Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/26928
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dc.contributor.authorJones, Trevoren_UK
dc.contributor.authorCusack, Jeremyen_UK
dc.contributor.authorPozo, Rocíoen_UK
dc.contributor.authorSmit, Josephineen_UK
dc.contributor.authorMkuburo, Lamecken_UK
dc.contributor.authorBaran, Paulen_UK
dc.contributor.authorLobora, Alexen_UK
dc.contributor.authorMduma, Simonen_UK
dc.contributor.authorFoley, Charlesen_UK
dc.date.accessioned2018-04-03T23:33:04Z-
dc.date.available2018-04-03T23:33:04Z-
dc.date.issued2018-05-31en_UK
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/26928-
dc.description.abstractDetecting and monitoring illegal harvesting pressure on wild populations is challenging due to the cryptic nature of poaching activities. Although change in population age structure has been suggested as an indicator of harvesting pressure, few studies have tested its validity when based on short-term field surveys. Using data from rapid demographic assessment surveys carried out in 2009 at six sites in Tanzania, we examined whether African elephant populations experiencing contrasting levels of poaching pressure showed significant differences in their age structure, operational sex ratio (i.e. adult males to adult females), dependent individual to adult female ratio at the group level, and proportion of tuskless individuals. We also compared similar metrics between the population sampled in Ruaha National Park in 2009 and again in 2015 following a suspected increase in poaching. Elephant populations experiencing medium and high levels of poaching in 2009 were characterised by fewer calves and old individuals, a reduced number of adult males relative to adult females, and a lower ratio of calves to adult females within groups. We also found a higher proportion of tuskless individuals in poached populations (>6%). Changes in age structure in the Ruaha population between 2009 and 15 were similar to those observed across sites in 2009. Our findings are consistent with previous work documenting how the loss of older individuals – targeted for their larger tusks – decreases recruitment and survival of elephant calves. Illegal killing for ivory is a huge threat to the survival of African elephants. In this context, the present study contributes towards validating the use of age structure as an indicator of poaching pressure in elephant populations, but also in other wildlife populations where illegal offtake is targeted at specific age classes.en_UK
dc.language.isoenen_UK
dc.publisherElsevieren_UK
dc.relationJones T, Cusack J, Pozo R, Smit J, Mkuburo L, Baran P, Lobora A, Mduma S & Foley C (2018) Age structure as an indicator of poaching pressure: insights from rapid assessments of elephant populations across space and time. Ecological Indicators, 88, pp. 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.01.030en_UK
dc.rightsThis item has been embargoed for a period. During the embargo please use the Request a Copy feature at the foot of the Repository record to request a copy directly from the author. You can only request a copy if you wish to use this work for your own research or private study. Accepted refereed manuscript of: Jones T, Cusack J, Pozo R, Smit J, Mkuburo L, Baran P, Lobora A, Mduma S & Foley C (2018) Age structure as an indicator of poaching pressure: insights from rapid assessments of elephant populations across space and time, Ecological Indicators, 88, pp. 115-125. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.01.030 © 2018, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/en_UK
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/en_UK
dc.subjectAge structureen_UK
dc.subjectOperational sex ratioen_UK
dc.subjectRapid demographic assessmenten_UK
dc.subjectRuaha National Parken_UK
dc.subjectTanzaniaen_UK
dc.subjectTusklessnessen_UK
dc.titleAge structure as an indicator of poaching pressure: insights from rapid assessments of elephant populations across space and timeen_UK
dc.typeJournal Articleen_UK
dc.rights.embargodate2019-01-31en_UK
dc.rights.embargoreason[Jones_et_al_manuscript_R1.pdf] Publisher requires embargo of 12 months after formal publication.en_UK
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.01.030en_UK
dc.citation.jtitleEcological Indicatorsen_UK
dc.citation.issn1872-7034en_UK
dc.citation.issn1470-160Xen_UK
dc.citation.volume88en_UK
dc.citation.spage115en_UK
dc.citation.epage125en_UK
dc.citation.publicationstatusPublisheden_UK
dc.citation.peerreviewedRefereeden_UK
dc.type.statusAM - Accepted Manuscripten_UK
dc.author.emailjeremy.cusack@stir.ac.uken_UK
dc.citation.date30/01/2018en_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationSouthern Tanzania Elephant Programen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationBiological and Environmental Sciencesen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationBiological and Environmental Sciencesen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationPsychologyen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationSouthern Tanzania Elephant Programen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationWildlife Conservation Societyen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationTanzania Wildlife Research Instituteen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationTanzania Wildlife Research Instituteen_UK
dc.contributor.affiliationWildlife Conservation Societyen_UK
dc.identifier.isiWOS:000430760800013en_UK
dc.identifier.scopusid2-s2.0-85041407160en_UK
dc.identifier.wtid516768en_UK
dc.contributor.orcid0000-0003-3004-1586en_UK
dc.date.accepted2018-01-17en_UK
dcterms.dateAccepted2018-01-17en_UK
dc.date.filedepositdate2018-03-29en_UK
rioxxterms.apcnot requireden_UK
rioxxterms.typeJournal Article/Reviewen_UK
rioxxterms.versionAMen_UK
local.rioxx.authorJones, Trevor|en_UK
local.rioxx.authorCusack, Jeremy|0000-0003-3004-1586en_UK
local.rioxx.authorPozo, Rocío|en_UK
local.rioxx.authorSmit, Josephine|en_UK
local.rioxx.authorMkuburo, Lameck|en_UK
local.rioxx.authorBaran, Paul|en_UK
local.rioxx.authorLobora, Alex|en_UK
local.rioxx.authorMduma, Simon|en_UK
local.rioxx.authorFoley, Charles|en_UK
local.rioxx.projectInternal Project|University of Stirling|https://isni.org/isni/0000000122484331en_UK
local.rioxx.freetoreaddate2019-01-31en_UK
local.rioxx.licencehttp://www.rioxx.net/licenses/under-embargo-all-rights-reserved||2019-01-30en_UK
local.rioxx.licencehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/|2019-01-31|en_UK
local.rioxx.filenameJones_et_al_manuscript_R1.pdfen_UK
local.rioxx.filecount1en_UK
local.rioxx.source1872-7034en_UK
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