Resource pulses influence the spatio‐temporal dynamics of a large carnivore population

Ecography, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 44(3), P. 358 - 369

Published: Dec. 17, 2020

Resource availability is a key component in animal ecology, yet the manner which carnivore populations respond to spatial and temporal fluctuations of resources remains unclear. We take population‐level approach determine how resource pulses, this case temporary hyper‐abundance prey, influence densities space‐use cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus . The Maasai Mara Kenya experiences an annual migration > 1.4 million wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus large numbers zebras Equus quagga Thomson's gazelle Eudorcas thomsonii thereby providing natural experiment examine pulses on movement densities. To draw inferences fluctuating cheetah space‐use, we collected unstructured search‐encounter data during eight sampling sessions, four out migration, analysed these using Bayesian spatially‐explicit capture–recapture (SECR) models with sex‐specific detection function parameters. Both fluctuated seasonally but varied according sex. Local increased areas times when prey abundance was highest more pronounced for females than males. In terms movements were larger males females. These results suggest that are influenced by distribution whereas abundance. Overall did vary there no clear pattern relation pulses. Understanding behavioural drivers population dynamics can provide important insights into ecological processes at multiple levels.

Language: Английский

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Identifying human-caused mortality hotspots to inform human-wildlife conflict mitigation

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 38, P. e02241 - e02241

Published: July 22, 2022

Humans are responsible for over a quarter of all wildlife mortality events across the globe. The pressure this puts on populations contributes to decline many at-risk species. To minimize human-caused and reverse population declines in species world, we first need know where these happening or likely occur since managers public agencies often have limited resources devote problem. As such, our objective was develop modeling approach delineate hotspots regions with data. We used internet search engines national media collect data brown bear (Ursus arctos) Iran from 2004 2019. then developed spatially-explicit Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model using anthropogenic environmental variables predict probability mortality. were able 7000 km2 as hotspots, along geographical locations those hotspots. This provides information that can help identify critical conflict mitigation efforts be implemented reduce potential However, more targeted studies such surveys local people will needed inside identified methodology assess attitudes humans toward different species, informing specific actions made. Finally, suggest systematic is lacking.

Language: Английский

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Living on the edge: Multiscale habitat selection by cheetahs in a human‐wildlife landscape

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 8(15), P. 7611 - 7623

Published: July 9, 2018

Animals select habitats that will ultimately optimize their fitness through access to favorable resources, such as food, mates, and breeding sites. However, these resources may be limited by bottom-up effects, availability, top-down risk avoidance competition, including with humans. Competition between wildlife people over specifically space, has played a significant role in the worldwide decrease large carnivores. The goal of this study was determine habitat selection cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) human-wildlife landscape at multiple spatial scales. Cheetahs are wide-ranging, carnivore, whose decline is largely attributed loss fragmentation. It believed 77% global cheetah population ranges outside protected areas, yet little known about cheetahs' resource use areas where they co-occur people. selection, or avoidance, three anthropogenic variables (human footprint density, distance main roads areas) five environmental (open habitat, semiclosed edge patch density slope), scales, determined analyzing collar data from six cheetahs. selected different scales; were broader scales (720-1440 m) than (90-180 m), suggesting pressures affect home-range level, whilst influence site-level selection. Cheetah presence best explained human presence, slope. showed for humans steep slopes high proportions density. Understanding species' requirements, how might affected humans, crucial conservation. Using multiscale approach, we provide new insights into carnivore living landscape.

Language: Английский

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Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human-wildlife interactions, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 439 - 452

Published: April 24, 2019

Language: Английский

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Conflicts of human with the Tibetan brown bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus) in the Sanjiangyuan region, China

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 22, P. e01039 - e01039

Published: March 28, 2020

Human-carnivore conflict (HCC) has become a major concern for both the management of protected areas and local community development worldwide. The occurrence intervention HCCs been originated in duel context environment social economy. In Sanjiangyuan region Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, human-bear (HBC) emerged as severe problem. Damages caused by Tibetan brown bears (Ursus arctos pruinosus) seriously threaten livelihood safety herders, decreasing tolerance bear conservation. A systematic field survey HBC occurrences was undertaken Zhiduo county summer 2019. We surveyed 312 families via semi-structured interviews to understand factors that contributed towards likelihood damage, representative types, seasonal variation damage occurrence, mitigation measures deployed. results showed incidents have elevated consequence changes nomadic lifestyle herders. It is part connected with simultaneous recovery numbers following conservation applied. Despite widespread incidence HBCs, almost all respondents (n = 288, 92.31%) reporting most home damages were not compensated, programs such lacking. Through expected compensation types respondents, it concluded HBCs need be mediated resolved integrated schemes, physical chemical prevention measures, plans. Particularly, government should pay more attention reducing family dependence on animal husbandry transforming strategies into replaceable economic practices unrelated grazing. These include things like ecological public welfare jobs viewing ecotourism.

Language: Английский

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Social–ecological predictors of spotted hyena navigation through a shared landscape

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Human–wildlife interactions are increasing in severity due to climate change and proliferating urbanization. Regions where human infrastructure activity rapidly densifying or newly appearing constitute novel environments which wildlife must learn coexist with people, thereby serving as ideal case studies infer future human–wildlife shared landscapes. As a widely reviled behaviorally plastic apex predator, the spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta ) is model species for understanding how large carnivores navigate these human‐caused ‘landscapes of fear’ changing world. Using high‐resolution GPS collar data, we applied resource selection functions step assess landscape navigation fine‐scale movement decisions relation social–ecological features developing region comprising two protected areas: Lake Nakuru National Park Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya. We then used camera trap imagery Barrier Behavior Analysis (BaBA) further examine barriers. Our results show that environmental factors, linear infrastructure, human–carnivore conflict hotspots, tolerance were all important predictors landscape‐scale by hyenas, while experience elements less decisions. Hyena characteristics also changed seasonally across land management types. Camera traps documented an exceptionally high number individual hyenas (234) approaching national park fence at 16 sites during study period, BaBA suggested perceive area boundaries' semi‐permeable electric fences risky but may cross them out necessity. findings highlight ability flexibly respond within landscapes fear be expressed differently depending on context, scale, climatic factors. These point need incorporate societal factors into multiscale analyses effectively plan coexistence.

Language: Английский

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Applying a Random Encounter Model to Estimate the Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) Density from Camera Traps in the Hindu Raj Mountains, Pakistan

Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(5), P. 341 - 341

Published: May 14, 2024

Estimating the population density of vulnerable species, such as elusive and nocturnal Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), is essential for wildlife conservation management. We used camera traps a Random Encounter Model (REM) to estimate U. thibetanus during autumn winter seasons in Hindu Raj Mountains. installed 23 from October December 2020 acquired 66 independent pictures bears over 428 trap nights. Our results showed that preferred lowland areas with presence Quercus spp. estimated, using REM, 1.875 (standard error = 0.185) per square kilometer, which significantly higher than other habitats. winter, tends concentrate at lower elevations. Forest cover positive correlation rates encounters unlike Euclidean distance human settlements, altitude, aspect variables. The approaches here are cost-effective estimating rare species thibetanus, can be their Pakistan. Population estimation identify where live human–bear conflicts occurred use this information future management plans.

Language: Английский

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The diet of the striped hyena in Nepal's lowland regions

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(15), P. 7953 - 7962

Published: April 3, 2020

Abstract Striped hyenas ( Hyaena hyaena ) are extremely rare in Nepal, and only a few people have studied them their natural forest grassland habitat. Their rarity is due to anthropogenic pressures such as hunting, habitat modification, being killed on roads, depletion of prey. Here, we the feeding ecology lowland, Nepal. We employed an opportunistic sampling collect hyena scats range habitats line transect identify prey study site. collected 68 between 2015 2018. Most scat (39.7%) was found Churia Hill followed by riverbed (26.4%), mixed (14.7%), Sal Shorea robusta )‐dominated (11.7%), area (7.3%). eleven mammalian species, plants, some unidentified items scats. The frequency occurrence relative biomass medium‐sized wild boar Sus scrofa were higher than other smaller species hare Lepus nigricollis rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta ). Similarly, proportion large nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus diet lower compared with boar, hares, macaques indicating most preferred species. Livestock contributed 17.3% total dietary biomass. Domesticated goats, sheep, cows, even dogs hyenas. Predation livestock could cause conflict, especially if this ongoing issue continues future. Rather, more conservation effort required lowland areas Nepal protect hyenas' particularly wildlife reduce lure taking domestic livestock. education at local level active involvement government authorities might be helpful mitigate human–hyena conflict human‐dominated landscape.

Language: Английский

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Integrating spatial analysis and questionnaire survey to better understand human-onager conflict in Southern Iran

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: June 14, 2021

Abstract Southern Iran is a conservation priority area for the endangered Persian onager ( Equus hemionus ), which threatened by habitat fragmentation and conflict with local communities. To better understand factors that influence conservation, we administered questionnaire in communities to survey their ecological knowledge, personal experience related onager, attitudes toward traditional solutions reducing crop damage onager. In addition, used resistant kernel factorial least-cost path analyses identify core areas corridors movement, spatial randomization of vehicle collisions crossing locations test predictive ability predictions movement. We found were knowledgeable about onagers experienced less from compared those who methods. Habitat connectivity models revealed movement are highly concentrated at center protected areas. Some sections have been cut off roads where most occurred. propose effective will require integrated landscape-level management reduce mortality risk, protection corridors, development mitigation strategies collisions, mediation between onagers.

Language: Английский

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Identifying human–brown bear conflict hotspots for prioritizing critical habitat and corridor conservation in southwestern Iran

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 26(1), P. 31 - 45

Published: Aug. 8, 2022

Abstract Multiple studies have used species distribution models to identify human–wildlife conflict drivers. An important application of these is spatial resolution by accounting for habitat suitability and corridors. We connectivity habitats corridors brown bear Ursus arctos in southwestern Iran with high risk damages, evaluated the effects landscape composition configuration on predicted hotspots. 154 locations damage incidents along a suit predictors develop models. To prepare predictive variables, we occurrence data number covariates model. then converted map into resistance surface model predict Finally, damages map, were overlaid prioritize hotspots, habitats, conflict‐prone Proportion suitable distance village, density forest patches, conservation areas corridor bottlenecks main contributing risk. A total 38.73% 6.24% across 124 000‐km 2 study area identified as damages. The was also spatially associated forests fragmentation patchiness habitat. Our results highlight importance when investigating patterns findings showed how combination analysis can guide carnivore planning aiming at reducing carnivore‐inflicted

Language: Английский

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