Apex Predators in the Anthropocene

Abstract

Humans and carnivores have shared landscapes for millennia, but never before have these interactions been more intense, complex, or consequential. Human–carnivore interactions often result in conflict when there are negative outcomes for either party, with implications for human well-being and biodiversity loss. Additionally, as human–carnivore interactions typically occur at the top of food chains, human-initiated effects cascade down trophic systems via trait- and density-mediated indirect pathways with implications for ecological communities. Nearly every species of large carnivore across the globe is of conservation concern, with most experiencing declining populations. Concurrently, humans often revere carnivores, with symbols of the species used extensively to represent strength, valour, athleticism, and courage. Consequently, carnivores are often the subjects of global conservation efforts. The duality of the human opinion of large carnivores—both revering and imperilling these species—is a metaphor for the complexity of the ways humans shape animal populations. This book highlights emergent research that describes these themes and the complex ways that humans and carnivores interact. This work provides an integrative review of research by collating the theory, empirical studies, and critical analyses that explore these dynamics and discuss their implications for the future of conservation. The text takes a holistic and ecologically centred approach to bring together threads of research from coupled human–natural systems, population, behavioural, community, and ecosystem ecology, and conservation biology in a unified volume that is domain-deep and internationally broad in scope.