Testimonials to reconstruct past abundances of wildlife populations

Bolduc, David; Fauteux, Dominique; Gagnon, Catherine; Gauthier, Gilles; Bêty, Joël; Legagneux, Pierre

doi:10.1016/j.baae.2022.11.005

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…2010, Bolduc et al. 2023, Hayder et al. 2023), including an ongoing survey of the Irish stoat ( Mustela erminea hibernica ) based on reported sightings of live or dead animals throughout Ireland (https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/irish-stoat-survey/).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Citizen science and participatory volunteer networks have increasingly been utilised to assist with small carnivore research and monitoring (Silvertown 2009). Examples include interviews and questionnaire surveys of local residents to gather data on distribution of weasel species (Lau et al 2010, Bolduc et al 2023, Hayder et al 2023, including an ongoing survey of the Irish stoat (Mustela erminea hibernica) based on reported sightings of live or dead animals throughout Ireland (https:// biodi versi tyire land. ie/ surve ys/ irish -stoat -survey/ ).…”

Section: History Of Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non‐invasive methods for monitoring weasels: emerging technologies and priorities for future research

Jachowski,

Bergeson,

Cotey

et al. 2024

Mammal Review

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Weasels (genus Mustela and Neogale) are of management concern as declining native species in some regions and invasive species in others. Regardless of the need to conserve or remove weasels, there is increasingly a need to use non‐invasive monitoring methods to assess population trends. We conducted a literature review and held the first ever International Weasel Monitoring Symposium to synthesise information on historical and current non‐invasive monitoring techniques for weasels. We also explored current limitations, opportunities, and areas of development to guide future research and long‐term monitoring. Our literature search revealed that in the past 20 years, camera traps were the most commonly used non‐invasive monitoring method (62% of studies), followed by track plates or scent stations designed to collect footprints (23%) and walking transects for tracks in snow or soil (8.7%). Experts agreed that the most promising non‐invasive monitoring techniques available include use of citizen scientist reporting, detection dogs, detecting tracks, non‐invasive genetic surveys, and enclosed or unenclosed camera trap systems. Because each technique has benefits and limitations, using a multi‐method approach is likely required. There is a need for strong commitment to dedicated monitoring that is replicated over space and time such that trend data can be ascertained to better inform future management action. The diversity of non‐invasive monitoring methods now available makes such monitoring possible with relatively minor commitments of funding and effort.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: History Of Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non‐invasive methods for monitoring weasels: emerging technologies and priorities for future research

Jachowski,

Bergeson,

Cotey

et al. 2024

Mammal Review

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“…This low-cost activity can be a highly valuable source of information and can provide, over the long-term, useful data to infer the relative abundance and change in phenology of many species. Our project provides several examples of that (e.g., Fauteux et al, 2018;Bolduc et al, 2023).…”

Section: Ingredients Of Our Successmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific contributions and lessons learned from 30 years of ecological monitoring of the Bylot Island tundra ecosystem

Gauthier,

Berteaux,

Bêty

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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The Arctic tundra has a relatively low biodiversity but species living there have unique adaptations and are exposed to unprecedented rates of climate warming. Monitoring changes in Arctic biodiversity and identifying the driving forces is thus a pressing issue. Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic has one of the longest and most comprehensive monitoring programs of the tundra food web, spanning four decades. We provide a historical overview of ecological studies on Bylot Island, summarize their key scientific contributions, show their impacts, and present the ingredients for the success of the program and the main challenges encountered. Some major contributions include demonstrating the key role of predation in structuring the tundra food web, the importance of exchanges between ecosystems for the persistence of top predators and their cascading effects on trophic interactions, the apparent resistance of the vertebrate biota to climate warming, the need to consider multiple hypotheses to explain northward range expansion of species and the benefits of integrating scientific data and local knowledge into ecological monitoring. The program has produced >250 journal articles and >80 graduate student theses, which generated >7,700 citations in the scientific literature. A high proportion (65%) of the articles had more citations than comparable publications in their field. The longevity and success of the program can be attributed to several factors, including a researcher-driven (i.e. bottom-up) approach to design the monitoring; long-term commitment of a small number of dedicated researchers and the strong participation of graduate students; the adoption of a food web rather than a single species perspective; extensive presence in the field; the combination of several methodological approaches; and the use of multiple spatial scales adapted to research questions of interest. Challenges encountered include funding issues, transfer of expertise over time, limited spatial replication, statistical design and maintaining partnerships. Robust monitoring is essential to provide sound baseline to detect future changes, and lessons learned from our program could improve future monitoring schemes in the Arctic. Paradoxically, we believe that ecological monitoring on Bylot Island has been successful in large part because it was not originally designed as a monitoring program per se.

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Long-term study of the tundra food web at a hotspot of Arctic biodiversity, the Bylot Island Field Station

Gauthier,

Cadieux,

Berteaux

et al. 2024

Arctic Science

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We present the history of research activities at the Bylot Island Field Station of the Centre d’études nordiques, a hotspot of biodiversity in the Canadian Arctic. Intensive wildlife studies started at the station in the late 1980s, initially focussing on greater snow goose ecology and its impacts on the tundra vegetation. Since then, studies have expanded to encompass the whole vertebrate food web and have become one of the most comprehensive ecological monitoring programs in the Canadian Arctic. The main vertebrate species monitored include snow geese, lemmings, shorebirds, avian predators, buntings, and Arctic foxes. Over time, we recorded 66 bird and 10 mammal species, including 51 confirmed breeders. Contributions of the program to the field of ecology are numerous but our demonstration of the dominant role played by predator-prey interactions in the Arctic food web is especially significant for the understanding of direct and indirect trophic interactions. Our studies provided essential information for management decisions taken to control the overabundant greater snow goose population and supported international efforts to assess the state of Arctic biodiversity. Future directions will reflect the need to deepen our understanding of trophic interactions and the effects of climate change using innovative advanced technologies.

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Testimonials to reconstruct past abundances of wildlife populations

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Non‐invasive methods for monitoring weasels: emerging technologies and priorities for future research

Non‐invasive methods for monitoring weasels: emerging technologies and priorities for future research

Scientific contributions and lessons learned from 30 years of ecological monitoring of the Bylot Island tundra ecosystem

Long-term study of the tundra food web at a hotspot of Arctic biodiversity, the Bylot Island Field Station

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