Scotland has successfully reintroduced
White-tailed Eagles and Red Kites.
The management of
reintroduced species is reviewed.
A new report
reviews the legal avenues to resolve conflicts between land managers and
reintroduced species, as well as recommending comprehensive management strategy
for all reintroductions. Scotland
has already successfully reintroduced White-tailed Eagles and Red Kites and is
now considering reintroducing European Beavers, with a trial underway. The
report was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), at the request of
the Scotland's
National Species Reintroduction Forum, to help inform debate about the future
management of reintroduced species. The research, carried out by University of Aberdeen
researchers from the Rural Law Research Group and the Department of Ecology,
draws heavily on the experiences of Sweden,
Latvia, the Netherlands, Germany,
Ireland and Norway. It
highlights the importance of involving communities, and managing species
habitat and numbers when necessary, when reintroducing species.
The research
found that 129 reintroductions involving protected species have taken place in Europe. To provide more detailed information, the authors
completed case studies focused on species with complex management challenges,
such as beaver, White-tailed Eagle, Grey Wolf and lynx. The case studies found
that some of these reintroduced species had their populations or habitats
controlled, when their numbers were healthy and thriving and there were
conflicts with other land uses. Under current European laws, legal protection
for protected species is strict, but member states may deviate ('derogate')
from the rules, subject to satisfying certain conditions, including that the
species concerned are judged to be in favourable conservation status. Such
derogations allow control of a particular protected species, and are regularly
used in species management throughout Europe.
The report recommends that the key to meeting the EU legal requirements is to
have a national species management strategy in place, which outlines the needs
and threats faced by the species, and the problems it may pose for human
activities.
The report also
shows that concerns — similar to those expressed by some groups
in Scotland — exist
in Europe as well about certain aspects of
reintroductions. These include White-tailed Eagle predation on lambs in Ireland and lambs and reindeer calves in Norway, and beaver damage to forestry,
agricultural crops and waterways in Germany. Evidence from the case
studies in the report indicated that reintroduced species and people can
coexist without conflict. But this success is more likely if potential problems
are identified in advance. A good example is the European Lynx reintroduction
in Norway,
where the management system in place is supported by both conservationists and
hunters. Welcoming the findings of the report, Ron Macdonald, SNH's head of
policy and advice, said: "This study will help us manage species
reintroductions in the years to come — both existing or any future
reintroductions — while involving all those affected.
Although there has been widespread support for species reintroductions in Scotland, there
have been some concerns about reintroductions. In future years, there may be
times when we have to intervene in some way. So it's important we know what other
countries have done successfully and what is legally acceptable. Balancing conservation,
land management and economic development — including tourism — is
vital."
Jamie Mellor of
Argyll, NFU Scotland's representative on the National Species Reintroduction
Forum, said: "The reintroduction of species is a subject that sparks
intense debate amongst the farming, forestry, fishing and conservation
communities. The general recommendations in this report merit support as they
map out a route to a more robust, adaptive species-specific management plan for
all reintroduced species. Recognising that reintroduction requires active
management if it is to meet its conservation goals has the potential to help
address many of the concerns that our members have regarding reintroduced
species."
Simon Milne,
Scottish Wildlife Trust chief executive, added: "There is an ecological
and moral imperative for reintroducing species lost from Scotland due to
the actions of man. Any reintroduction programme must take into account the
socio-economic, as well as ecological, factors resulting from an introduction.
This report is a useful addition to the information available that will enable
reintroduction programmes to be assessed on the best scientific information,
the merits of individual cases and the potential benefits and cost to
society."
The project was
led by Dr Aylwin Pillai, co-director of the University of Aberdeen
Rural Law Research Group, along with the
Department of Ecology. Dr Pillai said: "This was a fascinating and
important research project given the potential for human–species conflicts or
challenges in European protected species reintroductions. It's a matter of
particular interest in Scotland
due to the relatively recent reintroduction of the sea eagle and the ongoing
trial reintroduction of the Eurasian Beaver. This research examined other
European experiences and shows that it is possible to take a pragmatic approach
to the conservation management of reintroduced European protected species in
order to address potential impacts on economic activities. I found
collaboration with ecologists Daniel Heptinstall and Professor Steve Redpath
particularly rewarding, as we were able to look at not only the formal
requirements of the law, but also the practical ecological implications of
different strategies. The members of the National Species Reintroduction Forum
were also tremendously helpful." Dr Pillai is continuing with further
research on this issue and will be visiting Germany
(Bavaria) in
October this year to learn more about the Bavarian beaver management strategy.
The report will be presented for discussion at the next species reintroduction
forum meeting in October.