Marneweck, Courtney J.;
Allen, Benjamin L.;
Butler, Andrew R.;
Do Linh San, Emmanuel;
Harris, Stephen N.;
Jensen, Alex J.;
Saldo, Elizabeth A.;
Somers, Michael J.;
Titus, Keifer;
Muthersbaugh, Michael;
Vanak, Abi;
Jachowski, David S.
Middle‐out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change
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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
Middle‐out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change
Contributor:
Marneweck, Courtney J.;
Allen, Benjamin L.;
Butler, Andrew R.;
Do Linh San, Emmanuel;
Harris, Stephen N.;
Jensen, Alex J.;
Saldo, Elizabeth A.;
Somers, Michael J.;
Titus, Keifer;
Muthersbaugh, Michael;
Vanak, Abi;
Jachowski, David S.
imprint:
Wiley, 2022
Published in:Mammal Review
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1111/mam.12300
ISSN:
0305-1838;
1365-2907
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Species that respond to ecosystem change in a timely, measurable, and interpretable way can be used as sentinels of global change. Contrary to a pervasive view, we suggest that, among Carnivora, small carnivores are more appropriate sentinels than large carnivores. This reasoning is built around six key points: that, compared to large carnivores, small carnivores 1) are more species‐rich and diverse, providing more potential sentinels in many systems; 2) occupy a wider range of ecological niches, exhibiting a greater variety of sensitivities to change; 3) hold an intermediate trophic position that is more directly affected by changes at the producer, primary consumer, and tertiary consumer levels; 4) have shorter life spans and higher reproductive rates, exhibiting more rapid responses to change; 5) have smaller home ranges and are more abundant, making it easier to investigate fine‐scale management interventions; 6) are easier to monitor, manage, and manipulate. Therefore, we advocate for incorporating a middle‐out approach, in addition to the established top‐down and bottom‐up approaches, to assessing the responses of ecosystems to global change.</jats:p>