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Swan GJF, Redpath SM, Bearhop S, McDonald RA. Ecology of Problem Individuals and the Efficacy of Selective Wildlife Management. Trends Ecol Evol 2017; 32:518-530. [PMID: 28529028 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
As a result of ecological and social drivers, the management of problems caused by wildlife is becoming more selective, often targeting specific animals. Narrowing the sights of management relies upon the ecology of certain 'problem individuals' and their disproportionate contribution to impacts upon human interests. We assess the ecological evidence for problem individuals and confirm that some individuals or classes can be both disproportionately responsible and more likely to reoffend. The benefits of management can sometimes be short-lived, and selective management can affect tolerance of wildlife for better or worse, but, when effectively targeted, selective management can bring benefits by mitigating impact and conflict, often in a more socially acceptable way.
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Affiliation(s)
- George J F Swan
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK; Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Steve M Redpath
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK; Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Grimso Wildlife Research Station, 730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, UK.
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Setchell JM, Fairet E, Shutt K, Waters S, Bell S. Biosocial Conservation: Integrating Biological and Ethnographic Methods to Study Human-Primate Interactions. INT J PRIMATOL 2016; 38:401-426. [PMID: 28546653 PMCID: PMC5422492 DOI: 10.1007/s10764-016-9938-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation is one of the grand challenges facing society. Many people interested in biodiversity conservation have a background in wildlife biology. However, the diverse social, cultural, political, and historical factors that influence the lives of people and wildlife can be investigated fully only by incorporating social science methods, ideally within an interdisciplinary framework. Cultural hierarchies of knowledge and the hegemony of the natural sciences create a barrier to interdisciplinary understandings. Here, we review three different projects that confront this difficulty, integrating biological and ethnographic methods to study conservation problems. The first project involved wildlife foraging on crops around a newly established national park in Gabon. Biological methods revealed the extent of crop loss, the species responsible, and an effect of field isolation, while ethnography revealed institutional and social vulnerability to foraging wildlife. The second project concerned great ape tourism in the Central African Republic. Biological methods revealed that gorilla tourism poses risks to gorillas, while ethnography revealed why people seek close proximity to gorillas. The third project focused on humans and other primates living alongside one another in Morocco. Incorporating shepherds in the coproduction of ecological knowledge about primates built trust and altered attitudes to the primates. These three case studies demonstrate how the integration of biological and social methods can help us to understand the sustainability of human–wildlife interactions, and thus promote coexistence. In each case, an integrated biosocial approach incorporating ethnographic data produced results that would not otherwise have come to light. Research that transcends conventional academic boundaries requires the openness and flexibility to move beyond one’s comfort zone to understand and acknowledge the legitimacy of “other” kinds of knowledge. It is challenging but crucial if we are to address conservation problems effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Setchell
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK.,Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research (BEER) Centre, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK
| | - Emilie Fairet
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK.,Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Gabon, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Kathryn Shutt
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK.,Fauna & Flora International, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ UK
| | - Siân Waters
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK.,Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation (BMAC), Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Sandra Bell
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK
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Butler JRA, Young JC, McMyn IAG, Leyshon B, Graham IM, Walker I, Baxter JM, Dodd J, Warburton C. Evaluating adaptive co-management as conservation conflict resolution: Learning from seals and salmon. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 160:212-225. [PMID: 26144563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
By linking iterative learning and knowledge generation with power-sharing, adaptive co-management (ACM) provides a potential solution to resolving complex social-ecological problems. In this paper we evaluate ACM as a mechanism for resolving conservation conflict using a case study in Scotland, where seal and salmon fishery stakeholders have opposing and entrenched objectives. ACM emerged in 2002, successfully resolving this long-standing conflict. Applying evaluation approaches from the literature, in 2011 we interviewed stakeholders to characterise the evolution of ACM, and factors associated with its success over 10 years. In common with other ACM cases, triggers for the process were shifts in slow variables controlling the system (seal and salmon abundance, public perceptions of seal shooting), and exogenous shocks (changes in legal mandates, a seal disease outbreak). Also typical of ACM, three phases of evolution were evident: emerging local leadership preparing the system for change, a policy window of opportunity, and stakeholder partnerships building the resilience of the system. Parameters maintaining ACM were legal mechanisms and structures, legal power held by government, and the willingness of all stakeholders to reach a compromise and experiment with an alternative governance approach. Results highlighted the critical role of government power and support in resolving conservation conflict, which may constrain the extent of local stakeholder-driven ACM. The evaluation also demonstrated how, following perceived success, the trajectory of ACM has shifted to a 'stakeholder apathy' phase, with declining leadership, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and system resilience. We discuss remedial actions required to revive the process, and the importance of long term government resourcing and alternative financing schemes for successful conflict resolution. Based on the results we present a generic indicator framework and participatory method for the longitudinal evaluation of ACM applied to conservation conflict resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R A Butler
- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
| | - J C Young
- NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, EH26 0QB, UK.
| | - I A G McMyn
- ECUS Ltd., Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF, UK.
| | - B Leyshon
- Scottish Natural Heritage, Dingwall Business Park, Dingwall, Ross-shire, IV15 9XB, UK.
| | - I M Graham
- Lighthouse Field Station, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cromarty, IV11 8YL, UK.
| | - I Walker
- Scottish Government Wildlife and Habitats Division, Area G-H93, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ, UK.
| | - J M Baxter
- Scottish Natural Heritage, Silvan House, 3rd Floor East, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT, UK.
| | - J Dodd
- Scottish Natural Heritage, Cameron House, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4AE, UK.
| | - C Warburton
- Wild Scotland, Old Town Jail, St. John Street, Stirling, FK8 1EA, UK.
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