Mammalian predator and prey responses to recreation and land use across multiple scales provide limited support for the human shield hypothesis

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Outdoor recreation is widespread, with uncertain effects on wildlife. The human shield hypothesis (HSH) suggests that could have differential predators and prey, predator avoidance of humans creating a spatial refuge 'shielding' prey from people. generality the HSH remains to be tested across larger scales, wherein shielding may prove generalizable, or diminish variability in ecological contexts. We combined data 446 camera traps 79,279 sampling days 10 landscapes spanning 15,840 km

Language: Английский

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Humans disrupt access to prey for large African carnivores

eLife, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Nov. 18, 2020

Wildlife respond to human presence by adjusting their temporal niche, possibly modifying encounter rates among species and trophic dynamics that structure communities. We assessed wildlife diel activity responses consequential changes in predator-prey overlap using 11,111 detections of 3 large carnivores 11 ungulates across 21,430 camera trap-nights West Africa. Over two-thirds exhibited mainly diurnal presence, with ungulate nocturnal increasing 7.1%. Rather than traditional pairwise comparisons, we considered spatiotemporally explicit predator access several prey resources evaluate community-level presence. Although leopard was not affected humans, lion spotted hyena three significantly increased when avoid humans. Human considerably influenced the composition available prey, implications for selection, demonstrating how humans perturb ecological processes via behavioral modifications.

Language: Английский

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Impact of human disturbance on temporal partitioning within carnivore communities

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 52(1), P. 67 - 81

Published: July 13, 2021

Abstract Interspecific competition is an important evolutionary force, influencing interactions between species and shaping the composition of biological communities. In mammalian carnivores, to reduce risks negative encounters competitors, can employ a strategy temporal partitioning, adapting activity patterns limit synchronous activity. This non‐human competitor avoidance, however, may be influenced by expansion human activities, which has driven wild mammals towards nocturnality. We hypothesise that disruption niche partitioning humans their activities could increase overlap enhancing interspecific competition. reviewed published literature systematically employed generalised linear models evaluate quantitatively relative influence range human, meteorological ecological variables on coefficients within terrestrial carnivore communities (orders Carnivora Didelphimorphia) global scale. None investigated showed evidence impact carnivores illustrates avoidance competitors does not always follow consistent pattern its strength context‐dependent other dimensions (spatial trophic). Similarly, regulation strongly site‐specific combination biotic abiotic characteristics. Temporal both take form short, reactive responses do in longer term. Although we did detect due disturbance, still experience dimensions. Further research would benefit from using controlled experimental designs investigating multiple simultaneously. Finally, recommend complementing coefficient with metrics fine‐scale spatiotemporal interactions.

Language: Английский

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Predator control alters wolf interactions with prey and competitor species over the diel cycle

Oikos, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2022(8)

Published: May 13, 2022

Predator control remains one of the most common strategies for conservation threatened prey species. Despite significant and ongoing efforts to reduce predator populations, little is known about impacts on behaviour interactions target non‐target species following numerical potentially behavioural suppression predators. We used camera‐trap data collected before after an intensive wolf program in northeastern Alberta's boreal forest evaluate changes activity patterns overlap wolves, competitors prey. hypothesized wolves would shift their toward increased nocturnality avoid diurnal efforts, thereby cause a cascade where other maintain temporal segregation from wolves. Wolves shifted into nighttime control, reducing with other, mostly diurnal, members community. Decreases between indicates reduced potential ungulate large competitor may therefore not only release top down regulation competition predators, but also through de‐coupling overlap, effects interactions. Understanding indirect such as both provides insight disruptions top–down associated that shape community structure.

Language: Английский

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Marbled cats in Southeast Asia: Are diurnal and semi‐arboreal felids at greater risk from human disturbances?

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract Southeast Asia supports the greatest diversity of felids globally, but this is threatened by severe forest loss and degradation occurring in region. The response to disturbances appears differ depending on their ecology. For example, largely terrestrial nocturnal leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis ) thrives near edges oil palm plantations where it hunts rodents (Muridae) at night, thereby avoiding human activity peaks. Conversely, we hypothesized that sympatric similar‐sized marbled Pardofelis marmorata would respond negatively relatively open as they are more arboreal than cats, rely tree connectivity for hunting, diurnal so have less potential temporally avoid humans. We used camera trapping from test habitat associations multiple spatial scales using zero‐inflated Poisson generalized linear mixed models hierarchical occupancy modeling. found cats were positively associated with large intact forests and, contrast plantations. Furthermore, preliminary evidence suggesting may adapt diel become crepuscular degraded forests, likely shifting These findings suggest cat's International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) Red List conservation status should potentially be upgraded Near Threatened Vulnerable, matching other forest‐dependent posit our generalizable such semi‐arboreal could face greater threats relatives.

Language: Английский

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Integrating human trail use in montane landscapes reveals larger zones of human influence for wary carnivores

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Abstract Coexistence between humans and wildlife is necessary for many conservation goals but difficult to achieve in landscapes with increasing human populations species that are often wary of people may also threaten safety. In these contexts, coexistence be enhanced by identifying geographic areas where animal movement particularly important changes use via trail design could support both We used camera trap data monitor the spatial distribution grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos ), grey wolves Canis lupus within central Canadian Rocky Mountains, anthropogenic development activity have gradually encroached on limited habitat. quantified variation then incorporated this output into models detection rates wolves. interpolated metrics throughout study area using inverse distance weighted averages from cameras. This approach supported a novel estimate cumulative effects at all nearby trails space use. our zone influence wolves, determining which no longer exhibited measurable change each The negative declined steeply such 50% decrease immediately adjacent would expected occur 267 m 576 Weak effects, 5% as strong effect trails, extended up 1.8 6.1 km revealing importance measures Synthesis applications . Our work shows how over entire can alter rates. results identify target buffer distances protected near modelling framework land managers predict altering networks modifying affect advance coexistence.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of free-roaming dogs on spatiotemporal niches of native carnivores in Taiwan

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03411 - e03411

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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When the wild things are: Defining mammalian diel activity and plasticity

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(9)

Published: Feb. 26, 2025

Circadian rhythms are a mechanism by which species adapt to environmental variability and fundamental understanding behavior. However, we lack data standardized framework accurately assess compare temporal activity for during rapid ecological change. Through global network representing 38 countries, leveraged 8.9 million mammalian observations create library of 14,587 diel estimates 445 species. We found that less than half the species’ were in agreement with classifications from reference literature commonly used more one classification. Species was highly plastic when exposed anthropogenic Furthermore, body size distributional extent strongly associated whether is diurnal or nocturnal. Our findings provide essential knowledge behavior an era change suggest need new, quantitative defines logically consistently while capturing plasticity.

Language: Английский

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Differences in mammal community response to highway construction along a small urban–rural gradient

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 4, 2025

Worldwide, transportation agencies have been involved in road mitigation efforts to reduce mortality and promote connectivity of endangered species. Baseline data on how mammals respond highway construction, however, are rarely collected monitoring studies, including the USA. Our goal this study was assess differences response mammal community construction along a gradient human land use (HLU) from July 2019 November 2020 southern Texas, We compared species composition terrestrial at five sites before during assessed diel activity for seven different HLU levels between these two time periods. found that lower period each level. There were greater pre‐construction periods as decreased. Community diversity greatest areas with low level HLU, followed by medium high levels, more carnivores, large ungulates, rodents sites. For many species, patterns across all reflected higher period. shows behavior (diel activity) likely change regardless degree HLU. These results may influence scientists consider potential impacts wildlife affect their attempt mitigate impacts.

Language: Английский

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Hiding in plain sight: risk mitigation by a cryptic carnivore foraging at the urban edge

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 244 - 258

Published: Aug. 17, 2021

Abstract As natural habitat is progressively transformed, effective wildlife conservation relies on understanding the phenotypic traits that allow select species to persist outside of protected areas. Through behavioural flexibility such may trade off abundant resources with risks, both real and perceived. highly adaptable mesocarnivores, caracals ( Caracal caracal ) provide an opportunity examine development successful foraging strategies in high‐risk developed Here we investigated resource selection anthropogenic environmental factors relative availability at varying levels urbanization around city Cape Town, South Africa, using GPS cluster‐located feeding events n = 326 prey remains, 384 scat). We also examined spatial temporal risk mitigation by assessing behaviours clusters. find that, within home ranges, living urban‐dominated region 14; 548 events) for urban edge, while wildland‐dominated 3; 162 avoid it. Adults selected more strongly edge than juveniles competitively exclude them from resources. By including back‐traced scat event locations, were able improve model resolution. argue a large metropole mitigate detection remaining cryptic, prolonging handling time, maintaining high site fidelity where cover was available. Along strong functional response this strategy suggests carnivores are being drawn into, stay longer in, areas potentially increased despite higher risk. While plasticity clearly enables carnivore coexistence humans ecosystems, it can be maladaptive if reduces fitness leads population into ecological trap. mitigative recommendations promote predator spatially isolated rapidly urbanizing landscape.

Language: Английский

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