Abstract
Most European goose populations have increased exponentially, and this has increasingly brought them into conflict with human activities. To manage this conflict, we used multi-criteria decision analysis to help set population targets for a super-abundant population of greylag geese (Anser anser). We relied on expert elicitation to assess the consequences of varying goose abundance on nine ecological, economic, and societal objectives. Representatives from national governments and from non-governmental organizations then weighted the objectives based on their perceived relative importance, and we used a consensus-convergence model to reach stakeholder agreement on the tradeoffs among objectives. The preferred population targets for two management units represent about a 20% reduction from current abundances, which from a management perspective would require considerable effort above and beyond current population-control measures. We believe that multi-criteria decision analysis can provide a systematic and transparent framework for building consensus among diverse stakeholders in a wide array of human-wildlife conflicts.
Highlights
Due to conservation measures, intensification of agriculture, and climate change during the latter half of the 20th century, most goose populations in Europe have increased exponentially (Fox and Madsen 2017)
We found that Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was a valuable tool for decisionmaking in the European Goose Management Platform (EGMP) in that it represented a formal and systematic process for better understanding the tradeoffs inherent in managing goose populations causing socioeconomic conflicts
The success of the process was confirmed in June 2020 when the EGMP International Working Group formally adopted a set of population targets based on the outcome of the MCDA
Summary
Intensification of agriculture, and climate change during the latter half of the 20th century, most goose populations in Europe have increased exponentially (Fox and Madsen 2017). A recent supplement of Ambio (Special Issue 2/2017) is testament to the high political profile of goose-human conflicts in the Northern Hemisphere. To address these concerns, the European Goose Management Platform (EGMP) was established in 2016 under the auspices of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (https://egmp.aewa.info/) to help reduce human-goose conflict and manage exploitation in a sustainable manner. Debate about goose population targets has increased as discussion has turned to species with larger ranges, greater complexity with regard to protection status, and larger adverse societal impacts than those from pink-footed and taiga bean geese
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
