(Article)
a University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
b University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
b University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Abstract
Management actions concerning free-roaming horses attract controversy in many areas. In the Chilcotin region of British Columbia, Canada, social and cultural values influence debates about management of free-roaming horses and perceptions of their ecological impacts. A dearth of current, empirical research on the role and impacts of horses in local ecosystems results in management decisions being informed largely by studies from other ecoregions and locations, which may not accurately represent local ecological, social, cultural, and economic influences. We initiated the first socio-ecological study of horse sub-populations, their grazing habitat, and past management approaches affecting current conditions in the ?Elegesi Qayuse Wild Horse Preserve in Xeni Gwet’in (Tsilhqot’in) First Nations’ territory. This exploratory study used mixed methods including a review of literature and unpublished data, assessment of vegetation in core grazing habitat, and exploration of local ecological and cultural knowledge and perceptions. Plant community composition and abundance in core grazing habitat of the Wild Horse Preserve are consistent with a structurally sound ecosystem. Socio-cultural factors are important for managers to consider in effective decision-making concerning horse populations. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
Author keywords
Culture; Ecological impact; Feral; Indigenous; Management; Wild horse
Indexed keywords
Engineering controlled terms: Cell culture; Ecology; Ecosystems; Management
British Columbia , Canada; Ecological impacts; Exploratory studies; Feral; Indigenous; Management decisions; Sociocultural factors; Wild horse
Engineering main heading: Decision making
ISSN: 0364152X CODEN: EMNGDSource Type: Journal Original language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0508-yDocument Type: Article
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Funding Details
Acronym; Sponsor: SSHRC; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
