Population‐level inference for home‐range areas

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(5), P. 1027 - 1041

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Abstract Home‐range estimates are a common product of animal tracking data, as each range represents the area needed by given individual. Population‐level inference home‐range areas—where multiple individual home ranges considered to be sampled from population—is also important evaluate changes over time, space or covariates such habitat quality fragmentation, and for comparative analyses species averages. parameters have traditionally been estimated first assuming that input data were independently when calculating via conventional kernel density estimation (KDE) minimal convex polygon (MCP) methods, then those measured exactly population‐level estimates. This approach does not account temporal autocorrelation is inherent in modern nor uncertainties estimate, which often large heterogeneous. Here, we introduce statistically computationally efficient framework analysis areas, based on autocorrelated (AKDE), can variable uncertainty. We apply our method empirical examples lowland tapir Tapirus terrestris , kinkajou Potos flavus white‐nosed coati Nasua narica white‐faced capuchin monkey Cebus capucinus spider Ateles geoffroyi quantify differences between species, environments sexes. Our allows researchers more accurately compare different populations with movement behaviours sampling schedules while retaining statistical precision power vary. Finally, emphasize effect sizes comparing populations, rather than mere significance tests.

Language: Английский

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Koala forest habitat recovery varies with fire severity

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 556, P. 121704 - 121704

Published: Feb. 2, 2024

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is at risk of extinction in the wild as a result ongoing habitat loss due to clearing, and extreme weather events including fire. In 2022 Australian government upgraded conservation listing from Vulnerable Endangered. late 2019 2020 Australia experienced widespread severe wildfires many threatened species were adversely affected. A 230 hectare forested property with known near Crows Nest, Queensland, Australia, was surveyed three months after wildfire November 2019, assess impact, then annually for years recovery. most resilient tree forest types identified robustness. Our fire severity scale classified impacts using trunk scorch height, crown scorching, loss, mortality. Subsequent surveys recovery by assessing epicormic shooting, coppicing, seedlings, sapling regrowth, survival. Fire promoted shooting along stems, but severity, coppicing base dominant response. Moderate high tolerated preferred species, mortality increased significantly severity. fire-resilient these Eucalyptus eugenioides, which displayed significant moderately high, severities, severities. type study area characterised this so may be an important factor if selecting areas region koalas other arboreal mammals.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating deep learning methods applied to Landsat time series subsequences to detect and classify boreal forest disturbances events: The challenge of partial and progressive disturbances

Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 306, P. 114107 - 114107

Published: March 28, 2024

The monitoring of forest ecosystems is significantly affected by the lack consistent historical data low-severity (forest partially disturbed) or gradual disturbance (e.g. eastern spruce budworm epidemic). goal this paper to explore use a subset Landsat time series and deep learning models identify both type year disturbances, including in boreal Canada at pixel level. Remote sensing such as spectral information from are best available option for large scale observations disturbances that go back decades. Traditional modeling approaches, like LandTrendr, require substantial handcrafted pre-processing remove noise extract temporal features image sequences before using them input classical machine-learning model. Deep-learning can autonomously discern which relevant within coarse annual dense series. We evaluated performance TempCNN Transformer model detecting classifying subsequences. Our findings resulted generation four maps outlining history 1986 2021 Canadian forest. experimental outcomes demonstrate several significant benefits employing models. Firstly, noisy they achieve comparable accuracy fire total harvesting than existing publicly maps. Secondly, shorter subsequence with enables map adequately different overlapping occurring complete Finally, increase number distinguishable classes adding partial harvesting, recovery older events, making useful approaches obtaining first remote sensing-based areas budworm.

Language: Английский

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Local weather interacts with human disturbances to shape the behaviour of boreal caribou across a large climate gradient

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 20, 2025

Language: Английский

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The Erosion of Threatened Southern Mountain Caribou Migration

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Migration enables animals to access seasonally and spatially varying resources, resulting in greater abundance compared analogous non-migratory wildlife. Both Western science Indigenous knowledge recognize the critical role of migration sustaining wildlife; yet these movements are increasingly disrupted by human activity worldwide. Despite their importance, long-term changes migratory patterns for large mammals remain challenging quantify. Therefore, address this gap, we analyzed 35 years (1987-2022) telemetry data southern mountain caribou (n = 2967 animal-years), a threatened population that typically exhibits two main types annual migration. The first type is single horizontal between summer winter ranges, while second twice-per-year vertical high low elevations. We studied extent migration, through time, determined if correlated with landscape disturbance or shifts weather. Our results show reduced duration (2-3 days/decade), distance (6-8 km/decade 15%-25%) elevation change (120-150 m/decade 7%-23% elevational migrants). subpopulations adapted extreme snow depths conducted unique twice year, which globally distinctive among ungulates. However, diminishing elevation. increased disturbance, especially low-elevation ranges. Changes weather did not appear be major driver declines. Declines behaviour occurred concomitantly declines increases processes likely intertwined. rapid loss migrations significant conservation concern could have irreversible consequences social transmission fitness-maximizing behaviors.

Language: Английский

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Climate change mitigation through woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) habitat restoration in British Columbia

Environmental Research Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. 025004 - 025004

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Climate change poses a significant global threat, requiring rapid and effective mitigation strategies to limit future warming. Tree planting is commonly proposed readily implementable natural climate solution. It also vital component of habitat restoration for the threatened woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus) . There potential goals conservation carbon sequestration be combined co-benefits. We examine this opportunity by estimating impacts tree in range British Columbia (BC), Canada. To do so, we couple Landsat-derived datasets with Physiological Processes Predicting Growth, process-based model forest growth. compare informed needs maximum under multiple scenarios including shared socio‐economic pathways (SSP) 2, representing ∼2.7 °C warming, SSP5, ∼4.4 Trees were modelled as planted 2025. Province-wide 2100, maximum-carbon averaged 1062 Mg CO 2 · ha −1 planted, while resulted an average 930 reduction 12%. found that relative between herds remained similar across warming that, most ecotypes, increased from 5% 7% coldest (∼2.7 warming) warmest (∼4.4 scenario. Variability was observed herds, highlighting importance spatially-explicit, herd-level analysis growth when planning activities. Our findings indicate large co-benefits BC all modelled. They underscore value models evaluating implications areas changing climate.

Language: Английский

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Causal attribution from retrospective data in Canada's woodland caribou system

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(3)

Published: April 1, 2025

Forecasting the benefits of management interventions intended to improve ecological conditions requires a causal understanding factors that lead system change. The attribution factor is defined as difference between outcome observed in presence and would have been factor's absence, is, counterfactual condition. Estimating this contrast relatively straightforward, where matched or randomized controls are available approximate However, researchers must reason retrospectively from observational data not available. In case, challenge establishing estimating true counterfactual, resulted absence factor, given it was present. Causal analysis permits estimation counterfactuals data, assuming model captures all common causes exposure outcome, independent other (i.e., exogenous), same directional change for units monotonic). I estimated habitat-related recruitment rates Canada's boreal population woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Aggregate habitat disturbance had low (17.6%). Attribution greater (29.5%) when disaggregated into different associated with pathways decline. considered nevertheless rarely exceeded 50%, suggesting there systematic and/or stochastic can limit effectiveness current recovery actions. More effort required understand these how they might be managed probability successful recovery.

Language: Английский

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Efficacy and ethics of intensive predator management to save endangered caribou

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 4(7)

Published: May 21, 2022

Abstract Lethal population control has a history of application to wildlife management and conservation. There is debate about the efficacy practice, but more controversial ethical justification methods killing one species in favor another. This situation facing conservation woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) Canada. Across multiple jurisdictions, large numbers wolves Canis lupus ), lesser extent bears Ursus americanus coyotes C. latrans are killed through trapping, poisoning or aerial shooting halt reverse continued declines caribou. While there evidence support effectiveness predator as stop‐gap solution, questions remain which this activity can make meaningful contribution long‐term recovery. Also, myriad objections lethal removal predators, even if that name Debates management, just numerous invasive actions for maintaining caribou, made complex by conflation ethics efficacy. Ultimately, solutions recovery require governments stop delaying difficult decisions address real causes decline, habitat 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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A Burning Question: What are the Implications of Forest Fires for Woodland Caribou?

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 85(8), P. 1685 - 1698

Published: Aug. 16, 2021

ABSTRACT Canada's federal recovery strategy for boreal woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) classifies areas burned by forest fire as disturbed habitat. This assignment of a disturbance has potential economic and social implications across Canada, influences plans actions to achieve conservation recovery. Previous researchers have reported avoid habitat, but these studies did not typically consider unburned residual patches within perimeters. Additionally, the habitat on individual survival is unclear. We examined resource selection burns, patches, using global positioning system (GPS) locations 201 6 populations in Alberta, Canada. also if affected adult female caribou. Caribou avoided burns patches. Increased use habitats, however, lower Collectively, results provide evidence support current assertions that embedded are preferred increase our understanding vital rates. Our investigation offers important information about role ecology enhances identification under guidelines effectively address population declines. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

Language: Английский

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