Can we save large carnivores without losing large carnivore science

摘要: Large carnivores are depicted to shape entire ecosystems through top-down processes. Studies describing these processes often used support interventionist wildlife management practices, including carnivore reintroduction or lethal control programs. Unfortunately, there is an increasing tendency ignore, disregard devalue fundamental principles of the scientific method when communicating reliability current evidence for ecological roles that large may play, eroding public confidence in science and scientists. Here, we discuss six interrelated issues currently undermine available literature on carnivores: (1) overall paucity data, (2) population sampling techniques, (3) general alternative hypotheses forcing, (4) lack applied studies, (5) frequent use logical fallacies, (6) generalisation results from relatively pristine systems those substantially altered by humans. We first describe how widespread are, given this, show, example, wolves (Canis lupus) dingoes lupus dingo) initiating trophic cascades not as strong claimed. Managers policy makers should exercise caution relying this inform decisions. emphasise value manipulative experiments role knowledge decision-making process. hope raise here prompt deeper consideration actual evidence, leading towards improvement both rigour communication science.