Body mass mediates spatio-temporal responses of mammals to human frequentation across Italian protected areas

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2020)

Published: April 2, 2024

Protected area (PA) networks are a pivotal tool to fight biodiversity loss, yet they often need balance the mission of nature conservation with socio-economic giving opportunity for outdoor recreation. Recreation in natural areas is important human health an urbanized society, but can prompt behavioural modifications wild animals. Rarely, however, have these responses being studied across multiple PAs and using standardized methods. We deployed systematic camera trapping protocol at over 200 sites sample medium large mammals four within European Natura 2000 network assess their spatio-temporal frequentation, proximity towns, amount open habitat topographical variables. By applying multi-species single-species models number diurnal, crepuscular nocturnal detections model nocturnality index, we estimated both species-specific- meta-community-level effects, finding that increased appeared main strategy mammal meta-community used cope disturbance. However, site use were mediated by species' body mass, larger species exhibiting avoidance humans smaller more opportunistic behaviours. Our results show effectiveness sampling provide insights planning expansion PA as foreseen Kunming–Montreal agreement.

Language: Английский

---

Bobcats select young forests and avoid clear-cut and mature forests in a timber-logged landscape

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 588, P. 122764 - 122764

Published: May 6, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Urban sharks: residency patterns of marine top predators in relation to a coastal metropolis

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 691, P. 1 - 17

Published: May 25, 2022

Understanding and ultimately predicting how marine organisms will respond to urbanization is central for effective wildlife conservation management in the Anthropocene. Sharks are upper trophic level predators virtually all environments, but if their behaviors influenced by coastal remains understudied. Here, we examined space use residency patterns of 14 great hammerheads Sphyrna mokarran , 13 bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas 25 nurse Ginglymostoma cirratum proximity metropolis Miami, Florida, using passive acoustic telemetry. Based on terrestrial urban carnivore literature, predicted would exhibit avoidance areas close with these increasing during periods lower human activity, such as nocturnal hours weekdays, that dietary specialists (great hammerhead) comparatively affinity towards highly urbanized relative generalists (bull shark). However, did not find empirical support predictions. Space tracked were consistent ‘urban adapters’ (species partial areas). Modeling also revealed an unmeasured spatial variable was driving considerable shark exposed high urbanization. We propose several hypotheses could explain our findings, including food provisioning from shore-based activities be attracting areas. Ultimately, lack documented here, compared carnivores, should motivate future research growing field ecology.

Language: Английский

---

Urban birds' tolerance towards humans was largely unaffected by COVID-19 shutdown-induced variation in human presence

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: July 17, 2024

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and respective shutdowns dramatically altered human activities, potentially changing pressures on urban-dwelling animals. Here, we use such COVID-19-induced variation in presence to evaluate, across multiple temporal scales, how urban birds from five countries changed their tolerance towards humans, measured as escape distance. We collected 6369 responses for 147 species found that numbers parks at a given hour, day, week or year (before during shutdowns) had little effect birds’ distances. All effects centered around zero, except the actual trial (hourly scale) correlated negatively, albeit weakly, with results were similar most species. Our highlight resilience of changes complexities linking animal fear behavior, challenge quantifying both simultaneously situ.

Language: Английский

---

Mountain lions avoid burned areas and increase risky behavior after wildfire in a fragmented urban landscape

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(21), P. 4762 - 4768.e5

Published: Oct. 20, 2022

Urban environments are high risk areas for large carnivores, where anthropogenic disturbances can reduce fitness and increase mortality risk.1S.D. Gehrt S.P.D. Riley B.L. Cypher Carnivores: Ecology, Conflict Conservation. The John Hopkins University Press, 2010Google Scholar When catastrophic events like wildfires occur, trade-offs between acquiring resources avoiding risks of the urban environment intensified. This landscape context could lead to an in risk-taking behavior by carnivores if burned do not allow them meet their energetic needs, potentially leading human-wildlife conflict.2Blecha K.A. Boone R.B. Alldredge M.W. Hunger mediates apex predator's avoidance response wildland–urban interface.J. Anim. Ecol. 2018; 87: 609-622Crossref PubMed Scopus (49) Google Scholar,3Nimmo D.G. Avitabile S. Banks S.C. Bliege Bird R. Callister K. Clarke M.F. Dickman C.R. Doherty T.S. Driscoll D.A. Greenville A.C. et al.Animal movements fire-prone landscapes.Biol. Rev. Camb. Philos. Soc. 2019; 94: 981-998Crossref (75) We studied mountain lion using GPS location accelerometer data from 17 individuals tracked before after a wildfire (the 2018 Woolsey Fire) within highly urbanized area (Los Angeles, California, USA). After wildfire, lions avoided increased behaviors associated with risk, including more frequent road freeway crossings (mean 3 5 per month) greater activity during daytime (means 10% 16% active), time when they most likely encounter humans. Mountain also amount space used, distance traveled distances 250 390 km month), intrasexual overlap, putting at intraspecific conflict. Joint pressures urbanization severe alongside resulting risk-taking, thus extinction populations already suffering low genetic diversity, necessitating connectivity areas.Video abstracteyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiI1ODJhYzFkODYxZjJjMjZjYmYzNzEyNjhlNjBkNTU1NCIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjg0OTY4MzA2fQ.eWxDHg51Ev8x3KtWSXDQRK4zjMHmVggVmxhEGCoxfRaJvojbe3dPZjx_UMHquJaT_Kf1gnMtbmm9nteDrQxIJ5tp3Nu7ziUgSiqclWWzYcgqB5xlkXSZRa1Pr_qFxob57Fs-i7tyNWmASwumXjAryjdprr70tdVeEoeVDrFgVwSV6sTKhtoPupwnFUXztiOR9m3E-1GSFp4UgkJDxWXNk6g6uTG8Ky1OBLN62yErQ3NustlP6izXQ9YPsnVRAY_zTKk6O3dt4GXmbjjJwwnRWY4-eXSMY--OL8O3Iogni75IjvoH4UebtwRr7Up7FzUHgtKGfzKeN1Ag1PQfaOnQTw(mp4, (74.75 MB) Download video

Language: Английский

---

How can we tackle interruptions to human–wildlife feeding management? Adding media campaigns to the wildlife manager's toolbox

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. 1299 - 1315

Published: June 23, 2023

Abstract In recent years, wildlife managers have been seeking ways to reduce the occurrence of independent, recreational human–wildlife feeding interactions, which continue gain global popularity and may negative effects for humans involved. Current popular methods, such as signage posters, yielded mixed results their application is often interrupted, although these interruptions on levels are currently unknown. This has led calls both identify a management option that can be applied successfully from distance determine whether this action assist in recovering long‐term programmes potential interruptions. Marketing media tools shown change human behaviours conservation campaigns, flagging them tool could management. Here, we performed 4‐year study using wild fallow deer population urban green space our model system. We tracked changes across four different stages. These included premanagement (stage 1), during traditional (i.e. ‘don't feed deer’ signage, stage 2), mid‐interruption COVID‐19 pandemic, 3) structured campaign 4). found by visitors decreased but rapidly returned interruption despite controls still being place. However, discovered dropped significantly after release 4), audience conditions unchanged. also identified imagery educational messages resonated with viewers; information future campaigns other locations. We, therefore, recommend investigate prepared any type (e.g. funding) ongoing ilk. explored unregulated sites, thereby promoting better coexistence. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

---

Rapid behavioral responses of endangered tigers to major roads during COVID-19 lockdown

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 42, P. e02388 - e02388

Published: Jan. 23, 2023

Roads pose a major, and growing, challenge for the conservation of endangered species. However, very little is known about how species behaviorally respond to roads what that means road mitigation strategies. We used nation-wide lockdown in Nepal during COVID-19 pandemic as natural experiment investigate dramatic reductions traffic volume along national highway affected movements two GPS-collared tigers (Panthera tigris)-a globally This work first systematic research on using radiotelemetry or GPS tracking data since 1980s. found more strongly constrained space use habitat selection male Parsa National Park than female Bardia Park. Over entire study period, average crossed 10 times often per week male, when he was near highway, over 11 probable not cross it day. we also cessation relaxed tiger avoidance made permeable both animals. They were 2-3 before lockdown. In month following lockdown, area tripled size (160-550 km2), whereas female's shrunk half its previous (33-15 km2). These divergent patterns likely reflect differences between parks their volumes regulations well ecological conditions. Our results provide clear evidence vehicle major impede movements, but can quickly human pressures. conclude by identifying various actions mitigate impacts other

Language: Английский

---

Habituation of wildlife to ecotourism: A COVID‐19 lockdown experiment in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Wildlife Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(1), P. 5 - 16

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Corcovado National Park (CNP) in Costa Rica is an important destination for ecotourism. However, the effects of increasing human visitation on wildlife needed evaluation and global COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown provided a scenario to test tourist activity presence activity. We performed camera trap survey initiated during continuing when tourism resumed (Oct 2020–May 2021). deployed traps walking trails, including those that remained closed tourists at all times (control) open after was lifted (experimental). With effort 2312 nights, we assessed photo rates diel patterns humans, 11 other species mammals, two birds. Our results suggest were already habituated this area, thus their behavior did not change lifted.

Language: Английский

---

Increased adult movements and decreased juvenile apparent survival of urban crows during COVID-19 lockdowns

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Oct. 15, 2024

The increasing abundance of animal species thriving in urban environments is a source conflicts with managers and users public spaces. Although opportunistic often use resources originating from human food leftovers, the potential impact reduction these on their demography hard to quantify. COVID-19 epidemic, which led many countries set up lockdowns, gave us opportunity estimate drastic such activities an bird population. Based 7 years (2015-2021) capture-mark-recapture carrion crows (Corvus corone) city Paris, France, we used multi-state models examine intra-annual (3-month time steps) apparent survival movement patterns during outside lockdowns. We showed that juvenile decreased down lockdown, while adult movements increased this period, more moving out district. Lockdown modified crow population, suggesting was sufficient affect fitness reduce carrying capacity.

Language: Английский

---

Cultivating scientific literacy and a sense of place through course‐based urban ecology research

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(6)

Published: June 1, 2022

Abstract Undergraduate research experiences have been shown to increase engagement, improve learning outcomes, and enhance career development for students in ecology. However, these opportunities may not be accessible all students, incorporating inquiry‐based directly into undergraduate curricula help overcome barriers participation representation inclusion the discipline. The shift online instruction during COVID‐19 pandemic has imposed even greater challenges providing with authentic experiences, but also provide a unique opportunity creative projects conducted remotely. In this paper, I describe course‐based experience (CURE) designed an upper‐level ecology course at California State University, Dominguez Hills remote learning. primary focus of student‐led activities was explore potential impacts depopulation campus on urban coyotes ( Canis latrans ), which there were increased sightings reported time. Students two studies, including evaluation wildlife activity, behavior, diversity using camera traps installed throughout analysis coyote diet data from scat dissections. used they generated information literature reviews, class discussions, meetings experts develop monitoring management plan our create posters educate public. Using as living laboratory, aimed engage meaningful while cultivating sense place, despite being online. Students’ outcomes responses pre‐ post‐course surveys highlight benefits that are anchored place‐based education emphasize importance ecological solving real‐world problems. CUREs focused local ecosystems powerful way instructors activate knowledge capitalize cultural strengths universities.

Language: Английский

---