The influence of human activity on predator–prey spatiotemporal overlap

Journal of Animal Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 92(6), С. 1124 - 1134

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2023

Abstract Despite growing evidence of widespread impacts humans on animal behaviour, our understanding how reshape species interactions remains limited. Here, we present a framework that draws key concepts from behavioural and community ecology to outline four primary pathways by which can alter predator–prey spatiotemporal overlap. We suggest dyads exhibit similar or opposite responses human activity with distinct outcomes for predator diet, predation rates, population demography trophic cascades. demonstrate assess these response hypothesis testing, using temporal data 178 published camera trap studies terrestrial mammals. found each the proposed pathways, revealing multiple patterns influence Our case study highlight current challenges, gaps, advances in linking behaviour change dynamics. By hypothesis‐driven approach estimate potential altered interactions, researchers anticipate ecological consequences activities whole communities.

Язык: Английский

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Food webs reveal coexistence mechanisms and community organization in carnivores

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 33(4), С. 647 - 659.e5

Опубликована: Янв. 19, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Impervious surface cover and number of restaurants shape diet variation in an urban carnivore

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Abstract In the past decade, studies have demonstrated that urban and nonurban wildlife populations exhibit differences in foraging behavior diet. However, little is known about how environmental heterogeneity shapes dietary variation of organisms within cities. We examined vertebrate prey components diets coyotes ( Canis latrans ) San Francisco to quantify territory‐ individual‐level determine within‐city land cover use affects coyote genotyped fecal samples for individual identification used DNA metabarcoding diet composition niche differentiation. The highest contributor overall was anthropogenic food followed by small mammals. most frequently detected species were domestic chicken, pocket gopher Thomomys bottae ), pig, raccoon Procyon lotor ). Diet varied significantly across territories among individuals, with explaining variation. Within (i.e., family groups), amount attributed among‐individual increased green space decreased impervious surface cover. quantity scats also positively correlated cover, suggesting consumed more human urbanized territories. invasive, human‐commensal rodents number services a territory. Overall, our results revealed substantial intraspecific associated landscape point diversifying effect urbanization on population

Язык: Английский

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Human disturbance compresses the spatiotemporal niche

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 119(52)

Опубликована: Дек. 19, 2022

Human disturbance may fundamentally alter the way that species interact, a prospect remains poorly understood. We investigated whether anthropogenic landscape modification increases or decreases co-occurrence—a prerequisite for interactions—within wildlife communities. Using 4 y of data from >2,000 camera traps across human gradient in Wisconsin, USA, we considered 74 pairs (classifying as low, medium, high antagonism to account different interaction types) and used time between successive detections measure their co-occurrence probability define networks. Pairs averaged 6.1 [95% CI: 5.3, 6.8] d low-disturbance landscapes (e.g., national forests) but 4.1 [3.5, 4.7] high-disturbance landscapes, such those dominated by urbanization intensive agriculture. Co-occurrence networks showed higher connectance (i.e., larger proportion possible co-occurrences) greater proportions low-antagonism disturbed landscapes. Human-mediated abundance (possibly via resource subsidies) appeared more important than behavioral mechanisms changes daily activity timing) driving these patterns compressed The spatiotemporal compression co-occurrences likely strengthens interactions like competition, predation, infection unless can avoid each other at fine scales. Regardless, human-mediated with—and hence increased exposure to—predators competitors might elevate stress levels individual animals, with cascading effects populations, communities, ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Conceptualizing the 3D niche and vertical space use

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 37(11), С. 953 - 962

Опубликована: Июль 21, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Carnivore community reassembly provides a test of Eltonian niche conservatism

Oikos, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 4, 2025

The repatriation of species is common, especially in conservation efforts aimed at restoring trophic interactions. Whether the Eltonian niches restored are conserved reassembled ecological communities largely unknown. Within mammalian carnivores, we hypothesized that sympatric competitors would be structured by facilitation from subsidies provided large carnivores (i.e. carrion) and humans food subsidies). Using stable isotopes (δ 13 C, δ 15 N), quantified an apex predator, grey wolf Canis lupus two subordinate guild members, coyotes latrans red foxes Vulpes vulpes , Michigan, USA across three periods differed community composition: a ‘historical' carnivore (1910–1930), ‘reduced' which lacked wolves (1950–1970), ‘reassembled' featuring as well human (2000–2020). In historical communities, constrained niche space via resource facilitation, regardless presence, such consumption deer increased average 1.4–1.8‐fold presence wolves. Without wolves, exhibited isotopic (dietary) breadth ~ 2–5× greater (3.33 ± 0.74‰ 2 ) than (0.64 0.11‰ (1.66 0.63‰ communities. Conversely, found was (1.91 0.41‰ reduced (1.98 0.75‰ but 4‐fold (7.52 1.95‰ ). Notably, altered foraging strategies individuals, resulting disparate for community. Our results highlight conservatism driven subsidies, both provisioning carrion to meso‐carnivores foods subsidizing small carnivores. More broadly, our work suggests can restore some interactions, while decouple others.

Язык: Английский

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Competition Theory in Ecology

Oxford University Press eBooks, Год журнала: 2022, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 22, 2022

Abstract This book explores how mathematical models can illuminate the interaction known as interspecific competition. Competition occurs whenever two or more species share at least some of same limiting resources. It is likely to affect all species, well many higher-level aspects community and ecosystem dynamics. Interspecific competition shares features density dependence (intraspecific competition) evolution (competition between genotypes). In spite this, a robust theoretical framework for understanding its outcomes potential effects on ecological communities lacking. Despite prominence in literature, theory seems have lost direction recent decades, with synthetic papers promoting outdated ideas, failing use resource-based models, having little utility applied fields such conservation environmental management. The examines that began be developed half century ago extended change abundances competing species. Current needs incorporate findings regarding consumer–resource interactions context larger food webs containing behaviourally evolutionarily adapting components. Overly simple methods analysis led past contributing less than it should practical applications. also discusses related intraspecific apparent competition, evolutionary this important process.

Язык: Английский

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Downtown diet: a global meta-analysis of increased urbanization on the diets of vertebrate predators

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 289(1970)

Опубликована: Март 2, 2022

Predation is a fundamental ecological process that shapes communities and drives evolutionary dynamics. As the world rapidly urbanizes, it critical to understand how human perturbations alter predation meat consumption across taxa. We conducted meta-analysis quantify effects of urban environments on three components trophic ecology in predators: dietary species richness, evenness stable isotopic ratios (IRs) ( δ 13 C 15 N IR). evaluated whether intensity anthropogenic pressure, using footprint index (HFI), explained variation effect sizes attributes meta-regression. calculated Hedges’ g from 44 studies including 11 986 samples 40 predatory 39 cities globally. The direction magnitude varied among predator taxa with reptilian diets exhibiting most sensitivity urbanization. Effect revealed predators had comparable diet nitrogen ratios, though carbon IRs were more enriched cities. found neither 1993 nor 2009 HFI editions size variation. Our study provides, our knowledge, first assessment urbanization has perturbed predator–prey interactions for multiple at global scale. conclude functional role conserved does not inherently relax predation, despite broadening include food sources such as sugar, wheat corn.

Язык: Английский

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Prey availability and intraguild competition regulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of a modified large carnivore guild

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 11(12), С. 7890 - 7904

Опубликована: Май 16, 2021

Abstract Effective conservation management requires an understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics driving large carnivore density and resource partitioning. In African ecosystems, reduced prey populations loss competing guild members, most notably lion ( Panthera leo ), are expected to increase levels competition between remaining carnivores. Consequently, intraguild relationships can be altered, potentially increasing risk further population decline. Kasungu National Park (KNP), Malawi, is example a area that has experienced large‐scale reductions in both populations, leaving resident consisting only leopard pardus ) spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta ). Here, we quantify these two species their degree association, using combination co‐detection modeling, time‐to‐event analyses, temporal activity patterns from camera trap data. The detection was significantly associated with preferred carnivores, likelihood interaction. Temporal analyses revealed sex‐specific differences activity, female different those male conspecifics. Heightened interaction interspecific competitors conspecifics may have resulted leopards adopting avoidance strategies facilitate coexistence. Female behavioral adaptations increased overall diurnal rates, potential consequences for fitness exposure sources mortality. As currently found at low densities KNP, competitive interactions, which infer reduction fitness, could significant implications demographics. protection necessary mitigate avoid alterations guild.

Язык: Английский

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Impact of human disturbance on temporal partitioning within carnivore communities

Mammal Review, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 52(1), С. 67 - 81

Опубликована: Июль 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.

Язык: Английский

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