Wolf Predation on White‐tailed Deer Before, During, and After a Historically Mild Winter in Northern Minnesota DOI Creative Commons
Thomas D. Gable, Austin T. Homkes, Joseph K. Bump

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT In many southern boreal ecosystems of North America, wolves are the primary predators white‐tailed deer, and deer prey wolves. Furthermore, wolf–deer systems have will continue to become more common as range continues expanding northward in America. Despite this, there is little information on kill rates (i.e., number killed per wolf unit time)—a fundamental metric predation deer—and how vary with density, environmental conditions. We estimated before, during, after a historically mild winter Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, Minnesota, USA. Kill were low (0.009–0.018 deer/wolf/day) fall, peaked February (0.050 deer/wolf/day), quickly declined 0 deer/wolf/day by April. The we observed some lowest that been documented. Wolves Ecosystem appeared unable catch sufficient meet their daily energetic requirements during Winter 2023–2024, thus most likely lost weight winter, period when typically peak physical condition. be well below those needed decrease population density GVE. Thus, our work, combination numerous other studies, indicates conditions driver change northern climates.

Language: Английский

Density‐dependent responses of moose to hunting and landscape change DOI Creative Commons
Mateen Hessami, Robert Serrouya, Clayton T. Lamb

et al.

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract In many areas of the boreal forests and temperate mountains Canada, resource extraction activities have created forage conditions that are favourable to growth moose ( Alces alces ) populations. turn, these increased populations buoy abundance wolves Canis lupus ), which then negative impacts on caribou Rangifer tarandus Consequently, been declining where extraction, moose, occur. To abate unsustainable predation pressure by wolves, hunting quota was expanded for 17 years reduce stabilize population in Revelstoke Valley, British Columbia, Canada. However, a reduction forestry activity paired with habitat protections slowed early seral favour moose. both hunter‐caused mortality loss may contributing observed declines occurred during this period. Within changing regulatory biophysical landscape, we sought address two research objectives. First, evaluated how increasing influenced total yield harvested animals. We expected density‐dependent responses would bolster number harvestable animals landscape. Second, tested different forest harvest scenarios might influence habitat, wolf densities, thus rates into future decades. used data from GPS collars (39 individuals), eight aerial surveys, hunter statistics, estimates carrying capacity thresholds, records. The latter series spanned 1961–2020 informed selection function calculations our first objective as well predictive modelling second objective. Between 2003 2020, found amounts declined 44.8%. There were 42% more under quotas than projected be simulated status quo quota. As stabilized, higher recruitment (e.g. calf:cow ratios) further contributed Our simulations indicated only harvesting scenario low enough 2040 cease entirely 2020. Practical implication: an mitigated effects caribou, aided recovery, struck balance also provided food security recreational opportunities harvesters.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Coexisting with large carnivores based on the Volterra principle DOI Creative Commons
Mark S. Boyce, C. Carpentier, John D. C. Linnell

et al.

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Abstract Coexistence with large carnivores represents one of the world's highest profile conservation challenges. Ecologists have identified ecological benefits derived from (and herbivores), yet livestock depredation, perceived competition for shared game, risks to pets and humans, social conflicts often lead demands reduction predator numbers a range stakeholder groups. Nearly 100 years ago, Vito Volterra predicted that increased mortality on both prey predators results in abundance decreased predators. This principle appears be robust consistent objectives wildlife management. Although seldom recognized, rarely tested field, is fundamental outcome theory important implications conservation.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Integration of national demographic-disturbance relationships and local data can improve caribou population viability projections and inform monitoring decisions DOI Creative Commons
Josie Hughes, Sarah Endicott, Anna M. Calvert

et al.

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 87, P. 103095 - 103095

Published: March 2, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The Erosion of Threatened Southern Mountain Caribou Migration DOI Creative Commons
Clayton T. Lamb, Robin Steenweg, Robert Serrouya

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Migration enables animals to access seasonally and spatially varying resources, resulting in greater abundance compared analogous non-migratory wildlife. Both Western science Indigenous knowledge recognize the critical role of migration sustaining wildlife; yet these movements are increasingly disrupted by human activity worldwide. Despite their importance, long-term changes migratory patterns for large mammals remain challenging quantify. Therefore, address this gap, we analyzed 35 years (1987-2022) telemetry data southern mountain caribou (n = 2967 animal-years), a threatened population that typically exhibits two main types annual migration. The first type is single horizontal between summer winter ranges, while second twice-per-year vertical high low elevations. We studied extent migration, through time, determined if correlated with landscape disturbance or shifts weather. Our results show reduced duration (2-3 days/decade), distance (6-8 km/decade 15%-25%) elevation change (120-150 m/decade 7%-23% elevational migrants). subpopulations adapted extreme snow depths conducted unique twice year, which globally distinctive among ungulates. However, diminishing elevation. increased disturbance, especially low-elevation ranges. Changes weather did not appear be major driver declines. Declines behaviour occurred concomitantly declines increases processes likely intertwined. rapid loss migrations significant conservation concern could have irreversible consequences social transmission fitness-maximizing behaviors.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Causal attribution from retrospective data in Canada's woodland caribou system DOI Creative Commons
Steven F. Wilson

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(3)

Published: April 1, 2025

Forecasting the benefits of management interventions intended to improve ecological conditions requires a causal understanding factors that lead system change. The attribution factor is defined as difference between outcome observed in presence and would have been factor's absence, is, counterfactual condition. Estimating this contrast relatively straightforward, where matched or randomized controls are available approximate However, researchers must reason retrospectively from observational data not available. In case, challenge establishing estimating true counterfactual, resulted absence factor, given it was present. Causal analysis permits estimation counterfactuals data, assuming model captures all common causes exposure outcome, independent other (i.e., exogenous), same directional change for units monotonic). I estimated habitat-related recruitment rates Canada's boreal population woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Aggregate habitat disturbance had low (17.6%). Attribution greater (29.5%) when disaggregated into different associated with pathways decline. considered nevertheless rarely exceeded 50%, suggesting there systematic and/or stochastic can limit effectiveness current recovery actions. More effort required understand these how they might be managed probability successful recovery.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Restoring historical moose densities results in fewer wolves killed for woodland caribou conservation DOI Creative Commons
Michelle L. McLellan, Adam T. Ford,

Dave Hervieux

et al.

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 23, 2024

Abstract Woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) are declining across much of their distribution in Canada response to habitat alteration, leading unsustainable predation, particularly by wolves Canis lupus ). Habitat alteration can benefit the primary prey species (moose [ Alces alces ] and deer Odocoileus spp.]) creating early seral conditions that contain more preferred food types. This increase populations results elevated wolf abundance heightened predation pressure on caribou. In risks caribou, managers have reduced key areas. Ecological theory suggests reducing would release moose from top‐down effects potentially allowing grow. Elevated thus has potential cause rebound quickly each year following reductions, suggesting a possible link between number killed for conservation. To test this idea we used unique management situation British Columbia Alberta, Canada, where lethal removals were annually conducted specific southern mountain population ranges and, some places, concurrently via liberalized hunting. We indices removal data hypothesis historical target hunting leads fewer After controlling quality, removed per km 2 was 3.2 times lower areas with density = 1.55 wolves/1,000 ± 0.33 [SE]) than those without 5.02 0.52). However, average decreased under both conditions. 9 years, there 35% reduction predicted difference annual reduction. Our suggest policies do not reduce or stabilize will result abundance. Like reductions also be controversial affect local harvesters. Thus, understanding consequences actions support recovery is essential supporting evidence‐based policy discussions.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Wolf Predation on White‐tailed Deer Before, During, and After a Historically Mild Winter in Northern Minnesota DOI Creative Commons
Thomas D. Gable, Austin T. Homkes, Joseph K. Bump

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT In many southern boreal ecosystems of North America, wolves are the primary predators white‐tailed deer, and deer prey wolves. Furthermore, wolf–deer systems have will continue to become more common as range continues expanding northward in America. Despite this, there is little information on kill rates (i.e., number killed per wolf unit time)—a fundamental metric predation deer—and how vary with density, environmental conditions. We estimated before, during, after a historically mild winter Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, Minnesota, USA. Kill were low (0.009–0.018 deer/wolf/day) fall, peaked February (0.050 deer/wolf/day), quickly declined 0 deer/wolf/day by April. The we observed some lowest that been documented. Wolves Ecosystem appeared unable catch sufficient meet their daily energetic requirements during Winter 2023–2024, thus most likely lost weight winter, period when typically peak physical condition. be well below those needed decrease population density GVE. Thus, our work, combination numerous other studies, indicates conditions driver change northern climates.

Language: Английский

Citations

0