Predicting the Impact of Climate Change on the Distribution of North China Leopards (Panthera pardus japonensis) in Gansu Province Using MaxEnt Modeling

Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 126 - 126

Published: Jan. 26, 2025

Climate change has a profound impact on the phenology and growth of vegetation, which in turn influences distribution behavior animal communities, including prey species. This dynamic shift significantly affects predator survival activities. study utilizes MaxEnt model to explore how climate impacts North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) Ziwuling region Gansu Province, China. As an endemic subspecies apex predator, is vital for maintaining structure function local ecosystems. Unfortunately, its population faces several threats, habitat change, interspecies competition, human encroachment, all are compounded by ongoing effects change. To assess requirement quality this species, we conducted survey area from May 2020 June 2022, utilizing 240 infrared cameras, identified 46 active sites. Using model, simulated suitability future under different scenarios based nine environmental variables. Our results indicate that leopards primarily influenced mean diurnal range (Bio2), with additional sensitivity isothermal conditions (Bio3), temperature seasonality (Bio4), maximum warmest month (Bio5), annual (Bio7). We also evaluated across three socioeconomic pathways (SSP126, SSP245, SSP585) time intervals: 2050s (2041–2060), 2070s (2061–2080), 2090s (2081–2100). The findings suggest significant decline high-suitability leopards, while areas medium low projected increase. Understanding these distributional changes will enhance our comprehension region’s biogeography inform conservation strategies aimed at mitigating

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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The geography of diet variation in Neotropical Carnivora

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 52(1), P. 112 - 128

Published: Sept. 7, 2021

Abstract Mammalian carnivores (order Carnivora) perform important regulatory functions in terrestrial food webs. Building a comprehensive knowledge of the dietary patterns carnivorans and factors determining such is essential for improving our understanding role ecosystem functioning. In Neotropics, there are 64 extant species Carnivora, but information on their trophic ecology diffuse. We compiled analysed available quantitative data Neotropical carnivorans, aiming to detect intraspecific interspecific variation at large geographical scale. The resulting database encompasses interactions 37 native carnivoran from six families across 14 countries. There clear biases towards southern Brazil, Chile, Argentina, noticeable gap within Amazon. Also, most studies focused canids felids, especially Puma concolor , Panthera onca, Cerdocyon thous, Leopardus pardalis, Chrysocyon brachyurus, whereas 27 species, we found no information. consume least 651 genera vertebrates, invertebrates, plants. species‐specific marked differences between felids canids. Although predators generally exhibit high levels consistency diets regarding prey body mass, detected significant all study sites. Body mass imposes strong constraints use, biogeographical availability human influence may drive found. Overall, observed show not only similarities with resource‐use other continents, as nestedness driven by also differences, frugivory consumption invertebrates Assessing first step better processes underlying organisation interactions, imperative addressing impacts defaunation ecosystems informing conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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Numerical top‐down effects on red deer (Cervus elaphus) are mainly shaped by humans rather than large carnivores across Europe

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 60(12), P. 2625 - 2635

Published: Nov. 8, 2023

Abstract Terrestrial ecosystems are shaped by interacting top‐down and bottom‐up processes, with the magnitude of control large carnivores largely depending on environmental productivity. While carnivore‐induced numerical effects ungulate prey populations have been demonstrated in large, relatively undisturbed ecosystems, whether can play a similar role more human‐dominated systems is clear knowledge gap. As humans influence both predator variety ways, ecological impacts be modified. We quantified interactive human activities carnivore presence red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) population density how their interacted varied Data were collected based literature survey encompassing 492 study sites across 28 European countries. Variation was analysed using generalized additive model which productivity, (grey wolf, lynx, Brown bear), (hunting, intensity land‐use activity), site protection status climatic variables served as predictors. The results showed that reduction only occurred when lynx bear co‐occurred within same site. In absence carnivores, along productivity gradient without pattern. Although linear relationship all three species found, this not statistically significant. Moreover, hunting had stronger effect than reducing increased increasing land use, (all present) at low activities. Synthesis applications . This provides evidence for dominant played (i.e. hunting, activities) relative to landscapes. These findings suggest we would like exert numeric effects, should focus minimizing allow ecosystem functioning.

Language: Английский

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Free‐ranging livestock affected the spatiotemporal behavior of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(4)

Published: April 1, 2023

Abstract Long recognized as a threat to wildlife, particularly for large carnivores, livestock grazing in protected areas can potentially undermine conservation objectives. The interspecific interactions among livestock, snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ), and their wild prey fragile Asian highland ecosystems have been subject of debate. We strategically deployed 164 camera traps the Wolong National Nature Reserve systematically investigate activities leopards, primary ungulate species, free‐ranging livestock. found that leopard habitat use was influenced by both Blue sheep served main spatially attracted coexisted with yaks while significantly restricted temporally spatially. This study challenges conventional understanding indirectly impacts carnivores competing displacing prey. Our findings highlight within alpine canyon terrain could directly limit use, suggesting potential risk reducing apex predator distribution jeopardizing populations. Consequently, managing coexistence shared habitats requires more nuanced approach. Furthermore, our research underscores importance further efforts aimed at enhancing comprehension complex interplay animal communities ecosystems. knowledge will contribute development informed, evidence‐based strategies policies.

Language: Английский

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Feedback loops between 3D vegetation structure and ecological functions of animals

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(9), P. 1597 - 1613

Published: July 7, 2023

Abstract Ecosystems function in a series of feedback loops that can change or maintain vegetation structure. Vegetation structure influences the ecological niche space available to animals, shaping many aspects behaviour and reproduction. In turn, animals perform functions shape However, most studies concerning three‐dimensional animal ecology consider only single direction this relationship. Here, we review these separate lines research integrate them into unified concept describes mechanism. We also show how remote sensing tracking technologies are now at global scale describe their consequences for ecosystem functioning. An improved understanding interact with is needed conserve ecosystems face major disruptions response climate land‐use change.

Language: Английский

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Wolf Population Size and Composition in One of Europe's Strongholds, the Romanian Carpathians

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Strategies of coexistence with large carnivores should integrate scientific evidence, population monitoring providing an opportunity for advancing outdated management paradigms. We estimated wolf density and social dynamics across a 1400 km 2 area in data‐poor region the Romanian Carpathians. Across three consecutive years (2017–2018 until 2019–2020), we collected genotyped 505 noninvasive DNA samples (scat, hair urine) to identify individuals, reconstruct pedigrees, check presence hybridization domestic dogs. identified 27 males, 20 females, one F1 wolf–dog hybrid male. delineated six packs, pack size varying between two seven documented yearly changes composition. Using spatial capture–recapture approach, at 2.35 wolves/100 (95% BCI = 1.68–3.03) abundance 70 individuals 49–89). Noninvasive data collection coupled has potential inform on broader scales, different sampling areas representative diverse Carpathian landscapes, levels human impact, supporting wildlife decision making Europe's main strongholds carnivores.

Language: Английский

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Cascading impacts of urbanization on multitrophic richness and biomass stock in neotropical streams

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 806, P. 151398 - 151398

Published: Nov. 4, 2021

Language: Английский

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Broad aggressive interactions among African carnivores suggest intraguild killing is driven by more than competition

Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 103(2)

Published: Nov. 24, 2021

Theory on intraguild killing (IGK) is central to mammalian carnivore community ecology and top-down ecosystem regulation. Yet, the cryptic nature of IGK hinders empirical evaluations. Using a novel data source - online photographs interspecific aggression between African carnivores we revisited existing predictions about extent drivers IGK. Compared with seminal reviews, our constructed network yielded 10 more species nearly twice as many interactions. The interactions increased 37% when considering (direct attack) precursor events. We show that occurs over wider range body-mass ratios than predicted by standing competition-based views, highly asymmetrical being pervasive. Evidence large species, particularly hypercarnivore felids, target sympatric wide body sizes suggests current theory incomplete, underestimating alternative competition pathways role predatory incidental killing. Our findings reinforce potential for IGK-mediated cascades in species-rich assemblages community-wide suppressive effects carnivores.

Language: Английский

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Changes in the large carnivore community structure of the Judean Desert in connection to Holocene human settlement dynamics

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

Published: Feb. 11, 2021

Abstract Investigating historical anthropogenic impacts on faunal communities is key to understanding present patterns of biodiversity and holds important implications for conservation biology. While several studies have demonstrated the human role in extinction large herbivores, effective methods study interference carnivores past are limited by small number carnivoran remains paleozoological record. Here, we integrate a systematic survey biogenic cave assemblages with archaeological paleoenvironmental records Judean Desert, reveal changes carnivore community. Our results show late Holocene (~ 3400 years ago) reassembly characterized diminishment dominant carnivoran, Arabian leopard ( Panthera pardus sbsp. nimr ), spread Syrian striped hyena Hyaena hyaena syriaca ). We suggest that increased hunting pressure combination regional aridification were responsible decrease leopards, while introduction domestic animals settlement refuse brought new scavenging opportunities hyenas. The recent extirpation leopards from region has been final note impact ecosystem.

Language: Английский

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