Human disturbance is the most limiting factor driving habitat selection of a large carnivore throughout Continental Europe

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 266, P. 109446 - 109446

Published: Jan. 10, 2022

Language: Английский

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Wolves recolonize novel ecosystems leading to novel interactions

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(5), P. 906 - 921

Published: Feb. 25, 2024

Abstract The wolf ( Canis lupus ) is arguably the most successful species at recolonizing its now human‐dominated former ranges in Europe and North America. Over centuries while was absent, humans have transformed ecosystems to a large extent. In this paper, we highlight key aspects of these human‐modified that include changes (meso)carnivore communities, wolves themselves (genetics, behaviour), woody plant communities playing field for predator–prey interactions (landscape structure). We argue recognition novelty logically leads novel pathways how can influence ecosystem functioning. Thus far, ecological impacts systems largely been predicted based on documented effects they prey or lower trophic levels well‐preserved with low human impact. However, will engage an array potential cascades do not occur more natural This should encourage us re‐assess questions ask about systems. A promising direction future studies exploring what establish under conditions exert their (context dependence) are recolonizing. Policy implications . Understanding context dependence could guide act improve enable again. These may be true societal value having returning landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Disease-Induced Mortality Outweighs Hunting in Causing Wild Boar Population Crash After African Swine Fever Outbreak

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: July 28, 2020

African swine fever (ASF) has been spreading in the Eurasian continent for more than 10 years now. Although course of ASF domestic pigs and its negative economic impact on pork industry is well known, we still lack a quantitative assessment wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations under natural conditions. Wild not only reservoir ASF, it also one key wildlife species affecting structure functioning ecosystems. Therefore, knowledge how affects crucial to better predict ecosystem response design scientific-based management control ASF. We used long-term camera trap survey (2012-2017) from Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF, Poland), where an outbreak occurred 2015, investigate disease population dynamics two contrasting regimes (hunted vs. non-hunted). Using random encounter model (REM), showed that density abundance dropped by 84 95% within year following unmanaged managed area, respectively. In 11-22% additional mortality could be attributed hunting. Our study suggests ASF-induced far outweighs hunting-induced causing decline shows intensified hunting newly ASF-infected areas does achieve much greater reduction size what already caused virus.

Language: Английский

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Playbacks of predator vocalizations reduce crop damage by ungulates

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 328, P. 107853 - 107853

Published: Jan. 7, 2022

Wild ungulates are a major consumer of agricultural crops in human dominated landscapes. Across Europe, ungulate populations leading to intensified human-wildlife conflicts. At the same time, play vital role structuring and functioning ecosystems, highly appreciated for recreational hunting. Thus, managers often face challenge maintaining benefits having thriving while simultaneously minimizing their negative impacts. Broadcasting playbacks predator vocalizations (e.g. dogs barking, wolves howling or humans talking) could potentially be used induce fear thereby displace steer behavior from conflict-prone sites resulting reduced visitation foraging time consumption. Predator playback experiments wilderness areas have repeatedly demonstrated reduce preys´ resource use impacts on surrounding landscape, but this has not been tested fields where human-ungulate conflicts most pronounced. We responded need by conducting experiment multiple crop southern Sweden, species (fallow deer, roe red moose, wild boar) coexist, using novel integrated camera trap – speaker system (ABRs) that broadcasts sounds choice when is triggered an ungulate. (wolf, dog, human) deer patch damage wheat more than control (owl, goose, raven). Our results confirm findings previous studies areas, demonstrate broadcasting ABRs may provide effective tool at scale duration our study.

Language: Английский

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Do large herbivores maintain open habitats in temperate forests?

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 494, P. 119310 - 119310

Published: May 5, 2021

In recent decades, grazing by wild and domestic ungulates has become a strategy for conservation management to restore or maintain open landscapes. One of the species playing an increasing role in ecological restoration is European bison – largest terrestrial mammal Europe. We studied impact this large herbivore other (moose, red deer, roe deer) on tree encroachment habitats Białowieża Primeval Forest (Poland). On 30 study plots located meadows, we measured crown volume density woody vegetation monitored visitation behavior with use camera traps. The mean rate meadows was 0.11 ind./day/plot, 0.22 ind./day/plot ungulates. duration foraging significantly higher (55.8 s) than (16.3 s). varied from 13 6213 ind./ha 0.6 1145 m3/ha. found that increased resulted significant reduction meadows. reducing effect over eight times frequently visited when compared unvisited decreased 879 101 saplings/ha, while declined 295 35 addition, related level meadow openness. Less (smaller) had characterized high Combined did not affect either vegetation. most plausible mechanism observed patterns can be remarkably activity comparison As consequence, bison, being adapted habitats, effectively reduce growth seedlings limit at initial stages forest succession. Thus, populations play maintenance pastures serve as important ground suboptimal forests, where these herbivores were restored.

Language: Английский

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Fossoriality in a risky landscape: badger sett use varies with perceived wolf risk

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 313(1), P. 76 - 85

Published: Oct. 3, 2020

Abstract Many medium‐sized carnivores are fossorial and use burrow systems to reduce predation risk or avoid predators. But species cannot stay safely underground forever, they must also emerging overground, forage find mates. To make this trade‐off effectively maximize their own fitness, it is imperative assess how varies in space time, adapt denning behaviour accordingly. We used European badger ( Meles meles ) burrows (setts) Białowieża Forest, Poland as a model for investigating the of mesocarnivore across gradients landscape scale perceived imposed by wolves Canis lupus humans, defined wolf distance settlements, respectively. monitored seventeen setts with varying levels human camera traps two months study three behaviours: frequency sett use, sharing other emergence time. Frequency varied relative but not risk. Setts highest areas were ca. 60% less often than those lowest areas, juveniles only present lower Food availability, quantified earthworm abundance an area 2.1 km 2 around setts, did affect used. Emergence time mesocarnivores, which have been proposed be anti‐predator strategies, vary either factor. These results show can prevailing suggest deserve more attention studies on ecological impacts apex

Language: Английский

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Olfactory cues of large carnivores modify red deer behavior and browsing intensity

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 32(5), P. 982 - 992

Published: May 31, 2021

This study examined the effect of perceived predation risk imposed by lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolf (Canis lupus) on red deer (Cervus elaphus) foraging behavior under experimental conditions. We hypothesized that in response to large carnivore scent would increase their vigilance, although reducing frequency duration visits sites. Consequently, browsing intensity tree saplings was expected decrease, whereas a higher proportion more preferred species be browsed compensate for costs. stronger responses towards ambush predator lynx, compared with cursorial wolf. These hypotheses were tested cafeteria experiment conducted within three enclosures, each containing four plots olfactory cues wolf, cow, water as control. On plot, camera trap placed measured one consecutive week, repeated times. Red reduced visitation scent. Despite showing clear preference certain species, presence did not change selectivity different species. Contrary our hypothesis, we found pronounced effects (cursorial) (ambush). is first experimentally assess carnivores differing hunting modes. Our findings provide insights into role predator-prey interactions how they can modify fine-scale herbivore-plant interactions.

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 cattle and the return of the wolf: behavioral responses and implications for conservation management

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(6)

Published: March 22, 2024

Over the last decades, wolves have considerably expanded their distribution in Europe. Their range expansion even led to recolonizing densely human‐populated countries such as Belgium and Netherlands. The few available studies on effects of returning these landscapes focus primarily behavioral responses wild ungulates, deer. While livestock intensive farming practices can be protected against wolves, free‐ranging cattle nature areas often protect themselves. How respond returned is thus far unclear, yet highly relevant for conservation management. There very little information about how re‐appearance terms anti‐predator behavior ability defend In June 2022, a newly established wolf pair was located natural area Drenthe. This grazed year‐round by Galloway cattle, small hornless primitive breed commonly used Here, we reported herd following two attacks that occurred at nighttime April 2023, first caught wildlife cameras During events, Galloways showed clear response: they became active, restless vigilant, grouping behavior, presumably calves. Chasing towards attacking exhibited some individuals. did not result killed or injured cattle. These well‐documented wolf–cattle interactions show promising highlight behaviors from an unexperienced breed, all within year wolves' return. We broadly discuss relevance findings grazing management, including selection breeds, behaviors, impact structure size, provide avenues future research address current knowledge gaps.

Language: Английский

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Space use of a diverse megafauna community in a rewilding area in the southwestern Carpathians

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 302, P. 110977 - 110977

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

Language: Английский

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