Public perceptions of natural disturbance in Canada’s national parks: The case of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins)

Since the 1990s, the mountain pine beetle (MPB) population has exploded in western Canada. In national parks, MPB has the potential to impact visual quality and safety of visitors, and to spread beyond park boundaries to the industrial forest landbase. Control measures have been initiated in some parks to lessen these impacts. A study was undertaken to examine public attitudes, knowledge, issue salience, and management preferences for MPB in Banff and Kootenay national parks. Data were collected by mail survey in 2003 from 1385 residents living in or near the parks. MPB was an important issue for the majority of respondents and they had low knowledge of MPB, expressed negative attitudes towards it, and supported measures to control it. Preferred control measures included those directed at the current infestation. Proactive approaches in uninfested forests were generally not supported. Issue salience and knowledge were the best predictors of attitudes toward the MPB. Attitudes were the best predictors of support for no intervention in beetle infestations in national parks. Management implications include the lack of knowledge and support for natural disturbance and ecological integrity policies in national parks.     

Social perceptions of the impacts and benefits of invasive alien species: Implications for management

Research on biological invasions has traditionally focused on the ecological component of invasive alien species, either without considering or by considering in a restricted way, the knowledge of the social component. An understanding of the human dimension of invasions is critical to effectively tackle the problems associated with invasive alien species. We distributed questionnaires to evaluate the social perceptions and attitudes of different stakeholder groups affected by invasive alien species in the Doñana social-ecological system (SW Spain). Our analysis served to characterize respondents based on their knowledge and perceptions of the impacts of invasive alien species, and the attitudes toward their introduction and eradication. Hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses identified five categories of respondents, and potential support of eradication programs was assessed using a contingent valuation approach. The five stakeholder groups differed in their degree of knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and willingness to pay for eradication. The fact that different stakeholders have remarkably different perceptions about the impacts and benefits caused by invasive alien species, and different attitudes toward their introduction or eradication should be considered in any decision-making process regarding their management, particularly when developing appropriate educational and informative programs. Consultation with different stakeholders should also be encouraged from the onset of any decision-making process. In this way, trade-offs involved in IAS management are directly addressed and successful implementation of management practices is facilitated.     

The impact of trophy hunting on lions (Panthera leo) and other large carnivores in the Bénoué Complex, northern Cameroon

In West and Central Africa large carnivores have become increasingly rare as a consequence of rapid habitat destruction and lack of resources for protected area management. The Bénoué Complex (23,394 km²) in northern Cameroon is a regionally critical area for large mammal conservation. In the complex lions (Panthera leo), leopards (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are formally protected in three national parks and 28 hunting zones. Over-hunting may be having a strong additive effect precipitating declines in large carnivore numbers across the complex. We used a coarse level track index method to estimate the relative abundance of these three species both in hunting zones and national parks. The results were interpreted with respect to ungulate abundance, and hunting impact. There was no significant difference between the densities of medium to larger species of ungulates in the hunting zones and the national parks, and no difference in leopard and spotted hyena densities in the respective areas. However, lions occurred at significantly lower densities in the hunting zones, and even in the national parks occurred at significantly lower densities than prey biomass would predict.     

Alligators in natural areas: Choosing conservation policies consistent with local objectives

In parks and reserves, the conservation and management of large animals, particularly dangerous ones, has always been of concern with respect to human safety. In some areas, protective management for crocodilians, some species of which are known to attack humans, is appropriate despite prevailing national or regional management trends emphasising commercial utilisation. Management of problem alligators in Everglades National Park provides an example of protection management. We found that incidents involving conflict between visitors and alligators were not frequent in the Park despite a large resident alligator population and the annual passage of 400 000 people through the area. Furthermore, responses to alligator incidents were not time-consuming, requiring an average of four personnel-days per year. Visitor management was an effective tool in this park, emphasising a balance between visitor safety and alligator protection by focusing on reducing the potential for conflict. Because objectives differ in various reserves, there is a need for locally sensitive planning for crocodilian management. Three criteria to be evaluated at a local level are potential threats to human safety, economic necessity, and the ecological values of the species. Although ethical and philosophical arguments can be raised, in the United States nonconsumptive management appears to be most effectively argued on the value of crocodilians to the ecosystems they inhabit.     

Human activities modify soil properties in urban parks: a case study of Tel Aviv-Jaffa

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of visitors’ activities on soil properties in parks of Tel Aviv-Jaffa city, Israel.

Materials and methods

The city was divided into three geographical regions: south, central, and north. This division reflects the course of development of the city from south to north and encompasses various socioeconomic levels of residents. In each region, 9–15 parks were randomly chosen and classified into three groups according to their size (in m²): 2?×?10³ to 10?×?10³, 11?×?10³ to 20?×?10³, and 21?×?10³ to 50?×?10³. In each park soil, 0–2 cm of depth layer was sampled in areas under various levels of visitor pressure from July to August 2011, and organic matter, electrical conductivity, and sodium and chlorine contents were determined. Lawns and path and picnic areas represented low and high visitor pressure, respectively. Observations were conducted to characterize the various land uses of the parks and to estimate the numbers of visitors. Also, questionnaires were used at selected parks to assess visitors’ motivations or reasons for visiting the parks.

Results and discussion

Socioeconomic indicators, such as the number of residents, the apartment areas, and the percentages of family households, differed among the regions. Soil properties differed between the areas of high and low visitor pressure: they were influenced by type of human activity, size of the park, and number of visitors.

Conclusions

Soil properties are affected by variations in the intensity of park use by visitors and by the type of activities enjoyed by these visitors, both of which depend on the socioeconomic status of the park area.

     

Assessing Farmers' Knowledge of Weed Species,Crop Type and Soil Management Practices in Relation to Soil Quality Status in Mai‐Negus Catchment,Northern Ethiopia

Soil quality (SQ) assessment from farmers' point of view can be used as a primary indicator for planning sustainable agriculture. Despite this fact, limited information is documented with regard to SQ indicators, for example weed species, crop types and management practices from farmers' knowledge perspectives. The aims of this study are to analyse factors that determine farmers' knowledge of SQ, identify SQ indicators of weed species and crop types across different SQ status and assess soil‐and‐crop management practices that maintain SQ in the Mai‐Negus catchment, northern Ethiopia. Fifty‐two farmer household heads were chosen randomly for questionnaire interview. The results showed significant (p ≤ 0·05) differences in the proportion of respondents who used different crop‐and‐soil management practices. The success of overall prediction by the logistic regression model (model χ² = 0·84, p < 0·01) and level of model correct predictions (86%) indicated that the explanatory variables have sufficiently explained farmers' knowledge of SQ indicators. Provided that other conditions remained constant, the odds ratio of variables such as farmer experience, access to information, farm location, education, field slope and land tenure have significantly increased the likelihood of farmers for being knowledgeable of SQ indicators. This study also demonstrated that most farmers are knowledgeable in identifying weed species, crop types and management practices across various SQ status, which suggests that such SQ indicators should be used to assess SQ status (degradation severity) while locating fields to be intervened using appropriate management strategies. © 2013 The Authors. Land Degradation & Development published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conservation benefits of biological control: The recovery of a threatened plant subsequent to the introduction of a pathogen to contain an invasive tree species

Biological control using host-specific natural enemies is sometimes the only long-term and cost-effective option to contain dominant invasive alien species in natural ecosystems. To assess biocontrol success, most monitoring studies focus on the negative impacts of the released biocontrol agents on the target invasive species. Very few studies have shown the conservation benefits, i.e. their positive effects on the recovery of native species and habitats. A fungal pathogen (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. miconiae) was successfully released on the island of Tahiti (South Pacific) to control the dominant invasive tree Miconia calvescens which forms dense monospecific stands in native rain- and cloud forests. The pathogen causes a leaf disease leading to partial (5–35%) defoliation of Miconia canopy trees. We studied the demographical parameters of the rare endemic sub-shrub Ophiorrhiza subumbellata, growing in the understory of montane cloud forests invaded by Miconia. We compared Ophiorrhiza populations in 13 plots set up in two sites located between 950 and 1000 m elevation, having the same Miconia invasion degree but different levels of leaf damage. Our results showed that, whereas the total population density of Ophiorrhiza is not affected, plants’ growth and fertility were significantly higher in more defoliated Miconia forests. A 3-year-long survey of Ophiorrhiza population at one study site indicated that the number of seedlings and juvenile plants increased, suggesting better recruitment and survival. This study demonstrates that biological control has contributed to the recovery of an endemic plant directly threatened by an invasive species, and may be considered as an important management tool for the partial restoration of native forests.     

Changes in the properties of soils of Moscow forest parks under the impact of high recreation loads

The impact of off-road recreation loads with free moving of visitors across the area of forest parks is considered. This type of recreation loads exerts the most pronounced negative impact in soils. Quantitative estimates of changes in the morphological, physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils in Moscow parks Bitsevskii and Losinyi Ostrov under the impact of high recreation loads are given. Among the studied soil properties, the most significant changes take place in the soil structure, penetration resistance, and electrical conductivity. Quantitative data on the decrease in the number, biomass, and species diversity of soil mesofauna are also given.     

The fish fauna of mountain streams in South Korean national parks and its significance to conservation of regional freshwater fish biodiversity

The fish fauna of mountain streams in the Jiri (440 km²) and Seorak (373 km²) National Park areas of South Korea was investigated from September 1998 to May 2001. A total of 5979 fish were collected and classified into 22 families and 60 species from both national parks. At Jiri, 30 species in 12 families of fishes were collected, while at Seorak there were 42 species in 17 families. Zacco temmincki [relative abundance (RA) 47.9%] was dominant at both parks. Subdominant species were Rhynchocypris kumkangensis (RA 10.8%), Zacco platypus (RA 9.4%), and Pungtungia herzi (RA 5.3%). A total of 20 species were found to be Korean endemic species, representing seven families. The relative abundance of Korean endemic species was higher at Seorak (30.5%) than Jiri (18.5%). One exotic species (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and two species translocated outside their native catchments (Hypomesus nipponensis and Coreoperca herzi) were collected. The proportion of Korean endemic freshwater fish species in both parks (33.3%) was higher than the overall proportion on the Korean peninsula (23.6%). Within the 14 South Korean mountain-area national parks as a whole, larger parks tend to have higher fish diversity. We conclude that South Korean national parks are important for conservation of the regional fish fauna, especially for endemic and endangered species. Current threats to conservation of fishes within South Korean national parks are identified and management solutions are suggested.     

Educational and enjoyment benefits of visitor education centers at botanical gardens

The beautiful scenery and rich diversity of plant species in their living collections have been helping botanical gardens (BGs) attract visitors and thus serve as a base for public education on biodiversity. However, outdoor plant collections and landscape provide limited information for interpreting the field of biodiversity science as a whole. As a complement, a new tendency is to set up visitor education centers (VECs) inside BGs. In order to understand the extent that VECs can enhance the educational function of BGs, we conducted a study in five BGs containing VECs throughout mainland China. Our study indicated that the educational function of VECs worked fairly well despite the great variation among the BGs’ VECs. In all five BGs investigated, visitors to the VECs believed that they gained significantly more knowledge compared to those that did not visit VECs. Meanwhile, the VECs’ educational roles were significantly associated with demographic characteristics. In most BGs, visitors that were older, with a lower educational level, from a non-local province as well as those who had visited the garden more than once tended to have a better experience in learning compared to those who did not visit the VECs. Furthermore, in two of the five BGs, visitors to the VECs had significantly higher satisfaction than those who did not visit the VECs. The study results highlight the importance of improving educational facilities such as setting up VECs to allow BGs to play a better role in biodiversity conservation.     

Effects of prescribed fire and fire surrogates on floral visiting insects of the blue ridge province in North Carolina

Pollination by insects in forests is an extremely important process that should be conserved. Not only do pollinating insects help to maintain a diversity of plants within forests, but they also aid in pollinating crops found near forested land. Currently, the effects of various forest management practices on floral visiting insect abundance or diversity is unknown, so we investigated how prescribed burning, mechanical shrub control, and combination of the two affected abundance of floral visiting insects. We caught 7921 floral visitors from four orders and 21 families. Hymenoptera was the most abundant and diverse order, with Halictidae being the most abundant family. A total of 45 species of Hymenoptera representing six families were captured. We caught seven families and 35 species of Lepidoptera, six families and 33 species of Coleoptera, and two families and 13 species of Diptera. Most floral visitors were captured in the mechanical shrub control plus prescribed burn treatments, while lower numbers were caught on the mechanical shrub control only, prescribed burn only and control treatments. Overall species richness was also higher on mechanical plus burn treatments. Total pollinator abundance and the abundance of most orders and families was correlated with decreased tree basal area and increased percent herbaceous plant cover. Our study shows that floral visitors increased in abundance and species richness most from forest disturbance that reduced the density of overstory trees and increased the amount of herbaceous plant growth.     

Preference of three collembolan species for fruit-bodies of three species of basidiomycete fungi

We examined whether co-existing Hypogastrura species feeding on fruit-bodies show differences in utilization of fruit-bodies, and whether their utilization reflect their preferences for basidiomycete species, by field surveys and bait-trap experiments. In field surveys, the relative densities of the collembolans, Hypogastrura denisana, H. denticulata, and Hypogastrura sp. 1, on the selected basidiomycete species, Cortinarius salor, Lactarius quietus, and Russula emetica, differed significantly between the collembolan species. In bait-trap experiments using fruit-bodies of the three basidiomycete species as bait, the relative densities of the three collembolan species on the basidiomycete species differed significantly between the collembolan species and these differences were similar to the differences observed in the field surveys. These results suggest that the three collembolan species have differential preferences for fruit-bodies of the three selected basidiomycete species, and that the preferences relate to their utilization of fruit-bodies.     

Public and professional views on invasive non-native species – A qualitative social scientific investigation

The potential of invasive non-native species to modify ecosystems is well established. Yet, the resulting visibility of the field of invasion biology and its growing influence on policy decisions has led to the development of persistent critique. In addition, public opposition to the removal of non-native species has repeatedly delayed interventions, sometimes to the point where eradication has become impossible. Understanding the views of the lay-public is thus of crucial importance. Our study investigated views on invasive non-native species as held by both the general public and ecologists. We chose an in-depth qualitative social scientific approach to identify species attributes that people draw on to evaluate biological invasions and potential management options. Interviews and focus group discussions (n = 79 participants) were conducted in the North-east of Scotland, and included members of the public from a wide range of backgrounds, as well as research ecologists and professionals dealing with invasive non-native species. Two key arguments, namely (i) harmfulness of a species and (ii) human responsibility for its spread, shaped both ecologists’ and lay-people’s discussions. Non-nativeness was understood by our participants in various ways and did not necessarily raise concerns about a species. Our results indicate that for information campaigns on species management to be effective, values inherent to the debate about invasive non-native species need addressing in a more explicit and transparent manner. Arguments such as human responsibility that are currently neglected in the scientific discourse, but that were important criteria for a wide range of participants, should be made explicit.     

GIS-models work well, but are not enough: Habitat preferences of Lanius collurio at multiple levels and conservation implications

Species conservation largely depends on knowledge of habitat needs of target species. GIS-models are increasingly used to assess habitat preferences and distribution of target species, but their accuracy is constrained by availability of digital data layers. We developed a two-steps approach aiming at showing pros and cons of landscape (GIS)- and site-level habitat models, identifying key habitat factors for conservation of a threatened bird species, the red-backed shrike Lanius collurio. A spatially explicit GIS-model was generated using landscape variables, and a second model at site level was developed using fine-scale variables measured on the ground. The GIS-based model was then extrapolated to the entire region to obtain a map of distribution of suitable habitats. Positive associations between shrike occurrence and both hedgerow length and partial shrub cover were detected at both scales. Shrikes were also positively associated with grassland cover at landscape level and with partial cover of untilled herbaceous vegetation at the finer scale, and negatively affected by lucerne cover. The GIS-model led to an affordable map of predicted habitat suitability which should help conservationists to focus on different local priorities, but was unable to identify effects of untilled and lucerne cover. Site-level model gave fine details for habitat management, but its application elsewhere requires ground-measurements of factors. Combining the multiscale models could indicate more urgent actions at large scales (e.g. maintaining suitable habitats, or improving connectivity among isolated patches) and draw a detailed figure of the most suitable habitat for the species. Shrike occurrence was associated with a higher number of shrub and tree species: the indicator value of the species should ensure general benefits for biodiversity from dedicated management.     

Wise selection of an indicator for monitoring the success of management actions

Objective approaches are needed to select species for monitoring management effectiveness and to justify conservation investments. We develop and apply two approaches for selecting the most cost-effective and informative indicator species with a case study of monitoring investments in invasive predator control in south-western Australia. We compared species selected by a qualitative approach involving experts scoring 17 criteria for 12 potential indicators to a quantitative metric based on empirical data for a subset of criteria. Both approaches accounted for the monitoring cost, potential for leverage, data uncertainty and the risk of choosing an un-representative or un-informative indicator, albeit in different ways. The indicator species selected by the quantitative metric was the western brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula – a relatively common medium-sized mammal in the study region. When costs were not considered explicitly in the qualitative approach, the indicator selected was the woylie Bettongia penicillata. When costs were sensibly incorporated in the qualitative approach, indicator rankings changed and the top-ranked species was again T. vulpecula. Although when costs were included the qualitative expert-driven approach delivered the same result as the quantitative metric, it was not robust to minor data adjustments, and incorporating expert uncertainty made it difficult to distinguish the value of potential indicator species from each other. The quantitative metric was comparatively robust to minor data adjustments, and enabled evaluation of data uncertainty in a transparent way, presenting a more objective approach that enables explicit selection of the most informative indicator for monitoring management actions.     

Local versus expert knowledge in forest management in a semi‐arid part of India

This study analyzes the differences between the villagers' and the Forest Department's preferences in the choice of tree species to be planted in eastern Rajasthan, India. Locals learned to manage the tree resources in a sustainable manner before the formal knowledge perspectives started to dominate through various state forestry programmes in which decision making is dominated by expert perspectives in a given political context. The study also attempts to identify the problems of complementary relationships between local and expert knowledge and the resulting management implications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The protection of ecosystems and landscapes in Hokkaido,Japan

Hokkaido is the least densely populated of the major islands of Japan and was colonized by the Japanese only in the nineteenth century. There is therefore proportionately more wild land than elsewhere in the nation, and 712,393 ha are designated as National Parks, quasi-National Parks, or Prefectural Parks. These are zoned into three categories, each with varying degrees of development control. Among the protected biota are virgin woodlands of Fagus crenata in the south-west, and pristine Picea-Abies forests in the central mountains of the island. The latter hold relict populations of the Ezo Brown Bear (Ursus arctos yezoensis). Coastal parks are important sites for many species of sea-birds and sea-mammals. Increasing numbers of visitors in most seasons, but especially in summer, combined with the prospect of the increased accessibility of Hokkaido from Honshu, will increase the pressure upon many areas of wild terrain, while industrial and agricultural development are bringing about a decline in the environmental quality of some parts of the island.     

Flora and lepidoptera fauna adversely affected by invasive Lupinus polyphyllus along road verges

An increasing number of invasive species are changing ecosystems around the world. Road verges have commonly become the first footholds of non-native species in the new environments. Regularly mown road verges also offer habitats for meadow flora and fauna, which in Europe have suffered from the radical decline of semi-natural biotopes due to the agricultural modernization. We studied impacts of an invasive plant Lupinus polyphyllus on the plant and Lepidoptera species composition along road verges. The plant species composition was studied on 15 sites (with 1 m² quadrats) and butterflies and diurnal moths along 15 transects (with weekly censuses) in SE Finland, each site and transect representing equally lupine invaded verge and an adjacent non-lupine verge. The species richness and diversity of flora and the cover and species richness of low growing (<20 cm) species, in particular, was lower in lupine verges compared to non-lupine verges. Also, the abundance of butterflies was lower in lupine verges. As the lupine cover approached 100%, fewer butterflies were observed in lupine transects compared to the adjacent non-lupine transects and a higher proportion of individuals were flying. Our results suggest that the changes in plant species assemblages and lower plant species richness in lupine invaded areas had “bottom-up” effects on higher trophic levels. Further studies on the control of lupine are urgently needed, but meanwhile we suggest regular mowing before the lupines have shed their seeds, together with the removal of the cuttings, to be the best management option.     

From peds to paradoxes: Linkages between soil biota and their influences on ecological processes

Soils and their biota have been studied by a variety of observational and experimental methods that have allowed biologists to infer their structural and functional interactions. Viewing progress made over the last 10 years, it is apparent that an increasing diversity of analytical and chemical methods are providing much more detailed information about feeding preferences and niche overlaps of speciose groups such as oribatid mites.Other topics in which considerable progress has been made include new advances in knowledge of root and mycorrhiza production and turnover and their impacts on soil ecosystems; soil biota, exudations and secretions and soil aggregation phenomena; the biology of invasive species in soils; soil biodiversity, legacies and linkages to soil processes; and soil biodiversity and ecosystem functional responses. Throughout the review I suggest ways for new progress to be made in future research.     

Demographic analysis of trade-offs with deliberate fragmentation of streams: Control of invasive species versus protection of native species

Tools restricting the movements of invasive species (e.g. barriers) and reducing habitat fragmentation for native species (e.g. corridors, fishways) provide examples where actions taken to address one environmental concern can hinder efforts to address another environmental concern. We used perturbation analysis of stage-structured projection matrices to evaluate the efficacy of seasonally operated barriers and fishways for controlling non-native sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes while minimizing effects on non-target fishes. For non-jumping fishes migrating in spring, seasonally operated barriers without a fishway will not balance the management objectives satisfactorily. Migration phenologies of the seven common non-target fishes considered in our analyses overlapped considerably with the migration phenology of sea lamprey, with peaks in migration typically being 7–43 days (median 12) from the peak in the sea lamprey migration. Consequently, across species, years, and tributaries, 44–100% of the migratory runs of non-target fishes would be blocked under the 75-day operation period required to block 99% of the sea lamprey spawning run, on average. Reductions in the production of non-target fishes due to blocking were also projected to be similar in magnitude to reductions projected in the production of sea lamprey, unless density-dependent compensation was strong or overlap in migration phenologies between a non-target species and sea lamprey was low. Even under density-dependent compensation, providing a fishway is advisable and passage of non-target fishes may have to be highly effective to avoid population declines in non-jumping species that migrate between a Great Lake and its tributaries.