A review of depredation modelling across terrestrial and marine realms: State of the art and future directions

Depredation has become a major concern worldwide as it jeopardises both socio-economic activities and species conservation. While modelling can help to inform the management of these conflicts, effectiveness may be hampered by the complexity of interactions that depredation generates within socio-ecological systems. Based on a systematic literature review, we summarised current practices and identified major gaps and research priorities for depredation modelling. We found that 74% of reviewed studies used statistical models to quantify depredation levels, identify environmental or anthropogenic factors influencing these levels or assess the effectiveness of specific mitigation measures. Only 8% of studies used models incorporating elements related to the three main entities involved in depredation: human activity, depredating species and depredated resource. Such integrated modelling approaches are however crucial to comprehensively assess management trade-offs. We highlighted future research priorities to comprehensively model depredation and inform the management of human-wildlife conflicts. •We carried out a systematic review to identify relevant approaches to study specific aspects of depredation through modelling.•We found statistical models to be predominantly used.•We identified the main factors driving depredation modelling efforts.•We provided recommendations for effective depredation modelling.•We highlighted research priorities to comprehensively model depredation.