Large carnivore response to human road use suggests a landscape of coexistence

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30, P. e01772 - e01772

Published: Aug. 24, 2021

Coexistence between humans and large carnivores may depend on carnivore adaptations to use developed landscapes while reducing human encounters. Roads are a widespread form of development that perceive as efficient travel routes or centers activity associated risk. We compared the spatio-temporal responses road with high-resolution tracking guild including American black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes (Canis latrans), wolves (C. lupus) in Michigan, USA. All selected for roads when traveling at night but avoided during day was greatest. Human explained 90% temporal variation across species, 3.2–3.7-fold increase times low which reduced overlap by 27–42%. Similar less pronounced changes occurred areas up 500 m from roads. Bears increased nocturnal more their home range, not coyotes. Despite diurnal farther roads, among high regardless proximity. Our results suggest were similar emphasized avoidance over other species. Further, we provide support can be diurnally active avoiding using However, primarily (e.g., bears) have strong proclivity wolves) likely require greater behavioral avoid humans. Behavioral allowing multiple species cross encouraging human-carnivore coexistence.

Language: Английский

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Large carnivores avoid humans while prioritizing prey acquisition in anthropogenic areas

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 92(4), P. 889 - 900

Published: Feb. 9, 2023

Large carnivores are recovering in many landscapes where the human footprint is simultaneously growing. When encounter humans, way they behave often changes, which may subsequently influence how affect their prey. However, little research investigates behavioural mechanisms underpinning carnivore response to humans. As a result, it not clear predator-prey interactions and associated ecosystem processes will play out human-dominated areas into populations increasingly expanding. We hypothesized that humans would reduce predation risk for prey by disturbing or threatening survival. Alternatively, additionally, we increase providing forage resources congregate herbivorous predictable places times. Using grey wolves Canis lupus Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA as study species, investigated 170 kill sites across spectrum of influences ranging from heavily restricted activities on protected federal lands largely unregulated private lands. Then, used conditional logistic regression quantify probability changed varied types amounts influences, while controlling environmental characteristics availability. Wolves primarily made kills terrain traps availability was high, but significantly better explained with inclusion than alone. Different had different, even converse, effects wolf predation. For example, were readily available, preferentially killed animals far motorized roads close unpaved trails. responded less strongly if at all, scarce, suggesting prioritized acquiring over avoiding interactions. Overall, our work reveals large can vary considerably among different yet appreciably alter predatory behaviour difficult obtain. These results shed new light drivers anthropogenic improving understanding dynamics around wildland-urban interface.

Language: Английский

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Logging, linear features, and human infrastructure shape the spatial dynamics of wolf predation on an ungulate neonate

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(7)

Published: Aug. 21, 2023

Humans are increasingly recognized as important players in predator-prey dynamics by modifying landscapes. This trend has been well-documented for large mammal communities North American boreal forests: logging creates early seral forests that benefit ungulates such white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), while the combination of infrastructure development and resource extraction practices generate linear features allow predators wolves (Canis lupus) to travel forage more efficiently throughout landscape. Disturbances from recreational activities residential other major sources human activity ecosystems may further alter wolf-ungulate dynamics. Here, we evaluate influence several types anthropogenic landscape modifications (timber harvest, features, infrastructure) have on where how hunt ungulate neonates a southern forest ecosystem Minnesota, USA. We demonstrate each disturbance significantly influences wolf predation fawns (n = 427 kill sites). In contrast with "human shield hypothesis" posits prey use human-modified areas refuge, killed closer buildings than expected based spatial availability. Fawns were also within recently-logged expected. Concealment cover was higher at sites random sites, suggesting senses vision, probably olfaction, detect hidden fawns. Wolves showed strong selection hunting along hypothesize facilitated allowing among high-quality patches (recently logged areas, near buildings), increase encounter rates olfactory cues them These findings provide novel insight into strategies many ways alters neonate dynamics, which remained elusive due challenges locating small prey. Our research management conservation implications systems subjected pressures, particularly range overlap between expands appears be altering food web ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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The Erosion of Threatened Southern Mountain Caribou Migration

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

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Close encounters of the fatal kind: Landscape features associated with central mountain caribou mortalities

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(5), P. 2234 - 2248

Published: Feb. 4, 2021

Abstract In western Canada, anthropogenic disturbances resulting from resource extraction activities are associated with habitat loss and altered predator–prey dynamics. These changes linked to increased predation risk unsustainable mortality rates for caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ). To inform effective restoration, our goal was examine whether specific linear disturbance features were in central mountain ranges. We used predation‐caused mortalities GPS‐collar data collected between 2008 2015 assess within outside of protected areas at four spatio‐temporal scales: use during the (a) 30 days, (b) 7 (c) 24 hours prior being killed, (d) characteristics kill site locations. Outside areas, closer pipelines, seismic lines, streams. Within alpine habitat. Factors predicting differed among scales feature types: pipelines days killed lines prior, but decreased roads killed. By assessing we identified factors that would not have been detected by analysis locations alone. results provide further evidence restoration should be an immediate priority recovery

Language: Английский

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Predator–prey co‐occurrence in harvest blocks: Implications for caribou and forestry

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 4(12)

Published: Nov. 19, 2022

Abstract Forest harvesting alters habitat, impacts wildlife, and disrupts ecosystem function. Across the boreal forest of Canada, affects ungulate prey species their predators, with cascading on other species, including threatened woodland caribou. We used camera vegetation data occupancy modeling to investigate what characteristics in around forestry harvest blocks influenced co‐occurrence primary (elk, moose, mule deer, white‐tailed deer) predators (black bear, cougar, grizzly wolf) blocks. Occupancy was linked forage, surrounding habitat anthropogenic disturbance, silviculture practices. Black bear by presence bear–deer site‐specific practices disturbance. In context caribou recovery, our results indicate that within ranges could consider landscape‐level planning reduce use prey. Future recovery efforts may also roles deer bears predation risk. Our study provides first insights into predator–prey practical management applications mitigate activities future.

Language: Английский

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Don't stop me now: Managed fence gaps could allow migratory ungulates to track dynamic resources and reduce fence related energy loss

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: July 18, 2022

In semi-arid environments characterized by erratic rainfall and scattered primary production, migratory movements are a key survival strategy of large herbivores to track resources over vast areas. Veterinary Cordon Fences (VCFs), intended reduce wildlife-livestock disease transmission, fragment parts southern Africa have limited the wild mammals for 60 years. Consequently, wildlife-fence interactions frequent often result in perforations fence, mainly caused elephants. Yet, we lack knowledge about at which times fences act as barriers, how directly alter energy expenditure native herbivores, what consequences impermeability are. We studied 2-year ungulate three common antelopes (springbok, kudu, eland) across perforated part Namibia's VCF separating wildlife reserve Etosha National Park using GPS telemetry, accelerometer measurements, satellite imagery. identified 2905 fence interaction events used evaluate critical encounters direct effects on expenditure. Using vegetation type-specific greenness dynamics, quantified animals gained terms high quality food from crossing VCF. Our results show that perforation sustains herbivore-vegetation savanna with its resources. Fence permeability led peaks numbers during first flush woody plants before rain started. Kudu eland showed increased when fence. Energy was lowered ungulates standing found no alteration springbok immediately crossed breaches. indicate constantly open gaps did not affect expenditure, while obstacles motion. Closing may confused modified their movements. While browsing, sedentary kudu's use space less affected VCF; migratory, mixed-feeding springbok, benefited gaining forage quantity after crossing. This highlights importance access areas allow vital patches.

Language: Английский

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Behavioral “bycatch” from camera trap surveys yields insights on prey responses to human‐mediated predation risk

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(7)

Published: July 1, 2022

Human disturbance directly affects animal populations and communities, but indirect effects of on species behaviors are less well understood. For instance, may alter predator activity cause knock-on to predator-sensitive foraging in prey. Camera traps provide an emerging opportunity investigate such disturbance-mediated impacts across multiple scales. We used camera trap data test predictions about behavior three ungulate (caribou

Language: Английский

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Incorporating mechanism into conservation actions in an age of multiple and emerging threats: The case of boreal caribou

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(7)

Published: July 1, 2023

Abstract Conservation strategies for imperiled species are frequently based on identifying and addressing the probable causes of population decline, an approach known as declining paradigm. Causes, however, linked to demographic outcomes by multiple mechanisms, failing target primary mechanisms can reduce effectiveness efficiency conservation actions. Increasingly, also need consider emerging threats, such climate change. Here, we use boreal caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ), a threatened ecotype woodland caribou, case study illustrate how landscape disturbance change each exert negative effects through complex mechanisms. We reviewed extensive literature focused identify assess relative importance putative mechanism. While disturbance‐mediated apparent competition, expansion novel predators, altered predator behavior appear be dictating past current declines has increasing potential strong direct indirect now in future. Predicted may prevent some populations from regaining self‐sustaining status, despite local Our review revealed several knowledge gaps, notably lack clarity spatial extent undisturbed habitat required stable. used our demonstrate mechanistic understanding decline inform habitat‐based caribou. For residing within highly disturbed ranges, restoration is key recommendation strategies, yet large disturbances will require prioritization areas restoration. Maximizing return‐on‐investment mechanistically informed process that targets actions toward underlying decline.

Language: Английский

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Whose line is it anyway? Moose (Alces alces) response to linear features

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

Abstract Linear features are pervasive across the boreal forest of Canada, negatively impacting several wildlife species. Understanding how responds to different types and characteristics linear is necessary for coordinated landscape restoration. Currently, feature restoration focused on recovering threatened woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) which may have unintended impacts other species like moose Alces alces ). respond can help ensure targeted effective. We used GPS data from seven collected between 2008 2010 investigate response determine was influenced by surrounding habitat regeneration. At scale, selected areas closer seismic lines when they were in with lower densities higher harvest blocks wildfires. This stronger during winter. Moose pipelines features, blocks, wildfires indifferent roads at population‐level. fine winter, regardless vegetation height or habitat, but summer, summer Combined, our results suggest that there make them attractive regeneration lines, providing further evidence effective will need address fact increase permeability provide forage multiple Our also illustrate importance considering efforts shift distribution Ultimately, conservation should recognize one consequences interacting

Language: Английский

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