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Was delighted to have some of our research investigating how small carnivores are adapting to human modified landscapes in Ireland featured on #BBCHomeGround.
Watch it here: https://bbc.in/3er0XO7
Here is a short thread to recap and update you on the research (1/n)
Watch it here: https://bbc.in/3er0XO7
Here is a short thread to recap and update you on the research (1/n)
We radio-tracked pine martens in the two major landuses available to them in Ireland and Britain: native woodland and human modified landscapes consisting of upland commercial plantations, agricultural & heath.
We see that martens can survive in human modified landscapes but...
We see that martens can survive in human modified landscapes but...
In human modified landscapes pops were approx 1/4 of the density found in native woodland.
Martens survived in the abscence of old-growth woodland / veteran trees by making use of wider landscape + denning in underground (e.g. caves) and man-made structures (e.g. houses).
Martens survived in the abscence of old-growth woodland / veteran trees by making use of wider landscape + denning in underground (e.g. caves) and man-made structures (e.g. houses).
In human modified landscapes pops were male biased, with lower recruitment + abscence of older individuals, compared to even sex ratios and age structures in native woodland.
We hypothesise this is linked to increased predation by red foxes in absence of above ground refuges.
We hypothesise this is linked to increased predation by red foxes in absence of above ground refuges.
We conclude by highlighting the need to consider the availability of natural denning sites when planning for carnivore conservation and recovery!
1) retain standing and fallen deadwood + veteran trees
2) avoid single species plantations
3) protect matrix habitats e.g. scrub
1) retain standing and fallen deadwood + veteran trees
2) avoid single species plantations
3) protect matrix habitats e.g. scrub
On-going incentivisation of single species commercial plantations will force recovering carnivores like pine martens into conflict with humans.
Human persecution remains the greatest threat to marten recovery.
We must plan on a landscape scale for co-existence with wildlife!
Human persecution remains the greatest threat to marten recovery.
We must plan on a landscape scale for co-existence with wildlife!
The research paper can be downloaded here: https://bioone.org/journals/wildlife-biology/volume-2020/issue-4/wlb.00760/All-forests-are-not-equal--population-demographics-and-denning/10.2981/wlb.00760.pdf
Huge thank you to @Perla_ODDD and @wildlifeni for creating the infographic and doing some great sci comm!
Check it out, let us know what you think!
Huge thank you to @Perla_ODDD and @wildlifeni for creating the infographic and doing some great sci comm!
Check it out, let us know what you think!
@QUBEcology @QUBbioscience @UlsterWildlife @WoodlandTrust @DavidGTosh @nationaltrust @WildIreland @BBCnireland
