Olfactory misinformation: creating “fake news” to reduce problem foraging by wildlife

Abstract

Finding food is a key motivator of animal behavior and underpins an increasing number of conservation and wildlife management challenges. Introduced predators threaten many vulnerable native species, and some native predators are problematic for declining prey species. Likewise, browsing by native and introduced herbivores threatens endangered plant species, undermines habitat restoration efforts, and alters plant communities. Mammalian predators and herbivores use olfactory information to forage efficiently, pursuing cues that are useful and ignoring those that are not. Here, we present the theoretical basis for why olfactory misinformation should alter foraging decisions and provide compelling evidence that supports the theory. Drawing on this theory and evidence of the success of olfactory misinformation where it has been applied to date, we propose that there is enormous scope for its application more broadly in conservation and wildlife management. Such an approach offers a robust behavioral alternative for protecting valued plants and prey species that are otherwise vulnerable to foraging mammals.

Olfactory misinformation provides refuge to palatable plants from mammalian browsing

“…Defining odour information is crucial to understanding its role in plant-herbivore interactions, in foraging, and more broadly in any ecological interactions mediated by odour. It could also be crucial for developing new ways to manage problem browsing 14 . For example, strategically designed artificial odours could be exploited to inform herbivores, altering their foraging decisions and nudging them away from valued plants.…”

“…For example, strategically designed artificial odours could be exploited to inform herbivores, altering their foraging decisions and nudging them away from valued plants. Deploying informative odours in place of real plants sends a deceptive message and hence is a form of olfactory misinformation 14,15 .…”