Author: Ritchie, E.G.; Elmhagen, B.; Glen, A.S.; Letnic, M.; Ludwig, G.; McDonald, R.A.
Description: Recent advances highlight the potential for predators to restore ecosystems and confer resilience against globally threatening processes, including climate change and biological invasions. However, releasing the ecological benefits of predators entails significant challenges. Here, we discuss the economic, environmental and social considerations affecting predator-driven ecological restoration programs, and suggest approaches for reducing the undesirable impacts of predators. Because the roles of predators are context dependent, we argue for increased emphasis on predator functionality in ecosystems and less on the identities and origins of species and genotypes. We emphasize that insufficient attention is currently given to the importance of variation in the social structures and behaviors of predators in influencing the dynamics of trophic interactions. Lastly, we outline experiments specifically designed to clarify the ecological roles of predators and their potential utility in ecosystem restoration.
Subject headings: Animals; Biota; Conservation of Natural Resources/economics/methods; Ecosystem; Food Chain; Predatory Behavior; Social Behavior; Predators; Restoration
Publication year: 2012
Journal or book title: Trends in Ecology & Evolution
Volume: 27
Issue: 5
Pages: 265-271
Find the full text : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169534712000067
Find more like this one (cited by): https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=9623513752913409402&as_sdt=1000005&sciodt=0,16&hl=en
Type: Journal Article
Serial number: 1924