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Fencing for conservation: restriction of evolutionary potential or a riposte to threatening processes?
Session Organizers: Graham I.H. Kerley, Michael J. Somers, and Matt W. Hayward
Description: The conflict between increasing human population and biodiversity conservation is one of the IUCN's key threatening processes which lead to habitat loss or disturbance, direct persecution, competition with domestic animals, or predation by introduced species. Conservation planning has received a great deal of coverage and research as a way of conserving biodiversity yet, while theoretically successful, it has never been tested. Simple lines on maps to illustrate conservation areas are unlikely to be successful in the light of human encroachment. It may be that some form of overt display is necessary to ensure the protection of reserves. This may be signage, presence of guards/rangers or physical fencing structures.
The need for some form of barrier goes beyond restricting human access. The megafauna in Africa pose a genuine threat to human survival. In southern Africa fences are used to keep animals in and protect the abutting human population. Elsewhere in Africa, fencing is not considered important or viable. Where poverty is rife, as it is in much of Africa, it won't take much to tip the balance from beneficial conservation areas to troublesome repositories of crop-raiders, diseases and killers.
Conversely, in New Zealand fences are used to keep animals out. Introduced species have decimated New Zealand's endemic birds, reptiles and invertebrates, and several sites have been entirely encapsulated in mouse-proof fencing to ensure their protection. Australia faces the same problems as New Zealand, however surrounds its national parks with cattle fences. Foxes and cats are free to enter and leave at will, resulting in rapid recolonisation following poison campaigns. How long will these poison campaigns work before tolerance, aversion or resistance evolves in the introduced predator populations?
Poland's Bialowieza Primeval Forest conserves the last remnants of the forests that once covered much of continental Europe. It supports an almost intact fauna. Yet this forest is only 500 km2 and keystone species, such as bison, wolves and lynx, are restricted to it. Surrounding the forest is cleared agricultural land and persecuting humans that act as a 'metaphorical fence' to keep large mammals inside.
Clearly fencing is not the ideal solution. Other areas are implementing ancient animal husbandry practices to reduce stock killing. Other sites are looking at other methods to avert human - wildlife conflict. How will global climate change affect conservation planning and the positioning of fences?
This symposium will look at the positives and negatives of fencing. Those issues are likely to differ amongst continents and even countries, but at the completion of the symposium we expect to provide a holistic assessment of the value of fencing for conservation.
