Enemies with benefits: integrating positive and negative interactions among terrestrial carnivores

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 23(5), P. 902 - 918

Published: March 17, 2020

Abstract Interactions among terrestrial carnivores involve a complex interplay of competition, predation and facilitation via carrion provisioning, these negative positive pathways may be closely linked. Here, we developed an integrative framework synthesized data from 256 studies intraguild predation, scavenging, kleptoparisitism resource availability to examine global patterns suppression facilitation. Large were responsible for one third mesocarnivore mortality ( n = 1,581 individuals), rates superadditive, increasing 10.6% 25.5% in systems with two vs. three large carnivores. Scavenged ungulates comprised 30% diets, larger mesocarnivores relying most heavily on carrion. provided 1,351 kg per individual year scavengers, this subsidy decreased at higher latitudes. However, reliance by remained high, abundance correlations sympatric more stressful, high‐latitude systems. Carrion provisioning therefore enhance rather than benefiting mesocarnivores. These findings highlight the synergistic effects scavenging risk structuring carnivore communities, suggesting that ecosystem service is strong not easily replaced humans.

Language: Английский

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Eight problems with literature reviews and how to fix them

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 4(12), P. 1582 - 1589

Published: Oct. 12, 2020

Language: Английский

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Dynamic landscapes of fear: understanding spatiotemporal risk

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(10), P. 911 - 925

Published: July 8, 2022

Language: Английский

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The context dependence of non‐consumptive predator effects

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 24(1), P. 113 - 129

Published: Sept. 29, 2020

Abstract Non‐consumptive predator effects (NCEs) are now widely recognised for their capacity to shape ecosystem structure and function. Yet, forecasting the propagation of these predator‐induced trait changes through particular communities remains a challenge. Accordingly, focusing on plasticity in prey anti‐predator behaviours, we conceptualise multi‐stage process by which predators trigger direct indirect NCEs, review distil potential drivers contingencies into three key categories (properties prey, setting), then provide general framework predicting both nature strength NCEs. Our underscores myriad factors that can generate NCE while guiding how research might better anticipate account them. Moreover, our synthesis highlights value mapping habitat domains prey‐specific patterns evasion success (‘evasion landscapes’) as basis NCEs likely manifest any community. Looking ahead, highlight two knowledge gaps continue impede comprehensive understanding non‐consumptive predator–prey interactions consequences; namely, insufficient empirical exploration (1) context‐dependent (2) ways shaped interactively multiple context dependence.

Language: Английский

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Non-consumptive effects of predation in large terrestrial mammals: Mapping our knowledge and revealing the tip of the iceberg

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 235, P. 36 - 52

Published: April 13, 2019

Language: Английский

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Beyond spatial overlap: harnessing new technologies to resolve the complexities of predator–prey interactions

Oikos, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2022(8)

Published: Feb. 21, 2022

Predation risk, the probability that a prey animal will be killed by predator, is fundamental to theoretical and applied ecology. risk varies with behavior environmental conditions, yet attempts understand predation in natural systems often ignore important ecological complexities, relying instead on proxies for actual such as predator–prey spatial overlap. Here we detail complexities driving disconnects between three stages of sequence are assumed tightly linked: overlap, encounters capture. Our review highlights several major sources variability lead decoupling overlap estimates from encounter rates (e.g. temporal activity patterns, predator movement capacity, resource limitations) affect capture given hunger levels, temporal, topographic other influences success). Emerging technologies statistical methods facilitating transition more spatiotemporally detailed, mechanistic understanding interactions, allowing concurrent examination multiple mobile, free‐ranging animals. We describe crucial applications this new ecology, highlighting opportunities better integrate contingencies into dynamic models harness interactions improve targeting effectiveness conservation interventions.

Language: Английский

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The influence of human activity on predator–prey spatiotemporal overlap

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 92(6), P. 1124 - 1134

Published: Jan. 30, 2023

Abstract Despite growing evidence of widespread impacts humans on animal behaviour, our understanding how reshape species interactions remains limited. Here, we present a framework that draws key concepts from behavioural and community ecology to outline four primary pathways by which can alter predator–prey spatiotemporal overlap. We suggest dyads exhibit similar or opposite responses human activity with distinct outcomes for predator diet, predation rates, population demography trophic cascades. demonstrate assess these response hypothesis testing, using temporal data 178 published camera trap studies terrestrial mammals. found each the proposed pathways, revealing multiple patterns influence Our case study highlight current challenges, gaps, advances in linking behaviour change dynamics. By hypothesis‐driven approach estimate potential altered interactions, researchers anticipate ecological consequences activities whole communities.

Language: Английский

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Fear of large carnivores amplifies human-caused mortality for mesopredators

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 380(6646), P. 754 - 758

Published: May 18, 2023

The challenge that large carnivores face in coexisting with humans calls into question their ability to carry out critical ecosystem functions such as mesopredator suppression outside protected areas. In this study, we examined the movements and fates of mesopredators across rural landscapes characterized by substantial human influences. Mesopredators shifted toward areas twofold-greater influence regions occupied carnivores, indicating they perceived be less a threat. However, rather than shielding mesopredators, human-caused mortality was more three times higher carnivore-caused mortality. Mesopredator apex predators may thus amplified, dampened, areas, because fear drives even greater risk from super predators.

Language: Английский

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Zooming in on mechanistic predator–prey ecology: Integrating camera traps with experimental methods to reveal the drivers of ecological interactions

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 89(9), P. 1997 - 2012

Published: May 22, 2020

Camera trap technology has galvanized the study of predator-prey ecology in wild animal communities by expanding scale and diversity interactions that can be analysed. While observational data from systematic camera arrays have informed inferences on spatiotemporal outcomes interactions, capacity for studies to identify mechanistic drivers species is limited. Experimental designs utilize traps uniquely allow testing hypothesized mechanisms drive predator prey behaviour, incorporating environmental realism not possible laboratory while benefiting distinct generate large datasets multiple with minimal observer interference. However, such pairings experimental methods remain underutilized. We review recent advances application investigate fundamental underlying present a conceptual guide designing studies. Only 9% our use methods, but approaches increasing. To illustrate utility trap-based experiments using case study, we propose design integrates techniques test perennial question ecology: how balance foraging safety, as formalized risk allocation hypothesis. discuss applications evaluate anthropogenic influences wildlife globally. Finally, challenges conducting already begun play an important role understanding free-living animals, will become increasingly critical quantifying community rapidly changing world. recommend increased responses humans, synanthropic invasive species, other disturbances.

Language: Английский

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Artificial nightlight alters the predator–prey dynamics of an apex carnivore

Ecography, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 44(2), P. 149 - 161

Published: Oct. 18, 2020

Artificial nightlight is increasingly recognized as an important environmental disturbance that influences the habitats and fitness of numerous species. However, its effects on wide‐ranging vertebrates their interactions remain unclear. Light pollution has potential to amplify land‐use change, such, answering question how this sensory stimulant affects behavior habitat use species valued for ecological roles economic impacts critical conservation planning. Here, we combined satellite‐derived estimates light pollution, with GPS‐data from cougars Puma concolor (n = 56), mule deer Odocoileus hemionus 263) locations cougar‐killed 1562 carcasses), assess exposure mammal predator–prey relationships across wildland–urban gradients in southwestern United States. Our results indicate used anthropogenic environments access forage were more active at night than wildland conspecifics. Despite higher levels, killed interface, but hunted them relatively darkest locations. had greatest effect all covariates where interface. Both exhibited functional responses fine scales; individual less avoided illuminated areas when exposed greater radiance, whereas living interface selected elevated levels. We conclude integrating into studies provides crucial insights dynamic human footprint can alter animal ecosystem function spatial scales.

Language: Английский

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