57 research outputs found
Population density of Ecuadorian mantled howler monkeys (<i>Alouatta palliata aequatorialis</i>) in a tropical dry forest, with information on habitat selection, calling behavior and cluster sizes
Information about conservation status is more important than species appearance in the species preferences of potential conservation donors
Human speech reduces pygmy marmoset (<i>Cebuella pygmaea</i>) feeding and resting at a Peruvian tourist site, with louder volumes decreasing visibility
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
Is there evidence of shifting baseline syndrome in environmental managers? An assessment using perceptions of bird population targets in UK nature reserve
What should we do? An explanatory analysis of the decision-making process in biodiversity conservation
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
Increased information and marketing to specific individuals could shift conservation support to less popular species
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