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

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 13(9)

Опубликована: Сен. 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

Язык: Английский

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Human presence and infrastructure impact wildlife nocturnality differently across an assemblage of mammalian species

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 18(5), С. e0286131 - e0286131

Опубликована: Май 25, 2023

Wildlife species may shift towards more nocturnal behavior in areas of higher human influence, but it is unclear how consistent this might be. We investigated humans impact large mammal diel activities a heavily recreated protected area and an adjacent university-managed forest southwest British Columbia, Canada. used camera trap detections wildlife, along with data on land-use infrastructure (e.g., recreation trails restricted-access roads), Bayesian regression models to investigate impacts disturbance wildlife nocturnality. found moderate evidence that black bears ( Ursus americanus ) were response (mean posterior estimate = 0.35, 90% credible interval 0.04 0.65), no other clear relationships between nocturnality detections. However, we coyotes Canis latrans (estimates 0.81, 95% CI 0.46 1.17) snowshoe hares Lepus (estimate -0.87, -1.29 -0.46) less trail density. also cougars Puma concolor -1.14, -2.16 -0.12) greater road Furthermore, coyotes, black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus ), moderately near urban-wildland boundaries CIs: coyote -0.29, -0.55 -0.04, -0.25, -0.45 hare -0.24, -0.46 -0.01). Our findings imply anthropogenic landscape features influence medium large-sized than direct presence. While increased be promising mechanism for human-wildlife coexistence, shifts temporal activity can have negative repercussions warranting further research into the causes consequences responses increasingly human-dominated landscapes.

Язык: Английский

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The influence of bait and camera type on detection of a spectrum of medium-sized Australian mammals

Australian Mammalogy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 46(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2024

Camera-trapping programs are most effective when informed by knowledge of the influence components camera setup such as bait and type. I investigated two baits three types on detection eight species medium-sized mammals across a 10-month survey. The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) was only that favoured meat (sardines) over peanut-butter bait. long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus), Parma wallaby (Notamacropus parma), bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) swamp (Wallabia bicolor) northern brown (Isoodon macrourus), mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) feral cat (Felis catus) showed no preference. Camera type influenced weekly in species. had lower at Reconyx white-flash (WF) compared with infra-red flash (IR) Swift wide-angle (Sw) camera. higher Sw WF IR. IR Sw. findings have implications relation to selection can lead more monitoring, whether program is directed one these or spectrum

Язык: 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, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 20(1)

Опубликована: Май 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.

Язык: Английский

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Wherever I may roam—Human activity alters movements of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and elk (Cervus canadensis) across two continents

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 29(20), С. 5788 - 5801

Опубликована: Июнь 12, 2023

Abstract Human activity and associated landscape modifications alter the movements of animals with consequences for populations ecosystems worldwide. Species performing long‐distance are thought to be particularly sensitive human impact. Despite increasing anthropogenic pressure, it remains challenging understand predict animals' responses activity. Here we address this knowledge gap using 1206 Global Positioning System movement trajectories 815 individuals from 14 red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) elk canadensis spanning wide environmental gradients, namely latitudinal range Alps Scandinavia in Europe, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem North America. We measured individual‐level relative context, or expression, standardized metric Intensity Use, reflecting both directionality extent movements. expected expression affected by resource (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI) predictability topography, but those factors superseded Red varied along a continuum, highly segmented over relatively small areas (high intensity use), directed transitions through restricted corridors (low use). (Human Footprint HFI) was strongest driver steep increase Use as HFI increased, only until threshold reached. After exceeding level impact, remained unchanged. These results indicate overall sensitivity suggest limitation plastic under high despite species also occurring human‐dominated landscapes. Our work represents first comparison metric‐based across widely distributed genus, contributing understanding prediction

Язык: Английский

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Mammal responses to human recreation depend on landscape context

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 19(7), С. e0300870 - e0300870

Опубликована: Июль 18, 2024

Rapid growth in outdoor recreation may have important and varied effects on terrestrial mammal communities. Few studies investigated factors influencing variation observed responses of multiple species to recreation. We used data from 155 camera traps, western Alberta (Canada), a hierarchical Bayesian community modelling framework document 15 recreation, test for differential between predators prey, evaluate the influence local context. Factors characterizing context were trail designation (i.e., use by motorized vs non-motorized), management type, forest cover, landscape disturbance, season. three measures characterize pressure: distance trail, density, an index intensity derived platform Strava. found limited evidence strong or consistent space use. However, was better explained interaction than either their own. The strongest density type; mammals more likely avoid sites near higher trails areas with restrictive management. that designation, although there not clear differences designated vs. non-motorized Overall, we species- context-dependent. Limiting be reducing negative impacts within conservation areas. show using yields insight into human disturbances wildlife. recommend investigating how different characteristics (noise, speed, visibility) animal behaviors. Multispecies monitoring across landscapes vary pressure can lead adaptive approach ensuring coexistence

Язык: Английский

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Human disturbance and habitat structure drive eurasian otter habitat selection in heavily anthropized river basins

Biodiversity and Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(5), С. 1683 - 1710

Опубликована: Март 23, 2024

Abstract Assessing habitat selection is essential to protecting threatened species but also understand what factors influence that, although globally not currently in decline, act as flagships of their ecosystems and remain highly vulnerable human impacts, such the Eurasian otter. This paper examines otter at river reach scale two heavily anthropized basins. Both basins encompass a wide spectrum pressures biogeographic units, which offers an excellent opportunity assess responses anthropogenic activities different scenarios. Through modelling approaches (structure-agnostic way priori hypothesized factors) we demonstrate that otters inhabiting these human-dominated landscapes show trade-off between preference for productive areas well-structured safe areas. We suggest simplification disturbance, were minor relevance dramatic decline populations 20th century, are emerging potential threats context worldwide increasing land use intensification. Furthermore, found requirements remarkably more stringent breeding site than occurrence, particularly concerning variables related disturbance. The results this work provide tools integrating ecological criteria oriented effective conservation into management landscapes, well serving methodological support lowland restorations. Our long-term rivers will depend on ensuring availability patches maintain sufficient structural complexity away from intensely outdoor recreational activities.

Язык: Английский

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Body mass mediates spatio-temporal responses of mammals to human frequentation across Italian protected areas

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 291(2020)

Опубликована: Апрель 2, 2024

Protected area (PA) networks are a pivotal tool to fight biodiversity loss, yet they often need balance the mission of nature conservation with socio-economic giving opportunity for outdoor recreation. Recreation in natural areas is important human health an urbanized society, but can prompt behavioural modifications wild animals. Rarely, however, have these responses being studied across multiple PAs and using standardized methods. We deployed systematic camera trapping protocol at over 200 sites sample medium large mammals four within European Natura 2000 network assess their spatio-temporal frequentation, proximity towns, amount open habitat topographical variables. By applying multi-species single-species models number diurnal, crepuscular nocturnal detections model nocturnality index, we estimated both species-specific- meta-community-level effects, finding that increased appeared main strategy mammal meta-community used cope disturbance. However, site use were mediated by species' body mass, larger species exhibiting avoidance humans smaller more opportunistic behaviours. Our results show effectiveness sampling provide insights planning expansion PA as foreseen Kunming–Montreal agreement.

Язык: Английский

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Switch or perish? Prey–predator interactions in a Mediterranean area

Animal Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Авг. 13, 2024

Abstract Predator–prey relationships can influence community processes, and a rich prey spectrum is important to favour carnivore conservation, as well buffer single towards intensive predation. Antipredator behavioural responses occur be dynamic in time space, which may generate counter‐responses predators. However, data are scarce on their role modulating diet behaviour. Data especially needed for European landscapes that largely anthropized have been recently recolonized by large carnivores. In protected area central Italy the wolf hosting of wild ungulates, we studied interactions between this predator three ungulate species. At initial stage recovery, fallow deer boar were main prey, while roe was minor food item. Through camera‐trapping habits, assessed temporal changes wolf–prey throughout 5 years (2017–2022). Wolf detection rates spatially associated with those boar, but shrub cover positively related negatively suggesting possible avoidance sites lower visibility greater predation risk. Throughout years, increased its diurnal activity, decreasing overlap predator. The showed crepuscular/nocturnal an synchronization replaced first prey. No support major spatiotemporal reported deer. With ongoing recovery carnivores across Europe, conservation priorities emphasize need maintain efficient ecological Our results antipredator behaviour importance diverse ensure

Язык: Английский

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Fox on the Run—Cheaper Camera Traps Fail to Detect Fast‐Moving Mesopredators

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Camera trapping for detecting wildlife is increasingly used as a primary method of non‐invasive monitoring. Yet understanding among researchers and conservationists on how camera trap make, model affect detection rates limited. Published studies often fail to make clear why given was chosen or what specifications parameters were capture target species within study area, prohibiting replicability. Here we present comparison predator herbivore efficacy using three makes models at differing price ranges, year release (hereafter vintages) specifications. We passive monitoring survey design six sites in open field conditions across the Flow Country, Northern Scotland. Detection varied substantially between grades vintages traps depended captured. Older with lower trigger speed night vision range performed particularly poorly nocturnal predatory mammal detection. This has implications researchers, conservationists, developers other users approach experimental analyses, but also conclusions that may be drawn from studies. caution against results one more different cameras inform policy interventions.

Язык: Английский

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