Integrating Human and Wildlife Dynamics in Co‐Occurrence Modelling

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT In shared environments, where different species interact depending on overlapping resources, complex interspecific interactions emerge, with human activities impacting these dynamics and influencing wildlife abundance distribution. the Alps, presence of multiple ungulates, such as roe deer red deer, a predator, wolf, creates web spatial behavioral in an area farming, hunting tourism have persisted over time, recently experiencing substantial growth. Accounting for interactions, we modelled co‐occurrence probabilities wolves Maritime Alps using data derived from 60 camera traps. We applied multi‐species occupancy models to investigate (i) role co‐occurrences explaining model across landscape, (ii) (iii) potential effect season detection probabilities. Among identified species, reported highest frequency recorded events were most widespread species. provided important evidence dependence, revealing that pairwise among had greater impact than only considering individual environmental effects. documented setting cameras trails increased likelihood detecting but decreased ungulates. Most importantly, significantly reduced capturing while having no either or wolves. Our results confirmed relevance including prey, predators, whole. Since sharing habitat makes defining predator–prey mechanisms, our insights are particularly relevant solutions optimize human‐wildlife coexistence, especially highly anthropogenic system Europe.

Language: Английский

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Collared Peccary Wallows are Hubs of Animal Activity and Diversity in a Central American Wet Forest

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Despite research linking peccary wallows to increased amphibian biodiversity in wet tropical forests Amazonia, wallow use by the broader vertebrate community has been overlooked. We investigated collared ( Pecari Dicotyles ) tajacu activity patterns at and used multiple detection methods assess a Central American lowland forest northeastern Costa Rica. found significantly higher diversity compared nearby surrounding understory forest. documented 13 amphibian, 2 reptile, 11 bird, 16 nonvolant mammal species, behaviors including reproduction, drinking, bathing wallows. Our observations suggest that can sometimes persist for least 6 years are consistently over time period peccaries breeding amphibians. study improves understanding of ecological importance region amid recent changes populations ongoing land climate shifts.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Landscape Attributes on Medium- and Large Terrestrial Non-Volant Mammals: A Systematic Review of Camera Trap Studies (2010--2023)

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

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Terrestrial landscapes are undergoing unprecedented transformations due to human activities, resulting in habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation on a global scale. This has severe effects wildlife, especially medium- large-sized terrestrial mammals. Landscape ecology seeks understand how configuration, quantity, quality, connectivity impact wildlife populations. article presents meta-analysis exploring the of landscape attributes populations mammals, highlighting role biodiversity conservation. A total 180 articles published between 2010 2023 were analyzed, selected from scientific databases. Patterns evaluated terms geographic coverage, research topics, response variables, land use, metrics applied. Most studies conducted Americas, Asia, Africa, focusing tropical subtropical biomes. Of these, 68.89% centered mammal communities general. The most frequently studied variables species richness (28.45%), occupancy (25.63%), abundance (12.39%). commonly used related disturbances quantity. Studies mainly native forests (77.17%) areas with agricultural activities (42.39%). review highlights growing importance camera traps mammalian need their Species observed respond differently transformation, some exhibiting ecological flexibility others experiencing negative impacts.

Language: Английский

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Combining camera trap and fitness app data to assess mammal response to hiking and mountain biking trail use

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 25, 2025

Abstract Managing lands for both wildlife conservation and accessible recreational opportunities can be a delicate balance. General trail use disturb range of species in variety well‐described ways, but the specific effects mountain biking on – an important management question remains controversial literature. In past, collecting data uses was time‐consuming expensive. Today, on‐line recreation apps automatically collect these data. This study used from social fitness app, Strava Metro, to assess differential hiking parks Marin County, California, USA. Combining user with mammal frequency community science camera trap project, we compared generalized linear mixed models how mammals spatially temporally responded distance trails levels activity. Of 5 primarily non‐nocturnal our area, 4 were either or less frequent near trails: western gray squirrels ( Sciurus griseus ), brush rabbits Sylvilagus bachmani coyotes Canis latrans mule deer Odocoileus hemionus ). Mule also moderately sensitive sites high bike use. When accounting use, at high‐use sites. Metro provided useful analyses, showing potential as resource managing public e‐bike prevalence increases.

Language: Английский

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Functional connectivity for white-tailed deer drives the distribution of tick-borne pathogens in a highly urbanized setting

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

Published: March 19, 2025

Context. As cities seek to provide more habitat for wildlife, there may be unintended consequences of increasing tick-borne disease hazards. In the United States, Northeast is both highly urban and a hotspot blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) emergence. Though was once considered suburban rural problem, hazards in landscapes are increasing.Objectives. We hypothesized that multi-scale ecological processes hierarchically contribute across an urbanization gradient. Urban greenspaces with higher functional connectivity deer movement would have occupancy at ‘ecological neighborhood’ scale, resulting increased tick populations pathogen infection scale within greenspaces.Methods. To evaluate our hypothesis, we used circuit theory methods model impact on occupancy, abundance, infected sampled nymphal during their peak activity deployed wildlife cameras detect 38 New York City Long Island, NY from 2022–2023.Results. found significantly predicted cascading effects abundance Borrelia burgdorferi infection. novelly identified threshold areas necessary populations, B. burgdorferi, emerge environments.Conclusions. recommend targeted hazard mitigation along this as part greenspace management plans. Additionally, highlight importance examining landscape drivers host, tick, interactions.

Language: Английский

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Forest Elephants in a Human-Dominated Landscape: Are They Risk-Takers?

Tropical Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 18

Published: April 1, 2025

Habitat loss from forest conversion to agriculture threatens tropical biodiversity. Despite documented risk-avoidance behaviors, some species may adopt riskier strategies gain access food. Recent of a protected area in southern Cameroon an agro-industrial plantation coincides with increased sightings elephants near human settlements, which is unusual and suggests drastic change their habitat use. This study aims examine the influence activity on elephant use evaluate effectiveness two survey methods documenting occurrence. Twenty-one camera traps were deployed along border between declassified community land, reconnaissance walks conducted trap stations. Results both compared. Elephant occurrence tended be negatively affected by activity, inactive during peak activity. However, presence settlements general risk-taking behavior Moreover, proved more effective than providing greater amount data. risky proximity humans points complex trade-off risk food resources, where nutritional benefits easy crops secondary resources outweigh perceived human-mediated risk. At same time, minimize direct interactions humans. Further fragmentation encroachment wild areas are expected future. As often lead conflict, continued monitoring human-dominated landscapes using efficient crucial design up-to-date management conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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Refining Camera Trap Surveys for Mammal Detection and Diversity Assessment in the Baviaanskloof Catchment, South Africa

Wild, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2(2), P. 15 - 15

Published: April 29, 2025

Conserving biodiversity in mixed-land-use areas is essential, as nearly 80% of South Africa’s wild species exist outside protected areas. This study investigated mammalian diversity within the Baviaanskloof catchment, a mixed-use landscape Eastern Cape, Africa. It also evaluated how camera setup parameters impact detectability. Using 131 traps over four survey sessions from January 2020 to April 2022, 34 were recorded 21,020 trap days. Biodiversity indices revealed high with substantial variability across locations. Species discovery reached an asymptote at approximately 153 sampling days, though extended monitoring detected rarer species. Cameras positioned heights 40–70 cm improved detection rates, while above 100 reduced captures. However, elevation effects varied species, highlighting need for species-specific optimization. Optimal angles ranged 50 90°, extreme decreasing capture frequency. North- and south-facing cameras yielded better west-facing orientations introduced glare visibility. These findings underscore significance emphasize optimize configurations enhance wildlife conservation strategies complex, landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Mammal Diversity in Southern Gabon: Grid-Based vs Semi-Random Camera Trapping

African Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 55(1)

Published: May 7, 2025

Language: Английский

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A test of motion‐sensitive cameras to index ungulate densities: group size matters

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 87(3)

Published: Jan. 24, 2023

Abstract The use of species detection rates gathered from motion‐sensitive cameras as relative abundance indices (RAIs) could be a cost‐effective tool to monitor wildlife populations; however, validations based on comparisons with reference methods are necessary. We considered 3 ungulates, wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), roe deer Capreolus capreolus and fallow Dama dama compared 2 different RAIs independent density obtained through feces counts across summers (2019–2021) in protected area central Italy. estimated the number detections per day (RAI events individuals ) remote camera videos. Both were correlated estimates, yet only RAI correctly ranked interspecific densities. Values for most abundant gregarious ungulate (i.e., boar) biased low lower than those deer. uncertainty was acceptable study (CVs ≤ 25%) but greater At intra‐specific level, estimates showed comparable slight inter‐annual variation. Our results support derived promising populations, researchers should incorporate group size into monitoring. advocate necessity field tests comparison locally reliable validate cameras.

Language: Английский

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Niche partitioning by sympatric civets in the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11, P. e14741 - e14741

Published: Feb. 21, 2023

Niche overlap between sympatric species can indicate the extent of interspecific competition. Sympatric competing exhibit spatial, temporal, and dietary adjustments to reduce We investigated niche Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) small Indian (Viverricula indica), in around Pir Lasura National Park, Pakistan. used remote cameras determine frequency timing detections estimate spatial temporal overlap, prey remains from scats overlap. collected scat samples (n = 108) 44) for analysis. found low (Oij 0.32) (Δ 0.39) but high (0.9) these two species. Both were detected at only 11 camera sites civets most frequently during 2:00-5:00 h 8:00-10:00 h, whereas greatest 20:00-2:00 h. The overall breadth was slightly narrower (L 9.69, Lst 0.31) than that 10, 0.52). identified 27 items (15 plant, 12 animal) including Himalayan pear (Pyrus pashia; 27%), gerbil (Tatera indica; 10%), Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta; 4%), insects (5%). Scat analysis revealed 17 (eight nine (24%), domestic poultry (15%), (11%), house mouse (Mus musculus; 5%). consumed fruits cultivated orchard Spatial partitioning landscapes containing diverse foods appears facilitate coexistence civets.

Language: Английский

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