Toward improved conservation management: a consideration of sensory ecology
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Toward improved conservation management: a consideration of sensory ecology Christine L. Madliger
Received: 2 April 2012 / Accepted: 21 August 2012 / Published online: 30 August 2012 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
Abstract All organisms rely on sensory systems to obtain, interpret, and respond to information available in their environment. With rapid alterations of ecosystems occurring across the globe, organisms are being faced with sensory challenges that result in behavioural changes and disruptions with potential population-level consequences. Through a consideration of sensory ecology, it is possible to identify the underlying causes of disturbances at the individual level and use this information to develop better-informed, highly targeted, and more effective management strategies. Indeed, sensory-based approaches have already been successful in response to a variety of conservation issues. This article provides a general discussion of how a consideration of sensory ecology can benefit conservation biology and proceeds to describe three areas of rapid growth and potential for expansion: (1) mitigation of anthropogenic noise disturbance; (2) prevention and amelioration of ecological and other evolutionary traps; (3) targeted population control with special attention to aquatic invasive species. I conclude with general recommendations on how sensory ecologists and conservation biologists can mutually benefit from integrated endeavours. Keywords Conservation biology Sensory ecology Ecological trap Invasive species Anthropogenic noise
Introduction: Why consider sensory ecology? Conservation issues can be highly complex as they often require the integration of ecological and behavioural knowledge, economics, and management logistics (Curio 1996; Caro and Sherman 2011). Interdisciplinary approaches can help minimize these challenges by adding insight and novel perspectives, and promoting collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders (Margles et al. 2010). Indeed, the fields of conservation genetics and conservation physiology have been progressing rapidly and contributing an appreciation of C. L. Madliger (&) Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada e-mail: [email protected]
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evolutionary context, mechanistic insight into the response of organisms to changes in their environment, and integrative methodologies to applied questions (Hedrick 2001; Wikelski and Cooke 2006). I propose that an increased emphasis on the principles of sensory ecology (i.e. taking a sensory-based approach) will lead to enhanced capacity to interpret behavioural responses and specific impacts, and provide useful information for the refinement of management practices. Sensory ecology can be defined as the study of how organisms acquire and respond to information in their environment (Ali 1978; Dusenbery 1992; Bowdan and Wyse 1996; Martin 2011a) and encompasses visual, auditory, chemical, echolocation, e
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