Conservation‐focused mapping of avian migratory routes using a pan‐European automated telemetry network

Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 24, 2025

Accelerated biodiversity loss has destabilized functional links within and between ecosystems. Species that cross different ecosystems during migration breeding nonbreeding sites are particularly sensitive to global change because they exposed various, often ecosystem-specific, threats. Because these threats have lethal nonlethal effects on populations, many migratory species declining, making this group especially vulnerable change. To mitigate their decline, research at a continental flyway scale is required adequately monitor changes in the demographic processes of populations all parts annual cycle. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) could provide solution data gaps exist for small, species. an automated telemetry system animal tracking uses single very-high-frequency radio signal track tagged individuals. can information movements made by individuals small migrant species, thereby aiding understanding aspects affect parameters. Conservation-focused opportunities related include identification critical stopover support connect multiple insight into decisions birds environmental stressors, such as artificial light night. Examples studies from existing network demonstrate its utility high-conservation-value area blackpoll warbler (Setophaga striata) eastern United States. Geographical across Mediterranean region Europe need be filled continent-wide movements. individual-level variety small-bodied taxa, drive expand will improve ability direct conservation plans

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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Wildlife, fire, and forestry: Understanding the spatial and temporal relationships between caribou habitat and disturbance

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. e03636 - e03636

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

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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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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Differential responses of woodland caribou to fire and forestry across boreal and montane ecosystems—a literature review

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Окт. 7, 2024

Abstract Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a landscape-level and planning process that common across North America. A primary tenet of EBM the area intensity anthropogenic disturbance should mimic historical natural focal ecosystem. Biodiversity persist, at least coarse scale, where disturbance, such as forest harvesting, matches disturbance. However, failing some species, particularly those are dependent on old forest. Across many areas Canada, woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) declining because direct indirect effects habitat loss fragmentation. This even though often follows principles EBM. We conducted qualitative comparison responses to wildfire considering broad range responses, including selection distribution, forage, movement patterns, population dynamics. found while harvesting both influence caribou, negative generally greater following harvesting. For example, result in habitat, but more likely shift, abandon or contract their response harvest. The literature also suggested stronger harvest when compared wildfire. difference could be residual structure associated with well extensive resource roads necessary for forestry operations. Although there sound theoretical support EBM, practice, implemented, may not effective maintaining ultimately populations caribou.

Язык: Английский

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Mountain sentinels in a changing world: review and conservation implications of weather and climate effects on mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus)

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. e03364 - e03364

Опубликована: Дек. 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

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