Unleashed:walking dogs off the lead greatly increases habitat disturbance in UK lowland heathlands

Human population growth is associated with increased disturbance to wildlife. This effect is particularly acute in urban and periurban areas, where the area of effective disturbance extends beyond that of human presence by the roaming behaviour of pet dogs. Dogs are globally the dominant companion animal, with a population of ~ 12 million in the UK. As urban areas extend, dogs are exercised in green space close to housing. In southeast and southern England these areas include lowland heath, a habitat of high conservation value. To quantify disturbance caused by dog walkers and their dogs, we used GPS units to track the movement of people and their dogs across four lowland heath sites, used a questionnaire to ask about dog walking habits, and mapped potential areas of disturbance caused by dog walkers. Questionnaires were completed by 798 dog walkers and the walks of 162 owners and their 185 dogs were recorded. Mean (± SE) walk time was 56 ± 23 min, walk distance 3.75 ± 1.68 km and dogs were a median distance of 20 m from the owner during walks. Dogs were walked once (44%) or twice (56%) a day. Most (always: 85%; always or occasionally: 95%) dogs were walked off the lead even when signs were present requesting that dogs were kept on a lead. This resulted in up to a 21% increase in reserve area disturbed. In one reserve (Snelsmore Common), > 90% of the area was disturbed by dogs, greatly eroding its conservation value. This work highlights the importance of considering how dog ownership can exacerbate levels of disturbance in sensitive periurban habitats when housing developments are planned

Small scale human-primate behavioural interactions in Amazonian Ecuador

The investigation of predator-prey interactions has a long history in ecology, but most studies have focused on the lethal effects of non-human predators. Population declines of prey species because of human hunting are well documented, and much effort has been dedicated to quantify hunting sustainability. However, non-lethal effects of human hunting may also impact hunted species. This thesis aims to integrate methodologies from various disciplines to study the behaviour of Waorani hunters in Amazonian Ecuador, and the behaviour of one of their primary prey groups, primates. In conservation biology, various assumptions are made about hunter spatial behaviour, such as the use of uniform circular areas around communities for resource extraction. This research demonstrates that these assumptions are not valid in the study system, and develops an alternate method for determining hunting pressure. Methods from animal behaviour are used to describe the spatial distribution of hunters and non-hunters. Interviews are also used to investigate perceptions of prey animals by the Waorani, with a particular focus on the role of primates. Primate behaviour is investigated in the context of non-lethal effects of human hunting. Changes in short and long term behavioural patterns are demonstrated using experiments with Poeppigi’s woolly monkeys (Lagothrix poeppigii) and observations of red titi monkeys (Callicebus discolor). Key differences in behaviour were found between groups with and without recent exposure to human hunters. These differences suggest human hunting of primates has additional non-lethal effects which should be considered when assessing hunting sustainability. Behaviour is recognised as an important component of human-environment interactions, yet the behaviour of humans and the animals they interact with is often overlooked. This thesis investigates behavioural interactions by focusing on individuals and groups on a small geographic and temporal scale, quantifying these interactions in the context of human hunting, and considering their implications for conservation