Trophic Cascades by Large Carnivores: A Case for Strong Inference and Mechanism

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 725-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam T. Ford ◽  
Jacob R. Goheen
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Cascades ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Strong Inference

scholarly journals Paws without claws? Ecological effects of large carnivores in anthropogenic landscapes

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1841) ◽  
pp. 20161625 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. J. Kuijper ◽  
E. Sahlén ◽  
B. Elmhagen ◽  
S. Chamaillé-Jammes ◽  
H. Sand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Cascades ◽  
Ecological Effects ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽  
Human Actions ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Natural Landscapes ◽  
New Research ◽  
Research Avenue

Large carnivores are frequently presented as saviours of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning through their creation of trophic cascades, an idea largely based on studies coming primarily out of relatively natural landscapes. However, in large parts of the world, particularly in Europe, large carnivores live in and are returning to strongly human-modified ecosystems. At present, we lack a coherent framework to predict the effects of large carnivores in these anthropogenic landscapes. We review how human actions influence the ecological roles of large carnivores by affecting their density or behaviour or those of mesopredators or prey species. We argue that the potential for density-mediated trophic cascades in anthropogenic landscapes is limited to unproductive areas where even low carnivore numbers may impact prey densities or to the limited parts of the landscape where carnivores are allowed to reach ecologically functional densities. The potential for behaviourally mediated trophic cascades may be larger and more widespread, because even low carnivore densities affect prey behaviour. We conclude that predator–prey interactions in anthropogenic landscapes will be highly context-dependent and human actions will often attenuate the ecological effects of large carnivores. We highlight the knowledge gaps and outline a new research avenue to study the role of carnivores in anthropogenic landscapes.

Waldpolitischer Jahresrückblick 2011

2012 ◽  
Vol 163 (5) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willi Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Forest Policy ◽  
Federal Court ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Court Decisions ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Policy Issues ◽  
The Government ◽  
European Forest ◽  
Forest Legislation ◽  
Forest Act

Annual review of Swiss forest policy 2011 The revision of the Forest Act, the adoption of the Forest Programme 2020 by the Federal Council as well as the preparation of the second contribution period of the New System of Financial Equalisation and Division of Tasks between the Confederation and the Cantons (NFE) shaped, in addition to the routine business, the forest policy of 2011. The parliamentary initiatives on forest and forest policy issues remained of about the same amount as in previous years, while the Federal Court decisions on forest legislation have declined significantly. In various forest-related sectoral policies, the government and parliament made important decisions. In climate policy, the Parliament adopted the CO2 Law. However, this has not yet happened to the revision of the Spatial Planning Act. In nature and landscape policy, the administration has prepared the Swiss biodiversity strategy so far that the Federal Council could send it out for consultation. The revision of the Hunting Regulation, with changes in the management of large carnivores, is nearing adoption. At the international level, the Federal Council has submitted the European Landscape Convention to the Parliament for ratification, and the European forestry ministers have agreed to the preparation of a European Forest Convention.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document