Human-carnivore coexistence in a traditional rural landscape

摘要: Facilitating human-carnivore coexistence is a major conservation concern in human-dominated landscapes worldwide. Useful insights could be gained by studying and understanding the dynamics of which carnivores humans have coexisted for long time. We used two-pronged approach combin- ing ecological social data to study brown bear (Ursus arctos) Tran- sylvania, Romania. First, we surveyed 554 km walking transects estimate activity via sign index, namely proportion anthills disturbed bears, spatially explicit predictive models test biophysical anthropogenic variables influenced activity. Second, interviewed 86 shepherds 359 villagers community represen- tatives assess conflicts with bears attitudes towards bears. Our interdisciplinary showed that relatively peacefully despite occasional conflicts. Coexistence appeared facilitated by: (1) availability large forest blocks are connected source population Carpathian Mountains; (2) use traditional livestock management min- imize damage from bears; (3) some tolerance among conflict In contrast, was unrelated human settle- ments, compensation losses did not influence people's toward shows possible, even without direct economic incentives. A key challenge settings discontinuous history reinstate both practices facilitate coexistence.