Current Conservation Regimes and the Road to Laws on Assisted Migration

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 69(6), P. 1186 - 1201

Published: March 30, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Carrying Capacity, Concept of

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 13 - 21

Published: Dec. 20, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Woody species response to altered herbivore pressure at Isle Royale National Park

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(7)

Published: July 1, 2023

Abstract Herbivores shape vegetative communities via numerous mechanisms, including browse. We used vegetation monitoring data from Isle Royale National Park to examine woody species change across a nine‐year interval, coinciding with herbivore escalation. Here, moose and snowshoe hare are the dominant herbivores, while gray wolf is apex predator. Our initial sampling period (2010) followed six years of low abundance, our second event (2019) escalation in density. tested for both saplings shrubs compared diameter size distributions common tree three island sections. found decline large sugar maple, limited west section island. also saw declines small paper birch, trembling aspen. For some species, black spruce white spruce, taxa that unpalatable moose, were proportionally larger (i.e., indicative fewer individuals) 2019 than 2010. In contrast, ash central aspen east sections smaller (indicative more ~50% shrub abundant during event, none declined. work here brings light several unanticipated results. While we demonstrated partial recovery aspen, likely originating earlier results suggest further changes may be attributable other herbivores. The response ash, hydric stemming sixfold increase active beaver sites, historic spike currently have only understanding impacts island's lesser studied herbivores on overstory regeneration. Further research these linkages can inform decisions addressing controls forest structure.

Language: Английский

---

Temporal variation in translocated Isle Royale wolf diet reflects optimal foraging.

Authorea (Authorea), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 24, 2022

Wolves (Canis lupus) can exert top-down pressure and shape ecological communities through selective predation of ungulates beavers (Castor Canadensis). Considering their ability to predation, understanding wolf foraging decisions is critical predicting ecosystem level effects. Specifically, if wolves are optimal foragers, consumers that optimize tradeoffs between cost benefits prey acquisition, changes in these factors may lead switching or negative-density dependent selection with potential consequences for community stability. For wolves, affecting include vulnerability, risk, reward, availability which vary temporally. We described diet by frequency occurrence percent biomass characterized relation using remains found scats on Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA during May–October 2019–2020. used logistic regression estimate consumption over time. predicted temporal variation (vulnerability and/or availability) such as adult calf moose (Alces alces) beaver wolves’ diet. analyzed 206 identified 62% beaver, 26% moose, 12% other (birds, smaller mammals, wolves). Adult were more likely occur scat May, when poor condition following winter. Similarly, the calves peaked June–mid July parturition but before vulnerability declined they matured. In contrast, did not change time, possibly reflecting importance low handling items recently introduced lone paired wolves. Our results demonstrate plastic responsive acquisition theory. Temporal fluctuation influence role respond increased risk altering breeding behavior.

Language: Английский

---