The species-specific role of wildlife in the Amazonian food system

We examine ways in which the role of wild animals in the Amazonian food system may be socially differentiated and species-specific. We combine a hybrid framework of food choice preferences and theorizing on access to natural resources with fieldwork in Brazilian Amazon, where social and environmental challenges coalesce around the role of wildlife in feeding a growing urban population. Based on 798 household surveys across four towns, we found that consumption of, and taste preferences for, selected species of mammals, fishes, birds, and reptiles are related to variation in means of access (e.g., level of social trust - the basis of reciprocity and informal urban safety nets), and having rural cultural origins (marginal to migrants’ other socioeconomic differences). The likelihood of eating particular species was associated with taste preferences and household experiences of food insecurity. Hunting and fishing households consumed many wild species; it is unclear if they depend heavily on any in particular. Vulnerable species, including manatee, tortoise, and river turtle, were eaten mainly by relatively privileged households, and less so by other households (e.g., rural-urban migrants). Rural origins increased by 90% the likelihood of a strong wild meat preference, compared to other households. Evidently, wildlife consumption is a rural tradition that influences migrants’ dietary practices in towns, through the interplay of preferences, means of access, and context. Finally, severe and moderate food insecurity was associated with eating howler monkey and catfishes (barred and redtail) and not eating manatee and turtle. Hence, urban consumption of some, but not all, wild species is associated with household disadvantage and food insecurity. Amazonian town-dwellers consume many wild species, drawing on diverse means of access, which are species-specific and reflect social inequalities. Species-specific governance of wildlife consumption may help balance the risks of overharvesting against the well-being of Amazonia’s vulnerable town-dwellers

Recommendations for Early Phases of Engaging Communities in Climate Change Adaptation

Communities across the globe have begun planning for and adapting to climate change. Cooperative Extension Service professionals are in a unique position to use the resources available to them to facilitate climate change adaptation in their communities. Adaptation planning is a local activity that must be context specific. However, general recommendations can be made to help facilitate the planning process. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of research about climate change adaptation in communities to explore ideas that contribute to successful adaptation-planning communication. We identified and reviewed 50 peer-reviewed articles that described various outreach efforts to engage communities in planning for adaptation across a range of contexts and settings. Five themes emerged addressing how to facilitate early stages of the climate change adaptation process: establishing positive initial engagement, incorporating participatory methods, using tools to facilitate understanding, addressing trust and uncertainty, and maximizing limited time. Based on the review and emergent themes, we offer practical recommendations for educators and Cooperative Extension Service professionals as they engage communities in climate change adaptation

A caça e a conservação da fauna silvestre no estado do Acre

A fauna silvestre representa uma importante fonte alimentar para as pessoas que vivem nas florestas tropicais, além também de ser bastante consumida nas áreas urbanas dessas regiões. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se fazer uma discussão do tema caça, através de resgate histórico dos estudos já realizados no Estado do Acre, bem como o modo como o tema vem se desenvolvendo no Acre como uma estratégia de desenvolvimento sustentável. Baseado nos trabalhos referentes à caça realizados no Acre e em outras regiões Amazônicas fazemos algumas recomendações para prioridades de pesquisa e políticas públicas relacionadas ao uso da fauna silvestre no Estado

Large and medium-sized mammals of the Humaitá Forest Reserve, southwestern Amazonia, state of Acre, Brazil

Large and medium-sized mammals are essential to forest ecosystems as they are responsible for prey population control, seed dispersal and predation. A mammal survey was conducted in the Humaitá Forest Reserve (HFR), a 20 km² forest fragment located in the southeastern part of the state. The survey was carried out using census transects, camera traps, and occasional records such as bones and footprints. In all, 27 species of large to medium-sized mammals were recorded for the RFH, representing 48% of those expected for the region. Dasyprocta fuliginosa, Pecari tajacu and Didelphis marsupialis were the species with the highest number of records with camera traps. The occurrence of two species of cats (Leopardus pardalis and Puma concolor) and three endangered species (Callimico goeldii, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Priodontes maximus) are important records for the RFH. The results may aid future research on the ecology, biogeography and conservation of mammals in the region

Large and medium-sized mammals of the Humaitá Forest Reserve, southwestern Amazonia, state of Acre, Brazil

Large and medium-sized mammals are essential to forest ecosystems as they are responsible for prey population control, seed dispersal and predation. A mammal survey was conducted in the Humaitá Forest Reserve (HFR), a 20 km² forest fragment located in the southeastern part of the state. The survey was carried out using census transects, camera traps, and occasional records such as bones and footprints. In all, 27 species of large to medium-sized mammals were recorded for the RFH, representing 48% of those expected for the region. Dasyprocta fuliginosa, Pecari tajacu and Didelphis marsupialis were the species with the highest number of records with camera traps. The occurrence of two species of cats (Leopardus pardalis and Puma concolor) and three endangered species (Callimico goeldii, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Priodontes maximus) are important records for the RFH. The results may aid future research on the ecology, biogeography and conservation of mammals in the region

Data from the survey of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Program Supporters

Through a 2021 Minnesota State Grant, Virginia Tech and the MN Nongame Wildlife Program conducted a survey to better understand supporters of the MN NWP and conservation in the state of Minnesota. This dataset contains: Survey Instrument.pdf: a pdf version of the survey instrumentMN_NWPSurvey.xlsx: an xlsx file of the dataset</p

Texas Data from the Wildlife Viewer Survey

Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This dataset is from the survey conducted in Texas. It contains: 1. Texas Wildlife Viewer Survey.pdf: a pdf version of the survey instrument  2. Texas_WildlifeViewerSurvey.csv: a csv (comma-separated values) file of the dataset  3. Texas_WildlifeViewerSurvey.sav: a sav (compatible with SPSS, the Statistical Package for Social Science) file of the dataset 4. WildlifeViewerSurveyData_VariableGuide: a guide to each variable name in the datasets.</p

Indiana Data from the Wildlife Viewer Survey

Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This dataset is from the survey conducted in Indiana. It contains:  1. Indiana Wildlife Viewer Survey.pdf: a pdf version of the survey instrument  2. Indiana_WildlifeViewerSurvey.csv: a csv (comma-separated values) file of the dataset  3. Indiana_WildlifeViewerSurvey.sav: a sav (compatible with SPSS, the Statistical Package for Social Science) file of the dataset 4. WildlifeViewerSurveyData_VariableGuide: a guide to each variable name in the datasets.</p

Arkansas Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey

Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This dataset is from the survey conducted in Arkansas. It contains: 1. Arkansas Wildlife Viewer Survey.pdf: a pdf version of the survey instrument  2. Arkansas_WildlifeViewerSurvey.csv: a csv (comma-separated values) file of the dataset  3. Arkansas_WildlifeViewerSurvey.sav: a sav (compatible with SPSS, the Statistical Package for Social Science) file of the dataset 4. WildlifeViewerSurveyData_VariableGuide: a guide to each variable name in the datasets.</p

North Carolina Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey

   Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This dataset is from the survey conducted in North Carolina. It contains: 1. North Carolina Wildlife Viewer Survey.pdf: a pdf version of the survey instrument  2. North Carolina_WildlifeViewerSurvey.csv: a csv (comma-separated values) file of the dataset  3. North Carolina_WildlifeViewerSurvey.sav: a sav (compatible with SPSS, the Statistical Package for Social Science) file of the dataset 4. WildlifeViewerSurveyData_VariableGuide: a guide to each variable name in the datasets.</p