Anthropogenic influence and wildlife intervention

Jordan O. Hampton; Clare Palmer; Bob Fischer; Christian Gamborg; Peter Sandoe

doi:10.1093/biosci/biag108

Back

Anthropogenic influence and wildlife intervention

Journal article

Open access

Anthropogenic influence and wildlife intervention

Jordan O. Hampton, Clare Palmer, Bob Fischer, Christian Gamborg and Peter Sandoe

Bioscience, biag108

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biag108

Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements

Files and links (1)

pdf

wildlife intervention1.04 MBDownload View

Open Access CC BY-NC V4.0

Abstract

Biology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics

Science & Technology

It may be difficult to decide when to intervene to assist wildlife facing population, health or welfare threats. At present, decisions about interventions are often based on a binary conception of whether harmful processes are deemed to be "anthropogenic" or "natural," where the former is used to justify intervention. However, this criterion has recently been challenged. First, the longstanding anthropogenic influence of Indigenous peoples has been underestimated. Second, anthropogenic changes are now so deep and wide-ranging that it is unclear if anything can be said to have a wholly "natural" cause. So, using the anthropogenic criterion to underpin wildlife management decisions will be extremely hard to maintain. We use three contemporary case studies from around the world to illustrate these difficulties, and how they can lead to uncertainty and inconsistency in management. We briefly outline possible ways to rethink justifications for wildlife intervention that might better suit the Anthropocene.

Details

Title: Anthropogenic influence and wildlife intervention
Authors/Creators: Jordan O. Hampton - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Clare Palmer - Texas A&M University
Bob Fischer - Texas State University
Christian Gamborg - Copenhagen Business School
Peter Sandoe - University of Copenhagen
Publication Details: Bioscience, biag108
Publisher: Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Institute of Biological Sciences.
Number of pages: 9
Identifiers: 991005909778707891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; School of Veterinary Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Metrics

4 File views/ downloads

11 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: No Topic Assigned; No Topic Assigned; No Topic Assigned
Web Of Science research areas: Biology
ESI research areas: Biology & Biochemistry