Conserving large carnivores amidst human-wildlife conflict: The scope of ecological theory to guide conservation practice

Bagchi, S (2019) Conserving large carnivores amidst human-wildlife conflict: The scope of ecological theory to guide conservation practice. In: Food Webs, 18 .

PDF Foo_Web_18_2019.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (9MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Predator-prey interactions where livestock are killed by carnivores, are a serious global challenge. Conservation interventions to address this conflict are inadequately guided by ecological theory, and instead rely on pragmatic experiential decisions. I review four families of theoretical models that can accommodate essential features of this human-wildlife conflict, namely – prey-refuge, specialist/generalist predation, social-ecological, and metapopulation models. I evaluate their relevance for conservation and arrange each model's predictions along two conceptual dimensions: coexistence and stability. These models are described with examples of pastoralists and snow leopards in the Himalayas, but they can have broader relevance to other regions. All models suggest that livestock-loss can be better controlled in highly productive habitats, than under low productivity. But, they differ in the ease with which their predictions may be translated into real-world conservation interventions. These constraints can be circumvented through animal movement between patches which is represented only in metapopulation models. But, metapopulation models do not offer much clarity on the size of the predator population. Instead, they can prescribe rotational-grazing policies for livestock – another pragmatic management concern. This comparison of models identifies lacunae where ecological theory could be better integrated within conservation practice. One option is better integration with emerging knowledge of animal movement. Comparative analyses of models helps identify future directions where outcomes of alternative management interventions can be predicted and evaluated.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Food Webs
Publisher:	Elsevier Inc.
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to Elsevier Inc.
Keywords:	Carnivore conservation; Endangered species; Grazing management; Prey-predator
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences
Date Deposited:	13 Dec 2022 04:39
Last Modified:	13 Dec 2022 04:39
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/78317

Actions (login required)

View Item