Identifying priority core habitats and corridors for effective conservation of brown bears in Iran

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 13, 2021

Abstract Iran lies at the southernmost range limit of brown bears globally. Therefore, understanding habitat associations and patterns population connectivity for in is relevant species’ conservation. We applied species distribution modeling to predict suitability identify core areas corridors. Our results showed that forest density, topographical roughness, NDVI human footprint were most influential variables predicting bear distribution. The crucial corridor networks are concentrated Alborz Zagros Mountains. These two predicted be fragmented into a total fifteen isolated patches if dispersal across landscape limited 50,000 cost units, aggregates capable dispersing 400,000 units. found low overlap between corridors, habitats with protected areas, suggesting existing area network may not adequate conservation Iran. suggest effective requires protection both corridors them, especially outside Iran’s areas.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Human Disturbance on Terrestrial Apex Predators

Diversity, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 68 - 68

Published: Feb. 9, 2021

The effects of human disturbance spread over virtually all ecosystems and ecological communities on Earth. In this review, we focus the terrestrial apex predators. We summarize their role in nature how they respond to different sources disturbance. Apex predators control prey smaller numerically via behavioral changes avoid predation risk, which turn can affect lower trophic levels. Crucially, reducing population numbers triggering responses are also that causes predators, may influence role. Some populations continue be at brink extinction, but others partially recovering former ranges, natural recolonization through reintroductions. Carnivore recovery is both good news for conservation a challenge management, particularly when occurs human-dominated landscapes. Therefore, conclude by discussing several management considerations that, adapted local contexts, favor predator functions nature.

Language: Английский

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Conservation status of the world’s carnivorous mammals (order Carnivora)

Mammalian Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 102(5-6), P. 1911 - 1925

Published: Sept. 16, 2022

Abstract The conservation of carnivores (order Carnivora) can lead to the other species as well entire ecosystems since they play an important ecosystemic role. However, their predatory behaviour has caused many these experience marked population declines worldwide and may therefore face greater anthropogenic threats than animal groups. To examine status, trends, distribution patterns, habitats all extant belonging this order ( N = 290), we collected data from International Union for Conservation Nature's Red List. In addition, calculated List Index (RLI) measure change in extinction risk over time. Carnivores are more threatened mammals general (26.9% endangered vs. 22.7%) have a significantly higher proportion with declining populations (48.3% 31.9%). Eupleridae, Ursidae Felidae families worst status. Between 1990s 2000s, most suffered considerable decline RLI value, notable being Felidae. greatest numbers carnivore found forest, shrubland grassland habitats. East South Asia hold great highest species. Hunting trapping terrestrial animals, along habitat loss (caused by deforestation agricultural expansion), pose main Carnivora order. Our findings indicate that, within mammals, should be priority, measures directed at group undertaken or increased matter urgency.

Language: Английский

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Risky behavior of Asian black bears differs between sex and season in a landscape fragmented by roads

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 22, 2025

Abstract Understanding the trade‐off between resource acquisition and risk avoidance is crucial in behavioral ecology. Differences parental investment reproductive success males females can result intersexual variations risk‐taking. Roads, a major cause of habitat fragmentation, pose significant mortality risks to animals. We investigated sex seasonal differences road‐crossing behavior home ranges Asian black bears ( Ursus thibetanus ), as an example risk‐taking mammals fragmented landscape, Ashio‐Nikko Mountains, Japan, from 2005 2023. Using GPS relocation data, we analyzed frequency road crossings range sizes applied integrated step selection analysis assess relation sex, season, type, time day. Bears generally avoided crossing roads, indicating that roads act movement barriers. During mating crossed all types had larger ranges, whereas did not cross main minor roads. hyperphagia both sexes compared season. Our findings suggest sex‐ season‐specific relates mate food acquisition: take more search for mates during season females. gated most frequently, followed by with occurring often at night than day across types. These results perceive respond differently which are linked level human activity.

Language: Английский

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Multispecies facial detection for individual identification of wildlife: a case study across ursids

Mammalian Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 102(3), P. 943 - 955

Published: April 7, 2022

Abstract To address biodiversity decline in the era of big data, replicable methods data processing are needed. Automated individual identification (ID) via computer vision valuable conservation research and wildlife management. Rapid systematic image analysis fundamental to an ever-growing need for effective practice. Bears (ursids) interesting test system examining techniques wildlife, as they have variable facial morphology, presence markings, challenging monitor. We leveraged existing imagery bears living under human care develop a multispecies bear face detector, critical part ID pipelines. compared its performance across species on pre-existing wild brown Ursus arctos dataset ( BearID ), examine robustness convolutional neural networks trained animals care. Using detector retrained sub-applications , we prototyped end-to-end pipeline declining Andean Tremarctos ornatus . Our had average precision 0.91–1.00 all eight species, was transferable images (AP = 0.93), correctly identified 86% images. These preliminary results indicate that multispecies-trained network can detect faces single sufficiently achieve high-performance classification, which could speed-up transferability application automated wider range taxa.

Language: Английский

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The Status and Spatial Patterns of Poaching, Illegal Trade, and Human–Bear Conflict of Asiatic Black Bears in China, 2010–2020

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 93 - 93

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are a large carnivore, widely distributed in East, South, and Southeast Asia. However, they have experienced dramatic population decline across this range due to various anthropogenic threats. The great demand for bear parts the market exposes species intense pressure of being poached then illegally traded. Meanwhile, continuous expansion land use results sharpening human–bear conflicts. In study, we conducted comprehensive search collected information poaching, illegal trade, conflict events related reported China during 2010–2020. By systematically searching judicial adjudicative documents news reports, identified 351 (64 221 90 conflict) country. showed that Southwest was hotspot all categories (41, 149 40 events, respectively). Bear paws were most common type found trade (52.1%), frequently form human injury from attacks (at least 52 people injured another 7 killed). determining status poached, traded, their conflicts with humans China, these will provide important insights into further research conservation iconic species.

Language: Английский

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Patterns and temporal trends in canine breakage and scarring in Western Hudson Bay polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0319753 - e0319753

Published: March 25, 2025

Canines are used by carnivores for prey capture and social interactions but often damaged. The highly carnivorous polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) has a female defence polygyny mating system where males compete access to females injuries males, such as broken canines cuts, common. Western Hudson Bay subpopulation declined in abundance recent decades shifted from female-biased male-biased adult sex ratio, which may have affected their system. We hypothesize that if changes structure the system, then canine breakage scarring changed over time. assessed age- sex-specific occurrences of 3493 individuals between 1981-2023 using non-parametric statistical analyses linear mixed effect models. found sex-related differences mean values scarring. These injury increased with age both sexes had greater amounts compared females. As only main effect, sampling year was significant indicated increasing time; however, top model did not include year, indicating it strong predictor or sex. Age, sex, were all predicting maximum probabilities. some evidence time, suggesting there could be intraspecific interactions, additional monitoring is needed.

Language: Английский

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Achieving coexistence with the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in northeastern India: The provision of practical co‐benefits to communities is critical to achieving long‐term outreach impact

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 9, 2025

Abstract Most global bear populations are declining. Building public support for conservation, however, and overcoming community intolerance of human–bear conflict, often requires continuous adaptive efforts. Whenever possible, such efforts could also innovatively address local needs. Here, we attempted to first identify those factors most influencing the attitudes communities toward sun ( Helarctos malayanus ) around Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) (Mizoram, India). We then sought understand if our outreach about ecology, methods mitigating improved livelihood options, had any long‐term impact on perceptions, behavior, practices. interviewed a total 950 locals over 5 years at three different intervals relating conservation programming: before activities, immediately upon concluding several later. Overall, found slight increase in between initial (77.05%) final interviews (82.2%). However, observed significantly greater among younger (<40 years) respondents exposed activities (from 72% 88.5%) χ 2 = 0.31, df 2, p < .050). saw >20% general action lacking formal education R 0.71, .05). Finally, that 56.58% ultimately adopted alternative options promoted, discussed, or shared with them during programs. Furthermore, these changes were concomitant measurable decrease unsustainable agricultural practices, an forest cover, DTR. Despite net positive impacts, serious threats biodiversity region remain, including commercial poaching, planned expansion crop monocultures; underscore continued need effective enforcement tools action, policies practices incentivize sustainability, use innovative approaches.

Language: Английский

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What drives spatially varying ecological relationships in a wide‐ranging species?

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(9), P. 1752 - 1768

Published: July 4, 2022

Abstract Aim Decades of research on species distributions has revealed geographic variation in species‐environment relationships for a given species. That is, the way uses local environment varies across space. However, drivers underlying this are contested and still largely unexplored. Niche traits that conserved should reflect evolutionary history whereas more flexible ecological could vary at finer scales, reflecting adaptation. Location North America. Methods We used mammal observations during 5‐year period from iNaturalist biodiversity database ensemble modelling approach to explore spatial American black bear ( Ursus americanus ) with eight correlates. tested four biologically driven hypotheses explain patterns evaluated non‐stationarity using Stationarity Index predictive performance an independent, national‐level animal occurrence data set. Results documented considerable all environmental relationships, greatest occurring bear's relationship climatic factors. Notably, tended occur along current boundaries species' range, potentially representing limits range. additionally land cover anthropogenic factors were best explained by niche conservatism subspecies level, better Main Conclusions Based these results, we propose distribution is determined legacy habitat unique each combined fine‐scale adaptation conditions. This result suggests bears be adaptable changes over 21st century management human‐bear considered level.

Language: Английский

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Including biotic interactions in species distribution models improves the understanding of species niche: a case of study with the brown bear in Europe

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 12, 2023

ABSTRACT Biotic interactions are expected to influence species’ responses climate change, but they usually not included when predicting future range shifts. We assessed the importance of biotic understand consequences and land use change for biodiversity using as a model system brown bear ( Ursus arctos ) in Europe. By including spatial variation energy contribution habitat models each food species, we showed that factors considerably improves our understanding distribution bears. Predicted shifts, which changes varied greatly considering various scenarios factors, warning about indirect effects. Our study confirmed advancing ecological networks species will improve is key conserving ecosystem services.

Language: Английский

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