The wolf (Canis lupus) is among the most controversial of wildlife species. Abundance estimates are required to inform public debate and policy decisions, but obtaining them at biologically relevant scales is challenging. We developed a system for comprehensive population estimation across the Italian Alpine Region (100,000 km2 ), involving 1,513 trained operators representing 160 institutions. This extensive network allowed for coordinated genetic sample collection and landscape-level spatial capture-recapture analysis transcending administrative boundaries. We produced the first estimates of key parameters for wolf population status assessment including wolf abundance (952 individuals, 95% CrI: 816-1120), the number of reproductive units (135 packs, 95% CrI: 112-165), and the proportion of mature individuals (33-45%). The results also provided reliable information about the monitoring effort, thereby overcoming an important limitation of citizen-science data. This is an effective approach for promoting wolf-human coexistence based on wolf abundance monitoring, and a tool for endorsing large-scale harmonized conservation practices

Marucco, F.; Boiani, M.V.; Dupont, P.; Milleret, C.; Avanzinelli, E.; Pilgrim, K.; Schwartz, A.M.K.; von Hardenberg, A.; Perrone, S.; Friard, O.; Menzano, A.; Bisi, F.; Fattori, U.; Tomasella, M.; Calderola, S.; Carolfi, S.; Ferrari, P.; Chioso, C.; Truc, F.; Bombieri, G.; Pedrotti, L.; Righetti, D.; Acutis, P.L.; Guglielmo, F.; Hauffe, H.C.; Rossi, C.; Caniglia, R.; Aragno, P.; La Morgia, V.; Genovesi, P.; Bischof, R. (2023-06-01). A multidisciplinary approach to estimating wolf population size for long-term conservation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, 37 (6): e14132. doi: 10.1111/cobi.14132 handle: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/79955

A multidisciplinary approach to estimating wolf population size for long-term conservation

Hauffe, H. C.;Rossi, C.;
2023-06-01

Abstract

The wolf (Canis lupus) is among the most controversial of wildlife species. Abundance estimates are required to inform public debate and policy decisions, but obtaining them at biologically relevant scales is challenging. We developed a system for comprehensive population estimation across the Italian Alpine Region (100,000 km2 ), involving 1,513 trained operators representing 160 institutions. This extensive network allowed for coordinated genetic sample collection and landscape-level spatial capture-recapture analysis transcending administrative boundaries. We produced the first estimates of key parameters for wolf population status assessment including wolf abundance (952 individuals, 95% CrI: 816-1120), the number of reproductive units (135 packs, 95% CrI: 112-165), and the proportion of mature individuals (33-45%). The results also provided reliable information about the monitoring effort, thereby overcoming an important limitation of citizen-science data. This is an effective approach for promoting wolf-human coexistence based on wolf abundance monitoring, and a tool for endorsing large-scale harmonized conservation practices
Citizen science
Genetic sampling
Imperfect detection
Large carnivores
Monitoring
Population modelling
Spatial capture-recapture
Settore BIO/05 - ZOOLOGIA
1-giu-2023
Marucco, F.; Boiani, M.V.; Dupont, P.; Milleret, C.; Avanzinelli, E.; Pilgrim, K.; Schwartz, A.M.K.; von Hardenberg, A.; Perrone, S.; Friard, O.; Menzano, A.; Bisi, F.; Fattori, U.; Tomasella, M.; Calderola, S.; Carolfi, S.; Ferrari, P.; Chioso, C.; Truc, F.; Bombieri, G.; Pedrotti, L.; Righetti, D.; Acutis, P.L.; Guglielmo, F.; Hauffe, H.C.; Rossi, C.; Caniglia, R.; Aragno, P.; La Morgia, V.; Genovesi, P.; Bischof, R. (2023-06-01). A multidisciplinary approach to estimating wolf population size for long-term conservation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, 37 (6): e14132. doi: 10.1111/cobi.14132 handle: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/79955
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