Human Decision-Making as a Key Factor in the Risk of Wolf–Dog Interactions during Outdoor Activities

As a result of species protection in Poland, wolves now appear in places that are attractive for human recreation, increasing their exposure to dogs. This creates a risk of spontaneous direct interactions between these two canine species. Aggressive interactions between the gray wolf and the domestic dog lead to human–large predator conflicts. This study examined wolf–dog interactions using data collected in an online questionnaire and included questions related to factors that might influence the likelihood of interactions between these canines. One of the most important factors affecting the likelihood of interaction between a dog and a wolf was the distance between the dog and the human. The number of wolves was also important—the more wolves, the more likely they were to interact with dogs. The risk of interaction also significantly increases with decreasing distance to human settlements. There were also statistical differences in terms of the type of outdoor activity being engaged in. Hunting was seven times more likely to result in a wolf–dog interaction than normal walk. We postulate that the choices made by the human (dog control and type of recreation) caring for the dog are an important factor that can reduce the risk of direct contact between dogs and wolves.

Feeding Ecology of Wild Brown-Nosed Coatis and Garbage Exploration: A Study in Two Ecological Parks

Wild animals that feed on garbage waste are a problem in ecological parks as it can substantially alter their food ecology. Wild coatis that occupy human recreation areas in parks are often observed feeding on garbage, but the ecological consequences are scarcely known. Forty-four fecal samples from females and 12 from males of wild coatis living in two ecological parks (Parque Municipal das Mangabeiras (PMM) and Parque Nacional do Caparaó (PNC)) were analyzed. Multivariate statistics were applied to evaluate the interaction between four variables (fecal volume, composition, place and sex of coatis). A significant interaction between the parks and sexes with regard to volume and food category was not found. Ungrouped analysis allowed for the identification of a decreasing gradient in volume from PNC males, followed by PNC females, PMM males, and PMM females. We did not find differences between categories of food between males and females from PNC and PMM, except for invertebrates. Females from PNC consumed more invertebrates than males and females of PMM, but we did not find differences from PNC males. The coatis of both parks primarily consume invertebrates and vegetables, but garbage residues were found in their feces. Garbage fragments, such as paper, glass, metal, plastic and rope, cause a risk to the health, compromising the conservation efforts of wild coatis. Actions are needed to prevent the access of coatis to dumps in both parks.

Vehicle-based recreation and compliance for three beaches in northern New South Wales

Vehicles can be a serious vector for human recreation disturbance to beach-nesting birds because they enable people, often with their dogs, to disperse over greater distances than they would typically walk. The objective of this study was to quantify vehicle-based recreation and compliance with regulations and codes of conduct for Seven Mile (Lennox Head), South Ballina and Airforce (Evans Head) beaches, N New South Wales, Australia. South Ballina and Airforce supported remnant beach-nesting Australian pied oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris populations. Vehicle-based recreation and compliance varied among beaches. The most frequent activities observed were picnics (31–50%), driving (14–30%) and fishing (5–16%). Picnics can be intensely disturbing for beach-nesting birds because they typically occur on the super-tidal zone and are long-duration events. Compliance was high for beach driving zones and driving below the high tide limit but variable for speed limits (33–79%) and dog zones (6–100%). The Discussion argues that regulations and codes of conduct are not effective for managing the social and environmental impacts of beach driving if they do not limit the numbers of vehicles.

A multistep approach to improving connectivity and co-use of spatial ecological networks in cities

Context Ecological networks are systems of interconnected components that support biodiversity, ecological processes and ecosystem services. Such structures play a crucial role for nature conservation and people well-being in anthropogenic landscapes. Assessing connectivity by using efficient models and metrics is a sine qua non condition to preserve and improve appropriately these ecological networks. Objectives This study aims to present a novel methodological approach to assess and model connectivity for species conservation (Bufo calamita; the natterjack toad) and human recreation in the city. Methods The study used a combination least cost and circuit models to identify priority corridors in the City of Liège, Belgium. Green areas, habitats and relevant movement parameters were derived based on existing studies around (i) the occurrence, ecology and biology of the natterjack toad and (ii) human behavioural studies on urban pedestrians. Combining the two models allowed the assessment of connectivity for both species via two different metrics visualised using priority corridors on maps. Results The connectivity assessments identified lack of connectivity as the potential route to extinction of natterjack toads at one of the source sites. Conclusions This study provides examples of how combining least cost and circuit models can contribute to the improvement of urban ecological networks and demonstrates the usefulness of such models for nature conservation and urban planning.

Taking fright: the decline of Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris at South Ballina Beach, New South Wales

ABSTRACTThis study reviewed data from the Richmond River Area Pied Oystercatcher Protection Program 1997–2013 and Richmond River Area Shorebird Protection Program 2014–2018, on the far north coast of New South Wales, Australia. The Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris breeding population size for South Ballina Beach has decreased from 15–16 pairs in 1994–1996 to 7–9 pairs in 2016–2018 even though control of the European Red Fox Vulpes vulpes has been successful in reducing predation of eggs and chicks and > 208 oystercatchers have fledged from beaches in the Richmond River area between 1997–2018. The population for Bombing Range Beach has increased from 4–5 pairs in 2002–2004 to 8–9 pairs in 2016–2018. Vehicle-based recreation has increased strongly at South Ballina during the past decade versus Bombing Range is closed to the public. It is concluded that human recreation disturbance is preventing recruitment into the South Ballina oystercatcher breeding population. Without strong protection of habitat from such disturbance, the NSW oystercatcher breeding population size will continue to decrease in the next two decades.

Desert bighorn sheep responses to human activity in south-eastern Utah

ContextHuman activity in wildlands can influence wildlife populations by decreasing or degrading habitat, decreasing survival, or through displacement. For bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), some human activities are detrimental and may result in physiological stress, altered activity budgets, or habitat abandonment. From 1979 to 2000, human recreation increased over 300% in areas occupied by desert bighorn sheep (O. c. nelsoni) in south-eastern Utah. Concurrently, the population of desert bighorn sheep occupying the Potash Bighorn Sheep Management Unit of south-eastern Utah was in steep decline. AimsWe investigated behavioural responses of desert bighorn sheep to different levels of human activity in this area from 2002 to 2003. MethodsWe divided the study population into two areas on the basis of the level of human use, i.e. low and high. We observed desert bighorn sheep at seven sites within these areas, including three with a high level of human use and four areas of a low level of human use. Key resultsDesert bighorn sheep spent significantly less time grazing and more time vigilant in areas of a high level of human use than in areas of a low level of human use. ConclusionsHuman recreational use of desert bighorn sheep habitat has the potential to negatively affect foraging by desert bighorn sheep. ImplicationsWe raise a cautionary flag because recreational use in bighorn sheep habitat near Moab, Utah, continues to increase and bighorn numbers continue to decline. When managers consider proposals to increase areas or trails for human recreation, they should incorporate ways to minimise impacts and reduce stressors to bighorn sheep.

Distances walked by beach users and protecting shorebird habitat zones from disturbance

ABSTRACTHuman population growth along Australia’s coast is increasing development and recreation pressures on beaches and shorebirds. This study observed human recreation on 18 beaches on the far north coast of New South Wales in February and March 2019. The far north coast supports the largest numbers of beach-resident Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris in the State. The most frequent activities observed were walking (29%), dog walking (21%) and swimming (16%). Walkers covered greater distances compared to other beach users. For beach walkers and dog walkers combined, the mean along shore distance walked from an access point was 809 m and the 95th percentile was 1990 m. Noting that human recreation disturbance is a major conservation threat to beach nesting birds and that pro-environmental behaviour is uncommon among beach users, large separation distances between beach access points and shorebird habitat zones are recommended to reduce human intrusions into those zones. This spatial zoning and passive human exclusion strategy can be applied to long and less-developed beaches.