Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yunchuan Dai, Yi Li, Yadong Xue, Charlotte E. Hacker, Chunyan Li, Babar Zahoor, Yang Liu, Diqiang Li, Dayong Li
Summary: This study proposes targeted mitigation measures for human-bear conflicts (HBCs) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) by combining field surveys, interviews, and seminars. Evaluation of current mitigation measures shows that removing food from winter homes, using solar soundboxes, and installing solar street lights are effective in protecting food, livestock, houses, and people. The seminar suggests upgrading electric fence technology, expanding electric fence pilot areas, installing diversionary feeders, and introducing bear spray as optimal solutions. The findings provide a scientific basis for creating human-bear coexistence plans on the QTP.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jamshid Parchizadeh, Jerrold L. Belant
Summary: Large carnivore attacks on humans have increased globally in recent decades, with brown bears and Persian leopards being responsible for attacks in Iran. Attacks often occur during the day in spring and summer, with bears attacking more frequently in western provinces and leopards in northern provinces of Iran. Recommendations include implementing a national reporting system and developing management plans to mitigate human risk and improve attitudes toward these carnivore species for conservation purposes.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cameron T. Whitley, Melanie M. Bowers, Harriett Grantz
Summary: This article examines the media portrayal of coyotes and explores the implications of media coverage on coyote-human relationships and management strategies. The study finds that the media's attitude and discussion of coyotes vary across cities, reflecting the cities' histories and cultural understandings. It also suggests that governments should consider media coverage and educate the media about the scientific consensus and ecological implications of lethal management.
Article
Ecology
Carlos Bautista, Julian Oeser, Tobias Kuemmerle, Nuria Selva, Nathalie Pettorelli, Abdulhakim Abdi
Summary: This study investigates the impact of tree masting on human-wildlife conflicts. The findings suggest that years of low tree masting can lead to an increased use of anthropogenic foods by wildlife, resulting in conflicts between humans and animals in human-dominated landscapes.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James P. Kilfoil, Thomas P. Quinn, Aaron J. Wirsing
Summary: Humans can significantly alter the temporal activity of wildlife, and the ecological consequences of such shifts can lead to reduced fitness, increased competition, and trophic cascades. This study examined the potential of human disturbance as a temporal-shield for brown bears foraging on sockeye salmon in southwestern Alaska. The results showed that all bears avoided peak times of human activity, but socially-subordinate subadult bears had higher overlap with humans compared to females with cubs and single adults. The findings suggest that human-disturbance can have complex effects on large carnivores and may provide increased foraging opportunities for socially subordinate, but more human-tolerant individuals.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ole-Gunnar Stoen, Therese Ramberg Sivertsen, Aimee Tallian, Geir Rune Rauset, Jonas Kindberg, Lars-Thomas Persson, Rune Stokke, Anna Skarin, Peter Segerstrom, Jens Frank
Summary: The recovery and conservation of large carnivores can negatively impact the economy of traditional pastoralist societies. This study examined brown bear predation patterns on reindeer in two Sami herding communities in northern Sweden and quantified the economic impact. The findings showed that bears had a high predation rate on calves, while few adult reindeer were killed. The current compensation schemes may be ineffective in mitigating the economic impact of living with large carnivores.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Cassandre C. Venumiere-Lefebvre, Stewart W. Breck, Kevin R. Crooks
Summary: This study provides a global perspective on human-carnivore coexistence by analyzing literature published between 1987 and 2020. It found that the term coexistence is often used without a clear definition, with a focus on carnivore ecology and a lack of attention to social conflict. The study also revealed the dominance of European and North American authors and a bias towards larger carnivores. The authors propose a simplified definition of coexistence and encourage researchers to explore the social dimensions and broaden their study scope.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanna Klees van Bommel, Catherine Sun, Adam T. Ford, Melissa Todd, A. Cole Burton
Summary: The urban-wildland interface is expanding and increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. In this study, we investigated black bear habitat use in a North American hotspot of conflict and found that bears modify their behaviors by avoiding humans in space and time, but conflicts still occur in summer and autumn.
Article
Zoology
Marya Madadi, Bagher Nezami, Mohammad Kaboli, Hamid Reza Rezaei, Alireza Mohammadi
Summary: This study evaluated conflicts between local communities and brown bears in northern Iran through a questionnaire and interviews. The results showed that damage to orchards and beehives were the main conflict causes, and people's attitudes towards predators were mainly influenced by economic factors. Understanding different patterns of human-brown bear conflicts is crucial for reducing dangerous encounters and implementing conflict mitigation measures through education programs and compensation methods.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick Cook, Joseph E. Hawes, Joao Vitor Campos-Silva, Carlos A. Peres
Summary: Conservation of freshwater biodiversity and management of human-wildlife conflicts are significant challenges globally. This review examines conflicts with crocodilians, cetaceans, and otters in freshwater and brackish habitats, and presents a case study of conflicts with four freshwater predators in the Western Amazon. The study finds that conflict severity is positively related to species body mass and negatively related to IUCN Red List status.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. A. Dar, S. K. Singh, H. Y. Wan, V. Kumar, S. A. Cushman, S. Sathyakumar
Summary: Climate change and land use change are the main drivers affecting habitat selection and future changes for the Himalayan brown bear. High emission scenarios could result in a significant decline of brown bear habitat, while low emission scenarios may lead to a shift in species range to higher elevations. Efforts to incorporate climate change mitigation and adaptation in conservation strategies are crucial for the protection of this iconic species in the region.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Marcelo Hernan Cassini
Summary: This study compares the impacts of native and introduced species on human and natural environments in the United States. Surprisingly, it finds that native species cause significantly more damage than introduced species, particularly in agriculture, property, and health and safety. The differences in impacts on biodiversity and natural ecosystems are minor.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bozena Skoko, Milica Kovacic, Maja Lazarus, Ankica Sekovanic, Jelena Kovacic, Agnieszka Sergiel, Tomasz Zwijacz-Kozica, Slaven Reljic, Branko Petrinec, Nuria Selva, Duro Huber
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the temporal trends and geographical differences in Sr-90 and stable element levels in the bones of Croatian and Polish brown bear populations. The results showed that Sr-90 bone activity concentrations decreased in both populations over the years. The levels of Ba, Mn, Pb, and Zn showed different temporal trends between the two countries, with lower levels observed in Croatian bears compared to Polish bears. The transfer of Sr-90 from soil to bears was similar in the studied populations, while the transfer of stable Sr was lower in Croatian bears compared to Polish bears.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Teresa Berezowska-Cnota, Maciej K. Konopinski, Kamil Barton, Carlos Bautista, Eloy Revilla, Javier Naves, Aleksandra Biedrzycka, Hubert Fedyn, Nestor Fernandez, Tomasz Jastrzebski, Bartosz Pirga, Maria Viota, Zenon Wojtas, Nuria Selva
Summary: Effective management is crucial for the coexistence of people and wildlife. This study found evidence of individual differences in conflict behavior among brown bears and highlighted the importance of considering the whole population when addressing conflicts.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Reza Ashrafzadeh, Rasoul Khosravi, Alireza Mohammadi, Ali Asghar Naghipour, Hadi Khoshnamvand, Maryam Haidarian, Vincenzo Penteriani
Summary: This study assessed the impact of climate change on the distribution and habitat of brown bears in western Iran. The results showed that the bear's range will decline by 10% to 45% by 2050 to 2070, and the area covered by conservation and no-hunting areas will also decrease. This has implications for bear-human conflict and highlights the importance of re-evaluating and establishing more protected areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Robert R. Junker, Joerg Albrecht, Marcel Becker, Raya Keuth, Nina Farwig, Matthias Schleuning
Summary: The animal economics spectrum (AES) is proposed based on traits that describe organismal size, biological times and rates. AES can depict key dimensions of different ecological strategies of animals and be used to understand ecological processes and predict the impact of global change on animal communities.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
F. Palomares, H. Ruiz-Villar, A. Morales-Gonzalez, J. Calzada, J. Roman, J. C. Rivilla, E. Revilla, A. Fernandez-Gil, M. Delibes
Summary: Mammalian carnivores, especially hyenas, play important roles in prehistoric bone accumulations. Taphonomic analyses of bone assemblages have provided information on the feeding, breeding, denning, and defecating behaviors of extant species, which can be used to assign bone accumulations to specific carnivores. This review focuses on the Hyaenidae, Felidae, and Canidae families and compares the ecological and behavioral traits used as criteria for assigning bone accumulations. The findings suggest that hyenas are the most frequently cited bone accumulators, followed by felids and canids. The behavior of present hyenas corresponds well with that of prehistoric hyenas, while the behavior of canids and felids differs to some extent. The assignment of bone accumulations to specific carnivores is often based on assumptions that do not align with the present natural history of these species. Additionally, small carnivore species are rarely recorded as prehistoric bone accumulators. These findings highlight the need for further research and caution when interpreting bone accumulations in archaeological sites.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sergio Timoteo, Jorg Albrecht, Beatriz Rumeu, Ana C. Norte, Anna Traveset, Carol M. Frost, Elizabete Marchante, Francisco A. Lopez-Nunez, Guadalupe Peralta, Jane Memmott, Jens M. Olesen, Jose M. Costa, Luis P. da Silva, Luisa G. Carvalheiro, Marta Correia, Michael Staab, Nico Bluthgen, Nina Farwig, Sandra Hervias-Parejo, Sergei Mironov, Susana Rodriguez-Echeverria, Ruben Heleno
Summary: Keystone species play a disproportionately important role in ecosystem functioning. This study examines whether their importance extends across different types of interactions and ecological niche dimensions. The results show that keystone species importance is positively associated across multiple niche dimensions and is independent of abundance. This has important implications for ecosystem resilience and conservation.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
E. Gonzalez-Bernardo, M. D. M. Delgado, D. G. G. Matos, A. Zarzo-Arias, A. Morales-Gonzalez, H. Ruiz-Villar, M. Skuban, L. Maiorano, P. Ciucci, J. Balbontin, V. Penteriani
Summary: This study assessed the potential impact of road networks on the distribution of brown bears in Cantabrian population in Spain. The results showed that road networks had little influence on the distance of bear locations to roads, except for females with yearlings during the denning season. Road networks also had almost no effect on brown bear habitat suitability, possibly due to the majority of roads being located in unsuitable bear habitats. Compared to previous studies conducted in North America, the findings suggest a different response of Eurasian brown bears to roads.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
A. Fernandez-Gil, J. A. Lamas, L. M. Ansola, J. Roman, M. de Gabriel Hernando, E. Revilla
Summary: Apex predators play a critical role in shaping ecosystem diversity. This study aims to understand the mechanisms driving population dynamics in these predators by examining the relationship between population density and demographic parameters. The results indicate that density does not affect reproductive parameters at the population level, but environmental factors at the territory level, such as territory size and habitat type, do influence reproductive performance.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
H. Ruiz-Villar, F. Urra, F. Jubete, A. Morales-Gonzalez, B. Adrados, E. Revilla, J. C. Rivilla, J. Roman, J. Seijas, J. Lopez-Bao, F. Palomares
Summary: Traditional agro-pastoral practices are more beneficial for biodiversity than intensified agricultural systems. This study investigated the effects of pastoral field extent, season, and prey abundance on wildcat consumption in the Cantabrian Mountains. The results suggest that varying habitat use and seasonal changes in prey accessibility may determine wildcat prey consumption in pastoral landscapes.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Ana Garcia-Vazquez, Denise A. Crampton, Angela L. Lamb, George A. Wolff, Kostas Kiriakoulakis, Giulia Guidarelli, Anna Loy, Paolo Ciucci, Claudio Groff, Ana C. Pinto-Llona, Aurora Grandal-d'Anglade, Carlo Meloro
Summary: Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is used to study trophic ecology and shows that isotopic signatures respond to diet type and environmental conditions. In this study, brown bear hair samples from four populations in southwest Europe were analyzed, considering geographical and climatic differences. The study found inter-population differences in isotopic values that suggest differences in food consumption, with higher altitude populations showing a greater consumption of animal foods. The quantification of isotopic niche space identified significant similarities between two populations and highlighted the need for conservation measures for southern isolated populations.
Article
Ecology
Carlos Bautista, Julian Oeser, Tobias Kuemmerle, Nuria Selva, Nathalie Pettorelli, Abdulhakim Abdi
Summary: This study investigates the impact of tree masting on human-wildlife conflicts. The findings suggest that years of low tree masting can lead to an increased use of anthropogenic foods by wildlife, resulting in conflicts between humans and animals in human-dominated landscapes.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Teresa Berezowska-Cnota, Maciej K. Konopinski, Kamil Barton, Carlos Bautista, Eloy Revilla, Javier Naves, Aleksandra Biedrzycka, Hubert Fedyn, Nestor Fernandez, Tomasz Jastrzebski, Bartosz Pirga, Maria Viota, Zenon Wojtas, Nuria Selva
Summary: Effective management is crucial for the coexistence of people and wildlife. This study found evidence of individual differences in conflict behavior among brown bears and highlighted the importance of considering the whole population when addressing conflicts.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Finn Rehling, Eelke Jongejans, Jan Schlautmann, Joerg Albrecht, Hubert Fassbender, Bogdan Jaroszewicz, Diethart Matthies, Lina Waldschmidt, Nina Farwig, Dana G. Schabo
Summary: A decade-long study in an old-growth forest in Poland found that the population growth of glossy buckthorn trees is more influenced by a small subset of common generalists rather than specialist frugivores. The study used animal-specific integral projection models to quantify the effect of seed dispersal by 20 animal species on the tree's life cycle. It was found that animal seed dispersal increased population growth by 2.5%, and the effectiveness was related to interaction frequency rather than dispersal quality.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Manuel Diaz-Fernandez, Javier Naves, Eloy Revilla
Summary: Monitoring changes in the range of the Cantabrian brown bear population revealed a recovery after a period of decline, with an initial reduction followed by an increase in the presence range. The breeding range remained stable between the first two periods and increased in the last period. Generalized linear models showed that bears expanded to areas closer to the population center and with low human disturbance. However, outdated recovery plans limit management coverage and pose a threat to conservation success.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nuria Selva, Keith A. Hobson, Andrzej Zalewski, Ainara Cortes-Avizanda, Jose Antonio Donazar
Summary: Understanding the drivers and consequences of global environmental change is crucial for predicting the effects on ecosystems. This study focuses on the mammal community in Bialowieza Forest and analyzes changes in stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of hair over seven decades. The study finds a significant decline in hair delta 15N, particularly for herbivores, which is consistent with nitrogen deposition patterns and global-scale declines in non-urban terrestrial ecosystems. The study also detects a global depletion of 13C content in atmospheric CO2, but this effect becomes non-significant after correction. The study highlights the importance of studying mammal communities in natural forests as a way to identify early detection of ecosystem changes.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)