DISCAR

DISturbance on small CARnivores

© Alexander Leisser

The DISCAR (DIS = disturbance, CAR = carnivores) project aims at providing an operational framework with analytical tools for assessing the impacts of human pressures on populations of small carnivores, and showcasing it with case studies in applied conservation. DISCAR will use small carnivores in French mainland and overseas territories as a case study to assess the population consequences or impacts of human pressures on animal populations.

These species hold important roles in ecosystems, such as influencing ecosystem structure and providing numerous ecosystem services, including pest/disease control and seed dispersal. Small carnivore species also respond to ecosystem disturbance in a fast, measurable, and interpretable way and therefore can be used as sentinels of global change. We will connect the fields of bioenergetics and demographic modeling in an integrated framework to assess human pressures on biodiversity, and to characterize then predict the impacts on small carnivores.

DISCAR will identify key parameters underlying coupling between pressures and impacts, and will make recommendations for stakeholders in terms of monitoring and mitigation strategies.