Ecosystem restoration with teeth : what role for predators?
Ritchie, Euan G., Elmhagen, Bodil, Glen, Alistair S., Letnic, Mike, Ludwig, Gilbert and McDonald, Robbie A. 2012, Ecosystem restoration with teeth : what role for predators?, Trends in ecology and evolution, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 265-271.
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Ecosystem restoration with teeth : what role for predators?
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 programmes, 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 emphasise that insufficient attention is currently given to the importance of variation in the social structures and behaviours 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.
Language
eng
Field of Research
060202 Community Ecology (excl Invasive Species Ecology) 050103 Invasive Species Ecology 050202 Conservation and Biodiversity
Socio Economic Objective
960805 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity at Regional or Larger Scales
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