A legal-ecological understanding of favorable conservation status for species in Europe

Legislation for the preservation of biodiversity has been instrumental to the recovery of multiple species and habitats. The European Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC is one of the strongest legal tools in nature conservation. This Directive seeks to achieve its biodiversity goals by requiring EU Member States to take measures to reach or maintain favorable conservation status (FCS) of natural habitats and species in Europe. FCS is a legal concept, but must be understood and applied by scientists, managers, and policy makers, and therefore a proper interpretation of this concept is crucial for biodiversity conservation and wildlife management. However, its definition contains several aspects that can lead to misinterpretation, forming the core of controversies in determining whether or not populations have reached FCS. In this review, we provide legal and ecological clarifications of the most contested aspects of FCS that have not yet been conclusively settled by analyzing and weighing a variety of sources

Intensity of Territorial Marking Predicts Wolf Reproduction: Implications for Wolf Monitoring

BACKGROUND: The implementation of intensive and complex approaches to monitor large carnivores is resource demanding, restricted to endangered species, small populations, or small distribution ranges. Wolf monitoring over large spatial scales is difficult, but the management of such contentious species requires regular estimations of abundance to guide decision-makers. The integration of wolf marking behaviour with simple sign counts may offer a cost-effective alternative to monitor the status of wolf populations over large spatial scales. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used a multi-sampling approach, based on the collection of visual and scent wolf marks (faeces and ground scratching) and the assessment of wolf reproduction using howling and observation points, to test whether the intensity of marking behaviour around the pup-rearing period (summer-autumn) could reflect wolf reproduction. Between 1994 and 2007 we collected 1,964 wolf marks in a total of 1,877 km surveyed and we searched for the pups' presence (1,497 howling and 307 observations points) in 42 sampling sites with a regular presence of wolves (120 sampling sites/year). The number of wolf marks was ca. 3 times higher in sites with a confirmed presence of pups (20.3 vs. 7.2 marks). We found a significant relationship between the number of wolf marks (mean and maximum relative abundance index) and the probability of wolf reproduction. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This research establishes a real-time relationship between the intensity of wolf marking behaviour and wolf reproduction. We suggest a conservative cutting point of 0.60 for the probability of wolf reproduction to monitor wolves on a regional scale combined with the use of the mean relative abundance index of wolf marks in a given area. We show how the integration of wolf behaviour with simple sampling procedures permit rapid, real-time, and cost-effective assessments of the breeding status of wolf packs with substantial implications to monitor wolves at large spatial scales

Detection of Leishmania DNA in wild foxes and associated ticks in Patagonia, Argentina, 2000 km south of its known distribution area

Indexación: Web of Science; PubMedBackground: Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis (ZVL) is a vector-borne disease affecting humans and other mammals and caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (syn. L. chagasi), belonging to the L. donovani complex. The regions in Northern Argentina (above 32 degrees S) are its southern distribution limit in South America. Results: We detected Leishmania sp. DNA (most likely belonging to the L. donovani complex) in 37.5 % of 32 grey foxes (Pseudalopex griseus) captured in Argentinean Patagonia (48 degrees S and 50 degrees S). Eleven monosexual pools of Amblyomma tigrinum ticks from eight different foxes (six grey foxes and two culpeo foxes P. culpaeus) were also positive. The southernmost known distribution limit for L. infantum, and the southernmost reported capture of a phlebotominae, had previously been 2000 and 750 km north of our study area, respectively. Conclusions: This finding is significant because it markedly extends the distribution area of leishmaniasis; supports the existence of a sylvatic cycle in the absence of dogs; and has implications in transmission, indicating that either sand fly distribution is broader than currently thought or non-sand fly Leishmania maintenance is possible. Additional molecular, parasitological, epidemiological and entomological studies are still needed.http://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-016-1515-

Challenges for recovery of large carnivores in humanized countries: attitudes and knowledge of sheep farmers towards brown bear in Western Pyrenees, Spain

During 2017, we studied knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards brown bears by extensive mountain sheep farmers in the Western Pyrenees, using a structured questionnaire, specifically, whether the scarce bear presence, or the administrative region, was influential. Livestock raising practices are mainly family properties and have suffered a strong decline in the last decades. Despite its low abundance (only 2 bear individuals during the study period in the area), there was a generalized negative attitude towards the presence of bears. Farmers considered bear presence as incompatible with sheep mountain herding. One third of them have experienced bear damages, although this was not the main difficulty for the viability of farming practices. They were able to change husbandry practices after wildlife and dog’s damages, increasing vigilance, hiring shepherds, and using livestock guarding dogs, whose work is perceived as satisfactory. Farmers considered that information available about bear and compensation systems for damages was insufficient, and should be improved

Environmentalities of coexistence with wolves in the Cantabrian mountains of Spain

A. Marino was supported by a NERC doctoral scholarship and the Royal Geographic Society Frederick Soddy Award. The research contributes to the “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CEX2019-000940-M). J.V. López-Bao was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (RYC-2015-18932; CGL2017-87528-R AEI/FEDER EU) and by a GRUPIN research grant IDI/2021/000075 from the Regional Government of Asturias. The other authors were not funded by any agency for their work.[Abstract]: Coexistence between humans and large carnivores is mediated by diverse values and interactions. We focus on four sites in the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain with a history of continuous wolf presence to examine how perceptions of coexistence vary across contexts. We conducted semi-structured and informal interviews with livestock farmers (n = 271), hunters (n = 157), and local community members (n = 60) to collect quantitative and qualitative data on people's experiences of coexistence with wolves. We use an environmentality framework to analyse approaches to wolf governance across sites and explore how local resource users perceive, negotiate, and respond to different governance approaches. Our analysis is firstly structured around coexistence subjectivities associated with pastoralist and hunter cultures. These encompass ambivalent and multi-layered relations founded on notions of reciprocity with nature and on resource users' roles as producers and land stewards. Secondly, we explore encounters between local cultures, interests, and environmental regulations in the context of different site-based environmentalities. The framework we adopt enables coexistence to be conceived as a space of competing knowledges and practices, arising from everyday embodied interactions with wolves and the cultural politics through which local communities negotiate different ways of governing, knowing, and relating to nature.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; CEX2019-000940-MMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; RYC-2015-18932Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; CGL2017-87528-RPrincipado de Asturias; IDI/2021/00007

Analys av sambandet mellan vargtäthet och antal fårbesättningar

Vi har analyserat sambandet mellan antal vargangrepp på får och andra variabler som vargtäthet, vargrevirens status och täthet av fårbesättningar med och utan rovdjursavvisande stängsel. Av analyserna framgår tydligt att den variabel som uppvisar starkast samband med antalet vargangrepp på får är tätheten av fårbesättningar. Varken tätheten av vargrevir (oavsett status; familjegrupp, par eller ensam stationär) eller andelen fårgårdar som mottagit bidrag till rovdjursavvisande stängsel är signifikanta i någon modell. Att det finns varg i ett område där det också finns får är en förutsättning som avgör huruvida det kan ske angrepp eller inte, medan antalet angrepp som faktiskt inträffar beror av hur många fårbesättningar som finns i området. Revir som etableras utanför de befintliga vargreviren (2014/2015) kan i genomsnitt förväntas generera 30 % fler vargangrepp på får jämfört med de revir som existerar idag. Om de nya reviren etableras i områden med avsevärt högre täthet av fårbesättningar förväntas även antalet vargangrepp på får öka i samma utsträckning. Att reducera antalet angrepp med hjälp av bidrag till rovdjursavvisande stängsel skulle kosta i genomsnitt dubbelt så mycket i de ”nya” reviren som i de befintliga, eftersom de nya i genomsnitt skulle innehålla det dubbla antalet fårbesättningar. Det är viktigt att läsaren är medveten om de begränsningar som finns vad gäller alla korrelationer. Att det finns ett samband säger mycket lite eller ingenting om kausalitet, dvs orsak och verkan

Perceptions and attitudes of stakeholders on the return of brown bears (Ursus arctos): contributions from a workshop held in northern Portugal

Brown bears (Ursus arctos) were extinct in Portugal by 1843. In the spring of 2019, a male bear was officially confirmed in northern Portugal, and more bears will likely reach the country shortly. We surveyed participants in a workshop held in Bragança in October 2021 to understand the perceptions and attitudes of different stakeholder groups (Administration, Research, Nongovernmental Organizations, and Local Stakeholders) regarding the return of brown bears to Portugal. Results indicate that, generally, participants would feel safe in areas where bears are present, are positive toward the return of brown bears, and see it as an opportunity for local development rather than a threat. Results also indicate a high level of consensus among groups of stakeholders concerning the issues analyzed. These preliminary results provide a baseline for perceptions and attitudes to consider when planning the conservation of brown bears returning to Portugal.We acknowledge all respondents to the questionnaire. We acknowledge also the members of the committees of the workshop on the return of brown bears to Portugal for their contributions to the questionnaire and definition of topics to address, namely Alberto Fernandez Gil, Armando Loureiro, Javier Naves, José Luis Rosas, and Miguel Novoa. Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) provided financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020). Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process funded the workshop in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Humans as Prey: Coping with Large Carnivore Attacks using a Predator-Prey Interaction Perspective

The number of attacks on humans by large carnivores in North America is increasing. A better understanding the factors triggering such attacks is critical to mitigating the risk of future encounters in landscape where humans and large carnivore co-exist. Since 1955, of the 632 attacks on humans by large carnivores, 106 (17%) involved predation. We draw on concepts and empirical evidence from the Predator-Prey Interaction Theory to provide insights into how to reduce predatory attacks and, thus, improve human-large carnivore co-existence. Because large carnivore-caused mortality risks for humans are comparable to those shown by other mammal species in response to predation risk, framing predatory attacks under a theory underpinning predator-prey interactions may represent a powerful tool for minimizing large carnivore attacks. For example: 1) because most large carnivores have marked crepuscular and nocturnal activity, by minimizing our outdoor activities from sunset to sunrise in high risk areas, we could reduce the number of predatory attacks. Indeed, the most effective way in which prey avoid predation, but still utilize risky areas, is by adopting temporal changes in activity patterns; 2) because the human-age groups most often targeted by large carnivores are essentially the same as when predators in general search for prey, namely the youngest individuals, parental vigilance and education for children may be key factor to reduce predatory attacks; and 3) because group size can affect predator–prey encounter rates and outcomes in different ways, large groups of people can decrease predation rates (which are higher on lone individuals and children). Many humans may no longer consider predation by large carnivores to be a logical or plausible consequence of our predator-naïve behavior, because humans now only occasionally represent prey for such species. However, the solution to the conflicts represented by large carnivore attacks on humans remains implementation of correct strategies to face these rare events. But, whatever these strategies, we must base our behaviors on information, education and prevention