Frequent flight responses, but low escape distance of wild boar to nonlethal human disturbance

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(2)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Human activities can affect the behaviour and fitness of wildlife. However, response animals to nonlethal human has not been well‐studied in wild boar, Sus scrofa , even though it is a widespread species Europe become increasing concern because crop damages its vector capacity for diseases. We study behavioural responses GPS‐collared boar experimental approaches Bohemian Forest Ecosystem along border between Germany Czech Republic. describe quantify flight assess whether they vary with distance recreational paths occurrence hunting area. show that were disturbed displaced by on foot 69% trials, but average initiation escape distances relatively small (93 256 m, respectively). The probability decreased from increased ruggedness terrain. In non‐hunting zone, durations shorter than zone. Our results suggest weak effect disturbances movement although sensitive perceived risk relation recreation infrastructure hunting. For management diseases such as African swine fever, be concluded are unlikely accelerate spread disease due far‐distance movements. Guidelines restrictions case an outbreak might adjusted accordingly.

Language: Английский

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Integrating animal tracking datasets at a continental scale for mapping Eurasian lynx habitat

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(12), P. 1546 - 1560

Published: Oct. 16, 2023

Abstract Aim The increasing availability of animal tracking datasets collected across many sites provides new opportunities to move beyond local assessments enable detailed and consistent habitat mapping at biogeographical scales. However, integrating wildlife large areas study is challenging, as species' varying responses different environmental contexts must be reconciled. Here, we compare approaches for large‐area assess available a recolonizing carnivore, the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx ). Location Europe. Methods We use continental‐scale database (450 individuals from 14 sites) systematically modelling approaches, comparing (1) global strategies that pool all data training versus building local, site‐specific models combining them, (2) incorporating regional variation in selection (3) algorithms, testing nonlinear mixed effects well machine‐learning algorithms. Results Testing on simulating model transfers, achieved overall similar predictive performance. Model performance was highest using flexible algorithms when function variation. Our best‐performing used weighted combination models. maps identified suitable, but currently unoccupied habitat, with most suitable located regions could foster connectivity between isolated populations. Main Conclusions demonstrate can achieve robust continental scale considering improves broad‐scale mapping. More generally, highlight promise databases provide first high‐resolution, yet assessment Europe, providing basis conservation planning restoring species within its former range.

Language: Английский

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Shining a light on elusive lynx: Density estimation of three Eurasian lynx populations in Ukraine and Belarus

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

The Eurasian lynx is a large carnivore widely distributed across Eurasia. However, our understanding of population status heterogeneous their range, with some populations isolated that are at risk reduced genetic variation and complete lack information about others. In many European countries, monitored through demographic studies crucial for conservation management. Even so, there only rough fragmented assessments from Ukraine Belarus, despite strict protection in both countries importance connectivity Europe. We October 2020 to March 2021 used camera trapping combination spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methods Bayesian framework provide the first SCR density estimation three including Ukrainian Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, southern Belarus Carpathians. Our estimates varied within study areas ranging 0.45 1.54 individuals/100 km

Language: Английский

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Butterfly community composition within a tropical urban landscape is influenced by habitat type and temperature

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 324 - 333

Published: Dec. 12, 2023

Abstract The specific factors that influence spatial community or population dynamics are often elusive, and even less known is the impact of tropical urban landscapes on diverse species assemblages. To address this knowledge gap, we used a survey data set with 510 fruit‐feeding butterflies comprising 20 across two heterogeneous habitats within city in Nigeria. Next, constructed generalised linear mixed models to understand differential responses butterfly changes environmental conditions habitats. Butterfly assemblages significantly differed between habitats, higher savannah woodland compared gallery forest due optimal daily temperatures woodland. However, richness was lower extreme conditions. This study highlights possibly responding local microclimates heterogeneity For evidence‐based conservation management biodiversity, there would be need for long‐term, extensive systematic insect monitoring programme disturbed undisturbed fragmented harbouring species.

Language: Английский

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Determinants of livestock depredation risk by Persian leopards in southern Iran

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291, P. 110510 - 110510

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

Language: Английский

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Predator in proximity: how does a large carnivore respond to anthropogenic pressures at fine-scales? Implications for interface area management

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e17693 - e17693

Published: July 10, 2024

Driven by habitat loss and fragmentation, large carnivores are increasingly navigating human-dominated landscapes, where their activity is restricted behaviour altered. This movement, however, raises significant concerns costs for people living nearby. While intricately linked, studies often isolate human carnivore impacts, hindering effective management efforts. Hence, in this study, we brought these two into a common framework, focusing on an interface area between the critical tiger multiple-use buffer of central Indian protected area.

Language: Английский

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Anthropic pressure drives resource selection of an adaptable generalist in human‐dominated landscapes

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(8)

Published: July 30, 2024

Abstract Few landscapes on earth remain free of human‐modification, which may influence resource selection in wildlife. To investigate the effects anthropic pressure wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) and explore management implications, we studied how diel species' main life stages changed with spatial variations human access (e.g., for recreation), temporal changes hunting pressure, habitat type. Using 206,461 hourly GPS‐locations 15 males, 11 females dependent young, 17 other from south‐western Germany, found influenced more than ecological factors. All boars were likely to select low human‐access areas high areas, regardless habitat. Hunting was most avoided by piglets, followed males females. Since both activity general affected selection, they should be considered simultaneously wildlife conservation. We suggest further establishment reserves that are inaccessible people where localized, thereby reducing risk disease transmission, focus open lands refuge boundaries reduce crop damage. This also benefit overall human‐wildlife coexistence, animal welfare, biodiversity conservation anthropized environments.

Language: Английский

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Integrating geodiversity in animal spatial ecology: microhabitat selection of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in a karst landscape

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 54, P. e03138 - e03138

Published: Aug. 11, 2024

Geodiversity, encompassing various geophysical elements, can have an important impact on species distribution and affect animal behaviour patterns. Although many wild felids are attracted to rugged terrain conspicuous relief features, most previous research was limited general topographical characteristics (e.g., slope or ruggedness) rarely considered the effects of specific microhabitat characteristics. This gap is primarily due availability high-resolution digital models (DTMs) features data at larger scales. However, LiDAR DTMs be used in combination with automatic methods detect enabling non-contact accurate mapping large, remote densely-forested areas. Here, we investigated selection patterns karstic as well topographic, anthropogenic vegetation characteristics, by two sympatric felids, Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) European wildcat (Felis silvestris), Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. We DTM calculate topographic karst based methods. compared these between GPS-collared wildcats under a use-availability approach. also differences their origin experience (remnant vs. translocated naive experienced, respectively). observed significant space use both detected distinct species. Lynx selected proximity caves, cliffs, depressions, ridges, small rocky outcrops, roads, but avoided human settlements forest edges. Wildcats areas lower surface slope, closer main edges, caves roads settlements. stronger selection/avoidance among remnant lynx, while levels were less important. Our study demonstrates potential integrating sensing techniques information geodiversity into spatial ecology. Furthermore, our results indicate that provide abiotic microhabitats for may influence habitat segregation findings further evidence importance conservation need incorporate wildlife studies.

Language: Английский

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Ecological and intrinsic drivers of foraging parameters of Eurasian lynx at a continental scale

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 26, 2024

Abstract The estimation of foraging parameters is fundamental for understanding predator ecology. Predation and feeding can vary with multiple factors, such as prey availability, presence kleptoparasites human disturbance. However, our knowledge mostly limited to local scales, which prevents studying effects environmental factors across larger ecological gradients. Here, we compared inter‐kill intervals handling times Eurasian lynx ( Lynx ) a large latitudinal gradient, from subarctic the Mediterranean ecosystems, using standardised dataset predicted adult ungulate kills 107 GPS‐collared nine distinct populations in Europe. We analysed variations these two relation proxies reflecting scavengers' disturbance, improve predation at continental scale. found that varied between populations, social status different seasons within year. observed marked differences do not appear be driven by variation time. Increases habitat productivity (expressed NDVI, used proxy availability) resulted reduced (i.e. higher kill rates). less feeding) times, although dominant scavengers (wild boars brown bears) impact led significantly shorter times. This suggests kleptoparasitism disturbance may limit energetic input obtain their prey. also on consistent some but context‐dependent others, suggesting adaptations lynx. Our study highlights value large‐scale studies based datasets, aid implementation effective management measures, patterns one area might necessarily transferable other regions. results indicate high degree adaptability solitary felids, enables them meet energy requirements persist wide range conditions despite constraints imposed humans, variable availability.

Language: Английский

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Spatiotemporal patterns of lion (Panthera leo) space use in a human–wildlife system

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(3)

Published: July 1, 2023

Abstract Conserving large carnivores requires protecting landscape spaces that encompass all spatiotemporal scales of their movement. Large normally roam widely, but habitat loss and fragmentation can constrain movement in ways restrict access to resources increase encounters with humans potential conflict. Facilitating carnivore population coexistence across landscapes conservation plans informed by patterns space use, particularly at the human–wildlife interface. We sought understand lion use Laikipia, Kenya. conducted a path‐selection function analysis using GPS collar data from 16 lions assess range spatial (sedentary home expanses; 0, 12.5, 25 50 km) temporal (day, dusk, night dawn). Path‐selection results were then incorporated into maps. found most features influenced broadest scale (50 km), representative range‐wide movement, thereby demonstrating landscape‐wide human impact on use. also detected sub‐diurnal variation which revealed limited during daylight hours increased overnight. Our highlight optimal support for human–lion should be temporally adaptive scales. Furthermore, approaches may better generalized broad so land management account

Language: Английский

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