IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Laundr‚, J.W.; Hern ndez, L. | |
| The Landscape of Fear and the Conservation of Large Felids | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Wild felids survive by catching and killing prey. Traditionally, it is assumed that the key to conserving large felids is to insure there is sufficient prey to support viable predator populations. However, sufficient numbers of prey is not the only factor; the prey need to be available or vulnerable to predation. The new concept of the landscape of fear predicts that prey species will try to reduce predation risk by being more vigilant in or avoiding risky areas. The level of predation risk of an area is determined by the lethality of the predator or its ability to catch prey. High risk areas are where the predator has the best chance to catch its prey. Thus, for the predator, the landscape of fear becomes the landscape of opportunity and the amount and configuration of risky habitat becomes important in the predator's survival. Here we explore this flipside of the landscape of fear and discuss ways this model can be used in the conservation efforts of large felids. We suggest that an analysis of the landscape of fear for the prey of large felid predators will help identify those landscape elements important for the survival of these felids. |
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