Comparative Assessment of UAV and Sentinel-2 NDVI and GNDVI for Preliminary Diagnosis of Habitat Conditions in Burunge Wildlife Management Area, Tanzania

Earth, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3(3), P. 769 - 787

Published: June 28, 2022

Habitat condition is a vital ecological attribute in wildlife conservation and management protected areas, including the Burunge areas Tanzania. Traditional techniques, satellite remote sensing ground-based techniques used to assess habitat condition, have limitations terms of costs low resolution platforms. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) Green NDVI (GNDVI) potential for assessing e.g., forage quantity quality, vegetation cover degradation, soil erosion salinization, fire, pollution cover. We, therefore, examined how recently emerged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform traditional Sentinel-2 differs indications using GNDVI. We assigned 13 survey plots random locations major land types: three grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, two riverine mosaics types. UAV-mounted, multi-spectral sensor obtained imagery between February March 2020. categorized GNDVI values into classes (very good, poor, very poor). analyzed data descriptive statistics linear regression model R-software. results revealed higher sensitivity ability UAV provide necessary preliminary diagnostic condition. UAV-based maps showed more details all conditions than maps. regressions strong positive correlations platforms (p < 0.001). differences were attributed primarily spatial minor atmospheric effects. recommend further studies test other indices.

Language: Английский

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Close encounters of the fatal kind: Landscape features associated with central mountain caribou mortalities

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(5), P. 2234 - 2248

Published: Feb. 4, 2021

Abstract In western Canada, anthropogenic disturbances resulting from resource extraction activities are associated with habitat loss and altered predator–prey dynamics. These changes linked to increased predation risk unsustainable mortality rates for caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ). To inform effective restoration, our goal was examine whether specific linear disturbance features were in central mountain ranges. We used predation‐caused mortalities GPS‐collar data collected between 2008 2015 assess within outside of protected areas at four spatio‐temporal scales: use during the (a) 30 days, (b) 7 (c) 24 hours prior being killed, (d) characteristics kill site locations. Outside areas, closer pipelines, seismic lines, streams. Within alpine habitat. Factors predicting differed among scales feature types: pipelines days killed lines prior, but decreased roads killed. By assessing we identified factors that would not have been detected by analysis locations alone. results provide further evidence restoration should be an immediate priority recovery

Language: Английский

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Stairway to heaven or highway to hell? How characteristics of forest roads shape their use by large mammals in the boreal forest

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 510, P. 120108 - 120108

Published: Feb. 23, 2022

Language: Английский

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Spatial structure of reproductive success infers mechanisms of ungulate invasion in Nearctic boreal landscapes

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(2), P. 900 - 911

Published: Dec. 17, 2020

Abstract Landscape change is a key driver of biodiversity declines due to habitat loss and fragmentation, but spatially shifting resources can also facilitate range expansion invasion. Invasive populations are reproductively successful, landscape may buoy this success. We show how modeling the spatial structure reproductive success elucidate mechanisms shifts sustained invasions for mammalian species with attendant young. use an example white‐tailed deer (deer; Odocoileus virginianus ) in Nearctic boreal forest, North American phenomenon implicated severe threatened woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ). hypothesized that linked forage subsidies provided by extensive via resource extraction. measured occurrence using data from 62 camera traps northern Alberta, Canada, over three years. weighed support multiple competing hypotheses about multistate occupancy models generalized linear AIC‐based model selection framework. Spatial patterns were best explained features associated petroleum exploration extraction, which offer early‐seral vegetation subsidies. Effect sizes anthropogenic eclipsed natural heterogeneity two orders magnitude. conclude high springtime success, mitigating or exceeding winter losses, maintaining populations. Synthesis Applications . Modeling structuring become goal remote camera‐based global networks, yielding ecological insights into invasion inform effective decision‐making conservation.

Language: Английский

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Lethal wolf control elicits change in moose habitat selection in unexpected ways

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 88(7)

Published: July 11, 2024

Abstract Moose ( Alces alces ) and woodland caribou Ranger tarandus are the 2 large prey species for wolves Canis lupus in Nearctic boreal forest North America. Caribou have declined, with widespread anthropogenic disturbance as ultimate cause wolf predation proximal cause. To conserve government of Alberta, Canada initiated a control program to reduce rates on populations contribute population recovery. Predators play an important role shaping structure function ecosystems through top‐down forces. We hypothesized that strongest factors influencing moose occurrences would reflect changes risk before after onset control. weighed evidence competing hypothesis by deploying cameras across highly industrialized landscape Alberta 3 years (2017–2020), capitalizing existing data (2011–2014). created generalized linear models representing hypotheses about response natural features control, examining support each information‐theoretic framework. Prior model containing providing security cover was best‐supported, but this scale‐dependent. After offer increased forage opportunities best‐supported. Unexpectedly, direction effect often opposite predictions, avoiding some thought provide forage. demonstrate lethal predator affects spatial distribution its primary ways we do not fully comprehend, highlighting need better understanding community dynamics following

Language: Английский

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Whose line is it anyway? Moose (Alces alces) response to linear features

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

Abstract Linear features are pervasive across the boreal forest of Canada, negatively impacting several wildlife species. Understanding how responds to different types and characteristics linear is necessary for coordinated landscape restoration. Currently, feature restoration focused on recovering threatened woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) which may have unintended impacts other species like moose Alces alces ). respond can help ensure targeted effective. We used GPS data from seven collected between 2008 2010 investigate response determine was influenced by surrounding habitat regeneration. At scale, selected areas closer seismic lines when they were in with lower densities higher harvest blocks wildfires. This stronger during winter. Moose pipelines features, blocks, wildfires indifferent roads at population‐level. fine winter, regardless vegetation height or habitat, but summer, summer Combined, our results suggest that there make them attractive regeneration lines, providing further evidence effective will need address fact increase permeability provide forage multiple Our also illustrate importance considering efforts shift distribution Ultimately, conservation should recognize one consequences interacting

Language: Английский

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Integration of aerial surveys and resource selection analysis indicates human land use supports boreal deer expansion

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(1)

Published: Aug. 21, 2022

Landscape change is a driver of global biodiversity loss. In the western Nearctic, petroleum exploration and extraction major contributor to landscape change, with concomitant effects on large mammal populations. One those continued expansion invasive white-tailed deer populations into boreal forest, ramifications for whole ecosystem. We explored resource selection within oil sands region forest using novel application aerial ungulate survey (AUS) data. Deer locations from AUS were "used" points together randomly allocated "available" informed in relation variables forest. created candidate set generalized linear models representing competing hypotheses about role natural features, harvesting, cultivation, roads, features. ranked these an information-theoretic framework. A combination anthropogenic features best explained selection. strongly selected seismic lines other associated extraction, likely as movement corridors subsidies. Forest harvesting important contributors parts range, not here. Stemming conserve native ungulates maintain key predator-prey processes will require management restore widespread crossing vast region.

Language: Английский

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Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract Habitat restoration is a necessary component of wildlife conservation in anthropogenic landscapes. To ensure initiatives achieve the desired effects on communities, it useful to investigate how animals use landscape features. Understanding relationships between and ecological cues provides specific measurable targets that can be used measure success. In western Canada, linear feature networks formed by seismic lines, pipelines roads have altered boreal forest resulted population declines for woodland caribou. Restoration aimed at supporting caribou recovery deterring predators ungulate competitors. Information characteristics facilitate or deter supports providing restoration. Here, we track sign data biophysical related features canines, bears, deer, elk moose ranges west‐central north‐western Alberta British Columbia. We built generalized mixed models consistent with three hypotheses could explain likely mechanisms use: (1) ease movement, (2) risk avoidance (3) resource availability (prey forage). Moose, bears were more either human game trails. Bears canines less lines greater lateral vegetation cover taller vegetation, respectively. deer forage taxa such as willow, birch, sedges forbs. These results suggest focusing trails, online structure type should prey species overall benefit Our study corroborates findings other research recommending structural functional using high‐intensity line blocking vegetative regeneration. provide assist prioritization according objectives, which translates broader goal linking local‐level actions landscape‐level goals. This approach has implications any major system experiencing change.

Language: Английский

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Individual-level patterns of resource selection do not predict hotspots of contact

Movement Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Nov. 30, 2023

Abstract Contact among animals is crucial for various ecological processes, including social behaviors, disease transmission, and predator–prey interactions. However, the distribution of contact events across time space heterogeneous, influenced by environmental factors biological purposes. Previous studies have assumed that areas with abundant resources preferred habitats attract more individuals and, therefore, lead to contact. To examine accuracy this assumption, we used a use-available framework compare landscape influencing location contacts between wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in two study Florida Texas (USA) from those non-contact use. We employed contact-resource selection function (RSF) model, where locations were defined as points without available points. By comparing outputs RSF general, population-level RSF, assessed driving both habitat found predictors (e.g., wetland, linear features, food resources) played different roles processes areas. This indicated interacted their landscapes differently when choosing compared they encountered other individuals. Consequently, relying solely on spatial overlap individual or models may misleading understanding contact-related ecology. Our findings challenge prevailing assumptions about introduce innovative approaches better understand drivers spatially explicit accurately predicting events, can enhance our based dynamics.

Language: Английский

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How landscape traits affect boreal mammal responses to anthropogenic disturbance

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 915, P. 169285 - 169285

Published: Dec. 15, 2023

Language: Английский

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