Forest road use by mammals revealed by camera traps: a case study in northeastern Japan

Landscape and Ecological Engineering, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(2), P. 289 - 296

Published: Jan. 30, 2023

Language: Английский

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Response of moose to forest harvest and management: a literature review

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 54(4), P. 366 - 388

Published: Oct. 31, 2023

Moose are an iconic symbol of northern forests. In many jurisdictions, the management moose has focused on regulating harvest with less emphasis understanding moose–habitat relationships. We reviewed literature and summarised effects forest ecology moose. Greater than 50 years scientific studies document both positive negative associated activities such as silviculture road building. require spatially adjacent patches younger plant communities for forage older forests thermal security cover. Extensive rapid can result in prevalence young a corresponding reduction fitness populations. A warming climate likely will exacerbate broad-scale removal Resource roads create edge habitat that may serve forage, but those features increased hunting collisions vehicles facilitate movement predators. Post-harvest silviculture, including application herbicides, stand conditions provide very little or low-quality forage. The ecological societal benefits dependent provides mix old forest, employs retains adequate cover plants, minimises development roads.

Language: Английский

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Unequal Impact of Road Expansion on Regional Ecological Quality

Land, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 523 - 523

Published: March 3, 2025

The expansion of road networks profoundly affects ecological systems by intensifying habitat fragmentation, altering hydrological processes, and exacerbating pollution. However, our understanding the multi-scale spatiotemporal coupling between quality remains limited. Thus, taking Fuzhou City in Southeastern China as a case study (~12,000 km2), we apply bivariate spatial autocorrelation, geographical detectors (GDs), geographically weighted regression (MGWR) to explore interactions quality. Results reveal following: (1) From 2016 2021, kernel density estimation (KDE) analysis network indicates coordinated growth both urban rural areas, with an increase 0.759 km/km2. Analysis based on remote sensing-based index (RSEI) shows decrease from 2000 2016, then trend increasing gradually center area. (2) Predominant tradeoff relationships exist KDE RSEI while notable synergistic emerge ΔKDE ΔRSEI. (3) Multi-scale GD identifies principal factor influencing ΔRSEI, MGWR reveals their significant associations at optimal scale 3000 m. These findings highlight unequal impact quality, underscoring pivotal role changes its dynamics. They offer essential insights for sustainable transport planning.

Language: Английский

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Development and assessment of automated forest road projection methods using performance metrics relevant for wildlife

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 11, 2025

Context Resource road networks have complex and varied impacts on wildlife other forest values, yet spatial stochastic models forecasting of disturbance rarely include automated network projections. Hardy et al. (2023) partially addressed this need with a LANDIS-II extension, but there remains for tools that can be integrated into modelling frameworks while identifying pragmatic balance between achieving ecological relevancy computational cost. Objectives Our goal is an open source resource projection tool easily incorporated assess the implications change wildlife. We compared performance several methods using ecologically relevant metrics. Methods implemented simple iterative least cost path minimum spanning tree grade penalties in R package. assessed by comparing projections to observed development since 1990 mountainous region British Columbia. Results All we tested performed relatively well. Grade improved performance, as did our method. However, method required more computing time memory, so users must weigh benefits against costs. Conclusions simulation improve anticipated across large areas. implementation will useful improving cumulative effects natural anthropogenic disturbances era rapid change.

Language: Английский

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Assessing the Cumulative Impacts of Forest Management on Forest Age Structure Development and Woodland Caribou Habitat in Boreal Landscapes: A Case Study from Two Canadian Provinces

Land, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 6 - 6

Published: Dec. 19, 2023

The Canadian boreal forest biome has been subjected to a long history of management for wood production. Here, we examined the cumulative impacts logging on older forests in terms area, distribution and patch configuration managed zones Eastern provinces Ontario Quebec. We also consequences these once widely distributed now threatened species, woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). area recently logged (since ~1976) was 14,024,619 ha, with 8,210,617 ha Quebec 5,814,002 Ontario. total 21,249,341 11,840,474 9,408,867 Patch statistics revealed that there were 1,085,822 core patches < 0.25 an additional 603,052 1.0 ha. There 52 > 10,00–50,000 8 50,000 Older (critical habitat) 21 local population ranges totalled 6,103,534 among ~387,102 362,933 10 14 median percentage disturbed 53.5%, Charlevoix having maximum (90.3%) Basse Côte-Nord least (34.9%). Woodland suitable habitats >35% are considered unable support self-sustaining populations. found examined, 3 at very high risk (>75% disturbed), 16 (>45 ≤ 75% 2 low (≤35% disturbed). Major changes needed it be ecologically sustainable, including greater emphasis protection restoration forests, lower risks

Language: Английский

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Temporal variations in female moose responses to roads and logging in the absence of wolves

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Animal movements, needed to acquire food resources, avoid predation risk, and find breeding partners, are influenced by annual circadian cycles. Decisions related movement reflect a quest maximize benefits while limiting costs, especially in heterogeneous landscapes. Predation wolves ( Canis lupus ) has been identified as the major driver of moose Alces alces habitat selection patterns, linear features have shown increase wolf efficiency travel, hunt, kill prey. However, few studies described behavioral response roads logging Canada absence wolves. We thus characterized temporal changes (i.e., day phases biological periods) eastern americana space use patterns near road network wolf‐free area located south St. Lawrence River (eastern Canada). used telemetry data collected on 18 females between 2017 2019 build resource functions mixed regressions explain variations home‐range size, rates. Female selected forest stands providing forage when was not impeded snow cover spring/green‐up, summer/rearing, fall/rut) offering protection against incidental during calving. In winter, size decreased with an increasing proportion shelter harsh weather, energetic costs associated movement. Our results reaffirmed year‐round aversive effect roads, even wolves, but magnitude this avoidance differed phases, being lower “dusk‐night‐dawn” phase, perhaps due level human activity roads. behavior our study similar what observed landscapes where cohabit, suggesting that risk humans, perceived another type predator, predators (coyote latrans , black bear Ursus americanus ), equates heavily managed

Language: Английский

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End of the road: Short-term responses of a large mammal community to forest road decommissioning

Journal for Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 69, P. 126256 - 126256

Published: Aug. 6, 2022

Anthropogenic disturbances are increasing worldwide, causing wildlife habitat loss, alteration, and fragmentation. In Canada, the decommissioning of linear anthropogenic structures is identified as a promising tool to restore threatened populations boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) by reducing food availability for alternate prey decreasing encounter probabilities with predators. this study, we monitored use 40 km decommissioned forest roads caribou, gray wolves (Canis lupus), black bears (Ursus americanus), moose (Alces americanus) 1–3 years after reclamation, using 232 motion-activated camera traps. We compared four additive treatments (meaning that each successive treatment included prior): closing road human access, decompacting its soil, planting spruce (Picea mariana) trees, adding enriched soil. assessed influence treatments, other large mammals, characteristics surrounding environment on species. Caribou used planted (which also decompacting) more than closed-only (reference) treatment, but did not moose. could assess treated because low sample size. Road declined local density, increased bear density. were observed frequently surrounded regenerating mature coniferous stands; preferentially wetlands. Our results suggest combining closure, soil decompaction, tree be beneficial highlighting relevance including active restoration efforts in conservation programs. recommend such added protocols alongside broad-scale protection.

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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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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Links between individual performance, trace elements and stable isotopes in an endangered caribou population

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 38, P. e02234 - e02234

Published: July 16, 2022

Foraging is a key behaviour, and several aspects of foraging remain to be investigated in many wild species. Low energy gain or reduced protein, nutrient, mineral intake may explain poor individual condition, low reproductive output, high mortality, and, extreme cases, population declines. Our study explores how ecology, diet composition, nutritional status could influence performance an endangered caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). We measured stable isotope ratios carbon (δ13C) nitrogen (δ15N) as well the concentration 21 trace elements hairs 44 (~ 50% population). results showed that Atlantic-Gaspésie consumed mainly lichens, horsetails, deciduous shrubs, trees. found correlation between (described using ratios) accumulation hair redundancy analysis, we detected relationships diet, vital rates logistic Cox models. Pregnancy calf survival probabilities were higher when δ13C signature female was higher, adult probability had concentrations zinc sodium, lower cesium manganese their hair. Based on nutrition performance, our suggests important factor consider recovery this population.

Language: Английский

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