(Press-News.org) Contact information: Scott Smith
ssmith@wcs.org
718-220-3698
Wildlife Conservation Society
Paper predicts a future without carnivores would be truly scary
Scientists report on the state of world's largest carnivores and the critical benefits they provide
NEW YORK (January 9, 2014) — A fascinating paper released today from a team of leading scientists, including Dr. Joel Berger of the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Montana, reports on the current status of large carnivores and the ecological roles they play in regulating ecosystems worldwide, and finds that a world without these species is certainly scarier than a world with them.
From sea otters that keep sea urchins in check and enable the rise of kelp beds thus increasing the productivity in inland coastal areas to pumas that mediate the browsing of mule deer and thus enhance the growth and reproduction of woody plants, the scientists profile seven of the 31 largest species of the order Carnivora and their well-studied ecological effects.
The paper, "Status and Ecological Effects of the World's Largest Carnivores," appears in the January 10, 2014 issue of the journal, Science. More than 100 published studies were reviewed to offer a comprehensive look at the state of carnivores and their impacts on the world today.
WCS Executive Vice President of Conservation and Science John Robinson said, "This important paper explores how carnivores regulate the structure and functioning of ecosystems and what happens when they are lost. For many people, it will be an eye-opener and hopefully bring about a change in attitudes and a deeper appreciation of these key species. Around the world, WCS continues to work to preserve the ecosystems that are vital to carnivores and to understand the critical benefits they provide to both wildlife and people."
Among their many impacts, carnivores are a benefit to ecotourism. Yellowstone National Park's restored wolf population, for example, brings in tens of millions of dollars in tourist revenue each year. And when wolves are absent, the effect on natural selection is dramatic. "In Badlands National Park, we have observed bison born with deformed hooves or portions of their legs missing," said WCS Conservation Scientist and author of The Better to Eat You With, Joel Berger. "Historically, these bison would have been selected out for predation by wolves, contributing to the overall health of the herd. Today, without wolves, these bison survive and reproduce. This is not the way healthy ecosystems are maintained."
The ecological services provided by carnivores are multifarious. Carnivores control herbivores to the relief of plants, mitigate global warming, enhance biodiversity, restore rivers and streams, and regulate wildlife disease and livestock disease spillover.
However, many of the largest carnivores are listed as threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and most are still declining in number. These 'top or apex predators' have one great competitor: humans.
The authors note that "large-carnivore population declines are typically precipitated by multiple, and sometimes concurrent, human threats including habitat loss and degradation, persecution, utilization (such as for traditional medicine, trophy hunting or furs), and depletion of prey."
Oregon State University professor and lead author of the paper, William J. Ripple said, "Globally, the ranges of carnivores are collapsing and many of these species are at risk of either local or complete extinction. It is ironic that large carnivores are disappearing just as we are learning about their important ecological and economic effects."
Looking to the future, the scientists expect that the loss of apex predators will bring degradation to ecosystems that include reductions in plant diversity, biomass and productivity as well as wide-ranging impacts to other species. Greater rates of herbivory and concurrent decline of plant species may hasten global warming and desertification.
Critical to living with carnivores, the scientists conclude, is an understanding of the benefits they provide and where human/predator conflicts arise. Linking policy issues facing people such as population growth, meat consumption and exploitation of wild prey, livestock production, greenhouse gas emissions, food security, deforestation and desertification, and water quality/quantity with carnivore conservation is a necessary step toward coexistence.
INFORMATION:
Authors of the study include: William J. Ripple, Robert L. Beschta, and Michael P. Nelson of Oregon State University; James A. Estes and Christopher C. Wilmers of the University of California, Santa Cruz; Euan G. Ritchie of Deakin University (Victoria Australia); Mark Hebblewhite of the University of Montana, Missoula, and Fondazione Edmund Mach (Italy); Joel Berger of the University of Montana, Missoula, and the Wildlife Conservation Society; Bodil Elmhagen of the University of Stockholm (Sweden); Mike Letnic of the University of New South Wales (New South Wales, Australia); Oswald J. Schmitz of Yale University; Douglas W. Smith of the Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park; Arian D. Wallach of James Cook University (Queensland, Australia); and Aaron J. Wirsing of the University of Washington, Seattle.
Paper predicts a future without carnivores would be truly scary
Scientists report on the state of world's largest carnivores and the critical benefits they provide
2014-01-10
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
New study shows promise for preventing therapy resistance in tumor cells
2014-01-10
New study shows promise for preventing therapy resistance in tumor cells
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2013) – A new study led by University of Kentucky researchers suggests that activating the tumor suppressor p53 in normal cells causes them to secrete Par-4, another ...
Innovative motion evaluation tool saves patients with back pain X-ray radiation exposure
2014-01-10
Innovative motion evaluation tool saves patients with back pain X-ray radiation exposure
Undergraduate students create, patent, market breakthrough technology
TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2013) – Those have undergone extensive back surgery and need repeated ...
'Transformational leadership' curbs bad attitudes towards change
2014-01-10
'Transformational leadership' curbs bad attitudes towards change
Rare study of correctional officers
Toronto – It's no surprise that a cynical attitude towards the prospect of change makes change harder to implement.
But it's important ...
War elephant myths debunked by DNA
2014-01-10
War elephant myths debunked by DNA
DNA analysis allows researchers at University of Illinois to clarify details of historic battle between Asian and African elephants, the Battle of Raphia
Through DNA analysis, Illinois researchers ...
Battery development may extend range of electric cars
2014-01-10
Battery development may extend range of electric cars
New anode quadruples life of lithium-sulfur battery, could also help store renewable energy more cheaply
RICHLAND, Wash. – It's known that electric vehicles could travel longer distances ...
Antipsychotic drug exhibits cancer-fighting properties
2014-01-10
Antipsychotic drug exhibits cancer-fighting properties
In zebrafish model, perphenazine activates therapeutic pathway for intractable leukemia, may hold promise for other tumors
BOSTON, Jan. 9, 2014 - In a prime example of finding new uses for older ...
Some motor proteins cooperate better than others
2014-01-10
Some motor proteins cooperate better than others
Rice University researchers view competition, cooperation among motors in live cells
HOUSTON - (Jan. 9, 2014) - Rice University researchers have engineered cells to characterize how sensitively altering the cooperative functions of ...
ORNL-UT researchers invent 'sideways' approach to 2-D hybrid
2014-01-10
ORNL-UT researchers invent 'sideways' approach to 2-D hybrid
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 9, 2014 -- Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville have pioneered a new technique for forming ...
Hubble probes interior of Tarantula Nebula
2014-01-10
Hubble probes interior of Tarantula Nebula
Like lifting a giant veil, the near-infrared vision of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope uncovers a dazzling new view deep inside the Tarantula Nebula. Hubble reveals a glittering treasure trove of more than ...
Hubble views stellar genesis in the Southern Pinwheel
2014-01-10
Hubble views stellar genesis in the Southern Pinwheel
A photogenic and favorite target for amateur astronomers, the full beauty of nearby barred spiral galaxy M83 is unveiled in all of its glory in this Hubble Space Telescope mosaic image. The ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
Less intensive works best for agricultural soil
Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation
Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests
Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome
UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll
Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025
Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials
New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age
Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker
Chips off the old block
Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry
Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19
Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity
State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections
Young adults drive historic decline in smoking
NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development
This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack
FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology
In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity
Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects
A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions
AI helps unravel a cause of Alzheimer's disease and identify a therapeutic candidate
Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative
Structure dictates effectiveness, safety in nanomedicine
[Press-News.org] Paper predicts a future without carnivores would be truly scaryScientists report on the state of world's largest carnivores and the critical benefits they provide