Faecal-Centric Approaches to Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; Methods, Data and Ethics

摘要: Abundant and commonly encountered in the field, wildlife faeces have long attracted scientists. Recent advances molecular techniques, however, especially when coupled with creative study designs, can now yield a great variety of high quality data. Herein, we review opportunities challenges faecal-centric approaches to address ecological conservation questions using wolves coastal British Columbia, Canada, as case system. We begin by discussing methodological considerations, which should broad applicability any then summarize extensive unique data that has emerged from our ‘facts faeces’ approach wolves, ranged descriptive autecology process-oriented hypothesis-testing applied management. conclude contrasting this non-invasive radio-collaring an ethics framework. contend two methods are equally efficacious answering required research questions, scatology become only ethical option, perspective increasingly codified policy governing activities.