Steve Redpath© Tooth and Claw

Managing Conservation Conflicts Managing Conservation Conflicts

• Definitions & background • Review of biodiversity conflicts• Conflicts over predators• A case study – harriers and grouse• Moving forward?• Lessons for biologists

Managing conservation conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

• Definitions & background • Review of biodiversity conflicts• Conflicts over predators• A case study – harriers and grouse• Moving forward?• Lessons for biologists

Managing conservation conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

Why conserve biodiversity?

Why worry about conflicts?

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGO JNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Defining conflicts

• What are “human-wildlife” conflicts? RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Definition• Conflict – Situation that arises when

individuals act on incompatible goals, interests or actions.

Aureli & De Waal 2000

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Conflicts are between people

• To do with issues of:– Different world views– Culture– Economics– Tradition– Power– Lack of trust

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

• Involves other disciplines:– Social science– Political science– Economics– Mediation & participation

• And of course the stakeholders

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Not just ecology

Source: Facing the Future 1998

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Human Population Density

Biodiversity hotspots

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Conflicts over resources

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

• Definitions & background • Review of biodiversity conflicts• Conflicts over predators• A case study – harriers and grouse• Moving forward?• Lessons for biologists

Managing conservation conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

0

5

10

15

20

25

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Conflict papers per

million publications

Stoker, White & Redpath (unpub)

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Publications on conflicts are increasing

Publications involving vertebrates

MammalsBirdsReptilesAmphibiansFishes

Expected

Stoker, White & Redpath (unpub)

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Expected

Stoker, White & Redpath (unpub)

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Publications involving vertebrates

MammalsBirdsReptilesAmphibiansFishes

Observed

What are conflicts between?

Predators 42.8%

Conflicting goals % of studies (n = 196)

Agricultural v Recreational 0.5Commercial v Recreational 0.5Human welfare v Human Ethics 2.6Conservation v Agriculture 57.1Conservation v Commercial 14.3Conservation v Conservation 4.1Conservation v Human Welfare 10.2Conservation v Landowners 2.6Conservation v Recreational 6.1Conservation v State 2.0

Stoker, White & Redpath (unpub)

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

• Definitions & background • Review of biodiversity conflicts• Conflicts over predators• A case study – harriers and grouse• Moving forward?• Lessons for biologists

Managing conservation conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

Conflicts with predatorsRSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Britain’s predator community

189819111889

1908

1916

1743

C10thC1st

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBA

RFFacilitators

Conflicts over predators

Salmon fishers demand a seal cullIrish anglers, angered by a drop in fish numbers, want an end to the protected status of an old foe

Anglers seek cull of Irish cormorants

Claws out on a silent moorlandA heated battle rages over the birds of prey threatening to destroy Britain's grouse

Birds of prey 'will kill off pigeon racing'PIGEON racing will die out in Scotland within 20 years if the number of birds of prey continues to soar at recent record levels, experts warned yesterday.

Highlands crofters blame sea eagles for leap in lamb deathsSheep farmers say reintroduction of predatory birds to Scotland threatens their livelihoods

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Raptor conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

• Definitions & background • Review of biodiversity conflicts• Conflicts over predators• A case study – harriers and grouse• Moving forward?• Lessons for biologists

Managing conservation conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

A conflict case study A conflict case study --hen harriers and red grousehen harriers and red grouse

The hen harrierRSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Hen Harrier – current status

Species red-listed & Annex 1 of EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC).

Principal threat –illegal killing ongrouse moors.

805 pairs in UK.

Mainly in north & west.

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

The study species

• Grouse shooting generates more unsubsidised income per unit area than any other upland land use(Borders Foundation for Rural Sustainability 2002).

• Grouse shooting represents £192million* to UK economy p.a. and 1140 full-time jobs (Public & Corporate Economic Consultants 2006, Dunlop 2001, PACEC 2006)

• Well practiced grouse management supports internationally valuable ecosystem and associated biodiversity (Davies & Legg 2008, Fletcher et al. 2007, Haysom & Coulson 1997, Robertson et al. 2001, Tapper 2005, Thompson et al. 1995, Thompson & Horsfield 1997, Tharme et al. 2001).

* Estimate very uncertain

Red grouse management RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Red grouse management

Anderson et al. 2009.

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Two forms of shooting:Driven shooting Walked-up shooting

Red grouse management

© Russell CheynePete Moore

High grouse density >60 birds km-2

Keeper density – 2.4 per estate1

Net value - £7980 per day2

Low grouse density Keeper density – 1.6 per estate1

Net value - £412 per day2

1 GWCT data – Scotland 2 GWCT data

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Perceptions

Gamekeepers -Harriers eat grouseHarriers = no grouse to shootHarriers = loss of job

Conservationists -Harriers eat few grouseHarriers eat surplus / sick grouseHarriers improve grouse stocks

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBA

RFFacilitators

Late C20thEarly C20th

Source: Watson (1977) The Hen Harrier.Lovegrove (2007) Silent Fields.

Hen harriers & gamekeeping

Early C19th

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Langholm

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Some Ecology

Harriers & Meadow Pipits

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0 10 20 30

Meadow pipit abundance (per 1km)

Mal

e ha

rrier

den

sity

(per

km

2 )Between areas

Source: Redpath & Thirgood (1999) J. Anim. Ecol.

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

-6-30

36

0 2 4

Field vole abundance in spring

Resi

dual

har

rier

num

bers

FemalesMales

Harriers & voles at Langholm

Source: Redpath, Thirgood & Clarke (2002) Ibis

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Habitat changes – loss of heather

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Harriers and grouse chicksFunctional response

00.05

0.10.15

0.20.25

0.30.35

0 50 100 150Grouse chick density (per km2)

Gro

use

chic

ks d

eliv

ered

pe

r hou

r

Source: Redpath & Thirgood (1999) J. Anim. Ecol.

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 50 100 150

Grouse chick density

% g

rous

e ch

icks

take

n

0.4 harriers km-2

0.2

0.05

Source: Redpath & Thirgood (1999) J. Anim. Ecol.

Harriers and grouse chicks

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Modelling the impact of harriers on grouse

020406080

100120

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

Harrier density (km-2)

Aut

umn

grou

se

dens

ity

(km

-2)

Economic impact

Source: Redpath & Thirgood (2004). Birds of prey in a changing environment. Stationery Office

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

0

2000

4000

6000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995

Num

ber

of g

rous

e sh

ot

0

5

10

15

20

Har

rier

nes

ts

Quantifying the conflict

Source: Thirgood et al. (2000) Proc. Roy. Soc.

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

0

2000

4000

6000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995

Num

ber

of g

rous

e sh

ot

0

5

10

15

20

Har

rier

nes

ts

Quantifying the conflict

Persecution stopped

Source: Thirgood et al. (2000) Proc. Roy. Soc.

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Grouse bags on Langholm and neighbouring moors

0

2000

4000

6000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995

Num

ber o

f gro

use

shot

Langholm

Source: Thirgood & Redpath (1998) Nature

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Inference from scientific evidence

• Impact of harriers varies spatially and temporally

• Harriers breeding at high density can limit grouse populations at low density

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

• Definitions & background • Review of biodiversity conflicts• Conflicts over predators• A case study – harriers and grouse• Moving forward?• Lessons for biologists

Managing conservation conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

Finding a solutionRSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators• How do we stop illegal killing and resolve the conflict?

Coercion - Dialogue

Finding a solutionApproach depends on:

• Balance of power• Recognition of legitimacy• Effectiveness of alternative technical

approaches• Willingness to engage, listen & compromise

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Enforcement does not currently work

Harriers on managed grouse moors (2008)

Expected harrier nests: 300-700

Observed harrier nests: 5

Ref: Redpath et al. (In Press)

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Hen Harrier Dialogue

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRA SNH

HOT

CLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGO

JNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Suggested solutions• Ban grouse shooting• License grouse shooting • Increase enforcement• Move to low intensity management• Financial compensation• Intra-guild predation• Increase grouse numbers – trap & transfer or rear & release• Alter habitat to reduce harrier numbers or predation rates• Alter landscape to draw hunting harriers away from grouse• Plastic heather to draw harriers away from grouse moors• Chemical aversion therapy to stop harriers eating grouse• Feed harriers to stop them eating grouse• Deter harriers from settling using eagles, gas-guns• Quota or ceiling scheme – move or kill surplus• Re-introduce elsewhere• Allow gamekeepers to set the harrier density

Choosing between options

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Multi-criteria decision making

• List criteria – what factors do you need to consider.

• Rank criteria• List options• Score against ranked (weighted) criteria• Derive final score • Bingo

Eg finding a husband

1. Important criteria? (1-10) Eg looks, money, intellect..2. Score each (1-10) against alternatives3. Derive final total to rank

?

ScoringOption

Weight A B C D …C Looks 10 10 5R Intellect 10 2 10I Humour 6 2 8T Girth 2 10 10E …RIA Total 152 198…..

Suggested solutions• Natural densities• Alter habitat to reduce harrier numbers • Feed harriers to stop them eating grouse• Deter harriers from settling using eagles, gas-guns• Quota or ceiling scheme – move surplus• Quota or ceiling scheme – kill surplus • Allow gamekeepers to set the harrier density

Comparing management alternatives

Source: Redpath et al. (2004) Cons Biol

65

55

45

35

25

Grouse manager score

Natural Alter Feed Deter Quota Quota KeepersDensity habitat move kill set

density65

55

45

35

25

Raptor conservationist score

Natural Alter Feed Deter Quota Quota KeepersDensity habitat move kill set

density

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Building consensus

1. Dialogue – working together2. Accepting & understanding different world

views3. Examining the evidence together4. Considering alternative options together5. Considering the ecological, social &

economic consequences of options6. Testing options - evidence7. Agreeing a way forward & exit strategies

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

• Diversionary feeding• Non-lethal ceiling scheme• Enforcement• Eagle predation

Current main alternatives –non exclusive

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

0

20

40

60

Fed Not fed

Grouse chicks killed

Providing harriers with carrion to reduce predation on grouse.

Diversionary feeding

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Non-lethal ceiling schemeSet a ceiling above which harrier numbers and driven grouse shooting are incompatible.

Remove surplus harrier broods & rear chicks away from grouse moors.

10 MILES

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Enforcement

Enforce law and increase successful prosecutions. Accept loss of some grouse moor management.

© Russell Cheyne

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Eagle predation

Enforce law and increase successful harrier prosecutions. Restore golden eagle populations on grouse moors through enforcement and re-introductions. Rely on eagles to reduce harrier numbers.

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

PROS & CONS

PROSFeeding Ceiling Enforce +

Eagles

Improved HH conservation status

()

Wholly compatible with driven shooting CONS

Need for amendment to law ()

Some loss of grouse moor management

() – partial information

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Gaps in knowledge

GAPS in knowledgeFeeding Ceiling Enforce + Eagles

Feasibility – will it work?

The ecological, economic & social consequencesLevel of resources required

Acceptability to main stakeholders / public

x – few knowledge gaps xxx – lots of knowledge gaps

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Gaps in knowledge

GAPS in knowledgeFeeding Ceiling Enforce + Eagles

Feasibility – will it work? xx xxx xx xxxThe ecological, economic & social consequences

xx xx xxx xxx

Level of resources required x xx xx xxxAcceptability to main stakeholders / public

xx xx xx xxx

x – few knowledge gaps xxx – lots of knowledge gaps

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Next steps – how do we move forward?

Improve understanding of gaps in knowledge

Continued effective dialogueEnvironment Council, Langholm 2; Scotland’s Moorland Forum

Risk analysis to decide most effective way forward

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

• Definitions & background • Review of biodiversity conflicts• Conflicts over predators• A case study – harriers and grouse• Moving forward?• Lessons for biologists

Managing conservation conflicts

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

Hen Harrier Dialogue

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRA SNH

HOT

CLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGO

JNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Where do biologists sit?

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRA SNH

HOT

CLA

NE

MA Academics

NGO

JNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRA SNH

HOT

CLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGO

JNCC

Buccleuch

CA

BASCCLBA

RF

Facilitators

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Where do biologists sit?

The role of ecology

• Understanding the ecological interactions• Ecological consequences of alternative

strategies

• Conduct clear, relevant science • Communicate with stakeholders

- have to deal with cost, time, risk & uncertainty

• Manage stakeholder expectations• Conflicts are between people

- we need insight from social sciences- what is the conflict really about?

• Should we get involved?- information provider / mediator?

Issues for biologists - 1RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBA

RFFacilitators

• We are stakeholders • In many conflicts we are viewed as being biased• Be aware of world view & maintain objectivity• External facilitators are invaluable• Science may be ignored• It takes a lot of time, a sense of humour and a lot

of whisky

Issues for biologists - 2RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MA

Academics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBA

RFFacilitators

CONCLUSIONS

• Conservation conflicts are increasing • Conflicts are divisive, but can lead to

change• Conflicts are about people• Understanding & management of conflicts

demands strong science, dialogue, time & linking with other disciplines, stakeholders & policy makers

RSPB

GWCT

DEFRASNH

HOTCLA

NE

MAAcademics

NGOJNCC

BuccleuchCA

BASCCLBARF

Facilitators

Thanks to:

In memory1962 - 2009

Simon Thirgood

Fiona LeckieArjun Amar

Beatriz Arroyo