliano Fernández Fernández
- Gran Duque de Alba Institution, Diputación Provincial de Ávila, Paseo Dos de Mayo, 8, 05001, Ávila, Spain.,Department Sciences of Communication and Sociology, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos, Camino del Molino, s/n, 28943, Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain
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