Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mike Plaschke, Manisha Bhardwaj, Hannes J. Koenig, Elena Wenz, Kornelia Dobias, Adam T. Ford
Summary: Gray wolves are recolonizing central Europe but roads may hinder their reestablishment, increasing mortality from wildlife-vehicle collisions. Green bridges could mitigate road impacts and increase landscape connectivity for wolves and prey species. Research shows that both wolves and prey species use green bridges, potentially enhancing their recolonization in rewilding landscapes.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Mariano Rodriguez-Recio, Camilla Wikenros, Barbara Zimmermann, Hakan Sand
Summary: Wolves are returning to regions in Europe, which has led to opposition due to their predatory habits on game species. Using data on prey selection, kill rates, and territory size, researchers estimated the impact of wolf recolonization in southern Sweden. The study showed that the current five-ungulate species system in southern Sweden could potentially support a higher wolf density. Such research can help anticipate and address conservation conflicts that arise with the return of large carnivores to the wild.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Zanni, R. Brogi, E. Merli, M. Apollonio
Summary: After facing extinction due to human persecution, wolves are now recovering and expanding their distribution range. They are increasingly being found in human-dominated landscapes, possibly due to a higher tolerance towards humans. The study focused on a European region with a well-monitored and abundant wolf population to analyze their distribution and relationship with human presence.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Bridget L. Borg, David W. Schirokauer
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics and numerical response of wolf populations in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, United States. The results showed that the natality of wolves increased with higher caribou population size, calf:cow ratio, and hare numbers. Indices of prey abundance and vulnerability led to responses in wolf demographics, but no numerical response was found in the population size of wolves.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Igor Khorozyan, Marco Heurich
Summary: Recovery of the wolf population in Germany has led to conflicts arising from livestock depredation, particularly sheep losses. However, the primary factors influencing these losses are the state, year, and available sheep numbers, rather than the actual wolf population size. The study recommends focusing on non-lethal interventions, monitoring enforcement, and promoting wolf tolerance as part of Germany's wolf conservation policy.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ellen M. Candler, Stotra Chakrabarti, William J. Severud, Joseph K. Bump
Summary: Recolonization of predators to their former ranges is becoming more common. We investigated the response of white-tailed deer populations with different levels of exposure to wolves to wolf olfactory cues. We found that habitat conditions influenced deer vigilance, rather than the presence of wolf olfactory cues.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
T. J. Clark, Mark Hebblewhite
Summary: Predator removal experiments have shown a 13% increase in ungulate demographic responses, particularly in young individuals, but the effects on adult survival and abundance are less clear. Experimental design factors play a role in the uncertainty of ungulate responses to predator removal, and there is evidence of publication bias favoring studies with positive results. More rigorous experimental practices are recommended, especially for endangered species where predator removal may have a more significant impact.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Sunde, Sebastian Collet, Carsten Nowak, Philip Francis Thomsen, Michael Moller Hansen, Bjoern Schulz, Jens Matzen, Frank-Uwe Michler, Christina Vedel-Smith, Kent Olsen
Summary: The study shows that large carnivores are recolonizing Europe due to legal protection, but their population expansion may be limited by increased mortality in landscapes highly impacted by humans. In the Jutland peninsula, wolves are facing high mortality rates primarily driven by cryptic causes, likely illegal killing.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Isabel Barja, Alvaro Navarro-Castilla, Lorena Ortiz-Jimenez, Angel Espana, Roberto Hinojosa, David Sanchez-Sotomayor, Angel Iglesias, Jose Espana, Sergio Rubio-Sanchez, Santiago Martin-Romero, Juan Vielva, Fernando Horcajada-Sanchez
Summary: This study in central Spain aimed to understand the diet habits of the Iberian wolf and evaluate their consumption of domestic ungulates. The results showed that the wolves primarily prey on wild ungulates, with wild boar and roe deer being their preferred prey. Despite variations in diet based on seasons, years, and forest regions, a preference for wild ungulates over domestic ones remained consistent.
Article
Ecology
Sean M. Johnson-Bice, Thomas D. Gable, Austin T. Homkes, Steve K. Windels, Joseph K. Bump, John G. Bruggink
Summary: Humans have a significant impact on predator-prey dynamics by modifying landscapes through activities such as logging and infrastructure development. In this study, the influence of different types of human-induced landscape modifications on the hunting behavior of wolves towards white-tailed deer fawns was evaluated. The results showed that timber harvest, linear features, and residential infrastructure all significantly influenced the predation of fawns by wolves.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Enrique Martinez-Meyer, Alejandro Gonzalez-Bernal, Julian A. Velasco, Tyson L. Swetnam, Zaira Y. Gonzalez-Saucedo, Jorge Servin, Carlos A. Lopez-Gonzalez, John K. Oakleaf, Stewart Liley, James R. Heffelfinger
Summary: The study aimed to develop an updated distribution model and habitat suitability analysis for the Mexican wolf, with results showing suitable habitat extending from central Arizona and New Mexico to high sierras of Oaxaca, Mexico. Large tracts of high-quality habitat were identified in the southwestern United States and Mexico, indicating potential for recovery within the historical range of the Mexican wolf.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danielle R. R. Freund, Thomas D. D. Gable, Sean M. M. Johnson-Bice, Austin T. T. Homkes, Steve K. K. Windels, Joseph K. K. Bump
Summary: By using GPS collar locations, remote cameras, field observations, and the first wild wolf to be GPS-collared with a camera collar, the study provides a detailed account of wolves' fishing behavior and their adaptation in a freshwater ecosystem. The researchers observed wolves ambushing fish in creeks at night, particularly targeting areas below beaver dams. The study also highlights the significance of spawning fish as a valuable resource for wolf packs during the spring season, when their primary prey availability is low and energetic demands are high due to the presence of newborn pups.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fangning Shi, Shiliang Liu, Yi An, Yongxiu Sun, Shuang Zhao, Yixuan Liu, Mingqi Li
Summary: By using the MaxEnt model, this study identified the distribution patterns of 19 ungulate species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and found that their habitats have been greatly affected by human activities and climate change. The majority of these species are mainly distributed in the southeast of the plateau, and the key protected areas identified by the Zonation model are mainly located in this region as well. This research provides a scientific basis for addressing the development-protection contradiction and promoting biodiversity conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sana Zabihi-Seissan, Christina M. Prokopenko, Eric Vander Wal
Summary: Predators employ different spatial tactics to track their prey, influenced primarily by prey habitat and catchability.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Holly Elizabeth Marshall, Niti Sukumal, Dusit Ngoprasert, Tommaso Savini
Summary: In Thailand, there are over 12 million domestic dogs, with 80% living in rural areas and adopting a free-ranging lifestyle. A two-year study found that domestic dogs can enter protected forests and have temporal separation with golden jackals. Therefore, it is essential to work with the local community to reduce the presence of domestic dogs in the forest and implement a strict population management plan.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lucia Ripari, Joe Premier, Elisa Belotti, Hendrik Bluhm, Christine Breitenmoser-Wursten, Ludek Bufka, Jaroslav Cerveny, Nolwenn Drouet-Hoguet, Christian Fuxjaeger, Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Raido Kont, Petr Koubek, Rafal Kowalczyk, Miha Krofel, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova, Anja Molinari-Jobin, Henryk Okarma, Teresa Oliveira, Jaanus Remm, Krzysztof Schmidt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, Marco Heurich
Summary: Habitat selection is a complex process influenced by trade-offs between benefits and risks. Eurasian lynx, a large carnivore, showed sensitivity to human disturbances and preferred natural landscape features associated with shelter and prey abundance. Gender had relatively low importance in lynx's general habitat selection behavior. The study sites showed similar responses at finer selection scales, suggesting that coarse-scale selection was determined by site differences and coarse-scale selection was driven by availability rather than preference.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Daniela Nagl, Urs Breitenmoser, Klaus Hacklaender, Andreas Ryser, Fridolin Zimmermann, Sven Signer, Heinrich Haller, Christine Breitenmoser-Wuersten, Kristina Vogt
Summary: The study reveals that wild-caught Eurasian lynx reintroduced to Central Switzerland in the 1970s have adapted to the alpine environment over generations, selecting more open habitats, higher elevations, and steep slopes. This adaptation has led to significant changes in their prey spectrum.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sergio Vignali, Franziska Loercher, Daniel Hegglin, Raphael Arlettaz, Veronika Braunisch
Summary: The deployment of wind turbines in the Swiss Alps may pose a collision risk to large birds, such as bearded vultures. By using GPS data from tagged vultures, a spatially explicit model was developed to predict potential conflict areas with future wind turbine installations. The model identified south-exposed mountainsides and areas with a high occurrence of ibex carcasses as critical zones of collision risk. This model provides a decision-making tool for authorities and energy companies to proactively plan wind farm deployments and reduce risks to Alpine wildlife.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jenny Mattisson, John D. C. Linnell, Ole Anders, Elisa Belotti, Christine Breitenmoser-Wursten, Ludek Bufka, Christian Fuxjaeger, Marco Heurich, Gjorge Ivanov, Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Radio Kont, Rafal Kowalczyk, Miha Krofel, Dime Melovski, Deniz Mengulluoglu, Tomma Lilli Middelhoff, Anja Molinari-Jobin, John Odden, Janis Ozolins, Henryk Okarma, Jens Persson, Krzysztof Schmidt, Kristina Vogt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Henrik Andren
Summary: This study investigates the reproductive phenology of the Eurasian lynx in Europe and finds that birth timing varies across regions and is influenced by temperature. The Eurasian lynx shows a degree of adaptability to different environmental conditions and may adjust its reproductive timing in response to climate change.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Amael Hinojo, Philippe Christe, Ines Moreno, Robin J. Hofmeister, Gottlieb Dandliker, Fridolin Zimmermann
Summary: Accurate methods for population survey and monitoring are crucial for wildlife conservation and management. This study applied spatially explicit photographic capture-recapture models (SCR) to estimate roe deer densities in the Lake Geneva basin, Switzerland. The results suggest that setting 20 motion-sensitive cameras over 20 nights provides reliable estimates of male roe deer density. Additionally, studies estimating overall roe deer density should be conducted after the rutting season.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ines Moreno, Jerome Marcel Walter Gippet, Luca Fumagalli, P. J. Stephenson
Summary: Understanding the availability and biases of species data is crucial for effective conservation decision-making. This study conducted a case study in East Africa to evaluate data biases, factors influencing data availability, and the consequences for conservation. The results showed that data on vertebrates were more available than invertebrates, and countries with higher tourism income had more priority species and more species with data. The main challenges to data accessibility were high expenses, technological challenges, and a lack of resources for data processing and analysis.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Carole A. Niffenegger, Christian Schano, Raphael Arlettaz, Franzi Korner-Nievergelt
Summary: Timing and location of reproduction are important for the reproductive success of birds, especially in mountain ecosystems with high spatiotemporal variability and climate shifts. The white-winged snowfinch prefers nest cavities facing the morning sun and located in areas with greater snow cover. The future climate change may lead to mismatches between foraging grounds and nest sites, impacting the demographic trajectories of the snowfinch.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Slodowicz, Cecile Auberson, Elizabete Ferreira De Carvalho, Romain Angeleri, Marzena Stanska, Izabela Hajdamowicz, Yasemin Kurtogullari, Roman Roth, Lucas Rossier, Gino Enz, Jean-Yves Humbert, Raphael Arlettaz
Summary: Active grassland restoration often involves soil disturbance through harrowing or plowing to enhance plant germination. However, the impact of these soil interventions on the local ground-dwelling invertebrate fauna is still uncertain. In this study, we examined how ground beetles and spiders, two important indicators of grassland biodiversity, respond to different grassland restoration methods in Swiss meadows. Our results showed that ground-beetle and spider communities recovered well after one year of restoration, suggesting that soil disturbance can be applied in restoring plant species-poor grasslands without significant negative effects on above ground-dwelling invertebrates.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Camilla Sandstrom, Irene Ring, Roland Olschewski, Riccardo Simoncini, Christian Albert, Sevil Acar, Malkhaz Adeishvili, Christina Allard, Yakov Anker, Raphael Arlettaz, Gyorgyi Bela, Luca Coscieme, Anke Fischer, Christine Fuerst, Bella Galil, Stephen Hynes, Ulan Kasymov, Cristina Marta-Pedroso, Ana Mendes, Ulf Molau, Jan Pergl
Summary: Recent assessments by IPBES indicate that Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) are at risk due to ongoing biodiversity loss, emphasizing the need for increased conservation efforts and sustainable use of biodiversity. Mainstreaming biodiversity into sectoral policies is seen as a strategy to achieve change. The review conducted for Europe and Central Asia highlights the potential of mainstreaming to improve biodiversity conservation and NCP provision, but also indicates the need for stronger implementation.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Liam Singer, Xenia Wietlisbach, Raffael Hickisch, Eva Maria Schoell, Christoph Leuenberger, Angela Van den Broek, Manon Desalme, Koen Driesen, Mari Lyly, Francesca Marucco, Miroslav Kutal, Nives Pagon, Cristian Remus Papp, Paraskevi Milioni, Remigijus Uzdras, Ilgvars Zihmanis, Fridolin Zimmermann, Katrina Marsden, Klaus Hacklaender, Jose Vicente Lopez-Bao, Sybille Klenzendorf, Daniel Wegmann
Summary: Wolf populations in Europe are increasing, leading to conflicts with livestock owners. A study compiled livestock damage data from 21 countries between 2018 and 2020, finding regional variations in the target species, damage density, seasonal distribution, and temporal trend. The area of cultivated habitats occupied by wolves, as well as husbandry practices and damage prevention, were identified as important factors influencing the incidents.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Julian Oeser, Marco Heurich, Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, Henrik Andren, Guna Bagrade, Elisa Belotti, Ludek Bufka, Christine Breitenmoser-Wursten, Rok Cerne, Martin Dul'a, Christian Fuxjager, Tomislav Gomercic, Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Raido Kont, Petr Koubek, Rafal Kowalczyk, Miha Krofel, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova, Jakub Kubala, Josip Kusak, Miroslav Kutal, John D. C. Linnell, Jenny Mattisson, Anja Molinari-Jobin, Peep Mannil, John Odden, Henryk Okarma, Teresa Oliveira, Nives Pagon, Jens Persson, Jaanus Remm, Krzysztof Schmidt, Sven Signer, Branislav Tam, Kristina Vogt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: Adjustments in habitat use by large carnivores in response to human pressure and landscape composition are crucial for their coexistence with humans. This study focuses on Eurasian lynx and reveals their adaptive capacity towards human pressure and the importance of refuge habitats in enabling coexistence. The findings highlight the role of landscape composition in shaping large carnivore habitat use and distributions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julian Oeser, Marco Heurich, Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, Jenny Mattisson, Miha Krofel, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova, Fridolin Zimmermann, Ole Anders, Henrik Andren, Guna Bagrade, Elisa Belotti, Christine Breitenmoser-Wuersten, Ludek Bufka, Rok Cerne, Nolwenn Drouet-Hoguet, Martin Dula, Christian Fuxjaeger, Tomislav Gomercic, Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Raido Kont, Petr Koubek, Rafal Kowalczyk, Josip Kusak, Jakub Kubala, Miroslav Kutal, John D. C. Linnell, Anja Molinari-Jobin, Peep Maennil, Tomma Lilli Middelhoff, John Odden, Henryk Okarma, Teresa Oliveira, Nives Pagon, Jens Persson, Jaanus Remm, Krzysztof Schmidt, Sven Signer, Branislav Tam, Kristina Vogt, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: The study compares different approaches for large-area habitat mapping and assesses available habitat for the Eurasian lynx. The results show that global and local modelling strategies can achieve robust habitat models at the continental scale. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering regional variation in habitat selection for broad-scale habitat mapping.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Laura Bosco, Valentin Moser, Mirkka M. M. Jones, Oystein Opedal, Otso Ovaskainen, Gerber Sonja, Roel Van Klink, Samuel A. A. Cushman, Raphael Arlettaz, Alain Jacot
Summary: Fragmentation of habitat caused by intensive agriculture can harm local biodiversity, but it is unclear whether this is due to loss of habitat area or increased fragmentation, as well as how habitat quality factors in. We found that increased ground vegetation density and larger habitat areas favor more diverse and abundant insect communities, while fragmentation effects vary and depend on the species. Therefore, implementing nature-friendly farming practices and maintaining high ground vegetation density in vineyards can promote diverse insect communities.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Francesca Marucco, Ilka Reinhardt, Elisa Avanzinelli, Fridolin Zimmermann, Ralph Manz, Hubert Potocnik, Rok Cerne, Georg Rauer, Theresa Walter, Felix Knauer, Guillaume Chapron, Christophe Duchamp
Summary: We conducted a transboundary assessment of the Alpine wolf population over 21 years, across seven countries. The study revealed an increase in the number of wolf reproductive units and highlighted the significance of cross-border cooperation in understanding the recolonization process of the wolf population. This research provides valuable insights for wolf conservation and management at a transnational scale.
Article
Ecology
Gerard Martinez-De Leon, Lauriane Dani, Aline Hayoz-Andrey, Segolene Humann-Guilleminot, Raphael Arlettaz, Jean-Yves Humbert
Summary: Management intensification has mid- and long-term effects on land snail communities in mountain and subalpine hay meadows. It initially increases snail densities but decreases species richness in the long term. Drought-tolerant snails benefit from intensification, while mesophilous species are particularly sensitive and prone to species losses. Soil pH and plant diversity play important roles in land snail occurrence.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)