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Armaroli E, Lugli F, Cipriani A, Tütken T. Spatial ecology of moose in Sweden: Combined Sr-O-C isotope analyses of bone and antler. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300867. [PMID: 38598461 PMCID: PMC11006136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of spatial (paleo)ecology in mammals is critical to understand how animals adapt to and exploit their environment. In this work we analysed the 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O and δ13C isotope composition of 65 moose bone and antler samples from Sweden from wild-shot individuals dated between 1800 and 1994 to study moose mobility and feeding behaviour for (paleo)ecological applications. Sr data were compared with isoscapes of the Scandinavian region, built ad-hoc during this study, to understand how moose utilise the landscape in Northern Europe. The 87Sr/86Sr isoscape was developed using a machine-learning approach with external geo-environmental predictors and literature data. Similarly, a δ18O isoscape, obtained from average annual precipitation δ18O values, was employed to highlight differences in the isotope composition of the local environment vs. bone/antler. Overall, 82% of the moose samples were compatible with the likely local isotope composition (n = 53), suggesting that they were shot not far from their year-round dwelling area. 'Local' samples were used to calibrate the two isoscapes, to improve the prediction of provenance for the presumably 'non-local' individuals. For the latter (n = 12, of which two are antlers and ten are bones), the probability of geographic origin was estimated using a Bayesian approach by combining the two isoscapes. Interestingly, two of these samples (one antler and one bone) seem to come from areas more than 250 km away from the place where the animals were hunted, indicating a possible remarkable intra-annual mobility. Finally, the δ13C data were compared with the forest cover of Sweden and ultimately used to understand the dietary preference of moose. We interpreted a difference in δ13C values of antlers (13C-enriched) and bones (13C-depleted) as a joint effect of seasonal variations in moose diet and, possibly, physiological stresses during winter-time, i.e., increased consumption of endogenous 13C-depleted lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Armaroli
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Lugli
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Institut für Geowissenschaften, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Anna Cipriani
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, United States of America
| | - Thomas Tütken
- Arbeitsgruppe für Angewandte und Analytische Paläontologie, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Johannes Gutenberg–Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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2
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Suzuki M, Saito MU. Forest road use by mammals revealed by camera traps: a case study in northeastern Japan. LANDSCAPE AND ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11355-023-00544-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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3
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MacAulay KM, Spilker EG, Berg JE, Hebblewhite M, Merrill EH. Beyond the encounter: Predicting multi‐predator risk to elk (
Cervus canadensis
) in summer using predator scats. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8589. [PMID: 35222962 PMCID: PMC8843817 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kara M. MacAulay
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Eric G. Spilker
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Jodi E. Berg
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula Montana USA
| | - Evelyn H. Merrill
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
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4
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Sand H, Jamieson M, Andrén H, Wikenros C, Cromsigt J, Månsson J. Behavioral effects of wolf presence on moose habitat selection: testing the landscape of fear hypothesis in an anthropogenic landscape. Oecologia 2021; 197:101-116. [PMID: 34420087 PMCID: PMC8445880 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04984-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Landscape of fear refers to the spatial variation in prey perception of predation risk, that under certain conditions, may lead to changes in their behavior. Behavioral responses of prey in relation to large carnivore predation risk have mainly been conducted in areas with low anthropogenic impact. We used long-term data on the distribution of moose in different habitat types in a system characterized by intensive management of all three trophic levels (silviculture, harvest of wolves and moose) to study effects on moose habitat selection resulting from the return of an apex predator, the wolf. We assumed that coursing predators such as wolves will cause an increased risk for moose in some habitat types and tested the hypotheses that moose will avoid open or young forest habitats following wolf establishment. After wolf recolonization, moose reduced their use of one type of open habitat (bog) but there was neither change in the use of the other open habitat type (clear-cut), nor in their use of young forest. Wolf establishment did not influence the use of habitat close to dense habitat when being in open habitats. Thus, the effect of wolves varied among habitat types and there was no unidirectional support for a behavioral effect of wolves' establishment on moose habitat use. Human-driven habitat heterogeneity, concentration of moose forage to certain habitat types, and the effects of a multiple predator guild on moose may all contribute to the results found. We conclude that the landscape of fear is likely to have weak ecological effects on moose in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkan Sand
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden.
| | - Mark Jamieson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Henrik Andrén
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Joris Cromsigt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Skogsmarksgränd, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Månsson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
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Luisa Vissat L, Blackburn JK, Getz WM. A relative‐motion method for parsing spatiotemporal behaviour of dyads using GPS relocation data. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason K. Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory Department of Geography University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Wayne M. Getz
- Department of ESPM University of California, Berkeley Berkeley CA USA
- School of Mathematical Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa
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6
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Loosen AE, Devineau O, Zimmermann B, Cromsigt JPGM, Pfeffer SE, Skarpe C, Marie Mathisen K. Roads, forestry, and wolves interact to drive moose browsing behavior in Scandinavia. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Loosen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Campus Evenstad Koppang2480Norway
| | - Olivier Devineau
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Campus Evenstad Koppang2480Norway
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Campus Evenstad Koppang2480Norway
| | - Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Skogsmarksgränd Umeå901 83Sweden
- Department of Zoology Centre for African Conservation Ecology Nelson Mandela University PO Box 77000 Port Elizabeth6031South Africa
| | - Sabine E. Pfeffer
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Skogsmarksgränd Umeå901 83Sweden
| | - Christina Skarpe
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Campus Evenstad Koppang2480Norway
| | - Karen Marie Mathisen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Campus Evenstad Koppang2480Norway
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7
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Reconsidering the role of the built environment in human–wildlife interactions. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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Martin H, Mech L, Fieberg J, Metz M, MacNulty D, Stahler D, Smith D. Factors affecting gray wolf (Canis lupus) encounter rate with elk (Cervus elaphus) in Yellowstone National Park. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite encounter rates being a key component of kill rate, few studies of large carnivore predation have quantified encounter rates with prey, the factors that influence them, and the relationship between encounter rate and kill rate. The study’s primary motivation was to determine the relationship between prey density and encounter rate in understanding the mechanism behind the functional response. Elk (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758) population decline and variable weather in northern Yellowstone National Park provided an opportunity to examine how these factors influenced wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) encounter rates with elk. We explored how factors associated with wolf kill rate and encounter rate in other systems (season, elk density, elk group density, average elk group size, snow depth, wolf pack size, and territory size) influenced wolf–elk encounter rate in Yellowstone National Park. Elk density was the only factor significantly correlated with wolf–elk encounter rate, and we found a nonlinear density-dependent relationship that may be a mechanism for a functional response in this system. Encounter rate was correlated with number of elk killed during early winter but not late winter. Weak effects of snow depth and elk group size on encounter rate suggest that these factors influence kill rate via hunting success because kill rate is the product of hunting success and encounter rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- H.W. Martin
- Fisheries, Wildlife/Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Room 135, Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - L.D. Mech
- US Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711-37th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401, USA
| | - J. Fieberg
- Fisheries, Wildlife/Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Room 135, Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - M.C. Metz
- W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana-Missoula, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - D.R. MacNulty
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - D.R. Stahler
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
| | - D.W. Smith
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
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Hudson EG, Brookes VJ, Dürr S, Ward MP. Domestic dog roaming patterns in remote northern Australian indigenous communities and implications for disease modelling. Prev Vet Med 2017; 146:52-60. [PMID: 28992928 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although Australia is canine rabies free, the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), Queensland and other northern Australian communities are at risk of an incursion due to proximity to rabies infected islands of Indonesia and existing disease spread pathways. Northern Australia also has large populations of free-roaming domestic dogs, presenting a risk of rabies establishment and maintenance should an incursion occur. Agent-based rabies spread models are being used to predict potential outbreak size and identify effective control strategies to aid incursion preparedness. A key component of these models is knowledge of dog roaming patterns to inform contact rates. However, a comprehensive understanding of how dogs utilise their environment and the heterogeneity of their movements to estimate contact rates is lacking. Using a novel simulation approach - and GPS data collected from 21 free-roaming domestic dogs in the NPA in 2014 and 2016 - we characterised the roaming patterns within this dog population. Multiple subsets from each individual dog's GPS dataset were selected representing different monitoring durations and a utilisation distribution (UD) and derived core (50%) and extended (95%) home ranges (HR) were estimated for each duration. Three roaming patterns were identified, based on changes in mean HR over increased monitoring durations, supported by assessment of maps of daily UDs of each dog. Stay-at-home dogs consolidated their HR around their owner's residence, resulting in a decrease in mean HR (both core and extended) as monitoring duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.336 and 3.696ha, respectively). Roamer dogs consolidated their core HR but their extended HR increased with longer monitoring durations, suggesting that their roaming patterns based on place of residence were more variable (median peak core and extended HR 0.391 and 6.049ha, respectively). Explorer dogs demonstrated large variability in their roaming patterns, with both core and extended HR increasing as monitoring duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.650 and 9.520ha, respectively). These findings are likely driven by multiple factors that have not been further investigated within this study. Different roaming patterns suggest heterogeneous contact rates between dogs in this population. These findings will be incorporated into disease-spread modelling to more realistically represent roaming patterns and improve model predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Hudson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia.
| | - Victoria J Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
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10
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Ståhlberg S, Bassi E, Viviani V, Apollonio M. Quantifying prey selection of Northern and Southern European wolves (Canis lupus). Mamm Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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11
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Månsson J, Prima MC, Nicholson KL, Wikenros C, Sand H. Group or ungroup - moose behavioural response to recolonization of wolves. Front Zool 2017; 14:10. [PMID: 28239401 PMCID: PMC5316190 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-017-0195-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Predation risk is a primary motivator for prey to congregate in larger groups. A large group can be beneficial to detect predators, share predation risk among individuals and cause confusion for an attacking predator. However, forming large groups also has disadvantages like higher detection and attack rates of predators or interspecific competition. With the current recolonization of wolves (Canis lupus) in Scandinavia, we studied whether moose (Alces alces) respond by changing grouping behaviour as an anti-predatory strategy and that this change should be related to the duration of wolf presence within the local moose population. In particular, as females with calves are most vulnerable to predation risk, they should be more likely to alter behaviour. Methods To study grouping behaviour, we used aerial observations of moose (n = 1335, where each observation included one or several moose) inside and outside wolf territories. Results Moose mostly stayed solitary or in small groups (82% of the observations consisted of less than three adult moose), and this behavior was independent of wolf presence. The results did not provide unequivocal support for our main hypothesis of an overall change in grouping behaviour in the moose population in response to wolf presence. Other variables such as moose density, snow depth and adult sex ratio of the group were overall more influential on grouping behaviour. However, the results showed a sex specific difference in social grouping in relation to wolf presence where males tended to form larger groups inside as compared to outside wolf territories. For male moose, population- and environmentally related variables were also important for the pattern of grouping. Conclusions The results did not give support for that wolf recolonization has resulted in an overall change in moose grouping behaviour. If indeed wolf-induced effects do exist, they may be difficult to discern because the effects from moose population and environmental factors may be stronger than any change in anti-predator behaviour. Our results thereby suggest that caution should be taken as to generalize about the effects of returning predators on the grouping behaviour of their prey. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12983-017-0195-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Månsson
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Marie-Caroline Prima
- Département de Biologie, 1045, av de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Kerry L Nicholson
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Håkan Sand
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
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12
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Wikenros C, Balogh G, Sand H, Nicholson KL, Månsson J. Mobility of moose-comparing the effects of wolf predation risk, reproductive status, and seasonality. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:8870-8880. [PMID: 28035275 PMCID: PMC5192942 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In a predator–prey system, prey species may adapt to the presence of predators with behavioral changes such as increased vigilance, shifting habitats, or changes in their mobility. In North America, moose (Alces alces) have shown behavioral adaptations to presence of predators, but such antipredator behavioral responses have not yet been found in Scandinavian moose in response to the recolonization of wolves (Canis lupus). We studied travel speed and direction of movement of GPS‐collared female moose (n = 26) in relation to spatiotemporal differences in wolf predation risk, reproductive status, and time of year. Travel speed was highest during the calving (May–July) and postcalving (August–October) seasons and was lower for females with calves than females without calves. Similarly, time of year and reproductive status affected the direction of movement, as more concentrated movement was observed for females with calves at heel, during the calving season. We did not find support for that wolf predation risk was an important factor affecting moose travel speed or direction of movement. Likely causal factors for the weak effect of wolf predation risk on mobility of moose include high moose‐to‐wolf ratio and intensive hunter harvest of the moose population during the past century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Gyöngyvér Balogh
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Kerry L Nicholson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Johan Månsson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
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Uboni A, Vucetich JA, Stahler DR, Smith DW. Interannual variability: a crucial component of space use at the territory level. Ecology 2015; 96:62-70. [PMID: 26236891 DOI: 10.1890/13-2116.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Interannual variability in space use and how that variation is influenced by density-dependent and density-independent factors are important processes in population ecology. Nevertheless, interannual variability has been neglected by the majority of space use studies. We assessed that variation for wolves living in 15 different packs within Yellowstone National Park during a 13-year period (1996-2008). We estimated utilization distributions to quantify the intensity of space use within each pack's territory each year in summer and winter. Then, we used the volume of intersection index (VI) to quantify the extent to which space use varied from year to year. This index accounts for both the area of overlap and differences in the intensity of use throughout a territory and ranges between 0 and 1. The mean VI index was 0.49, and varied considerably, with approximately 20% of observations (n = 230) being <0.3 or >0.7. In summer, 42% of the variation was attributable to differences between packs. These differences can be attributable to learned behaviors and had never been thought to have such an influence on space use. In winter, 34% of the variation in overlap between years was attributable to interannual differences in precipitation and pack size. This result reveals the strong influence of climate on predator space use and underlies the importance of understanding how climatic factors are going to affect predator populations in the occurrence of climate change. We did not find any significant association between overlap and variables representing density-dependent processes (elk and wolf densities) or intraspecific competition (ratio of wolves to elk). This last result poses a challenge to the classic view of predator-prey systems. On a small spatial scale, predator space use may be driven by factors other than prey distribution.
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14
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Ericsson G, Neumann W, Dettki H. Moose anti-predator behaviour towards baying dogs in a wolf-free area. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-015-0932-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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15
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McCauley DJ, Pinsky ML, Palumbi SR, Estes JA, Joyce FH, Warner RR. Marine defaunation: Animal loss in the global ocean. Science 2015; 347:1255641. [PMID: 25593191 DOI: 10.1126/science.1255641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 407] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J McCauley
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - Malin L Pinsky
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Stephen R Palumbi
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - James A Estes
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Francis H Joyce
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Robert R Warner
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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Zimmermann B, Nelson L, Wabakken P, Sand H, Liberg O. Behavioral responses of wolves to roads: scale-dependent ambivalence. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 25:1353-1364. [PMID: 25419085 PMCID: PMC4235582 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their recent recovery in several industrialized countries, large carnivores have had to cope with a changed landscape dominated by human infrastructure. Population growth depends on the ability of individuals to adapt to these changes by making use of new habitat features and at the same time to avoid increased risks of mortality associated with human infrastructure. We analyzed the summer movements of 19 GPS-collared resident wolves (Canis lupus L.) from 14 territories in Scandinavia in relation to roads. We used resource and step selection functions, including >12000 field-checked GPS-positions and 315 kill sites. Wolves displayed ambivalent responses to roads depending on the spatial scale, road type, time of day, behavioral state, and reproductive status. At the site scale (approximately 0.1 km2), they selected for roads when traveling, nearly doubling their travel speed. Breeding wolves moved the fastest. At the patch scale (10 km2), house density rather than road density was a significant negative predictor of wolf patch selection. At the home range scale (approximately 1000 km2), breeding wolves increased gravel road use with increasing road availability, although at a lower rate than expected. Wolves have adapted to use roads for ease of travel, but at the same time developed a cryptic behavior to avoid human encounters. This behavioral plasticity may have been important in allowing the successful recovery of wolf populations in industrialized countries. However, we emphasize the role of roads as a potential cause of increased human-caused mortality. We studied how wolves in Scandinavia respond to roads built to ease human travel but degrading habitat quality for many wildlife species. Wolves responded with ambivalence: They both selected and avoided roads, all depending on the spatial and temporal scale and their behavioral status. To understand the multi-scale effects of human infrastructure on animal behavior is important with regard to the recent come-back of many wildlife species to now industrialized countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Evenstad , N-2480 Koppang , Norway and
| | - Lindsey Nelson
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Evenstad , N-2480 Koppang , Norway and
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Evenstad , N-2480 Koppang , Norway and
| | - Håkan Sand
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Science , SE-73091 Riddarhyttan , Sweden
| | - Olof Liberg
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Science , SE-73091 Riddarhyttan , Sweden
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Long JA, Nelson TA, Webb SL, Gee KL. A critical examination of indices of dynamic interaction for wildlife telemetry studies. J Anim Ecol 2014; 83:1216-33. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jed A. Long
- Centre for GeoInformatics; Department of Geography & Sustainable Development; University of St Andrews; St Andrews Fife UK
| | - Trisalyn A. Nelson
- Spatial Pattern Analysis & Research Laboratory; Department of Geography; University of Victoria; Victoria BC Canada
| | - Stephen L. Webb
- The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation; 2510 Sam Noble Parkway Ardmore OK 73401 USA
| | - Kenneth L. Gee
- The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation; 2510 Sam Noble Parkway Ardmore OK 73401 USA
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Thurfjell H, Ciuti S, Boyce MS. Applications of step-selection functions in ecology and conservation. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2014; 2:4. [PMID: 25520815 PMCID: PMC4267544 DOI: 10.1186/2051-3933-2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent progress in positioning technology facilitates the collection of massive amounts of sequential spatial data on animals. This has led to new opportunities and challenges when investigating animal movement behaviour and habitat selection. Tools like Step Selection Functions (SSFs) are relatively new powerful models for studying resource selection by animals moving through the landscape. SSFs compare environmental attributes of observed steps (the linear segment between two consecutive observations of position) with alternative random steps taken from the same starting point. SSFs have been used to study habitat selection, human-wildlife interactions, movement corridors, and dispersal behaviours in animals. SSFs also have the potential to depict resource selection at multiple spatial and temporal scales. There are several aspects of SSFs where consensus has not yet been reached such as how to analyse the data, when to consider habitat covariates along linear paths between observations rather than at their endpoints, how many random steps should be considered to measure availability, and how to account for individual variation. In this review we aim to address all these issues, as well as to highlight weak features of this modelling approach that should be developed by further research. Finally, we suggest that SSFs could be integrated with state-space models to classify behavioural states when estimating SSFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Thurfjell
- />Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Simone Ciuti
- />Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
- />Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79106 Germany
| | - Mark S Boyce
- />Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
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Courbin N, Fortin D, Dussault C, Fargeot V, Courtois R. Multi-trophic resource selection function enlightens the behavioural game between wolves and their prey. J Anim Ecol 2013; 82:1062-71. [PMID: 23701257 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
1. Habitat selection strategies translate into movement tactics, which reckon with the predator-prey spatial game. Strategic habitat selection analysis can therefore illuminate behavioural games. Cover types at potential encounter sites (i.e. intersections between movement paths of predator and prey) can be compared with cover types available (i) within the area of home-range-overlap (HRO) between predator and prey; and (ii) along the path (MP) of each species. Unlike the HRO scale, cover-type availability at MP scale differs between interacting species due to species-specific movement decisions. Scale differences in selection could therefore inform on divergences in fitness rewarding actions between predators and prey. 2. We used this framework to evaluate the spatial game between GPS-collared wolves (Canis lupus) versus caribou (Rangifer tarandus), and wolf versus moose (Alces alces). 3. Changes in cover-type availability between HRO and MP revealed differences in how each species fine-tuned its movements to habitat features. In contrast to caribou, wolves increased their encounter rate with regenerating cuts along their paths (MP) relative to the HRO level. As a consequence, wolves were less likely to cross caribou paths in areas with higher percentage of regenerating cuts than expected based on the availability along their paths, whereas caribou had a higher risk of intersecting wolf paths by crossing these areas, relative to random expectation along their paths. Unlike for caribou, availability of mixed and deciduous areas decreased from HRO to MP level for wolves and moose. Overall, wolves displayed stronger similarities in movement decisions with moose than with caribou, thereby revealing the focus of wolves on moose. 4. Our study reveals how differences in fine-scale movement tactics between species create asymmetric relative encounter probabilities between predators and prey, given their paths. Increase in relative risk of encounter for prey and decrease for predators associated with specific cover types emerging from HRO to MP scale analysis can disclose potential weaknesses in current movement tactics involved the predator-prey game, such as caribou use of cutovers in summer-autumn. In turn, these weaknesses can inform on subsequent changes in habitat selection tactics that might arise due to evolutionary forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Courbin
- Chaire de recherche industrielle CRSNG-Université Laval en sylviculture et faune, Département de biologie, Université Laval, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, pavillon Alexandre Vachon, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Mattisson J, Sand H, Wabakken P, Gervasi V, Liberg O, Linnell JDC, Rauset GR, Pedersen HC. Home range size variation in a recovering wolf population: evaluating the effect of environmental, demographic, and social factors. Oecologia 2013; 173:813-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-013-2668-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Beyer HL, Ung R, Murray DL, Fortin MJ. Functional responses, seasonal variation and thresholds in behavioural responses of moose to road density. J Appl Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hawthorne L. Beyer
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario M5S 3G5 Canada
- Environmental Decisions Group; The University of Queensland; St Lucia Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Ricardo Ung
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario M5S 3G5 Canada
| | - Dennis L. Murray
- Department of Biology; Trent University; Peterborough Ontario M5S 3G5 Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Fortin
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario M5S 3G5 Canada
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Gervasi V, Nilsen EB, Sand H, Panzacchi M, Rauset GR, Pedersen HC, Kindberg J, Wabakken P, Zimmermann B, Odden J, Liberg O, Swenson JE, Linnell JDC. Predicting the potential demographic impact of predators on their prey: a comparative analysis of two carnivore-ungulate systems in Scandinavia. J Anim Ecol 2011; 81:443-54. [PMID: 22077484 PMCID: PMC3440569 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01928.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
1. Understanding the role of predation in shaping the dynamics of animal communities is a fundamental issue in ecological research. Nevertheless, the complex nature of predator–prey interactions often prevents researchers from modelling them explicitly. 2. By using periodic Leslie–Usher matrices and a simulation approach together with parameters obtained from long-term field projects, we reconstructed the underlying mechanisms of predator–prey demographic interactions and compared the dynamics of the roe deer–red fox–Eurasian lynx–human harvest system with those of the moose–brown bear–gray wolf–human harvest system in the boreal forest ecosystem of the southern Scandinavian Peninsula. 3. The functional relationship of both roe deer and moose λ to changes in predation rates from the four predators was remarkably different. Lynx had the strongest impact among the four predators, whereas predation rates by wolves, red foxes, or brown bears generated minor variations in prey population λ. Elasticity values of lynx, wolf, fox and bear predation rates were −0·157, −0·056, −0·031 and −0·006, respectively, but varied with both predator and prey densities. 4. Differences in predation impact were only partially related to differences in kill or predation rates, but were rather a result of different distribution of predation events among prey age classes. Therefore, the age composition of killed individuals emerged as the main underlying factor determining the overall per capita impact of predation. 5. Our results confirm the complex nature of predator–prey interactions in large terrestrial mammals, by showing that different carnivores preying on the same prey species can exert a dramatically different demographic impact, even in the same ecological context, as a direct consequence of their predation patterns. Similar applications of this analytical framework in other geographical and ecological contexts are needed, but a more general evaluation of the subject is also required, aimed to assess, on a broader systematic and ecological range, what specific traits of a carnivore are most related to its potential impact on prey species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Gervasi
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685, Sluppen, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway.
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Whittington J, Hebblewhite M, DeCesare NJ, Neufeld L, Bradley M, Wilmshurst J, Musiani M. Caribou encounters with wolves increase near roads and trails: a time-to-event approach. J Appl Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02043.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Gurarie E, Suutarinen J, Kojola I, Ovaskainen O. Summer movements, predation and habitat use of wolves in human modified boreal forests. Oecologia 2011; 165:891-903. [PMID: 21207232 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-010-1883-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Grey wolves (Canis lupus), formerly extirpated in Finland, have recolonized a boreal forest environment that has been significantly altered by humans, becoming a patchwork of managed forests and clearcuts crisscrossed by roads, power lines, and railways. Little is known about how the wolves utilize this impacted ecosystem, especially during the pup-rearing summer months. We tracked two wolves instrumented with GPS collars transmitting at 30-min intervals during two summers in eastern Finland, visiting all locations in the field, identifying prey items and classifying movement behaviors. We analyzed preference and avoidance of habitat types, linear elements and habitat edges, and tested the generality of our results against lower resolution summer movements of 23 other collared wolves. Wolves tended to show a strong preference for transitional woodlands (mostly harvested clearcuts) and mixed forests over coniferous forests and to use forest roads and low use linear elements to facilitate movement. The high density of primary roads in one wolf's territory led to more constrained use of the home territory compared to the wolf with fewer roads, suggesting avoidance of humans; however, there did not appear to be large differences on the hunting success or the success of pup rearing for the two packs. In total, 90 kills were identified, almost entirely moose (Alces alces) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus sspp.) calves of which a large proportion were killed in transitional woodlands. Generally, wolves displayed a high level of adaptability, successfully exploiting direct and indirect human-derived modifications to the boreal forest environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliezer Gurarie
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, NOAA Fisheries, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA.
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