ABSTRACT
Large carnivores include iconic species such as bears, wolves and big cats. Their habitats are increasingly being shared with humans, and there is a growing number of examples of human-carnivore coexistence as well as conflict. Next to population dynamics of large carnivores, there are considerable attitude shifts towards these species worldwide with multiple implications.
This book argues and demonstrates why human dimensions of relationships to large carnivores are crucial for their successful conservation and management. It provides an overview of theoretical and methodological perspectives, heterogeneity in stakeholder perceptions and behaviour as well as developments in decision making, stakeholder involvement, policy and governance informed by human dimensions of large carnivore conservation and management. The scope is international, with detailed examples and case studies from Europe, North and South America, Central and South Asia, as well as debates of the challenges faced by urbanization, agricultural expansion, national parks and protected areas. The main species covered include bears, wolves, lynx, and leopards.
The book provides a novel perspective for advanced students, researchers and professionals in ecology and conservation, wildlife management, human-wildlife interactions, environmental education and environmental social science.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|96 pages
Theoretical and methodological perspectives
chapter 1|16 pages
Addressing human dimensions in large carnivore conservation and management
chapter 2|18 pages
Research amidst the contentious issue of wolf presence
chapter 3|21 pages
Socio-political illegal acts as a challenge for wolf conservation and management
chapter 4|21 pages
Situated, reflexive research in practice
part II|127 pages
Heterogeneity in perceptions of and behaviour towards large carnivores
chapter 6|33 pages
A community divided
chapter 7|15 pages
Heterogeneity in perceptions of large carnivores
chapter 9|22 pages
Attitudes towards large carnivore species in the West Carpathians
chapter 11|18 pages
Challenging the false dichotomy of Us vs. Them
part III|113 pages
Decision-making, stakeholder involvement, and policy in large carnivore conservation and management