Density‐dependent responses of moose to hunting and landscape change

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 6(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Abstract In many areas of the boreal forests and temperate mountains Canada, resource extraction activities have created forage conditions that are favourable to growth moose ( Alces alces ) populations. turn, these increased populations buoy abundance wolves Canis lupus ), which then negative impacts on caribou Rangifer tarandus Consequently, been declining where extraction, moose, occur. To abate unsustainable predation pressure by wolves, hunting quota was expanded for 17 years reduce stabilize population in Revelstoke Valley, British Columbia, Canada. However, a reduction forestry activity paired with habitat protections slowed early seral favour moose. both hunter‐caused mortality loss may contributing observed declines occurred during this period. Within changing regulatory biophysical landscape, we sought address two research objectives. First, evaluated how increasing influenced total yield harvested animals. We expected density‐dependent responses would bolster number harvestable animals landscape. Second, tested different forest harvest scenarios might influence habitat, wolf densities, thus rates into future decades. used data from GPS collars (39 individuals), eight aerial surveys, hunter statistics, estimates carrying capacity thresholds, records. The latter series spanned 1961–2020 informed selection function calculations our first objective as well predictive modelling second objective. Between 2003 2020, found amounts declined 44.8%. There were 42% more under quotas than projected be simulated status quo quota. As stabilized, higher recruitment (e.g. calf:cow ratios) further contributed Our simulations indicated only harvesting scenario low enough 2040 cease entirely 2020. Practical implication: an mitigated effects caribou, aided recovery, struck balance also provided food security recreational opportunities harvesters.

Язык: Английский

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Coexisting with large carnivores based on the Volterra principle

Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 28, 2025

Abstract Coexistence with large carnivores represents one of the world's highest profile conservation challenges. Ecologists have identified ecological benefits derived from (and herbivores), yet livestock depredation, perceived competition for shared game, risks to pets and humans, social conflicts often lead demands reduction predator numbers a range stakeholder groups. Nearly 100 years ago, Vito Volterra predicted that increased mortality on both prey predators results in abundance decreased predators. This principle appears be robust consistent objectives wildlife management. Although seldom recognized, rarely tested field, is fundamental outcome theory important implications conservation.

Язык: Английский

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Integration of national demographic-disturbance relationships and local data can improve caribou population viability projections and inform monitoring decisions

Ecological Informatics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 87, С. 103095 - 103095

Опубликована: Март 2, 2025

Язык: Английский

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The Erosion of Threatened Southern Mountain Caribou Migration

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 31(3)

Опубликована: Март 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.

Язык: Английский

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

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(3)

Опубликована: Апрель 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.

Язык: Английский

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Endangered Deep‐Snow Mountain Caribou Have a Distinct Winter Diet and Gut Microbiome That May Be Altered by Maternal Penning

Molecular Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 34(11)

Опубликована: Май 7, 2025

ABSTRACT Understanding species‐ or population‐specific dietary specialisation is key to informing habitat conservation needs and successful ex situ recovery programs for many endangered species. One of the most populations in Canada, behaviourally distinct deep‐snow ecotype Southern Mountain caribou, characterised by a winter diet arboreal rather than terrestrial lichens. We hypothesised that this variation would produce gut microbiome mountain caribou relative their shallow‐snow counterparts. additionally temporary alteration natural diets programs, including provision commercial pelleted feed volunteer‐collected lichens during maternity penning pregnant cows, may alter specialised microbiome. Here, we use faecal DNA metabarcoding compare composition among various herds deep‐ captive from Revelstoke pen, semi‐domesticated reindeer. Our results confirm free‐ranging specialise on hair Bryoria Nodobryoria, show correlates with specialising Cladonia Stereocaulon . also significantly altered forage consumption composition: penned consumed more foliose had compared caribou. suggest managers should carefully consider preferred when designing interventions require modification. further samples other specialists be routinely monitored composition, especially periods captivity modification, as an additional component assessments.

Язык: Английский

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Mapping interactions between winter recreationists and an endangered ungulate

Journal of Wildlife Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 19, 2025

Abstract Southern mountain caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) inhabit the interior ranges of British Columbia, Canada. This population woodland is federally designated as threatened owing primarily to predation and habitat loss, but other compounding factors may impede their recovery. Of note are potential impacts from heli‐skiing, a form winter recreation that uses helicopters transport skiers in wilderness areas. During late‐winter, southern become range resident high‐elevation, old‐growth forests subalpine parklands. The deep snow characteristic late‐winter offers reduced encounters with predators, abundant arboreal lichens on which feed; however, heli‐skiing also occurs these Whether has any demographic unknown, previous work shown can elicit short‐term flight responses longer‐term reductions space use elevated stress levels. Furthermore, little known about where skiing or between lodges ski areas, leaving regulating bodies information guide management recommendations. We paired anonymized fitness tracker user data rasterized Strava global heatmap 4 years positioning system (GPS) location identify hotspots interactions heli‐skiers caribou. There were approximately 400 km 2 for conflict appeared high out 3,116 suitable heli‐skiing. majority heli‐ski operators have capacity reduce almost zero through avoidance key habitats timing terrain. recommend governmental managers towards optimal tenures rolling closures permanent diversion runs away

Язык: Английский

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Mixed evidence for disturbance‐mediated apparent competition for declining caribou in western British Columbia, Canada

Journal of Wildlife Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 19, 2025

Abstract Understanding causal mechanisms of decline for species at risk is critical effective conservation. Caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) face threats from habitat loss and degradation due to human activities, many caribou populations across Canada have experienced dramatic declines in recent decades. Disturbance‐mediated apparent competition (DMAC) has been implicated these declines, but its generality questioned, particularly low‐productivity ranges. The DMAC hypothesis leads the following predictions: 1) a vegetation productivity pulse after disturbance, 2) primary ungulate prey attraction disturbed areas, 3) predator 4) increased predation overlapping use with predators. We tested predictions declining Itcha‐Ilgachuz population, located Chilcotin Plateau region west‐central British Columbia, Canada. used remotely sensed index examine recovery patterns disturbance camera traps Bayesian mixed effects negative binomial regression models estimate responses prey, predator, relative abundance landscape disturbances <40 years old, interacting species, other features. identified harvested burnt forest patches, overall was lower than ranges where occurs. Primary moose Alces alces mule deer Odocoileus hemionus ), showed strong positive areas weak forest. For predators, wolves Canis lupus black bears Ursus americanus grizzly arctos were positively associated while coyotes latrans lynx Lynx canadensis more strongly snowshoe hare Lepus wolverines Gulo gulo not any focal species. Wolves, bears, coyotes, responded burned areas. did reduced forests or burns, potentially increasing their overlap Overall, we found support stronger evidence pathway mediated by fire, rather harvest. recommend further research action on wildfire management this including monitoring population trends response management. Our results emphasize context‐dependency underscore need population‐specific knowledge effectively conserve threatened

Язык: Английский

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Population and habitat assessments for conservation: Comparing national strategies for Canadian boreal caribou and Norwegian wild reindeer

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. e03668 - e03668

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Restoring historical moose densities results in fewer wolves killed for woodland caribou conservation

Journal of Wildlife Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Окт. 23, 2024

Abstract Woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) are declining across much of their distribution in Canada response to habitat alteration, leading unsustainable predation, particularly by wolves Canis lupus ). Habitat alteration can benefit the primary prey species (moose [ Alces alces ] and deer Odocoileus spp.]) creating early seral conditions that contain more preferred food types. This increase populations results elevated wolf abundance heightened predation pressure on caribou. In risks caribou, managers have reduced key areas. Ecological theory suggests reducing would release moose from top‐down effects potentially allowing grow. Elevated thus has potential cause rebound quickly each year following reductions, suggesting a possible link between number killed for conservation. To test this idea we used unique management situation British Columbia Alberta, Canada, where lethal removals were annually conducted specific southern mountain population ranges and, some places, concurrently via liberalized hunting. We indices removal data hypothesis historical target hunting leads fewer After controlling quality, removed per km 2 was 3.2 times lower areas with density = 1.55 wolves/1,000 ± 0.33 [SE]) than those without 5.02 0.52). However, average decreased under both conditions. 9 years, there 35% reduction predicted difference annual reduction. Our suggest policies do not reduce or stabilize will result abundance. Like reductions also be controversial affect local harvesters. Thus, understanding consequences actions support recovery is essential supporting evidence‐based policy discussions.

Язык: Английский

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