Large carnivore expansion in Europe is associated with human population density and land cover changes

Aim: The recent recovery of large carnivores in Europe has been explained as resulting from a decrease in human persecution driven by widespread rural land abandonment, paralleled by forest cover increase and the consequent increase in availability of shelter and prey. We investigated whether land cover and human population density changes are related to the relative probability of occurrence of three European large carnivores: the grey wolf (Canis lupus), the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos). Location: Europe, west of 64° longitude. Methods: We fitted multi-temporal species distribution models using >50,000 occurrence points with time series of land cover, landscape configuration, protected areas, hunting regulations and human population density covering a 24-year period (1992–2015). Within the temporal window considered, we then predicted changes in habitat suitability for large carnivores throughout Europe. Results: Between 1992 and 2015, the habitat suitability for the three species increased in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, North-West Iberian Peninsula and Northern Scandinavia, but showed mixed trends in Western and Southern Europe. These trends were primarily associated with increases in forest cover and decreases in human population density, and, additionally, with decreases in the cover of mosaics of cropland and natural vegetation. Main conclusions: Recent land cover and human population changes appear to have altered the habitat suitability pattern for large carnivores in Europe, whereas protection level did not play a role. While projected changes largely match the observed recovery of large carnivore populations, we found mismatches with the recent expansion of wolves in Central and Southern Europe, where factors not included in our models may have played a dominant role. This suggests that large carnivores’ co-existence with humans in European landscapes is not limited by habitat availability, but other factors such as favourable human tolerance and policy

Brown bear attacks on humans : a worldwide perspective

The increasing trend of large carnivore attacks on humans not only raises human safety concerns but may also undermine large carnivore conservation efforts. Although rare, attacks by brown bears Ursus arctos are also on the rise and, although several studies have addressed this issue at local scales, information is lacking on a worldwide scale. Here, we investigated brown bear attacks (n = 664) on humans between 2000 and 2015 across most of the range inhabited by the species: North America (n = 183), Europe (n = 291), and East (n = 190). When the attacks occurred, half of the people were engaged in leisure activities and the main scenario was an encounter with a female with cubs. Attacks have increased significantly over time and were more frequent at high bear and low human population densities. There was no significant difference in the number of attacks between continents or between countries with different hunting practices. Understanding global patterns of bear attacks can help reduce dangerous encounters and, consequently, is crucial for informing wildlife managers and the public about appropriate measures to reduce this kind of conflicts in bear country.Peer reviewe

Internal auditor perceptions of corporate governance in Greece after the crisis

Purpose: This paper aims to present the views of internal auditors in Greece on the relation between the internal audit function (IAF) and corporate governance (CG) after several years of European market integration and in the aftermath of the sovereign debt crisis. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected using semi-structured interviews with 15 internal auditors working in firms with different size and in different sectors of activity. Interviewees have diverse experience and hold various positions in the firm. Findings: Respondents perceive a strong relation between the IAF and CG. They view the IAF as a preventive tool that provides monitoring and advisory services to firms. They stress the inadequate monitoring role of the board in the IAF, and they support a proactive intervention in the strategic audit planning process. They see a small role for shareholders in CG. They stress the need to focus more on the efficiency and effectiveness considerations in carrying out the IAF. They perceive CG-related information as important for meeting formal compliance needs rather than contributing to decision-making or audit process planning. They believe that audit committees (AC) are weak in implementing effective monitoring, due to inadequate knowledge and expertise of their members. They would like to see a two-way interaction between auditors, AC and management. They would like to enjoy more independence through the implementation of international standards of auditing and statutory regulation. Research limitations/implications: The sample covers 15 auditors from an equivalent number of firms and few sectors of activity. Accessing potential interviewees was difficult due to the perceived conflict between their work requirements and public statement of their views. Practical implications: The proposed method adds to the qualitative analysis literature with regard to measuring and evaluating the personal views of auditors on CG. The study provides empirical evidence of the need to use extensive qualitative research to assess the auditors’ views on the role of CG for their work. Originality/value: The role of internal audit in CG effectiveness is a key policy concern, especially in countries with diverse market environments. Greece is such an environment for it has undergone a major institutional change within a short period and suffered greatly from its sovereign debt crisis. Further, few studies have sought and evaluated the views of internal auditors by using semi-structured interviews. The latter provide details, which other methods cannot capture. The results of this study are especially useful to the competent regulators, for they reflect market perceptions on the importance and effectiveness of CG practices. They are also useful to practitioners to identify potential root causes of audit deficiencies. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

The contribution of karstic rocks to soil quality, Ioannina plain (Epirus, Hellas)

Soil is a significant link to the food chain as trace elements and compounds are provided, directly or indirectly, to plants, animals and people. In certain areas, soil quality depends mainly on karstic rocks, such as limestone and dolomite, on which a certain type of ecosystem (karst ecosystem), is developed.Ioannina plateau in NW Hellas constitutes a large karstic basin. According to the analytical results of 112 soil samples from the plain to the north-west of the city of Ioannina, a 100km2 area, which is part of the same karstic system (polje) there is a sufficient amount of samples with over 4% of CaCO3 in about 23.20% of the sampled area. The highest values of CaCO3, water extractable and exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations, bicarbonate (HCO3-), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and pH are observed specifically in a NW-SE trending zone near to the foothills of the limestone of Mitsikeli mountain. This is mainly due to the higher supply of material, derived from the dissolution of carbonate rocks, transportation and deposition of CaCO3 of soil originating from the Mitsikeli mountain. The foothills of Mitsikeli mountain are enriched in the detritus derived from the weathering of limestone, and subsequent fluvial erosion and deposition of the calcium carbonate detritus downstream. The transport capacity of the many streams, that drain the slopes of Mitsikeli mountain, is increased, because the inclination is up to 30° and, therefore, with concurrent increase in the supply of such sediments in the eastern part of the Ioannina polje. Thus, the quality of soil in this NW-SE trending zone is definitely improved, mainly because of the supply of calcium carbonate from the aforementioned karst structure, resulting in the development of good quality soil for agricultural use and, consequently, in the development of karst ecosystem. © 2014 Elsevier B.V

Genetic Analysis and Status of Brown Bear Sub-Populations in Three National Parks of Greece Functioning as Strongholds for the Species’ Conservation

In order to optimize the appropriate conservation actions for the brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) population in Greece, we estimated the census (Nc) and effective (Ne) population size as well as the genetic status of brown bear sub-populations in three National Parks (NP): Prespa (MBPNP), Pindos (PINDNP), and Rhodopi (RMNP). The Prespa and Pindos sub-populations are located in western Greece and the Rhodopi population is located in eastern Greece. We extracted DNA from 472 hair samples and amplified through PCR 10 microsatellite loci. In total, 257 of 472 samples (54.5%) were genotyped for 6–10 microsatellite loci. Genetic analysis revealed that the Ne was 35, 118, and 61 individuals in MBPNP, PINDNP, and RMNP, respectively, while high levels of inbreeding were found in Prespa and Rhodopi but not in Pindos. Moreover, analysis of genetic structure showed that the Pindos population is genetically distinct, whereas Prespa and Rhodopi show mutual overlaps. Finally, we found a notable gene flow from Prespa to Rhodopi (10.19%) and from Rhodopi to Prespa (14.96%). Therefore, targeted actions for the conservation of the bears that live in the abovementioned areas must be undertaken, in order to ensure the species’ viability and to preserve the corridors that allow connectivity between the bear sub-populations in Greece. © 2022 by the authors

Bears in human-modified landscapes: The case studies of the Cantabrian, Apennine, and Pindos Mountains

Brown bears Ursus arctos were historically persecuted and almost eradicated from Southern Europe in the 20th century as a result of hunting and direct persecution (Zedrosser et al. 2011; Martínez Cano et al. 2016). The effects of human induced mortality were exacerbated by other threats, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, due to the expansion of human populations (Swenson et al. 2000). As a result, nowadays there are only small fragmented populations of bears in Southern Europe, where brown bears frequently inhabit human modified landscapes. These areas are characterised by the widespread presence of people and infrastructures, which potentially have ecological impacts on bears. The close coexistence of brown bears and humans generates multiple human-driven disturbances (Ordiz et al. 2017) and causes bear mortality (Bischof et al. 2009), affecting the distribution, demography, behaviour and viability of bear populations (Penteriani et al. 2018a; Zarzo-Arias et al. 2018). Brown bears in the Cantabrian (north-western Spain), Apennine (central Italy) and Pindos (north-western Greece) mountains (Figure 19.1) represent three examples of small and threatened bear populations in human-modified landscapes (Figure 19.2). Most of their range is characterised by high human densities, widespread agricultural activities, livestock raising and urban development, connected by dense networks of transport infrastructures (Penteriani et al. submitted; Mateo-Sánchez et al. 2016). This has resulted in a reduction of continuous habitat suitable for the species (Martínez Cano et al. 2016). Here, we summarise the past and present histories and fates of these three populations as examples on how the coexistence of bears and people in human-modified landscapes can take different turns depending on human attitudes