Conceptual and methodological advances in habitat‐selection modeling: guidelines for ecology and evolution

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 32(1)

Published: Oct. 9, 2021

Abstract Habitat selection is a fundamental animal behavior that shapes wide range of ecological processes, including movement, nutrient transfer, trophic dynamics and population distribution. Although habitat has been focus studies for decades, technological, conceptual methodological advances over the last 20 yr have led to surge in addressing this process. Despite substantial literature focused on quantifying habitat‐selection patterns animals, there marked lack guidance best analytical practices. The foundations most commonly applied modeling frameworks can be confusing even those well versed their application. Furthermore, yet synthesis made yr. Therefore, need both current state knowledge selection, seeking study Here, we provide an approachable overview analyses (HSAs) conducted using functions, which are by far framework understanding This review purposefully non‐technical without heavy mathematical statistical notation, confuse many practitioners. We offer history HSAs, describing tortuous path our understanding. Through overview, also aim address areas greatest confusion literature. synthesize outlining exciting field modeling, discussing evolutionary inference contemporary techniques. paper clarity navigating complex HSAs while acting as reference practices guide

Language: Английский

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Scale-sensitivity in the measurement and interpretation of environmental niches

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(6), P. 554 - 567

Published: Feb. 15, 2023

Species environmental niches are central to ecology, evolution, and global change research, but their characterization interpretation depend on the spatial scale (specifically, grain) of measurement. We find that grain niche measurement is usually uninformed by ecological processes varies orders magnitude. illustrate consequences this variation for volume, position, shape estimates, discuss how it interacts with geographic range size, habitat specialization, heterogeneity. Spatial significantly affects study breadth, suitability, tracking, climate effects. These other fields will benefit from a more mechanism-informed choice cross-grain evaluations integrate different data sources.

Language: Английский

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A model‐based hypothesis framework to define and estimate the diel niche via the ‘Diel.Niche’ R package

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(2), P. 132 - 146

Published: Jan. 12, 2024

How animals use the diel period (24-h light-dark cycle) is of fundamental importance to understand their niche. While ecological and evolutionary literature abound with discussion phenotypes (e.g. diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular, cathemeral), they lack clear explicit quantitative definitions. As such, inference can be confounded when evaluating hypotheses animal niche switching or plasticity across studies because researchers may operating under different definitions phenotypes. We propose using four alternative hypothesis sets (maximizing, traditional, general selection) aimed at achieving objectives. Each set composed mutually exclusive defined based on activity probabilities in three periods light availability (twilight, daytime night-time). develop a Bayesian modelling framework that compares phenotype Bayes factors estimates model parameters multinomial linear inequality constraints. Model comparison, parameter estimation visualizing results done Diel.Niche R package. A simplified Shiny web application also available. provide extensive simulation guide power discriminate among for range sample sizes (10-1280). work through several examples data make inferences activity, include online vignettes how demonstrate our complements other analyses, such as circular kernel density estimators movement modelling. Our aim encourage standardization language bridge conceptual frameworks research models. Lastly, we hope more focuses conservation understanding time.

Language: Английский

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Human access constrains optimal foraging and habitat availability in an avian generalist

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(3)

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Abstract Animals balance costs of antipredator behaviors with resource acquisition to minimize hunting and other mortality risks maximize their physiological condition. This inherent trade‐off between forage abundance, its quality, risk is intensified in human‐dominated landscapes because fragmentation, habitat loss, degradation natural vegetation communities often coupled artificially enhanced (i.e., food plots), creating high‐risk, high‐reward selection decisions. Our goal was evaluate autumn–winter trade‐offs for an intensively hunted avian generalist. We hypothesized human access a reliable cue predation risk. Therefore, we predicted patterns would be spatiotemporally dependent upon levels associated perceived Specifically, evaluated local‐scale flights diel periods 426 mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) relative wetland type, differing across nonhunting seasons. Mallards selected areas that prohibited generally avoided allowed diurnally, especially during the season. compensated by selecting high‐energy greater quality foraging patches on allowable nocturnally when they were devoid hunters. Postseason gradients did not return prehunting immediately, perhaps suggesting delayed response reacclimate nonhunted activities thus agreeing assessment mismatch hypothesis. Last, availability constrained optimal seed biomass productivity) diurnally preseason season, respectively; however, freed from these constraints season postseason periods. results suggest risk‐avoidance accessible hunted) primary driver could local landscape‐level process influencing distributions, instead abundance which has long‐been assumed waterfowl conservation planners North America. Broadly, even generalist, well adapted anthropogenic landscapes, avoids where are allowed. Future planning implementation must consider management recreational people) equally important as wintering waterfowl.

Language: Английский

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Bridging the Gap Between Lagrangian and Eulerian Species Distribution Models for Abundance Estimation—A Simulation Experiment

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 5, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim In mobile species, individual movement decisions based on biotic and abiotic conditions determine how individuals interact with the environment, heterospecifics conspecifics. Accordingly, these underpin all ecological principles structure broader spatial patterns at population species level. Species distribution models (SDMs) are therefore paramount in ecology, implications for both fundamental applied studies. There many robust SDM techniques, from individual‐scale (Lagrangian) to population‐scale (Eulerian) models. Their outputs routinely support wildlife management, conservation, or risk assessments. Yet, it remains unclear whether SDMs built scales infer same processes, distributions they predict comparable. Here, we address this key question a simulation exercise. Location Virtual environment. Taxon species. Methods First, simulated movements of two highly one central‐place forager free ranger. Second, surveyed individual‐scale, replicating Lagrangian studies by tracking movements, population‐scale, Eulerian surveys censusing study area standardised protocols. The resulting data were analysed following well‐established statistical methods assess abundance distribution. We used Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) Density Surface Models (DSMs) data. Results Main Conclusions Both adequately estimated species' relationship environmental conditions. Although some fine‐scale differences occurred, perspectives yielded correlated (correlations 0.8–1.0 between pairs models), successfully predicted true 0.6–0.7 distribution). Our results demonstrate that statistically consistent directly comparable, which is great importance conservation science. This provides crucial guidance combination predictions model types inform planning within wide range management contexts.

Language: Английский

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What do caribou eat? A review of the literature on caribou diet

Canadian Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 100(3), P. 197 - 207

Published: Jan. 5, 2022

Historically, the study of caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1788)) diet has been specific to herds few comprehensive circumpolar analyses Rangifer exist. As a result, certain items may play an outsized role in Zeitgeist, e.g., lichen. We challenge this notion test relevant importance various within context prevailing hypotheses. provide systematic overview 30 studies reporting biologically hypotheses about spatial temporal dietary variation. Our results indicate that winter primarily consume lichen, but warmer seasons when primary productivity is lower, graminoids other vascular plants. In more productive environments, where have competitors predators, consumption lichen increase. Overall, our description reveals it highly variable, circumstances can plants, then they will. climate change affects Boreal Arctic ecosystems, type volume food consumed by become increasingly important focus for conservation management caribou.

Language: Английский

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How to scale up from animal movement decisions to spatiotemporal patterns: An approach via step selection

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 92(1), P. 16 - 29

Published: Nov. 2, 2022

Uncovering the mechanisms behind animal space use patterns is of vital importance for predictive ecology, thus conservation and management ecosystems. Movement a core driver those so understanding how movement give rise to has become an increasingly active area research. This study focuses on particular strand research in this area, based around step selection analysis (SSA). SSA popular way inferring drivers decisions, but, perhaps less well appreciated, it also parametrises model movement. Of key interest that can be propagated forwards time predict over broader spatial temporal scales than pertain proximate decisions animals. Here, we provide guide using various existing techniques scaling up models broad-scale patterns. We practical guidance when which technique, as specific examples together with code R Python. By pulling disparate into one place, providing instructions simple examples, hope highlight these make them accessible wider range ecologists, ultimately helping expand usefulness SSA.

Language: Английский

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Prerequisites for coexistence: human pressure and refuge habitat availability shape continental-scale habitat use patterns of a large carnivore

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(7), P. 1713 - 1728

Published: March 31, 2023

Abstract Context Adjustments in habitat use by large carnivores can be a key factor facilitating their coexistence with people shared landscapes. Landscape composition might determining how adapt to occurring alongside humans, yet broad-scale analyses investigating adjustments of across gradients human pressure and landscape are lacking. Objectives Here, we investigate Eurasian lynx ( Lynx ) response varying availability refuge habitats (i.e., forests rugged terrain) modification. Methods Using tracking dataset including 434 individuals from seven populations, assess functional responses two spatial scales, testing for variation sex, daytime, season. Results We found that more intensively increasing modification selecting most strongly otherwise open landscapes terrain mountainous regions. Moreover, higher forest enabled place home ranges human-modified Human also shaped temporal patterns use, reducing areas during periods high exposure (daytime) or vulnerability (postnatal period) pressure. Conclusions Our findings suggest remarkable adaptive capacity towards underline the importance scales enabling between people. More broadly, highlight determines thus play an important role shaping carnivore distributions.

Language: Английский

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How to account for behavioral states in step-selection analysis: a model comparison

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e16509 - e16509

Published: Feb. 26, 2024

Step-selection models are widely used to study animals’ fine-scale habitat selection based on movement data. Resource preferences and patterns, however, often depend the animal’s unobserved behavioral states, such as resting or foraging. As this is ignored in standard (integrated) step-selection analyses (SSA, iSSA), different approaches have emerged account for states analysis. The performance of these consequences ignoring analysis, rarely been quantified. We evaluate recent idea combining iSSAs with hidden Markov (HMMs), which allows a joint estimation associated state-dependent selection. Besides theoretical considerations, we use an extensive simulation case interactions simultaneously tracked bank voles ( Myodes glareolus ) compare HMM-iSSA empirically both classification-based iSSA (i.e., two-step approach separate prior state classification). Moreover, facilitate its use, implemented basic R package HMMiSSA available GitHub.

Language: Английский

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Research progress on animal habitat constructions from the perspective of urban biodiversity improvement

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 10, 2024

The accelerated urbanization process has caused problems such as habitat loss, isolation, and quality decline, resulting in a sharp reduction the richness abundance of urban species. Constructing suitable environmental conditions is most direct effective way to protect animals. In environment, construction can be achieved by integrating species protection landscape planning, which also an important manifestation biodiversity conservation at ecosystem level. Understanding how incorporate animal habitats into city plan design critical planners would benefit from review that holistically describes steps methods constructions. We conducted highlight space resources network structures. synthesized findings research studies last 20 years illuminate investigation, assessment, planning management habitats. As degradation fragmentation anthropogenic environments, our suggest should consider ecological background suitability strategies four key mitigation alleviate these impacts. This study will provide useful reference improve survival communication. Through this study, consolidated aid sustainable development innovation promote function green harmonious coexistence humans

Language: Английский

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