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Published January 30, 2019 | Version v2
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Invasive Siberian chipmunks Eutamias sibiricus in Italy: a socio-ecological analysis indicates that they could, and should, be removed

Creators

  • 1. Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Piazzale dei Marmi 12, 57123, Livorno, Italy. Email: jacopo.cerri@isprambiente.it
  • 2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena. Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy. Email: moriemiliano@tiscali.it.
  • 3. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 11a, 43124, Parma, Italy. Email: zozzoli.rudy@gmail.com.
  • 4. Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Animali e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18, 50144 Firenze, Italy. Email: andrea.gigliotti1988@libero.it
  • 5. Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino FI. Email: antony.chirco@stud.unifi.it.
  • 6. Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy. Email: sandro.bertolino@unito.it.

Description

Eradication of invasive alien species is a form of pest control linked to biodiversity conservation that usually involves killing animals. Squirrels are prominent among invasive alien species in Italy with four species introduced. Three of them are included within the list of alien species of European concern and their eradication and control is recommended. However, their local control is not an easy task, being highly appreciated by the general public. We
propose a socio-ecological approach to evaluate the feasibility of eradicating Siberian chipmunks (Eutamias sibiricus) populations. We performed a structured questionnaire to assess the social perception of invasive Siberian chipmunks in urban parks where they occur and to identify groups of visitors who might oppose eradication. We also carried out geographic profiling to test for the spatial expansion of chipmunk populations. Overall, park visitors regarded chipmunks positively and appreciated to see them, but human-chipmunk interactions were still rare. We did not identify any group of visitors with a strong attachment to chipmunks, who might oppose future control programs. Geographic profiling showed that chipmunks in Valeggio sul Mincio are starting to expand outside of their introduction site. Data from questionnaires show that chipmunks eradication, coupled with adequate communication initiatives, might be feasible. Moreover, geographic profiling indicates that time for a rapid removal is running out. Socio-ecological approaches, combining the analysis of structured questionnaires administered to stakeholders and statistical modeling of pest observations, could be a valuable tool to decide the feasibility and the urgency of invasive pest control.

Notes

This preprint has already been archived on bioRxiv

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Additional details

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