The plasticity of ungulate migration in a changing world

Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 102(4)

Published: Feb. 8, 2021

Abstract Migratory ungulates are thought to be declining globally because their dependence on large landscapes renders them highly vulnerable environmental change. Yet recent studies reveal that many ungulate species can adjust migration propensity in response changing conditions potentially improve population persistence. In addition the question of whether migrate, decisions where and when migrate appear equally fundamental individual tactics, but these three dimensions plasticity have rarely been explored together. Here, we expand concept migratory beyond switches also include spatial temporal adjustments patterns. We develop a novel typological framework delineates every potential change type within dimensions, then use this guide literature review. discuss broad patterns plasticity, drivers change, research gaps current understanding trait. Our result reveals 127 events direct natural human‐induced changes across 27 species. Species appeared multiple showed types with some exhibiting full spectrum plasticity. This highlights multidimensional is pervasive ungulates, even as manifestation varies case by case. However, thus far able determine fitness outcomes different likely due scarcity long‐term individual‐based demographic monitoring well measurements encompassing behavioral continuum gradient for any given Recognizing documenting marks first step field ecology employ quantitative methods, such reaction norms, predict along gradients. Closer propensity, routes, timing may efficacy conservation strategies management actions rapidly world.

Language: Английский

---

Reactive anti-predator behavioral strategy shaped by predator characteristics

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(8), P. e0256147 - e0256147

Published: Aug. 18, 2021

Large mammalian herbivores use a diverse array of strategies to survive predator encounters including flight, grouping, vigilance, warning signals, and fitness indicators. While anti-predator appear be driven by specific traits, no prior studies have rigorously evaluated whether hunting characteristics predict reactive responses. We experimentally investigated behavioral decisions made free-ranging impala, wildebeest, zebra during with model predators different functional traits. hypothesized that the choice response would predator's style (i.e., ambush vs. coursing) while intensity at which behavior was performed correlate traits contribute prey's relative risk each prey preference, prey-specific capture success, local density). found behaviors were both shaped factors. All species directed longer periods vigilance towards higher success. The decision flee only (capture success style) frequency alarm-calling, flight latency modulated based on strategy level. Impala regulated their behaviors, wildebeest changed type Zebra impala reacted multiple components predation threat, responded solely Overall, our findings suggest certain potentially facilitate survival under contexts responses may reflect perceived level risk, suggesting adaptive functions potential trade-offs use. strong influence identity social environmental context these factors interact determine optimal immediate threat.

Language: Английский

---

A tendency to simplify complex systems

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 233, P. 1 - 11

Published: Feb. 21, 2019

Language: Английский

---

Contrasting patterns of risk from human and non‐human predators shape temporal activity of prey

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 91(1), P. 46 - 60

Published: Oct. 24, 2021

Spatiotemporal variation in predation risk arises from interactions between landscape heterogeneity, predator densities and hunting mode, generating landscapes of fear for prey species that can have important effects on behaviour ecosystem dynamics. As widespread apex predators, humans present a significant source hunted animal populations. patterns hunters overlap or contrast with other predators. Human infrastructure also reshape spatial by facilitating impeding hunter movement, deterring predators are themselves wary humans. We examined how anthropogenic natural features interact modes rifle mountain lions Puma concolor to generate spatiotemporal their primary prey. explored the implications human-modified Columbian black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus columbianus Mendocino County, California. used historical harvest records, GPS trackers camera trap records model deer. then traps examine temporal activity response this risk. Hunters exhibited distinct, contrasting activity. Risk hunters, who rely long lines sight, was highest open grasslands near roads confined daytime. lions, an ambush predator, dense shrubland habitat, farther developed areas, during night crepuscular periods. Areas human settlement provided refuge both lions. found no evidence avoided space at scale our observations, but adjusted reduce encounters areas higher Our study demonstrates infrastructure, habitat cover mode result distinct may lead trade-offs species. However, diel create vacant domains costly highlights importance partitioning as mechanism avoidance.

Language: Английский

---

Coyote diet in North America: geographic and ecological patterns during range expansion

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52(4), P. 480 - 496

Published: June 21, 2022

Abstract Coyotes Canis latrans have expanded their geographic range by 40% in the last 120 years, raising questions about ecological impacts newly colonised areas. Despite a wealth of local knowledge on coyote diet North America, we little information how and why might vary throughout species' range. We conducted first rangewide meta‐analysis investigating ecoregion, mass, environmental conditions, presence top predators alternative food items are related to dietary diversity, as well consumption small mammals, lagomorphs, vegetation ungulates. Using data from 93 studies, used generalised linear mixed models determine which variables best explained patterns. were generally more carnivorous temperate forests than other ecoregions, primarily due greater ungulate consumption. Dietary diversity was most influenced via negative effect mammal consumption; diverse spring where human footprint greater. There minor variation consumption, but lagomorph winter when coyotes larger. Vegetation greatest summer autumn. Ungulate positively snow cover grey wolves lupus . Both intrinsic extrinsic factors diet. Larger ate larger foods, parallels relationship between mass prey size across carnivore guild. Wolves humans opposing effects seem prioritise eating wild though work is needed quantify scavenging. Collectively, our findings emphasise need for continued or regional studies understand highly variable within ecosystems they currently inhabit poised inhabit.

Language: Английский

---

A skewed literature: Few studies evaluate the contribution of predation‐risk effects to natural field patterns

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(9), P. 2048 - 2061

Published: Aug. 4, 2022

A narrative in ecology is that prey modify traits to reduce predation risk, and the trait modification has costs large enough cause ensuing demographic, trophic ecosystem consequences, with implications for conservation, management agriculture. But a long history of emphasising quantifying importance an ecological process ultimately requires evidence linking unmanipulated field patterns. We suspected such process-linked-to-pattern (PLP) studies were poorly represented risk literature, which conflicts confidence often given effects. reviewed 29 years literature revealed there are well over 4000 articles on Of those, 349 examined effects fitness measures or abundance (i.e., non-consumptive effects) only 26 PLP studies, while 275 other interacting species trait-mediated indirect 35 studies. narrowly focused taxonomically included three patterns abundance. Before concluding widespread influential role predation-risk effects, more attention must be observed across diverse ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

Methods for Monitoring Large Terrestrial Animals in the Wild

Forests, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(8), P. 808 - 808

Published: July 26, 2020

Reliable information about wildlife is absolutely important for making informed management decisions. The issues with the effectiveness of control and monitoring both large small wild animals are relevant to assess protect world’s biodiversity. Monitoring becomes part methods in ecology observation, assessment, forecasting human environment. World practice reveals potential joint application proven traditional modern technologies using specialized equipment organize environmental processes. terrestrial require an individual approach due their low density larger habitat. Elk/moose such animals. This work aims evaluate animals, suitable controlling number elk/moose framework nature conservation activities. Using different models allows determining population size without affecting significant financial costs. Although, accuracy each model determined by its postulates implementation initial conditions that need statistical data. Depending on geographical, climatic, economic territory, it possible use tools (e.g., cameras, GPS sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles), a flexible variation which will allow reaching golden mean between desires capabilities researchers.

Language: Английский

---

Identifying mesopredator release in multi‐predator systems: a review of evidence from North America

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 50(4), P. 367 - 381

Published: July 13, 2020

Abstract The mesopredator release hypothesis, defined as the change in distribution, abundance or behaviour of a middle‐ranking predator response to decrease density distribution an apex predator, is increasingly popular topic ecology. Terrestrial mesopredators have been reported being released multiple systems globally, particularly North America, over past century. We reviewed 2687 scientific articles, which we determined that 38 met our criteria for investigating (MR) terrestrial American mammalian predators. observed no support mixed MR 46% all relevant studies, including conflicting evidence between measures (mesopredator behaviour) within given study and among studies same community different settings. To advance MR, provide conceptual framework 1) highlights spatial, temporal ecological scales at responses can occur; 2) suggests relative weight provided by each scale; 3) clearly defines threshold determining when occurring. In reshuffled communities with declining predators, there need future assess more detail contexts behavioural scale up population‐level processes species‐level changes needed identify these MR.

Language: Английский

---

Perspective: Why might removing carnivores maintain or increase risks for domestic animals?

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 283, P. 110106 - 110106

Published: May 2, 2023

Human-carnivore conflict is still characterized by lethal control, even while some evidence suggests that carnivore removal may not affect the likelihood of future livestock predation, or it exacerbate problem. Here we propose five non-exclusive, and likely additive, hypotheses for why removals could fail to mitigate livestock-carnivore conflict. We also a methodological change in scale analyses from populations smaller social networks, encourage public education includes discussions about potential consequences communities with following killing carnivores, addition broader outreach both costs benefits living carnivores.

Language: Английский

---

Human presence and infrastructure impact wildlife nocturnality differently across an assemblage of mammalian species

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(5), P. e0286131 - e0286131

Published: May 25, 2023

Wildlife species may shift towards more nocturnal behavior in areas of higher human influence, but it is unclear how consistent this might be. We investigated humans impact large mammal diel activities a heavily recreated protected area and an adjacent university-managed forest southwest British Columbia, Canada. used camera trap detections wildlife, along with data on land-use infrastructure (e.g., recreation trails restricted-access roads), Bayesian regression models to investigate impacts disturbance wildlife nocturnality. found moderate evidence that black bears ( Ursus americanus ) were response (mean posterior estimate = 0.35, 90% credible interval 0.04 0.65), no other clear relationships between nocturnality detections. However, we coyotes Canis latrans (estimates 0.81, 95% CI 0.46 1.17) snowshoe hares Lepus (estimate -0.87, -1.29 -0.46) less trail density. also cougars Puma concolor -1.14, -2.16 -0.12) greater road Furthermore, coyotes, black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus ), moderately near urban-wildland boundaries CIs: coyote -0.29, -0.55 -0.04, -0.25, -0.45 hare -0.24, -0.46 -0.01). Our findings imply anthropogenic landscape features influence medium large-sized than direct presence. While increased be promising mechanism for human-wildlife coexistence, shifts temporal activity can have negative repercussions warranting further research into the causes consequences responses increasingly human-dominated landscapes.

Language: Английский

---