Middle-out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change
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Date
2022-04-28
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
Species that respond to ecosystem change in a timely, measurable, and interpretable way can be used as sentinels of global change. Contrary to a pervasive view, we suggest that, among Carnivora, small carnivores are more appropriate sentinels than large carnivores. This reasoning is built around six key points: that, compared to large carnivores, small carnivores 1) are more species-rich and diverse, providing more potential sentinels in many systems; 2) occupy a wider range of ecological niches, exhibiting a greater variety of sensitivities to change; 3) hold an intermediate trophic position that is more directly affected by changes at the producer, primary consumer, and tertiary consumer levels; 4) have shorter life spans and higher reproductive rates, exhibiting more rapid responses to change; 5) have smaller home ranges and are more abundant, making it easier to investigate fine-scale management interventions; 6) are easier to monitor, manage, and manipulate. Therefore, we advocate for incorporatinga middle-out approach, in addition to the established top-down and bottom-up approaches, to assessing the responses of ecosystems to global change.
Description
Keywords
Carnivora, change, global, indicator, mesocarnivore, sentinel, small carnivore
Citation
Do Linh San; Marneweck C; Allen B; Toowoomba Q; Butler A.; Harris S; Jensen A.; Saldo E; Somers M; Titus K; Muthersbaugh M; Ashoka A; Jachowski D (2021): Middle-out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change: Mammal Review,2022,52. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12300