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M G L Mills - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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attitudes of ranchers towards african wild dogs lycaon pictus conservation implications on private land
Biological Conservation, 2005Co-Authors: Peter A Lindsey, Johan T Du Toit, M G L MillsAbstract:In South Africa, wild dogs are limited to a single viable population in Kruger National Park. Current conservation efforts aim to develop a meta-population through the reintroduction of wild dogs into fenced reserves. However, significant potential also exists for conserving naturally occurring wild dogs in situ on ranchland. This study represents an assessment of the attitudes of southern African landowners towards wild dogs to determine the scope for conserving them on private land, and to identify the conditions under which conservation efforts might succeed. Over half of ranchers interviewed indicated that they would like to have wild dogs on their property. Younger ranchers were more positive than older ranchers, suggesting that traditional prejudices against wild dogs are fading. Attitudes were generally negative where ranches are game-fenced, and where cattle or consumptive wildlife utilisation dominate land use. Negative attitudes were typically related to economic costs associated with wild dogs, and conservation initiatives aimed at reducing costs or creating benefits from the species represent the most direct way to improve attitudes. Many ranchers recognised the potential ecotourism value of wild dogs, and attitudes were most positive where ranches belong to conservancies, and where ecotourism-based land uses predominate. Similar relationships were found between ranch/rancher characteristics and attitudes towards most large carnivores. Thus, our findings have general relevance for large carnivore conservation on private land in southern Africa. Encouraging the formation of conservancies should be a priority for carnivore conservation efforts on ranchland, to Reduce Conflict and promote coexistence between people and predators.
Peter A Lindsey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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attitudes of ranchers towards african wild dogs lycaon pictus conservation implications on private land
Biological Conservation, 2005Co-Authors: Peter A Lindsey, Johan T Du Toit, M G L MillsAbstract:In South Africa, wild dogs are limited to a single viable population in Kruger National Park. Current conservation efforts aim to develop a meta-population through the reintroduction of wild dogs into fenced reserves. However, significant potential also exists for conserving naturally occurring wild dogs in situ on ranchland. This study represents an assessment of the attitudes of southern African landowners towards wild dogs to determine the scope for conserving them on private land, and to identify the conditions under which conservation efforts might succeed. Over half of ranchers interviewed indicated that they would like to have wild dogs on their property. Younger ranchers were more positive than older ranchers, suggesting that traditional prejudices against wild dogs are fading. Attitudes were generally negative where ranches are game-fenced, and where cattle or consumptive wildlife utilisation dominate land use. Negative attitudes were typically related to economic costs associated with wild dogs, and conservation initiatives aimed at reducing costs or creating benefits from the species represent the most direct way to improve attitudes. Many ranchers recognised the potential ecotourism value of wild dogs, and attitudes were most positive where ranches belong to conservancies, and where ecotourism-based land uses predominate. Similar relationships were found between ranch/rancher characteristics and attitudes towards most large carnivores. Thus, our findings have general relevance for large carnivore conservation on private land in southern Africa. Encouraging the formation of conservancies should be a priority for carnivore conservation efforts on ranchland, to Reduce Conflict and promote coexistence between people and predators.
Stephen M Redpath - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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working with stakeholders to Reduce Conflict modelling the impact of varying hen harrier circus cyaneus densities on red grouse lagopus lagopus populations
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: David A. Elston, Luigi Spezia, Dave Baines, Stephen M RedpathAbstract:Summary 1. Conflict management is difficult and may benefit from scientists working closely with stakeholders. We worked with conservation and moorland management interests, to consider the potential use of a quota system to address the long-standing Conflict arising from hen harrier Circus cyaneus predation on red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus. 2. We modelled the impact of different harrier densities on grouse populations using a stochastic population dynamics model to inform the debate over the consequences of a quota system. The stakeholders commissioned the work and agreed on the underlying principles, the data sets and the approach. 3. The model covers the recovery phase from low grouse densities to a level at which driven shooting can recommence, as this phase is of paramount concern to the managers of grouse moors. 4. The model incorporated uncertainty in parameter values as well as for temporal and spatial variation in demographic rates. Multiple runs of the model enabled us to construct probability distributions, both for the population sizes in the first 2 years following cyclic lows in the grouse populations and for the number of years to recommencement of driven grouse shooting. 5. The model results quantified the extent to which high densities of harriers pose challenges for grouse management. At harrier densities of or below 0� 025 km 2 , harrier impacts were predicted to Reduce autumn grouse densities by <10%, suggesting that a quota scheme could theoretically support coexistence between grouse shooting and harrier conservation. 6. Synthesis and applications. Conflict management requires dialogue between Conflicting parties and can benefit from objective inputs from scientists using an agreed evidence base and transparent derivation of relevant information from that evidence base. By discussing the principles of model development and eligibility of data sets with a stakeholder group in advance of producing model results, we achieved buy-in from all parties involved. Our model informs the debate: whether this additional information will lead to the development and testing of a quota system in practice remains to be seen.
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hunting habitat selection by hen harriers on moorland implications for conservation management
Biological Conservation, 2009Co-Authors: Beatriz Arroyo, Arjun Amar, Fiona Leckie, Graeme M Buchanan, Jeremy D Wilson, Stephen M RedpathAbstract:We examine habitat use by hunting hen harriers Circus cyaneus at three study sites in Scotland to evaluate whether foraging patterns differ between sexes, sites, and stages of the breeding period. We modelled time spent hunting in focal plots as a function of habitat and nest proximity. Male hunting intensity (time spent hunting per hour of observation and km2) varied between sites and breeding periods, being lower during the nestling than the incubation period. Habitat use patterns were mostly consistent among study sites, which is important for developing species management recommendations applicable over the species’ range. Males avoided improved grassland, and selected areas of mixed heather and rough grass (with an optimum at ca. 50% heather cover). The effect of nest proximity was small. In contrast, females hunted mainly within 300–500 m of the nest, with a small additive effect of vegetation cover, areas of fragmented heather being preferred. Habitat management to benefit foraging harriers will involve creating (or maintaining) mosaics of heather/grassland around nest areas. Additionally, it might be possible to manipulate habitat to Reduce Conflict in areas where harrier predation on red grouse is important by segregating areas holding highest grouse densities (with high heather cover) from those favoured for harrier foraging (heather–grass mosaics). However, it would be necessary to test whether these manipulations might also influence harrier nest distribution, an effect which could negate any benefits from this strategy.
Johan T Du Toit - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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attitudes of ranchers towards african wild dogs lycaon pictus conservation implications on private land
Biological Conservation, 2005Co-Authors: Peter A Lindsey, Johan T Du Toit, M G L MillsAbstract:In South Africa, wild dogs are limited to a single viable population in Kruger National Park. Current conservation efforts aim to develop a meta-population through the reintroduction of wild dogs into fenced reserves. However, significant potential also exists for conserving naturally occurring wild dogs in situ on ranchland. This study represents an assessment of the attitudes of southern African landowners towards wild dogs to determine the scope for conserving them on private land, and to identify the conditions under which conservation efforts might succeed. Over half of ranchers interviewed indicated that they would like to have wild dogs on their property. Younger ranchers were more positive than older ranchers, suggesting that traditional prejudices against wild dogs are fading. Attitudes were generally negative where ranches are game-fenced, and where cattle or consumptive wildlife utilisation dominate land use. Negative attitudes were typically related to economic costs associated with wild dogs, and conservation initiatives aimed at reducing costs or creating benefits from the species represent the most direct way to improve attitudes. Many ranchers recognised the potential ecotourism value of wild dogs, and attitudes were most positive where ranches belong to conservancies, and where ecotourism-based land uses predominate. Similar relationships were found between ranch/rancher characteristics and attitudes towards most large carnivores. Thus, our findings have general relevance for large carnivore conservation on private land in southern Africa. Encouraging the formation of conservancies should be a priority for carnivore conservation efforts on ranchland, to Reduce Conflict and promote coexistence between people and predators.
John D Peine - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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nuisance bears in communities strategies to Reduce Conflict
Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2001Co-Authors: John D PeineAbstract:Human-bear Conflicts are becoming of greater concern as remnant bear populations occupy habitat that is being encroached upon by human development. In some communities, specific policies dealing with human-bear interactions have been adopted. The research reported here is a review of these policies within selected communities and analysis of the dynamics leading to their adoption. A framework depicting forces influencing the formulation of policy on wildlife management devised by Kellert and Clark was used to describe the policy development in the communities studied. Categories of constituency forces described in the framework include biophysical-behavioral, social-structural, valuational and institutional-regulatory. The time and order sequence of influential forces leading to policy formulation is a central focus of the paper. The communities utilized in the analysis include Juneau, Alaska; Mammoth Lakes, California; West Yellowstone, Montana; and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The policy formulation process a...