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McTigue LE, Lassiter EV, Shaw M, Johansson E, Wilson K, DeGregorio BA. Does daily activity overlap of seven mesocarnivores vary based on human development? PLoS One 2024; 19:e0288477. [PMID: 38206932 PMCID: PMC10783707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Many species of wildlife alter their daily activity patterns in response to co-occurring species as well as the surrounding environment. Often smaller or subordinate species alter their activity patterns to avoid being active at the same time as larger, dominant species to avoid agonistic interactions. Human development can complicate interspecies interactions, as not all wildlife respond to human activity in the same manner. While some species may change the timing of their activity to avoid being active when humans are, others may be unaffected or may benefit from being active at the same time as humans to reduce predation risk or competition. To further explore these patterns, we used data from a coordinated national camera-trapping program (Snapshot USA) to explore how the activity patterns and temporal activity overlap of a suite of seven widely co-occurring mammalian mesocarnivores varied along a gradient of human development. Our focal species ranged in size from the large and often dominant coyote (Canis latrans) to the much smaller and subordinate Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Some species changed their activity based on surrounding human development. Coyotes were most active at night in areas of high and medium human development. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) were more active at dusk in areas of high development relative to areas of low or medium development. However, because most species were primarily nocturnal regardless of human development, temporal activity overlap was high between all species. Only opossum and raccoon (Procyon lotor) showed changes in activity overlap with high overlap in areas of low development compared to areas of moderate development. Although we found that coyotes and red fox altered their activity patterns in response to human development, our results showed that competitive and predatory pressures between these seven widespread generalist species were insufficient to cause them to substantially alter their activity patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah E. McTigue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Ellery V. Lassiter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Mike Shaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Emily Johansson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Ken Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Brett A. DeGregorio
- U.S. Geological Survey, Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
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Johnson-Bice SM, Gable TD, Homkes AT, Windels SK, Bump JK, Bruggink JG. Logging, linear features, and human infrastructure shape the spatial dynamics of wolf predation on an ungulate neonate. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2911. [PMID: 37602927 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Humans are increasingly recognized as important players in predator-prey dynamics by modifying landscapes. This trend has been well-documented for large mammal communities in North American boreal forests: logging creates early seral forests that benefit ungulates such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), while the combination of infrastructure development and resource extraction practices generate linear features that allow predators such as wolves (Canis lupus) to travel and forage more efficiently throughout the landscape. Disturbances from recreational activities and residential development are other major sources of human activity in boreal ecosystems that may further alter wolf-ungulate dynamics. Here, we evaluate the influence that several major types of anthropogenic landscape modifications (timber harvest, linear features, and residential infrastructure) have on where and how wolves hunt ungulate neonates in a southern boreal forest ecosystem in Minnesota, USA. We demonstrate that each major anthropogenic disturbance significantly influences wolf predation of white-tailed deer fawns (n = 427 kill sites). In contrast with the "human shield hypothesis" that posits prey use human-modified areas as refuge, wolves killed fawns closer to residential buildings than expected based on spatial availability. Fawns were also killed within recently-logged areas more than expected. Concealment cover was higher at kill sites than random sites, suggesting wolves use senses other than vision, probably olfaction, to detect hidden fawns. Wolves showed strong selection for hunting along linear features, and kill sites were also closer to linear features than expected. We hypothesize that linear features facilitated wolf predation on fawns by allowing wolves to travel efficiently among high-quality prey patches (recently logged areas, near buildings), and also increase encounter rates with olfactory cues that allow them to detect hidden fawns. These findings provide novel insight into the strategies predators use to hunt ungulate neonates and the many ways human activity alters wolf-ungulate neonate predator-prey dynamics, which have remained elusive due to the challenges of locating sites where predators kill small prey. Our research has important management and conservation implications for wolf-ungulate systems subjected to anthropogenic pressures, particularly as the range of overlap between wolves and deer expands and appears to be altering food web dynamics in boreal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Johnson-Bice
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Thomas D Gable
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Austin T Homkes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, USA
| | - Steve K Windels
- Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joseph K Bump
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - John G Bruggink
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, USA
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Granados A, Sun C, Fisher JT, Ladle A, Dawe K, Beirne C, Boyce MS, Chow E, Heim N, Fennell M, Klees van Bommel J, Naidoo R, Procko M, Stewart FEC, Burton AC. Mammalian predator and prey responses to recreation and land use across multiple scales provide limited support for the human shield hypothesis. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10464. [PMID: 37720065 PMCID: PMC10500421 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Outdoor recreation is widespread, with uncertain effects on wildlife. The human shield hypothesis (HSH) suggests that recreation could have differential effects on predators and prey, with predator avoidance of humans creating a spatial refuge 'shielding' prey from people. The generality of the HSH remains to be tested across larger scales, wherein human shielding may prove generalizable, or diminish with variability in ecological contexts. We combined data from 446 camera traps and 79,279 sampling days across 10 landscapes spanning 15,840 km2 in western Canada. We used hierarchical models to quantify the influence of recreation and landscape disturbance (roads, logging) on ungulate prey (moose, mule deer and elk) and carnivore (wolf, grizzly bear, cougar and black bear) site use. We found limited support for the HSH and strong responses to recreation at local but not larger spatial scales. Only mule deer showed positive but weak landscape-level responses to recreation. Elk were positively associated with local recreation while moose and mule deer responses were negative, contrary to HSH predictions. Mule deer showed a more complex interaction between recreation and land-use disturbance, with more negative responses to recreation at lower road density or higher logged areas. Contrary to HSH predictions, carnivores did not avoid recreation and grizzly bear site use was positively associated. We also tested the effects of roads and logging on temporal activity overlap between mule deer and recreation, expecting deer to minimize interaction with humans by partitioning time in areas subject to more habitat disturbance. However, temporal overlap between people and deer increased with road density. Our findings highlight the complex ecological patterns that emerge at macroecological scales. There is a need for expanded monitoring of human and wildlife use of recreation areas, particularly multi-scale and -species approaches to studying the interacting effects of recreation and land-use change on wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alys Granados
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Catherine Sun
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Jason T. Fisher
- Institute for Resources, Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Andrew Ladle
- Institute for Resources, Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Kimberly Dawe
- School of Environmental StudiesUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Christopher Beirne
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Quest University CanadaSquamishBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Emily Chow
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Nicole Heim
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural DevelopmentCranbrookBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Mitchell Fennell
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Joanna Klees van Bommel
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Ktunaxa Nation GovernmentCranbrookBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Robin Naidoo
- Institute for Resources, Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- World Wildlife Fund‐USWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Michael Procko
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | | | - A. Cole Burton
- Department of Forest Resources Management and Biodiversity Research CentreUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
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Serieys LE, Bishop JM, Rogan MS, Smith JA, Suraci JP, O’Riain MJ, Wilmers CC. Anthropogenic activities and age class mediate carnivore habitat selection in a human-dominated landscape. iScience 2023; 26:107050. [PMID: 37534145 PMCID: PMC10391726 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human activities increasingly challenge wild animal populations by disrupting ecological connectivity and population persistence. Yet, human-modified habitats can provide resources, resulting in selection of disturbed areas by generalist species. To investigate spatial and temporal responses of a generalist carnivore to human disturbance, we investigated habitat selection and diel activity patterns in caracals (Caracal caracal). We GPS-collared 25 adults and subadults in urban and wildland-dominated subregions in Cape Town, South Africa. Selection responses for landscape variables were dependent on subregion, animal age class, and diel period. Contrary to expectations, caracals did not become more nocturnal in urban areas. Caracals increased their selection for proximity to urban areas as the proportion of urban area increased. Differences in habitat selection between urban and wildland caracals suggest that individuals of this generalist species exhibit high behavioral flexibility in response to anthropogenic disturbances that emerge as a function of habitat context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel E.K. Serieys
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Panthera, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town 7966, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline M. Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Matthew S. Rogan
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Natural State, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Justine A. Smith
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Justin P. Suraci
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Conservation Science Partners, Inc. Truckee, CA 96161, USA
| | - M. Justin O’Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Christopher C. Wilmers
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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Latifi M, Fakheran S, Moshtaghie M, Ranaie M, Tussi PM. Soundscape analysis using eco-acoustic indices for the birds biodiversity assessment in urban parks (case study: Isfahan City, Iran). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:629. [PMID: 37127732 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11237-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Biophony and anthrophony analysis as part of the urban soundscape is an efficient approach to bird biodiversity monitoring and to studying the impact of noise pollution in urban parks. Here, we analyzed the soundscape composition to monitor the diversity of birds using acoustic indices and machine learning in 21 urban parks of Isfahan, Iran, in spring 2019. To achieve this purpose four-step method was considered: (i) choosing parks and sampling of sound and bird species; (ii) calculated the six acoustic indices; (iii) calculated the six biodiversity indices; and (iv) statistical analysis for predicting biodiversity index from acoustic indices. Three regression models including support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and elastic net regularization (GLMNET) applied the acoustic indices with minimum and maximum recorded thresholds to feature extraction to measure biodiversity indicators. The optimization model was applied to reduce the independent variables. Generally, more than 18,000 samples were modeled for the dependent variables in each model. The regression results demonstrated that the highest R square was related to the songbird (0.93), evenness (0.92), and richness (0.9) indecies in the SVM model and the Shannon index (0.86) in the RF model. The results of acoustics analysis demonstrated that the Acoustic Entropy Index (H), Normalized Difference Soundscape Index (NDSI), Bioacoustics Index (BI), and Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) indices were suitable because they could serve as proxies for bird richness and activity that reflect differences in habitat quality. Our findings offer using acoustic indicators as an efficient approach for monitoring bird biodiversity in urban parks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Latifi
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Sima Fakheran
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | - Minoo Moshtaghie
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Ranaie
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
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Andrade R, Larson KL, Franklin J, Lerman SB, Bateman HL, Warren PS. Species traits explain public perceptions of human-bird interactions. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2676. [PMID: 35582734 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The impacts of urbanization on bird biodiversity depend on human-environment interactions that drive land management. Although a commonly studied group, less attention has been given to public perceptions of birds close to home, which can capture people's direct, everyday experiences with urban biodiversity. Here, we used ecological and social survey data collected in the metropolitan region of Phoenix, Arizona, USA, to determine how species traits are related to people's perceptions of local bird communities. We used a trait-based approach to classify birds by attributes that may influence human-bird interactions, including color, size, foraging strata, diet, song, and cultural niche space based on popularity and geographic specificity. Our classification scheme using hierarchical clustering identified four trait categories, labeled as Metropolitan (gray, loud, seedeaters foraging low to ground), Familiar (yellow/brown generalist species commonly present in suburban areas), Distinctive (species with distinguishing appearance and song), and Hummingbird (hummingbird species, small and colorful). Strongly held beliefs about positive or negative traits were also more consistent than ambivalent ones. The belief that birds were colorful and unique to the regional desert environment was particularly important in fortifying perceptions. People largely perceived hummingbird species and birds with distinctive traits positively. Similarly, urban-dwelling birds from the metropolitan trait group were related to negative perceptions, probably due to human-wildlife conflict. Differences arose across sociodemographics (including income, age, education, and Hispanic/Latinx identity), but explained a relatively low amount of variation in perceptions compared with the bird traits present in the neighborhood. Our results highlight how distinctive aesthetics, especially color and song, as well as traits related to foraging and diet drive perceptions. Increasing people's direct experiences with iconic species tied to the region and species with distinguishing attributes has the potential to improve public perceptions and strengthen support for broader conservation initiatives in and beyond urban ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley Andrade
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kelli L Larson
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Janet Franklin
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Susannah B Lerman
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heather L Bateman
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona, USA
| | - Paige S Warren
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Visscher DR, Wood JR. Decadal trends in a population of urban white-tailed jackrabbits at the northern edge of its range. MAMMAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-022-00641-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Parsons MA, Garcia A, Young JK. Scavenging vs hunting affects behavioral traits of an opportunistic carnivore. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13366. [PMID: 35529483 PMCID: PMC9070321 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human-induced changes to ecosystems transform the availability of resources to predators, including altering prey populations and increasing access to anthropogenic foods. Opportunistic predators are likely to respond to altered food resources by changing the proportion of food they hunt versus scavenge. These shifts in foraging behavior will affect species interactions through multiple pathways, including by changing other aspects of predator behavior such as boldness, innovation, and social structure. Methods To understand how foraging behavior impacts predator behavior, we conducted a controlled experiment to simulate hunting by introducing a prey model to captive coyotes (Canis latrans) and compared their behavior to coyotes that continued to scavenge over one year. We used focal observations to construct behavioral budgets, and conducted novel object, puzzle box, and conspecific tests to evaluate boldness, innovation, and response to conspecifics. Results We documented increased time spent resting by hunting coyotes paired with decreased time spent active. Hunting coyotes increased boldness and persistence but there were no changes in innovation. Our results illustrate how foraging behavior can impact other aspects of behavior, with potential ecological consequences to predator ecology, predator-prey dynamics, and human-wildlife conflict; however, the captive nature of our study limits specific conclusions related to wild predators. We conclude that human-induced behavioral changes could have cascading ecological implications that are not fully understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell A. Parsons
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America,National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Millville, UT, USA
| | - Andrew Garcia
- National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Millville, UT, USA
| | - Julie K. Young
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America,National Wildlife Research Center - Predator Research Facility, USDA, Millville, UT, USA
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Monk JD, Schmitz OJ. Landscapes shaped from the top down: predicting cascading predator effects on spatial biogeochemistry. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia D. Monk
- School of the Environment, Yale Univ. New Haven CT USA
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