IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Marneweck, C.J.; Allen, B.L.; Butler, A.R.; Do Linh San, E.; Harris, S.N.; Jensen, A.J.; Saldo, E.A.; Somers, M.J.; Titus, K.; Muthersbaugh, M.; Vanak, A.; Jachowski, D.S. | |
| Middle-out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change | |
| 2022 Mammal Review (52): 471-479 | |
Species that respond to ecosystem change in a timely, measurable, and interpretable way can be used as sentinels of global change. Contrary to a pervasive view, we suggest that, among Carnivora, small carnivores are more appropriate sentinels than large carnivores. This reasoning is built around six key points: that, compared to large carnivores, small carnivores 1) are more species-rich and diverse, providing more potential sentinels in many systems; 2) occupy a wider range of ecological niches, exhibiting a greater variety of sensitivities to change; 3) hold an intermediate trophic position that is more directly affected by changes at the producer, primary consumer, and tertiary consumer levels; 4) have shorter life spans and higher reproductive rates, exhibiting more rapid responses to change; 5) have smaller home ranges and are more abundant, making it easier to investigate fine-scale management interventions; 6) are easier to monitor, manage, and manipulate. Therefore, we advocate for incorporating a middle-out approach, in addition to the established top-down and bottom-up approaches, to assessing the responses of ecosystems to global change. |
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