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Carcass provisioning to support scavengers: evaluating a controversial nature conservation practice
Debbie Fielding1, Scott Newey, René van der Wal
1The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK, debbie.fielding@hutton.ac.uk.
Ambio
|December 25, 2013
Summary
Carcass provisioning for scavenger conservation in Europe is controversial. Evidence for its effectiveness is lacking, and projects often ignore broader ecological and social contexts, suggesting a need for more research before wider implementation.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Wildlife Management
Background:
- Scavenger populations are declining across Europe.
- Carcass provisioning is a conservation strategy to provide carrion for scavengers.
- This practice is controversial with unclear outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the key aspects of carcass provisioning as a conservation practice.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of carcass provisioning for target species and ecosystems.
- To examine conflicts with broader environmental and socio-economic objectives.
Main Methods:
- Review of carcass provisioning practices.
- Analysis of three contrasting case studies.
- Examination of motivations and outcomes of carcass provisioning.
Main Results:
- Motivations include benefiting charismatic species and nutrient cycling.
- Evidence for effectiveness is largely absent, with research often focusing on less relevant taxa.
- Projects frequently overlook broader socio-economic and policy contexts.
Conclusions:
- Carcass provisioning is not a universally "good" conservation tool.
- Current approaches may be too simplistic and lack empirical support.
- Further research on ecosystem and societal impacts is needed for effective implementation.
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