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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Interactions between carnivore species: limited spatiotemporal partitioning between apex predator and smaller carnivores in a Mediterranean protected area

Frontiers in Zoology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: May 25, 2023

There is need of information on ecological interactions that keystone species such as apex predators establish in ecosystems recently recolonised. Interactions among carnivore have the potential to influence community-level processes, with consequences for ecosystem dynamics. Although avoidance by smaller carnivores has been reported, there increasing evidence competitive-to-facilitative context-dependent. In a protected area recolonised wolf Canis lupus and hosting abundant wild prey (3 ungulate species, 20-30 individuals/km2, together), we used 5-year food habit analyses 3-year camera trapping (i) investigate role mesocarnivores (4 species) diet; (ii) test temporal, spatial, fine-scale spatiotemporal association between wolf.Wolf diet was dominated large herbivores (86% occurrences, N = 2201 scats), occurring 2% scats. We collected 12,808 detections over > 19,000 days. found substantial (i.e., generally ≥ 0.75, 0-1 scale) temporal overlap mesocarnivores-in particular red fox-and wolf, no support negative or spatial associations mesocarnivore detection rates. All were nocturnal/crepuscular results suggested minor human activity modifying interspecific partitioning.Results suggest local great availability wolves limited towards carnivores, thus reducing avoidance. Our study emphasises patterns leading partitioning are not ubiquitous guilds.

Language: Английский

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Spatio-temporal interactions between the red fox and the wolf in two contrasting European landscapes

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Abstract Relationships among carnivore species are complex, potentially switching from competition to facilitation on a context-dependent basis. Negative associations predicted increase with latitude, due limited resources emphasising and/or intra-guild predation. Accordingly, stronger negative correlation between large- and meso-carnivore abundances should be expected at higher latitudes, substantial spatio-temporal partitioning favouring interspecific coexistence. Human presence may influence relationships (meso)carnivore species, as it can perceived risk factor, but anthropogenic food also provide an important additional resource. Using camera-trap data, we studied the two of most widespread carnivores in Europe, i.e., red fox wolf. We compared their monthly/daily different landscapes: Białowieża Primeval Forest (Poland) Mediterranean Maremma Regional Park (Italy). partitioning, well more attraction foxes humans northern site (Poland). Temporal activity patterns overlapped both sites, detection rates were positively associated, even though weaker way Poland. observed positive spatial association human Białowieża, not Maremma. This occurred only monthly temporal scale disappeared daily scale, suggesting some disturbance shorter term. Our results provided partial support our predictions suggest that, despite ecological differences study areas, weak wolf-fox relations observed, that responses wolves relatively comparable over large scales.

Language: Английский

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Badgers remain fearless in the face of simulated wolf presence near their setts

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Many mesocarnivores are fossorial and use burrow systems to avoid predators. But animals cannot stay safely underground forever; they must also risk emerging overground forage find mates. To make this trade-off effectively maximise their own fitness, it is imperative assess how varies in space time adapt denning behaviour accordingly. We used the badger Białowieża Forest, Poland, as a model for investigating of mesocarnivore response short-term large carnivore risk. end, we experimentally simulated perceived wolf presence outside 10 setts using audio playbacks wolves (their howls). assayed two behavioural measures fear: emergence from on day were broadcast after. found that neither nor next-day sett varied playbacks. The results present study contrast with previous ours badgers areas high landscape level less often than those lower-risk areas. Together, these papers' findings suggest different spatiotemporal scales can have differential effects behaviour. conclude rather take avoidance at all risky times places, likely display diversity reactions depend context scale being perceived.

Language: Английский

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Wolf risk fails to inspire fear in two mesocarnivores suggesting facilitation prevails

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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Wolf Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758

Handbook of the mammals of Europe, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 62

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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The Badgers of Wytham Woods

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 1, 2022

Abstract The Wytham badger study was begun in earnest by Hans Kruuk 1972, with David Macdonald his graduate student, and turn Chris Newman, David’s student. Fifty years later they have documented the genealogy, births, deaths, ‘marriages’ of over 1900 individuals. book is a journey from particular to general, developing themes model species that grows authors’ approach Badgers Woods: A Model for Behaviour, Ecology, Evolution. This accessible monograph engages 50 primary research woven around badgers Woods (Oxford, UK), covering topics as diverse life history strategy, climate change biology, genetics, communication, senescence, immunology, endocrinology, epidemiology. begins aspects individual behaviour, starting birth, early development, then recruitment youngsters into their social groups. In quest understand society its adaptive significance, following chapters describe networks, dynamics within those ultimately evaluate pros and, importantly, cons group living. account turns paradoxical relationships between adjoining groups, offers an ecological framework which interpret this sociology, explaining how living can evolve facultatively benefit equally adapted much less gregariously under other circumstances. Next story population levels analysis, exploring demography, impacts density, trade-offs (including pace theory), extrinsic factors such weather. population-level sequence leads diseases, specifically, role reservoir bovine tuberculosis, before moving yet different level—molecular. continues genetic selection thence adding bookend opening birth. concluding chapter sets variation at two levels, intra-specific inter-specific, culminates exploration theme throughout book: emergent outcome ecology environmental conditions experience, framed phylogeny Mustelidae more broadly, mammalian evolution.

Language: Английский

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Wolf Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758

Handbook of the mammals of Europe, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 62

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

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The Abundance and Sett Ecological Characteristics of the Asian Badger (Meles Leucurus) in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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The abundance and sett ecological characteristics of the Asian badger (Meles leucurus) in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park (NE China)

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 56, P. e03272 - e03272

Published: Oct. 29, 2024

Language: Английский

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