Different patterns of human activities in nature during Covid-19 pandemic and African swine fever outbreak confirm direct impact on wildlife disruption

Jan Cukor,Vlastimil Hart,Petr Marada,Rostislav Linda,Monika Faltusová,Zdeněk Vacek,František Havránek,Karolina Mahlerová

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-99862-0

Abstract

Implementation of various restrictions to eradicate viral diseases has globally affected human activity and subsequently nature. But how can the altered routines of human activity (restrictions, lockdowns) affect wildlife behaviour? This study compared the differences between human and wildlife occurrences in the study forest area with acreage of 5430.6 ha in 2018 (African swine fever outbreak, complete entrance ban), 2019 (standard pattern) and 2020 (COVID-19 restrictions) during the breeding season. The number of visitors was lower by 64% in 2018 (non-respecting of the entry ban by forest visitors) compared to standard 2019, while in 2020, the number of visitors increased to 151%. In the COVID-19 period, distinct peaks in the number of visitors were observed between 8–11 AM and 4–7 PM. The peaks of wildlife activity were recorded between 4–7 AM and 9–12 PM. Animals avoided the localities that were visited by humans during the people-influenced time (24 h after people visit), which confirmed the direct negative impact of human activities on wildlife.

Highlights

Implementation of various restrictions to eradicate viral diseases has globally affected human activity and subsequently nature
The negative impact of tourism and recreation has been known for almost a century[7]
The number of visitors increased rapidly as soon as these restrictions were eased[45,46]. This pattern was observed in our study, as the camera traps registered an increase of visitors of 151% during the COVID-19 period in 2020 compared to the same time period (May and June) in the previous year

Summary

Introduction

Implementation of various restrictions to eradicate viral diseases has globally affected human activity and subsequently nature. The rising impact of recreational activities on the environment goes hand in hand with the growing numbers of outdoor recreationists[5,8], which is globally documented, especially in protected areas and urban forests[5,9,10]. The number of visitors in nature are related to various rules of protection, especially in national parks and protected areas 13,15,16 Political decisions such as different patterns of human activity in relation to the eradication of serious viral diseases that affect continents or are widespread globally, undoubtedly influenced the extent of nature tourism and recreation a ctivities[17,18]. In the first months of pandemic, the positive effect of the COVID-19 on wildlife was observed principally in national parks and protected areas where the dramatic declines in the number of visitors is m easured[33,34]. There is limited knowledge on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wildlife on a local scale

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