What do we need to know for good stewardship of Scotland's wild animal populations and the environment they live in?
Background
Question Group: Focused on safeguarding and enhancing Scotland’s natural resources, its air, soils, land, water, plants and wildlife, by addressing the drivers of nature loss and environmental degradation. Emphasises restoration of degraded ecosystems, sustainable use of wild species, minimising of pollution, improving the management of invasive non-native species. Targets sustainable use of resources to support thriving communities, nature, and the economy in a changing climate.
Sub-questions: -Where human activities and species (e.g. geese, sea eagles, beaver) are in conflict what are the impacts on human activities (e.g. farm productivity) and how can these be more effectively resolved so that both the activity and species can co-exist?
-What is the threshold between inbreeding and population supplementation to prevent extinction in wild species populations?
-How can we improve species genetic integrity to increase resilience to future pressures?
-What are the impacts of species translocations on predator guilds?
-What are the right densities of deer to provide nature the best change to recover and regenerate?
-How does upland domestic grazing impact biodiversity? What novel approaches can we use to monitor and mitigate these impacts?
- What are the impacts of gamebird releases on Scotland's biodiversity and wider environment?
Next steps
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Source
This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:
Environment natural resources agriculture research strategy 2027 2032
Topics
Research fields
Related UKRI funded projects
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Turning population ecology into conservation strategy: development of a Natural Care Scheme for red-billed choughs in Scotland
Humans are increasingly modifying and exploiting natural habitats. Populations of wild animals are consequently declining. Given this situation, there is general agreement that we must invest resources in managing and co...
Funded by: NERC
Lead research organisation: University of Glasgow
Why might this be relevant?
The project focuses on developing a science-based conservation strategy for a protected bird species in Scotland, addressing key questions related to population ecology and management.
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Improving the targeted delivery of conservation management to halt biodiversity loss
A recent global assessment shows that the rate of biodiversity loss is not slowing, making it unlikely that the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target to achieve a significant reduction in biodiversity loss by 2...
Funded by: NERC
Lead research organisation: University of East Anglia
Why might this be relevant?
The project aims to improve the targeted delivery of conservation management to halt biodiversity loss, which is partially relevant to the question about stewardship of Scotland's wild animal populations and their environment.
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Desperately Seeking Space for Nature: a spatial analysis of biodiversity in changing landscape
In face of changing natural environment it is important to understand the impact of human activities on the environment and, in turn, the impact of changing environment on human well-being. Biodiversity - the diversity o...
Funded by: NERC
Lead research organisation: University of East Anglia
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on bird abundance and land use change, but does not address all aspects of wild animal populations and environmental stewardship.