About this Research Topic
Understanding the processes shaping ecological communities under multiple disturbances is a crucial challenge in ecology and conservation biology and amongst domestic animals, the domestic cat, Felis catus, is widely considered to be one of the most serious threats to wildlife conservation. In many areas, free-ranging domestic cats are the most abundant predators of small vertebrates. In addition to this, free-ranging domestic cats are a detriment to wildlife and humans by preying on native species and aiding in the transmission of disease.
Domestic cat populations stand out due to their exceptionally high densities, especially in built up areas, which are usually unmatched by native predators. Accurate data on cat abundance, including how cats are distributed across heterogeneous human-dominated landscapes, are necessary for developing effective management strategies.
In this Research Topic, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution is looking to address key aspects of the impacts that domestic cats have on wildlife, in order to promote the discussion around this topic and to facilitate knowledge dissemination. By understanding the spectrum of wild vertebrates that may be killed by free-ranging domestic cats, results can also be considered within the context of their conservation status and IUCN threat category. We welcome papers from around the globe, in a range of environments (urban and rural), to help understand how the consequences of free-ranging domestic cats vary in different settings.
We welcome submissions on the following topics (non-exhaustive list):
• Studies investigating the ecological impacts of domestic cat activity in all settings (prey choice, territorial dynamics, disease dynamics, etc.)
• Methods mitigating the impacts of domestic cats on wildlife
Domestic cat populations stand out due to their exceptionally high densities, especially in built up areas, which are usually unmatched by native predators. Accurate data on cat abundance, including how cats are distributed across heterogeneous human-dominated landscapes, are necessary for developing effective management strategies.
In this Research Topic, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution is looking to address key aspects of the impacts that domestic cats have on wildlife, in order to promote the discussion around this topic and to facilitate knowledge dissemination. By understanding the spectrum of wild vertebrates that may be killed by free-ranging domestic cats, results can also be considered within the context of their conservation status and IUCN threat category. We welcome papers from around the globe, in a range of environments (urban and rural), to help understand how the consequences of free-ranging domestic cats vary in different settings.
We welcome submissions on the following topics (non-exhaustive list):
• Studies investigating the ecological impacts of domestic cat activity in all settings (prey choice, territorial dynamics, disease dynamics, etc.)
• Methods mitigating the impacts of domestic cats on wildlife
Keywords: domestic cat, ecological impacts, invasive predators
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
