Experimental recreationist noise alters behavior and space use of wildlife

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(13), P. 2997 - 3004.e3

Published: June 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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Mammalian predator and prey responses to recreation and land use across multiple scales provide limited support for the human shield hypothesis

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Outdoor recreation is widespread, with uncertain effects on wildlife. The human shield hypothesis (HSH) suggests that could have differential predators and prey, predator avoidance of humans creating a spatial refuge 'shielding' prey from people. generality the HSH remains to be tested across larger scales, wherein shielding may prove generalizable, or diminish variability in ecological contexts. We combined data 446 camera traps 79,279 sampling days 10 landscapes spanning 15,840 km

Language: Английский

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A Game of Risk: Human Activities Shape Roe Deer Spatial Behavior in Presence of Wolves in the Southwestern Alps

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 115 - 115

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

In human-dominated landscapes, human activities shape prey spatial behavior, creating complex landscapes of risks. We investigated habitat selection roe deer using resource functions in a mountain system located the southwestern Alps, characterized by high presence wolves and disturbance. Our study aimed to assess how interplay hunting, infrastructures, recreational influenced responses inside outside protected area. documented that during hunting period, increased high-wolf-density areas, with strongest effect observed wild boar drive hunts, supporting risk enhancement hypothesis, where avoiding one predator increases exposure another, highlighting temporary yet significant impact on predator–prey dynamics. During period hunt, also showed stronger for proximity buildings, shield hypothesis. Protected areas had an avoidance trails, hiking are more concentrated. findings revealed trade-offs face navigating multiple risks within human-modified important development effective conservation sustainability strategies.

Language: Английский

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Ecological Insights From Camera Trapping Span Biological Taxa, and the Globe

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Camera trap research has grown to encompass the globe, with applications in terrestrial, marine, and aquatic environments. Insights on plant, invertebrate, vertebrate communities are rapidly expanding our knowledge of ecological systems. A technological revolution was launched by advancements camera trapping (Kucera Barrett 2011; O'Connell, Nichols, Karanth 2011). "Trapping" an observation a species its environment at fixed place time allowed scientists sample widening range taxa ecosystems. With application appropriate sampling designs statistical models (Burton et al. 2015), have been able answer questions never before possible. Mammal ecologists were early adopters, taking advantage passive heat-in-motion detectors developed 2000s homeotherms (Finn 2005; Vercauteren, Smith, Stevenson 2005). The development larger memory cards long-lasting power enabled use repeated time-lapse photography for ectotherms vegetation, now insights derived from traps span biological hierarchies. In this special issue Ecology Evolution, we invited camera-trap papers around globe showcase depth breadth applications. We particularly aimed representation global south, which rich heretofore relatively untapped potential compared north (Steenweg 2017; Agha 2018; Fisher 2023; Mugerwa 2024). some great versatility scientific they offer (Figure 1). provide unique into species' behaviour, as allow observations without intrusive effects in-person observer (Caravaggi 2017, 2020). Research aspects such parental investment offspring care, can shed new light. Antarctic, Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) reproduction varies environmental factors, but also degree maternal building nests, limited resources (stones) (McLatchie revealed that occupying nests earlier, resulting earlier clutch initiation, associated high-quality increased reproductive success. Larger advantageous successful breeding, these more likely be created built Environmental factors mediated relationship, innovative study illustrates what emerge future combines behaviour heterogeneity. Behaviour is important part risk avoidance, many studies showing humans impose perceived mammals, even via non-consumptive activities recreation (Taylor Knight 2003; Larson 2016). British Columbia, Canada, Fennell (2023) examined spatiotemporal avoidance eight large mammals alpine protected area. They observed spatial co-occurrence between ungulates consistent human shield hypothesis (Berger 2007), not expected consequent segregation carnivores humans; instead, (and herbivores) temporally displaced recreationists (Fennell 2023). Scaling up (sensu Steenweg (2017)) landscape 10 landscapes across Canadian west, Granados conducted similar analysis. used hierarchical quantify influence (roads logging) ungulate carnivore site use. Across vast heterogeneous space, found support hypothesis, positive negative responses disturbance (Granados signal temporal ran contrary predictions, overlap people deer road density. Such macroecological studies—made possible networking arrays (Gallo 2019; Fidino 2021; Barnas 2024)–are revealing much about large-scale departures phenomena smaller scales. Territorial defence another behavioural mechanism minimised, sometimes means scent-marking. Previously, most scent-marking focused transmitting individual, receivers harder observe; filled gap. northern Botswana, latrines scent-marked African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) classify behaviours sniffing (less aggressive response) or overmarking (aggressive (Claase Wild exhibited "dear enemy" response competitors, less neighbours than strangers. This changed increasing size responding pack, switching strongly neighbour scent marks ("nasty hypothesis") Animals' activity pattern component illuminated traps, continuously through diel cycle (Frey 2017). Rhode Island, USA, Mayer multi-state occupancy-modelling framework informed data investigate how 14 mammal responded anthropogenic development. All respect magnitude season, illustrating plasticity trait, adaptation (Mayer body complexity species-human interactions their changing contexts, marked challenge coming century. One greatest strengths ability observe multiple syntopic simultaneously (Rovero Zimmermann 2016)–as opposed GPS collars, typically restricted one two species. Thus, community composition like before; being done regions previously rarely researched. Nepal, Regmi native occurrence forest cover livestock detections while declining proximity settlements. provided 15 studied species, including blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) giant flying squirrels (Petaurista magnificus) relationships diverse understudied region (Regmi South Africa, live uneasy coexistence, competing subject intraguild mortality. placed elephant (Loxodonta Africana) carcasses association shared peak periods black-backed jackals (Lupulella mesomelas) spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), indicating resource sharing (Honiball Conversely, analysis showed lions (Panthera leo), suggesting latter dominates scavenging opportunities. Parsing apart dominance dynamics key area investigation facilitated Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, van den Bosch aardwolves (Proteles cristata) aardvarks (Orycteropus afer)—both nocturnal insectivores—to examine competitors. fact, multispecies occupancy modelling high evidence commensals: increase food accessibility (van Mozambique's Gorongosa Grabowski, Phillips, Gaynor (2024) explore patterns niche partitioning among mesocarnivores: large-spotted genet (Genetta maculata), civet (Civettictis civetta), honey badger (Mellivora capensis), marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus). Statistical analyses no and, indicated civets mongooses, competition syntopy different diets (Grabowski, Differing outcomes ecosystems reveal ways strategies affect coexistence. Many modern contain invasive major threat biodiversity (Rosenzweig 2001). Tianjin, China, Li generalised additive mixed see (Canis lupus familiaris Felis silvestris) three indigenous (Siberian weasels, Mustela sibirica; Amur hedgehogs Erinaceus amurensis, Tolai hares, Lepus tolai) densities along gradient urbanisation. Densities cats, urbanisation, green spaces urban areas predictors density (Li 2023)–a critical finding when growing (Seto Simkin 2022). urbanisation effect Australia Alting dingoes dingo). sought dispersion suggests concentrated should shrink home-range sizes. Both corroborated dingoes, subsidies (Alting 2024), repercussions Australian non-native diversity (Johnson, Isaac, 2007). Prior predator–prey ecology largely radiocollar predation rates predator prey (or both) observed. discern until capability bridged design how–for example–anthropogenic extraction affects predators space time. Boczulak deployed western Alberta, Canada wolves lupus) avoid features extraction, presumably due risk—unless occur those patches, point switch strong selection features. interaction novel availability understanding respond change (Boczulak cougars (Puma concolor) eastern Cougars positively only prey—particularly snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) (Gaston Invasive white-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) played discernible role, defying predictions difficult it extrapolate conclusions within same guild. Scavenging, case interactions, prime research, yield competition. northeastern Norway, Lacombe asymmetric Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) red vulpes) sites supplied carrion. tended occupied heterospecific, either clearly benefitting. Geographic variation rodent (prey) abundance affected dynamics, yielding delicate interplay potentially cold systems (Lacombe There inherent trapping, so threatened endangered Mortality always concern, moreover, catchability often declines rarity. non-invasive sampler rare United Kingdom (UK), Shannon, Valle, Shuttleworth monitor squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) populations, image-capture rate correlated well live-capture rate. identify characteristics greater inform conservation planning, crucial UK's deforested (Shannon, Climate generate wholesale changes distributions (Pereira, Navarro, Martins 2012), devoted adapt (Boutin Lane 2014). Among pelage primary variably snowy environments, arise whether phenological mismatches snow may occur. Stokes network mountain hare timidus) coat colour climatic gradients. Mountain higher latitudes altitudes retained winter white coats longer did lower altitudes. Moreover, coastal climates inland variable conditions (Stokes spans marine well, continuous video feed commonly "trap" (Willis, Millar, Babcock 2000; Whitmarsh, Fairweather, Huveneers Bulger, Volpe, 2019). Red Sea coral reef, Lilkendey feeding mechanics foraging energy expenditure herbivorous brown surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) yellowtail tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum). Here, "camera trapping" included remote underwater stereo processed AI-driven recognition, classification, 3D tracking. exerted grazing pressure reef spite low biomass. Brown specialist strategy, tangs generalist differentiation maintaining efficiency. combination assisting technologies showcases revolutionary biotic sensing environments (Lilkendey Exciting opportunities lay land-water interface. Sullivan, Rittenhouse, Vokoun cold-water patches riverine These refuges aggregators fish seeking thermal refuges, there become susceptible Avian mammalian pervasive concentrate (Sullivan, southern Mexico, Delgado-Martínez ephemeral water bodies birds seasonally dry tropical forests. surface pools tree holes recorded behaviour. Terrestrial preferentially bodies, whereas arboreal scansorial small medium common bodies; complementary sources thus facilitate gamma (Delgado-Martínez Finland, Holopainen artificial (with eggs) wetlands ground-nesting boreal ducks. Predation surrounded agricultural land forested land. Shoreline had further away contribute duck population Finland (Holopainen summary, work illuminates importance spanning interface, ripe discoveries. Homeothermic focus taxonomic camera-based inquiry expanded greatly frequent timelapse photos. plant phenology (Hofmeester 2020; Sun 2021) plant-insect (Naqvi 2022) very holds exciting potential. California, Simokat pollinator endemic Encinitas baccharis (Baccharis vanessae). focal compare efficacy methods. discovered attended insect groups. Focal underreported approximately half images too low-resolution visually Cameras benefit recording activity; however, dominated Lepidopterans (Simokat study, Gao ground-facing imagery soil-dwelling invertebrate China. quantifying Formicidae, Diplopoda, Gastropoda, Araneae, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Chilopoda, Oligochaeta. Like scale problems (Levin 1992), abundance, richness, all quite sensitive frame (shooting area), authors effective protocol (Gao As image resolution increases gets cheaper, sure accelerate near future. field nascent endeavour, having newly evolved natural philosophy biogeography parentage past It still developing coherent theoretical framework, suffers scale, middle-number problems, lack unified theories, general laws (Peters 1991; Levin 1992; Lawton 1999; Allen Starr Nonetheless, march on, daily inexorably accumulate. plays role discoveries fast world. networks researchers citizen pooling data, scaling local continental scope 2017) efforts Snapshot USA (Kays 2022), Canada's WildCAM 2023), Safari (Pardo 2021). will scales help us concepts system function. Evolution promote endeavours continuing publish highlight camera-trapping papers, adding virtual online. Jason T. Fisher: conceptualization (lead), project administration software visualization (supporting), writing – original draft review editing (lead). Thanks & editors-in-chief, Drs. Moore, Andrew Beckerman, Gareth Jenkins, especially Marcus Lashley Arley Muth, contributions revisions. thanks, associate editors reviewers who gave generously make peer-review process successful. Jeff Dixon illustrated Figure 1 under direction licence JTF. funded JTF work. author declares conflicts interest. nothing report.

Language: Английский

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Dynamics of human-ungulate interactions in a high-visitation alpine area

Human-Animal Interactions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 7, 2025

Abstract Humans engaging in outdoor recreational activities can inadvertently introduce salts and minerals into natural environments, attracting wild ungulates to trails parking areas, which increases the risk of disease transmission negative human-wildlife interactions. This study aimed understand drivers these interactions identify potential mitigation strategies. We employed an interdisciplinary approach combining social science ecological research at a public mountain park Colorado, USA. Our methods included visitor surveys assess motivations for visits beliefs about safe wildlife viewing distances, alongside observational studies between visitors bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) goats Oreamnos americanus ). also measured mineral concentrations visitor-use such as restrooms, compared habitats, monitored ungulate behavior related surfaces. Results indicated that while 85% believed it was unsafe animals within 15 feet, over 70% did so during observations. Mineral were found be 2–6 times higher areas designated than suggesting high may attract closer human activity. findings highlight complex interplay attraction, pose risks both humans ungulates. propose several strategies managers, including targeted messaging, shuttle system, modification or removal certain structures, provision licks outside high-traffic enhance safety alpine recreation zones.

Language: Английский

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Reduced human disturbance increases diurnal activity in wolves, but not Eurasian lynx

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 53, P. e02985 - e02985

Published: May 15, 2024

Wildlife in the Anthropocene is increasingly constrained both spatially and temporally by lethal non-lethal human disturbance. For large carnivores with extensive space requirements, like wolves Eurasian lynx, avoiding disturbance European landscapes challenging when sufficient low rarely available. Consequently, investigating behavioural adjustments to presence critical understanding capacity adapt We hypothesised that under conditions, would adjust their temporal behaviours make use of daytime, daytime high, they opt for nocturnality. Using camera trap data from nine study sites along a gradient disturbance, we analysed wolf lynx nocturnality diel activity patterns. Our spanned multiple years 2014 – 2022, focused analysis on September until April, most carnivore monitoring takes place. wolves, our revealed i) increased nocturnal activity, ii) decreased diurnal overlap iii) significant association between probability increasing found iv) consistently across all sites, regardless v) no be active during night. results show can or cathemeral but quickly shift increases. however, maintain behaviour, which attribute principal hunting strategy stalk ambush. If constrains nighttime, it could lead changes interactions prey. On other hand, maintaining human-dominated may beneficial conservation, decreasing thereby contributing landscape coexistence.

Language: Английский

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Lethal wolf control elicits change in moose habitat selection in unexpected ways

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 88(7)

Published: July 11, 2024

Abstract Moose ( Alces alces ) and woodland caribou Ranger tarandus are the 2 large prey species for wolves Canis lupus in Nearctic boreal forest North America. Caribou have declined, with widespread anthropogenic disturbance as ultimate cause wolf predation proximal cause. To conserve government of Alberta, Canada initiated a control program to reduce rates on populations contribute population recovery. Predators play an important role shaping structure function ecosystems through top‐down forces. We hypothesized that strongest factors influencing moose occurrences would reflect changes risk before after onset control. weighed evidence competing hypothesis by deploying cameras across highly industrialized landscape Alberta 3 years (2017–2020), capitalizing existing data (2011–2014). created generalized linear models representing hypotheses about response natural features control, examining support each information‐theoretic framework. Prior model containing providing security cover was best‐supported, but this scale‐dependent. After offer increased forage opportunities best‐supported. Unexpectedly, direction effect often opposite predictions, avoiding some thought provide forage. demonstrate lethal predator affects spatial distribution its primary ways we do not fully comprehend, highlighting need better understanding community dynamics following

Language: Английский

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Advancements in monitoring: a comparison of traditional and application-based tools for measuring outdoor recreation

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

ABSTRACT Outdoor recreation has experienced a boom in recent years. While outdoor provides wide-ranging benefits to human well-being and is an important feature of many protected non-protected areas, there are growing concerns about the sustainability with increased pressures placed on ecological systems visitor experiences. These emphasize need for managers access accurate timely data at scales that match footprint. Here, we compare spatial temporal patterns winter summer use using traditional application-based tools across Columbia Canadian Rocky Mountains western Canada. We demonstrate how can be estimated tools, although their accuracy utility varies space, season activity type. Cameras counters captured similar broad-scale count estimates pedestrians all activities. Application-based provided detailed spatiotemporal information use, but datasets were biased towards specific types did not represent full population. For instance, Strava Metro was more suited capturing biking than pedestrian recreation. Traditional including aerial surveys participatory mapping coarser intensity extent recreation, former tool areas low latter large scales. should supplemented from cameras or trail identify biases fill gaps. provide comparison each measuring highlight tools’ strengths limitations, suggest these address real-world monitoring management scenarios. Our research contributes better understanding what available measure help direct selecting which tool, combinations expand rigor scope research. This support decision-making lead protection while allowing high-quality GRAPHICAL

Language: Английский

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Advancements in monitoring: a comparison of traditional and application-based tools for measuring outdoor recreation

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e17744 - e17744

Published: Sept. 10, 2024

Outdoor recreation has experienced a boom in recent years and continues to grow. While outdoor provides wide-ranging benefits human well-being, there are growing concerns about the sustainability of with increased pressures placed on ecological systems visitor experiences. These emphasize need for managers access accurate timely data at scales that match extent footprint. Here, we compare spatial temporal patterns winter summer using traditional (trail cameras, infrared counters, aerial surveys, participatory mapping) application-based tools (Strava Metro, Strava Global Heatmap, Wikiloc) across Columbia Canadian Rocky Mountains western Canada. We demonstrate how use can be estimated tools, although their accuracy utility varies space, season activity type. found trail cameras counters captured similar broad-scale count estimates pedestrians all activities. Aerial surveys areas low intensity mapping coarser information large scales. Application-based provided detailed spatiotemporal use, but datasets were biased towards specific Metro was more suited capturing biking than pedestrian recreation. should supplemented from identify biases fill gaps. provide comparison each tool measuring highlight tools’ strengths limitations applications address real-world monitoring management scenarios. Our research contributes better understanding which tool, or combinations expand rigor scope research. findings support decision-making mitigate wildlife habitats while allowing high-quality

Language: Английский

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Play is a privilege in both humans and animals: how our recreation influences wildlife

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 88(8)

Published: Sept. 10, 2024

Abstract Nature‐based tourism nets roughly 8 billion annual travelers globally to all regions of Earth, with many visiting around 200,000 formally protected areas. Financially well‐off tourists pay for playful activities and effects on wildlife are potentially large relatively uncertain. Our commentary makes 3 points. First, variation in resource privileges associated benefits characterizes not only humans but other species. Among animals, well‐nurtured populations engage more leisurely than do those nutritionally impoverished. Privilege depends partially birth sites, parents, local conditions, recreation expands monetary advantage. Second, nature‐based has 2 generalizable wildlife, each involving degree habituation. non‐habituated populations, site abandonment is frequent modulated by seasonality, individuals' physiological states, whether motorized or not. For habituated tolerance emerges increasing recreational exposure some species learning rely shield as a buffer against possible predation. Third, desert bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis nelsoni ) offer robust example the issues surrounding because geographically complicated relationship between pursuit public lands western United States. While decades, females have failed habituate different forms at certain sites. The result been flight abandonment. Biodiversity protection numerous scales made strong gains still needed where progress stymied income disparities, privilege, ventures.

Language: Английский

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