The role of predation and food limitation on claims for compensation, reindeer demography and population dynamics

摘要: A major challenge in biodiversity conservation is to facilitate viable populations of large apex predators ecosystems where they were recently driven ecological extinction due resource conflict with humans. Monetary compensation for losses livestock predation currently a key instrument encourage human–carnivore coexistence. However, lack quantitative estimates leads disagreement over the practice payments. This sustains conflict. The level depredation on year-round, free-ranging, semi-domestic reindeer by carnivores Fennoscandia has been widely debated several decades. In Norway, herders claim that lynx and wolverine cause tens thousands animals annually negative population growth herds. Conversely, previous research suggested monetary predator can result positive husbandry, cascading effects high grazer densities tundra ecosystems. We utilized long-term, large-scale data set estimate relative importance density-dependent climatic food limitation claims losses, recruitment rates Norwegian husbandry. Claims increased increasing densities, but no detectable effect rates. Density-dependent much stronger than variation densities. Synthesis applications. Our analysis provides basis estimation costs reintroducing areas free-ranging reindeer. We outline potential path management which involves adaptive monitoring programmes, open access data, herder involvement development strategy evaluation (MSE) models disentangle complex responses including multiple stakeholders individual harvester decisions. Keywords: depredation, conflict, MODIS, onset spring, plant productivity, compensation, Rangifer Introduction Ecologically functional communities are crucial maintenance intact may also be important services modern societies rely upon (Estes et al. 2011). recognition led some notable campaigns restore into persecution drove them only few decades ago. The recovery terrestrial nonetheless one most controversial wildlife actions present times. Controversies include impact ungulates resulting competition hunters game, conflicts producers pastoralists (Dickman, Macdonald & 2011; Hebblewhite To coexistence, financial instruments have established world-wide compensate local scale unintended side such as providing an incentive increase stock size turn might other ecosystem components (Bulte Rondeau 2005). Reindeer herding circumpolar activity, Sweden Finland, about half land area year-round grazing. Sami Norway share their ranges Eurasian Lynx L. Gulo gulo Semi-domesticated Rangifer tarandus main prey both (van Dijk 2008; Mattisson 2011), perceived two significant Norway. reduce conflicts, controlled through hunting quotas culling Environment Agency keep sizes spatial distributions within politically determined limits. period 2000–2012, average annual number registered family groups was 30·0 (SD = 7·6) area, accounted 39% documented semi-domesticated (number cases: n = 2430, website). reproducing wolverines 26·5 (SD = 7·0), 32% (n = 1954). Among reindeer, golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos 27% (n = 1664) while brown bear Ursus arctos wolf Canis lupus <2% total losses. Wolves prevented from establishing area. Recent suggests c. 6 females reproduce lacking. 2011, 57 thousand calves 18 adult claimed lost above-mentioned carnivores. gave out four predation, leading 68·7 million kroner (c. €8·4 million, website) substantial controversy between authorities magnitude comparison, 43 20 adults 240 individuals prior calving slaughtered, meat production income €12·7 million year. The scheme linked herders' ability document usefulness this system debated. Small shortly after birth extremely difficult find, thereby hindering documentation mortality, lead bias payment. it alleged generally inflated, generous (Naess 2011) overabundance (Hausner These demographic trends further associated herbs (Brathen 2007), Salix shrubs (Ims willow ptarmigan (Henden arctic foxes (Killengreen Thus, there pressing need identify motivates coexistence among pastoralist concurrently ecologically sustainable (cf. Bulte 2005). The top-down regulation bottom-up density dependence stochastic climate ungulate vigorously discussed during last century, now well affected processes (reviewed Saether 1997). terms estimating role various factors affecting reproduction mortality (Hebblewhite Detailed information pertaining plus detailed official statistics industry offer unique opportunity quantify recruitment, dynamics reindeer. Here, we evaluate hypothesis (mortality), lower reproductive output had priori knowledge limitation, conditions, deaths (Tveraa 2003, 2013; Bardsen Tveraa 2012). Therefore, our aim presence strong ‘win-win’ state humans carnivores, reduced does exist study system. describe obstacles approaches towards reconciliatory state.