New research reveals that traditional management efforts for New England cottontail, which relied on the best available science, may actually be thwarting their recovery Wildlife conservation is frequently limited by an incomplete understanding of how animals interact and respond to native ecosystems--a limitation that is only further challenged by the many novel factors, like invasive species or habitat fragmentation, that alter the way in which species interact with their environment. Although it is in the best interests of threatened species for us to thoroughly investigate these relationships, obtaining specific information is often difficult due to cost, low population size, lack of technology, or the evasiveness of the species in question. In these circumstances, we rely heavily on what information we do have; though it may be incomplete, applicable across only a narrow environmental niche, or unable to account for critical changes to the environment from, for example, the introduction of new competitor or spread of invasive plants. When information is lacking, scientists are forced to rely on the “best available science.” For many species, the best available science may be studies conducted across only a narrow portion of a species’ niche, research from closely related species, or based on ecological theory. Because there isn’t more relevant research, this best available science is then used to inform policy decisions, like whether to list a species as Threatened or Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This information is also used to decide how to conserve species and spend conservation dollars. But nature is messy. Species often react to their environment in unexpected and complicated ways –a situation that is particularly common when there have been changes to their environment. Unfortunately, when this happens, applying the best available science can result in policies that are ineffective, or worse have unintended negative consequences.
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Cottontail Captures 2019-2020!
AuthorDrew Eline is the graduate student on the New England cottontail project. She currently runs the winter/spring field season. Archives
December 2020
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