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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A model-based estimate of winter distribution and abundance of white-tailed deer in the Adirondack Park

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(8), P. e0273707 - e0273707

Published: Aug. 30, 2022

In the Adirondack Park region of northern New York, USA, white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and moose Alces alces co-occur along a temperate-boreal forest ecotone. this region, exist as small vulnerable low-density population over-browsing by is known to reduce regeneration, sustainability, health forests. Here, we assess distribution abundance at broad spatial scale relevant for management in York. We used density surface modeling (DSM) under conventional distance sampling framework, tied winter aerial survey, create spatially explicit estimate across vast, region. estimated 16,352 (95% CI 11,762–22,734) throughout with local ranging between 0.00–5.73 deer/km 2 . Most (91.2%) supported densities ≤2 individuals/km White-tailed increased increasing proximity anthropogenic land cover such timber cuts, roads, agriculture decreased areas elevation days snow cover. conclude that climate change will be more favorable than because milder winters growing seasons likely have pronounced influence on Park. Therefore, identifying specific environmental conditions facilitating expansion into populations can assist managers anticipating potential changes ungulate develop appropriate actions mitigate negative consequences disease spread competition limiting resources.

Language: Английский

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Snow track counts for density estimation of mammalian predators in the boreal forest

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 50(6), P. 425 - 434

Published: Oct. 4, 2022

Context Methods for estimating density of meso-carnivores in northern ecosystems are labour intensive and expensive to implement if mark–recapture radio collaring used. One alternative is count tracks the snow along transects as an index density, but this method has been criticised imprecise lacking validation. Aims We aimed examine utility track counts snowmobile trails measuring changes populations Canada lynx coyotes boreal forest north-western Canada. compared winter at three study sites one site with concurrent estimates based on locations radio-collared animals numbers uncollared from 7–9-year studies Yukon Northwest Territories, during a period cyclical population fluctuations. Key results Snow were positively correlated (r2 = 0.83) lynx, estimated by live trapping survey areas. Coyotes also showed clear relationship 0.80) between known counts, strongly affected season, much higher early when was shallower. This indicates need control season or depth using indices coyote abundance. recommend sample sizes least 10 per 25-km transect maximise precision. Conclusions relatively simple, inexpensive concurrently tracking abundance multiple species meso-carnivores. These data indicate that may be reliably used monitor trends numbers, we suggest site-specific validation regressions reported here animal required translate these into density. Implications Track have potential affordable more methods monitoring medium-sized mammals, purposes such management harvest measure success programs increase reduce

Language: Английский

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Does expanding wild venison consumption substitute livestock meat consumption? Evidence from the demand systems analysis of meat products in Hokkaido, Japan

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 945, P. 173980 - 173980

Published: June 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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Disturbance‐mediated changes to boreal mammal spatial networks in industrializing landscapes

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(6)

Published: June 26, 2024

Compound effects of anthropogenic disturbances on wildlife emerge through a complex network direct responses and species interactions. Land-use changes driven by energy forestry industries are known to disrupt predator-prey dynamics in boreal ecosystems, yet how these disturbance propagate across mammal communities remains uncertain. Using structural equation modeling, we tested disturbance-mediated pathways governing the spatial structure multipredator multiprey networks landscape-scale gradient within Canada's Athabasca oil sands region. Linear had pervasive effects, increasing site use for all focal species, except black bears threatened caribou, at least one landscape. Conversely, block (polygonal) were negative but less common. Indirect widespread mediated caribou avoidance wolves, tracking primary prey subordinate predators, intraguild dependencies among predators large prey. Context-dependent linear most common landscape with intermediate disturbance. Our research suggests that industrial directly affect suite mammals altering forage availability movement, leading indirect range interacting prey, including keystone snowshoe hare. The complexity network-level reinforces calls increased investment addressing habitat degradation as root cause declines broader ecosystem change.

Language: Английский

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