Research Agenda

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES

Welcome to my research agenda page. Throughout the entire course, we have been researching both broadly and specifically about the animals we wanted to focus on. Here are my nine best pieces of work, and serve as a representation of the sources used in my advocacy project. You can see that this page is divided into three different sections, why we should care about the wolf, the challenges wolves face, and how we can approach their conservation more effectively..

Research Articles

“Social Reward Behavior in Two Groups of European Grey Wolves''

The research article “Social Reward Behavior in Two Groups of European Grey Wolves'' researchers from the Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research with Phyletic Museum, Hana Tebelman and Udo Ganslober, looked at prosocial behavior in regards to group-living mammals, group coordination and group adhesion as being crucial factors for survival. They explored their research by studying two different wolf groups, each with 5 wolves at the Zoo Wingst and Schwarze Berge Wildlife Park. They did a series of focused experiments that looked at different behavior exhibited by the wolves. They then organized the date by means of an ethogram taht was categorized under board behaviors observed in order to limit biased observational research. Their finding suggested that behavioral chains work as a part of social feedback in gray wolves, connecting to individuals' bold actions for the group. They further understood that bold behavior is responded with a greater social reward and prosocial behavior, explaining group interactions. For my scicomm article I would focus on how researchers identified wolves as one of the most social and cooperative canine species, and their findings on whether bold behavior exhibited in animals was more often socially rewarded; they found this true in wolves. Since I would be using the researchers as the protagonist in the story, their “dialogue” will be more engaging and help encapsulate wolf social structure. With understanding the way that wolves interact with one another, there will be a better understanding of why it is so important for the research community to highlight their individuality in understanding how they function. More specifically, why research in domesticated dogs does not apply to wolves.

Tebelmann H, Gansloßer U. Social Reward Behaviour in Two Groups of

European Grey Wolves (Canis lupus lupus)—A Case Study. Animals. 2023;

13(5):872. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050872 Accessed 2 May. 2024

“Wolf Social Intelligence”

In the research paper “Wolf Social Intelligence” by Associate Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Science at the Texas A&M University, Jane M.Packard discusses what ways scientists have measured for social intelligence, and behavioral resilience of wolves. She explores this topic by looking at the adaptive significance of behavioral resilience,behavioral resilience in a dynamic social environment,, sociality and delayed reproduction, conceptual perspectives and application to social mammalian carnivores. Through her research she found that answers pointing toward the reason why wolves are social goes beyond the benefits of group hunting and instead implies that sociality implies adaptation to a range of interactions with littermates, caregivers, mates, rivals, hostile neighboring groups and group barriers to immigration. By acknowledging these different implications, no longer simplifying wolf behavior for cooperative hunting highlights the complexities that make wolves so unique and how much research needs to explore the framework of social and ecological influences in order to actually understand the evolution of the wolf. Her research will help me “zone-in” on the different aspects that have been previously ignored by research and delves into the complexity of understanding wolf behavior, emphasizing the need to look at a multitude of factors, rather than just comparing them to domesticated dogs.

Boitani, Luigi, and L. David Mech. Wolves : Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2010. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233762622_Wolf_social_intelligence

“Environmentally significant life experience:the look of a world in the lives of Ernest T. Seton, Aldo Leopoland Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente”

In the research excerpt from the book “Environmentally significant life experience:the look of a world in the lives of Ernest T. Seton, Aldo Leopoland Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente” the researchers go into depth about the three previously mentioned environmentalists, published by Taylor and Francis Online. The main point of the article was to analyze the best way to promote environmental values by looking at differences in life experiences. By looking through narratives and biographies of the environmentalist, researchers were able to see how to facilitate “deep and lasting values through environmental education”. What the study found was that these personal experiences were directly linked to a change in the human environment and wolf relationship and led to a more respected relationship between the two. By looking at the language that the environmentalist used in order to describe both the experience and the effects of their encounters, researchers were able to measure the level of relationship that developed and changed between them and wolves. My research is supposed to look at the importance of highlighting individuality with wolves and how important it is to continue researching them. By including an article that highlights the positive perception of the wolves, I can make the article more engaging for readers by using their conclusions as points of dialogue in my own scicomm article.

Puig, J., & Echarri, F. (2018). Environmentally significant life experiences: the look of a

wolf in the lives of Ernest T. Seton, Aldo Leopold and Félix Rodríguez de la

Fuente. Environmental Education Research, 24(5), 678–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2016.1259394

The Problems Wolves Face

"Symbols, wolves and conflicts"

In the research article “Symbols, wolves and conflicts.”, researchers Francisco Almarcha, Trinitario Fernandez and Jose - Vicente Lopez, studying an array of biological and biodiversity focuses in universities outside of the US, approach their research through an anthropological perspective in order to address the social conflict that wolves face. Through their research they synthesized different symbolic definitions and social constructs that surround wolves. Through their different analytical perspectives , they find that different social groups form different associations with wolves and can be seen through their own understanding of the role humans play in respect to nature. The diverse amount of views in human roles is what creates divergent views on the space that wolves occupy in the wild. Their findings highlight how the perception of the space occupied by the animal is one of the root challenges conservationists face when mitigating conflicts. Researchers bring up an interesting perspective in identifying the wolves as a cultural keystone species (“culturally salient species that shape in a major way the cultural identity of people, as reflected in the fundamental roles a species can have”). By doing so they have a better understanding of acknowledging the place and ecological role that wolves play within the places they inhabit. Researchers suggest that discourses both prevent demonization or idealization of the wolf species will change the symbol they represent. As a result, they expect to see a change that results in more positive aspects being highlighted and facilitating more coexistence. The findings and conclusions made by the researchers will help both introduce the history of how the perception of wolves has changed over time and how it relates to the coexistence of humans and wolves. While also highlighting the need to change these perceptions in order to create a better relationship that will help conservationists in their efforts to save the wolf species.

Almarcha, Francisco, et al. “Symbols, Wolves and Conflicts.” Biological Conservation, vol. 275, Nov. 2022, p. 109756, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109756 . Accessed 1 Dec. 2022.

"The Challenges of Success: Future Wolf Conservation and Management in the United States"

In the research article” the Challenges of Success: Future wolf conservation and management in the United State”, researchers David Audband, from the University of Idaho and David Mech, from the University of Minnesota delve in to the recovery of the the gray wolf in the US in the past 30 years but look at why success has not grown more than anticipated. By analyzing how wolves colonize human- dominated landscapes, researchers look into how aspects such as fragmented landscapes, barriers to dispersal and more encounters with domesticated animals and humans have made conflicts rise between wolves and humans. They do so by looking at the society challenged conservationist face as they claim the predictability of colonization and dispersal dynamics will help reduce disease transmission and mitigate conflicts between the human world and the wolf world. Although they look into the scientific approaches to protecting wolves, researchers delve into social challenges, such as building wolf populations while satisfying stakeholders, the disinterest in nature building an intolerance for wolves and how to work with stakeholders to avoid a decree in legislative initiatives. Their analysis found that by researchers being able to predict wolf dispersal patterns, managers can better understand what places to recolonize wolves. They found that producing methods to deter conflict between domesticated livestock will both keep the wolves alive while also keeping a better relationship between farmers and wolves. Finally, they largely conclude that the social challenges that face the perception of wolves can easily be addressed by better outreach about wolves' role in the ecosystem and their value if their lives continue to be prioritized in conservation efforts.

David E Ausband, L David Mech, The challenges of success: Future wolf conservation and

management in the United States, BioScience, Volume 73, Issue 8, August 2023,

Pages 587–591, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad053

"Deflating Myths about Gray Wolves (Canis Lupus) In the Midwest, USA: A Unifying

In the Master Degree essay “Deflating Myths about Gray Wolves (Canis Lupus) in the Midwest, USA” Jordyn O’Gara, from the University of Minnesota, deflates the “problematic” myths about the wolf by using scientific and environmental theories, along with social behavioral change. Gara’s project looks into four different myths, : (1) wolves are dangerous to people, (2) wolves will devastate the local deer herd, (3) wolves are a major threat to the livestock industry, and (4) dogs are not safe in areas occupied by wolves. Although it would be merely impossible for me to read and evaluate all of the content in the masters project, Gara introduces the significance of addressing these myths in the means of gray wolf management failing due to these myths within the US. They do so by addressing how these myths have directly impacted the different regions within the US and how some programs have changed the attitudes towards wolves have resulted in a positive impact on their population, especially in the Midwest. The extensive look of history and approach to these myths will enhance both the existence of these myths and solidify how a curriculum change in the way the wolves are perceived will improve the relationship between humans and wolves. Not only that but the they made educated assumptions on how these perceptions of wolves has negatively impacted their safety in history and how it continues with failed legislation

O'gara, Jordyn, et al. Deflating Myths about Gray Wolves (Canis Lupus) in the Midwest, USA: A Unifying. 2022.

Research that proves the best solutions for wolf conservation

"Effects of Semantics in the Study of Tolerance for Wolves"

In the research study “Effects of semantics in the study of tolerance for wolves'' researchers, Shelby Carlson, Alia Dietsch, Kristina Slagle, and Brukotter look at the role human thought and behaviors play in the “persistence of biodiversity across the globe. To answer their research question, they defined the inconsistent use of terms, such as attitude to explore the difference in the things that drive people's responses to different contexts, specifically the gray wolf. Meaning what exactly? By looking at sic concepts (acceptance, benefits, attitudes, risks, behavior, and behavioral intentions) that are used in social sciences, they were able to underscore the differences that lay in the implications conservationists face in their decision-making processes. Researchers highlight how an inconsistent application of social science concepts can be very problematic in creating a better understanding of public perception and behavior toward wolves. Thus with the combination of looking at the relationship of key indicators of tolerance and independent variables (demographics, residency, social and political identity, and wildlife value), researchers were able to point out how these concepts are foundational and essential when analyzing conservation decision making. They collected data from a random poll of adults over the age of 8, asking a series of questions that answered each area of interest with a combination of short answers and to-scale questions. This research helps my understanding of the decision-making process and why gray wolf populations are more vulnerable in different places in the world. Why? Researchers highlighted how conservation efforts depend both on the biological landscape along the socio-political landscape in which they inhabit. As a result, they advise that to have more effective conservation efforts, groups should focus on identifying community groups that they can collaborate with, especially groups who are already focused on the lives of wolves.

Carlson, Shelby, et al. Effect of Semantics in the Study of Tolerance for Wolves. 13 Sep. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14003. Accessed 19 May 2023.

"Recovery of Gray Wolves in the Great Lakes Region of the United States"

In the book, “Recovery of Gray Wolves in the Great Lakes Region of the United States’ authors Pamela Troxell and Karylm Berg recognize that highlighting the value of wolves within the world allows more people to better identify with the benefits of protecting their lives. iIn chapter 19, they focus on the different approaches to educating about wolves, with a combination of personal experiences and research. Accessing their different analysis they highlight how the focus on how to live with wolves in order to minimize human conflicts creates and helps maintain long term viability of growing wolf populations in the Great Lake. But in order for Thailand to happen, they point out how there is a need for biologists to better communicate their findings with the public in order for everyone to have the same base of knowledge about how wolves live and how their population continues to change. However, it is then the responsibility of educators to seek out this information and make it more digestible for stakeholders who hold the lives of wolves in their hands. One program that accomplished this well was the Wildlife Science center, which provides a space for researchers and managers to have a relationship with educators to discover new findings on wolf management and continue to disseminate research. Not only that but they incorporate different facets of wolf research, including the historical, biological and cultural value the wolf has sustained in the environment over time. In this chapter, authors highlight both the success and failure to connect the general population with information pertaining to the gray wolf. However , it is more important to note the significant impact of keeping the community informed in conservation efforts.

Troxell, Pamela S, et al. “Education and Outreach Efforts in Support of Wolf Conservation in the Great Lakes Region.” Springer EBooks, 1 Jan. 2009, pp. 297–309, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-85952-1_19. Accessed 6 Feb. 2024.

"Why the Gray Wolf Needs Endangered Species Act Protection"

Although this is not a research article. The knowledgeable Editor in zChief of Environment.co, Jane Marsh delves into the role that the states play in protecting the gray wolf. She begins by painting the decrease in population the wolf has experienced since they were removed off the endangered species list, down 6000. By doing so, despite conservation efforts, the gray wolf has become one of the main targets in the excessive killing of wildlife in the US. In the states of Montana, Utah and Idah, wolves have been targeted the most. Including the use of sing wolf bounties. Even more special lutering after the declaration of the first legal hunting of wolf season in Wisconsin, led to a total of 218 dead wolves - with nor respect of legal limits. She highlights that even in the time they were on the endangered species list they continued to be targeted, however by removing them states have now turned into “hot beds' ' for the malls killing wolves in the United states. Marsh further elaborates on the critical role wolves play in maintaining balanced ecosystems, which allows other animals to thrive in the areas they inhabit. Her article consolidates the dangers wolves face and underscores the need for them to remain on the endangered species list. Through cause-and-effect analysis, Marsh enables readers to better understand the states' roles in the diminishing wolf population.

ESC. “Why the Gray Wolf Needs Endangered Species Act Protection.” Endangered Species Coalition, 1 June 2022, www.endangered.org/why-the-gray-wolf-needs-endangered-species-act-protection/.