Top-predators as biodiversity regulators: contemporary issues affecting knowledge and management of dingoes in Australia

摘要: Large predators have an indispensable role in structuring food webs and maintaining ecological processes for the benefit of biodiversity at lower trophic levels. Such roles are widely evident marine terrestrial systems [1, 2]. can indirectly alleviate predation on smaller (and often threatened) fauna promote vegetation growth by interacting strongly with sympatric carnivore herbivore species (e.g. [3-5]). The local extinction large therefore detrimental effects [6], their subsequent restoration has been observed to produce positive outcomes many cases [7]. Perhaps most well-known example this is gray wolves Canis lupus Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem North America. Since reintroduction 66 1995 [8], wolf numbers area climbed ~2000, some herbivores mesopredators substantially declined, flora levels increased (see [4], references therein). Similar experiences other mean that they now considered be high conservation value parts world 2, 7], exploring functions arguably one prominent fields research last 10–15 years.