Human Dimensions of the Reintroduction of Brazilian Birds

Flávia De Campos Martins,Mônica T Engel,Francine Schulz,Cláudia S G Martins

doi:10.3389/fcosc.2022.791103

Abstract

People's acceptability for wildlife, stakeholders' engagement and involvement are acknowledged as key factors for the success of wildlife reintroduction projects. We analyzed the main National Action Plans (NAPs) (the Brazilian management participatory instrument for the conservation of endangered species) for eight bird species and conducted an online questionnaire with researchers and practitioners involved in those species reintroduction programs. The assessment of the main Brazilian bird's reintroduction programs showed that, in general, efforts have been made to integrate local people into it. Nevertheless, the actions were disconnected, isolated and fragmented. A formal protocol, designed, discussed and approved by experts aiming to address the human dimensions (HD) of human-bird interactions (HBI), preferably to be used in each stage of the reintroduction programs, was not found. Actions considered related to human dimensions are mainly under the umbrella of environmental education interventions or campaigns, more directed to children and youth; correspond to activities performed by locals with the birds and/or captive birds facilities; or, fostering artcraft production or bird watching activities. The weak or sometimes absent human dimensions approach to this important conservation tool may indicate either the novelty for Brazilian researchers and managers of the science of human dimensions within the field of wildlife management or the lack of dialogue between natural and social sciences when wildlife conservation is at stake. Reintroductions are expensive, sensitive, and labor-intensive processes. It becomes necessary due the conservation status of the species and its implementation follows a careful research of biological, ecological and socio-institutional regional background that identifies the drivers of species extinction and plans according to it. Understanding and predicting people's behaviors and its triggers are paramount to successful reintroduction projects. Thus, making use of well-planned HD studies in HBI may be the watershed between success or failure of reintroduction programs. This study was a pioneer initiative of its kind and it aimed to provide sound recommendations for managers, researchers and practitioners to acknowledge the relevance of HD and its core role in the reintroduction of endangered bird species.

Highlights

Human population growth and the increasing use of natural resources have promoted significant modification on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, resulting in habitat loss, ecosystem’s fragmentation, pollution and environmental degradation of soils and aquatic systems, overexploitation of species and introduction of exotic species (WWF, 2020)
When looking at the conservation and reintroduction projects of birds in the world, compiled by IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group (CTSG) (Soorae, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2021), we see that editions from 2016 and 2021 have more projects with objectives related to human dimensions than in the previous years
National Action Plans for the conservation of threatened species are a valuable tool for conservation planning and management

Summary

Introduction

Human population growth and the increasing use of natural resources have promoted significant modification on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, resulting in habitat loss, ecosystem’s fragmentation, pollution and environmental degradation of soils and aquatic systems, overexploitation of species and introduction of exotic species (WWF, 2020). It is estimated that among bird species, 187 were extinct by the year 1500 (Butchart et al, 2018) and currently about 14% of bird species are under some level of threat (IUCN, 2021). The high vulnerability of wild species loss in Brazil is evident (Scheffers et al, 2012) and threats include deforestation, fragmentation, and habitat loss (Sodhi and Ehrlich, 2010). The extinction of bird species is related to the introduction of exotic and invasive species, poaching and illegal trade (Butchart et al, 2018). Beyond the ethical right to exist, assessing the causes of bird’s extinction matters for ecological reasons; many species are pollinators, others are scavengers, and all perform ecological roles and services in the ecosystems they inhabit (Whelan et al, 2008)

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