1
|
van Dam-Bates P, Papathomas M, Stevenson BC, Fewster RM, Turek D, Stewart FEC, Borchers DL. A flexible framework for spatial capture-recapture with unknown identities. Biometrics 2024; 80:ujad019. [PMID: 38372400 DOI: 10.1093/biomtc/ujad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Camera traps or acoustic recorders are often used to sample wildlife populations. When animals can be individually identified, these data can be used with spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methods to assess populations. However, obtaining animal identities is often labor-intensive and not always possible for all detected animals. To address this problem, we formulate SCR, including acoustic SCR, as a marked Poisson process, comprising a single counting process for the detections of all animals and a mark distribution for what is observed (eg, animal identity, detector location). The counting process applies equally when it is animals appearing in front of camera traps and when vocalizations are captured by microphones, although the definition of a mark changes. When animals cannot be uniquely identified, the observed marks arise from a mixture of mark distributions defined by the animal activity centers and additional characteristics. Our method generalizes existing latent identity SCR models and provides an integrated framework that includes acoustic SCR. We apply our method to estimate density from a camera trap study of fisher (Pekania pennanti) and an acoustic survey of Cape Peninsula moss frog (Arthroleptella lightfooti). We also test it through simulation. We find latent identity SCR with additional marks such as sex or time of arrival to be a reliable method for estimating animal density.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul van Dam-Bates
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Michail Papathomas
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ben C Stevenson
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Rachel M Fewster
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Turek
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Williams College, Williamstown, 01267, United States
| | - Frances E C Stewart
- Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, N2L 3C5, Canada
| | - David L Borchers
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, United Kingdom
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag 7700, Rondebosch, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Carroll SL, Schmidt GM, Waller JS, Graves TA. Evaluating density-weighted connectivity of black bears (Ursus americanus) in Glacier National Park with spatial capture-recapture models. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2024; 12:8. [PMID: 38263096 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-023-00445-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improved understanding of wildlife population connectivity among protected area networks can support effective planning for the persistence of wildlife populations in the face of land use and climate change. Common approaches to estimating connectivity often rely on small samples of individuals without considering the spatial structure of populations, leading to limited understanding of how individual movement links to demography and population connectivity. Recently developed spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models provide a framework to formally connect inference about individual movement, connectivity, and population density, but few studies have applied this approach to empirical data to support connectivity planning. METHODS We used mark-recapture data collected from 924 genetic detections of 598 American black bears (Ursus americanus) in 2004 with SCR ecological distance models to simultaneously estimate density, landscape resistance to movement, and population connectivity in Glacier National Park northwest Montana, USA. We estimated density and movement parameters separately for males and females and used model estimates to calculate predicted density-weighted connectivity surfaces. RESULTS Model results indicated that landscape structure influences black bear density and space use in Glacier. The mean density estimate was 16.08 bears/100 km2 (95% CI 12.52-20.6) for females and 9.27 bears/100 km2 (95% CI 7.70-11.14) for males. Density increased with forest cover for both sexes. For male black bears, density decreased at higher grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) densities. Drainages, valley bottoms, and riparian vegetation decreased estimates of landscape resistance to movement for male and female bears. For males, forest cover also decreased estimated resistance to movement, but a transportation corridor bisecting the study area strongly increased resistance to movement presenting a barrier to connectivity. CONCLUSIONS Density-weighed connectivity surfaces highlighted areas important for population connectivity that were distinct from areas with high potential connectivity. For black bears in Glacier and surrounding landscapes, consideration of both vegetation and valley topography could inform the placement of underpasses along the transportation corridor in areas characterized by both high population density and potential connectivity. Our study demonstrates that the SCR ecological distance model can provide biologically realistic, spatially explicit predictions to support movement connectivity planning across large landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Carroll
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
| | - Greta M Schmidt
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - John S Waller
- Glacier National Park, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, MT, 59936, USA
| | - Tabitha A Graves
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, PO Box 169, West Glacier, MT, 59936, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Greco I, Paddock CL, McCabe GM, Barelli C, Shinyambala S, Mtui AS, Rovero F. Calibrating occupancy to density estimations to assess abundance and vulnerability of a threatened primate in Tanzania. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
|
4
|
Anderson AK, Waller JS, Thornton DH. Canada lynx occupancy and density in Glacier National Park. J Wildl Manage 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - John S. Waller
- National Park Service PO Box 128 West Glacier MT 59936 USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Suffice P, Mazerolle MJ, Imbeau L, Cheveau M, Asselin H, Drapeau P. Site occupancy by American martens and fishers in temperate deciduous forests of Québec. J Mammal 2022; 104:159-170. [PMID: 36818684 PMCID: PMC9936503 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecific interactions can mediate site occupancy of sympatric species and can be a key factor in habitat use patterns. American martens (Martes americana) and Fishers (Pekania pennanti) are two sympatric mesocarnivores in eastern North American forests. Due to their larger size, fishers have a competitive advantage over martens. We investigated site occupancy of martens and fishers in temperate deciduous forests of Québec, an environment modified by forest management and climate change. We formulated hypotheses on the spatial distribution of the studied species based on the knowledge of local trappers and on the scientific literature regarding forest cover composition, habitat fragmentation, and competitive relationships. We used a network of 49 camera traps monitored over two fall seasons to document site occupancy by both species. We used two-species site occupancy models to assess habitat use and the influence of fishers on martens at spatial grains of different sizes. None of the habitat variables that we considered explained site occupancy by fishers. Availability of dense old coniferous stands explained the spatial distribution of martens both at the home range grain size and at the landscape grain size. We identified the characteristics of habitat hotspots based on the knowledge of trappers, which highlighted the importance of stand composition, height, age, and canopy closure. The characteristics of habitat hotspots for martens in temperate deciduous forests refine the habitat suitability model for American martens that was originally developed for boreal forests of Québec.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marc J Mazerolle
- Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Louis Imbeau
- Institut de recherche sur les forêts, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada
| | - Marianne Cheveau
- Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Hugo Asselin
- École d’études autochtones, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre Drapeau
- Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chaudhuri S, Rajaraman R, Kalyanasundaram S, Sathyakumar S, Krishnamurthy R. N-mixture model-based estimate of relative abundance of sloth bear ( Melursus ursinus) in response to biotic and abiotic factors in a human-dominated landscape of central India. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13649. [PMID: 36523470 PMCID: PMC9745790 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reliable estimation of abundance is a prerequisite for a species' conservation planning in human-dominated landscapes, especially if the species is elusive and involved in conflicts. As a means of population estimation, the importance of camera traps has been recognized globally, although estimating the abundance of unmarked, cryptic species has always been a challenge to conservation biologists. This study explores the use of the N-mixture model with three probability distributions, i.e., Poisson, negative binomial (NB) and zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), to estimate the relative abundance of sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) based on a camera trapping exercise in Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh from December 2016 to April 2017. We used environmental and anthropogenic covariates to model the variation in the abundance of sloth bears. We also compared null model estimates (mean site abundance) obtained from the N-mixture model to those of the Royle-Nichols abundance-induced heterogeneity model (RN model) to assess the application of similar site-structured models. Models with Poisson distributions produced ecologically realistic and more precise estimates of mean site abundance (λ = 2.60 ± 0.64) compared with other distributions, despite the relatively high Akaike Information Criterion value. Area of mixed and sal forest, the photographic capture rate of humans and distance to the nearest village predicted a higher relative abundance of sloth bears. Mean site abundance estimates of sloth bears obtained from the N-mixture model (Poisson distribution) and the RN model were comparable, indicating the overall utility of these models in this field. However, density estimates of sloth bears based on spatially explicit methods are essential for evaluating the efficacy of the relatively more cost-effective N-mixture model. Compared to commonly used index/encounter-based methods, the N-mixture model equipped with knowledge on governing biotic and abiotic factors provides better relative abundance estimates for a species like the sloth bear. In the absence of absolute abundance estimates, the present study could be insightful for the long-term conservation and management of sloth bears.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sankarshan Chaudhuri
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Rajasekar Rajaraman
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | | | - Sambandam Sathyakumar
- Department of Endangered Species Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ramesh Krishnamurthy
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India,Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Newman KD, Nelson JL, Durkin LK, Cripps JK, McCarthy MA. An analytical solution for optimising detections when accounting for site establishment costs. Ecol Modell 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
8
|
Cunningham SA, Pyszczynski T, Watson TM, Bakerian R, Jensen PG, Frair JL. Detecting denning behavior with camera traps: an example with fishers. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Cunningham
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Timothy Pyszczynski
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 317 Washington Street Watertown NY 13601 USA
| | - Timothy M. Watson
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 232 Golf Course Road Warrensburg NY 12885 USA
| | - Rachel Bakerian
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 232 Golf Course Road Warrensburg NY 12885 USA
| | - Paul G. Jensen
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 1115 State Route 85 Ray Brook NY 12977 USA
| | - Jacqueline L. Frair
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Density Estimation in Terrestrial Chelonian Populations Using Spatial Capture–Recapture and Search–Encounter Surveys. J HERPETOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1670/21-016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
10
|
Rahlin AA, Saunders SP, Beilke S. Spatial drivers of wetland bird occupancy within an urbanized matrix in the Upper Midwestern United States. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia A. Rahlin
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Semper-Pascual A, Bischof R, Milleret C, Beaudrot L, Vallejo-Vargas AF, Ahumada JA, Akampurira E, Bitariho R, Espinosa S, Jansen PA, Kiebou-Opepa C, Moreira Lima MG, Martin EH, Mugerwa B, Rovero F, Salvador J, Santos F, Uzabaho E, Sheil D. Occupancy winners in tropical protected forests: a pantropical analysis. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220457. [PMID: 35858066 PMCID: PMC9277235 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of forest mammal communities appears surprisingly consistent across the continental tropics, presumably due to convergent evolution in similar environments. Whether such consistency extends to mammal occupancy, despite variation in species characteristics and context, remains unclear. Here we ask whether we can predict occupancy patterns and, if so, whether these relationships are consistent across biogeographic regions. Specifically, we assessed how mammal feeding guild, body mass and ecological specialization relate to occupancy in protected forests across the tropics. We used standardized camera-trap data (1002 camera-trap locations and 2-10 years of data) and a hierarchical Bayesian occupancy model. We found that occupancy varied by regions, and certain species characteristics explained much of this variation. Herbivores consistently had the highest occupancy. However, only in the Neotropics did we detect a significant effect of body mass on occupancy: large mammals had lowest occupancy. Importantly, habitat specialists generally had higher occupancy than generalists, though this was reversed in the Indo-Malayan sites. We conclude that habitat specialization is key for understanding variation in mammal occupancy across regions, and that habitat specialists often benefit more from protected areas, than do generalists. The contrasting examples seen in the Indo-Malayan region probably reflect distinct anthropogenic pressures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asunción Semper-Pascual
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Richard Bischof
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Cyril Milleret
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Lydia Beaudrot
- Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, USA
| | - Andrea F. Vallejo-Vargas
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Jorge A. Ahumada
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Emmanuel Akampurira
- Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kabale, Uganda,Conflict Research Group, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Robert Bitariho
- Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kabale, Uganda
| | - Santiago Espinosa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico,Escuela de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Patrick A. Jansen
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama,Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cisquet Kiebou-Opepa
- Wildlife Conservation Society - Congo Program, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo,Nouabalé-Ndoki Foundation, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Marcela Guimarães Moreira Lima
- Biogeography of Conservation and Macroecology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
| | - Emanuel H. Martin
- Department of Wildlife Management, College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Badru Mugerwa
- Department of Ecological Dynamics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany,Department of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesco Rovero
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy,MUSE-Museo delle Scienze, Trento, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Douglas Sheil
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway,Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands,Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schmidt GM, Graves TA, Pederson JC, Carroll SL. Precision and bias of spatial capture-recapture estimates: A multi-site, multi-year Utah black bear case study. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2618. [PMID: 35368131 PMCID: PMC9287071 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models are powerful analytical tools that have become the standard for estimating abundance and density of wild animal populations. When sampling populations to implement SCR, the number of unique individuals detected, total recaptures, and unique spatial relocations can be highly variable. These sample sizes influence the precision and accuracy of model parameter estimates. Testing the performance of SCR models with sparse empirical data sets typical of low-density, wide-ranging species can inform the threshold at which a more integrated modeling approach with additional data sources or additional years of monitoring may be required to achieve reliable, precise parameter estimates. Using a multi-site, multi-year Utah black bear (Ursus americanus) capture-recapture data set, we evaluated factors influencing the uncertainty of SCR structural parameter estimates, specifically density, detection, and the spatial scale parameter, sigma. We also provided some of the first SCR density estimates for Utah black bear populations, which ranged from 3.85 to 74.33 bears/100 km2 . Increasing total detections decreased the uncertainty of density estimates, whereas an increasing number of total recaptures and individuals with recaptures decreased the uncertainty of detection and sigma estimates, respectively. In most cases, multiple years of data were required for precise density estimates (<0.2 coefficient of variation [CV]). Across study areas there was an average decline in CV of 0.07 with the addition of another year of data. One sampled population with very high estimated bear density had an atypically low number of spatial recaptures relative to total recaptures, apparently inflating density estimates. A complementary simulation study used to assess estimate bias suggested that when <30% of recaptured individuals were spatially recaptured, density estimates were unreliable and ranged widely, in some cases to >3 times the simulated density. Additional research could evaluate these requirements for other density scenarios. Large numbers of individuals detected, numbers of spatial recaptures, and precision alone may not be sufficient indicators of parameter estimate reliability. We provide an evaluation of simple summary statistics of capture-recapture data sets that can provide an early signal of the need to alter sampling design or collect auxiliary data before model implementation to improve estimate precision and accuracy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta M. Schmidt
- Department of BiologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tabitha A. Graves
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science CenterWest GlacierMontanaUSA
| | | | - Sarah L. Carroll
- Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Comparison of methods for estimating density and population trends for low-density Asian bears. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
|
14
|
Hinton JW, Wheat RE, Schuette P, Hurst JE, Kramer DW, Stickles JH, Frair JL. Challenges and opportunities for estimating abundance of a low‐density moose population. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W. Hinton
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Rachel E. Wheat
- Wildlife Division, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Salem OR 97302 USA
| | - Paul Schuette
- Marine Mammals Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service 1011 E. Tudor Rd Anchorage AK 99503 USA
| | - Jeremy E. Hurst
- Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany NY 12233 USA
| | - David W. Kramer
- Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany NY 12233 USA
| | - James H. Stickles
- Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany NY 12233 USA
| | - Jacqueline L. Frair
- Roosevelt Wild Life Station, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
The occupancy-abundance relationship and sampling designs using occupancy to monitor populations of Asian bears. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
16
|
Green DS, Martin ME, Powell RA, McGregor EL, Gabriel MW, Pilgrim KL, Schwartz MK, Matthews SM. Mixed‐severity wildfire and salvage logging affect the populations of a forest‐dependent carnivoran and a competitor. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David S. Green
- Institute for Natural Resources Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Marie E. Martin
- Institute for Natural Resources Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Roger A. Powell
- Department of Applied Ecology North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Eric L. McGregor
- Institute for Natural Resources Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Mourad W. Gabriel
- USDA Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations Eureka California USA
| | - Kristine L. Pilgrim
- USDA Forest Service National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation Missoula Montana USA
| | - Michael K. Schwartz
- USDA Forest Service National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation Missoula Montana USA
| | - Sean M. Matthews
- Institute for Natural Resources Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Holzner A, Rayan DM, Moore J, Tan CKW, Clart L, Kulik L, Kühl H, Ruppert N, Widdig A. Occupancy of wild southern pig-tailed macaques in intact and degraded forests in Peninsular Malaysia. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12462. [PMID: 34993012 PMCID: PMC8679909 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deforestation is a major threat to terrestrial tropical ecosystems, particularly in Southeast Asia where human activities have dramatic consequences for the survival of many species. However, responses of species to anthropogenic impact are highly variable. In order to establish effective conservation strategies, it is critical to determine a species’ ability to persist in degraded habitats. Here, we used camera trapping data to provide the first insights into the temporal and spatial distribution of southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina, listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN) across intact and degraded forest habitats in Peninsular Malaysia, with a particular focus on the effects of clear-cutting and selective logging on macaque occupancy. Specifically, we found a 10% decline in macaque site occupancy in the highly degraded Pasoh Forest Reserve from 2013 to 2017. This may be strongly linked to the macaques’ sensitivity to intensive disturbance through clear-cutting, which significantly increased the probability that M. nemestrina became locally extinct at a previously occupied site. However, we found no clear relationship between moderate disturbance, i.e., selective logging, and the macaques’ local extinction probability or site occupancy in the Pasoh Forest Reserve and Belum-Temengor Forest Complex. Further, an identical age and sex structure of macaques in selectively logged and completely undisturbed habitat types within the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex indicated that the macaques did not show increased mortality or declining birth rates when exposed to selective logging. Overall, this suggests that low to moderately disturbed forests may still constitute valuable habitats that support viable populations of M. nemestrina, and thus need to be protected against further degradation. Our results emphasize the significance of population monitoring through camera trapping for understanding the ability of threatened species to cope with anthropogenic disturbance. This can inform species management plans and facilitate the development of effective conservation measures to protect biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Holzner
- Department of Human Behaviour, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - D. Mark Rayan
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Malaysia Program, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Jonathan Moore
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Cedric Kai Wei Tan
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Laura Clart
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lars Kulik
- Department of Human Behaviour, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hjalmar Kühl
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadine Ruppert
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Anja Widdig
- Department of Human Behaviour, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zwerts JA, Stephenson PJ, Maisels F, Rowcliffe M, Astaras C, Jansen PA, Waarde J, Sterck LEHM, Verweij PA, Bruce T, Brittain S, Kuijk M. Methods for wildlife monitoring in tropical forests: Comparing human observations, camera traps, and passive acoustic sensors. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joeri A. Zwerts
- Ecology and Biodiversity Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
- Animal Behaviour & Cognition Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - P. J. Stephenson
- IUCN SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group, Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology & Evolution University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Fiona Maisels
- Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Stirling FK9 4LA UK
- Global Conservation Program Wildlife Conservation Society 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx New York USA
| | | | | | - Patrick A. Jansen
- Department of Environmental Sciences Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama Republic of Panama
| | | | | | - Pita A. Verweij
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Tom Bruce
- Zoological Society of London Cameroon Yaoundé Cameroon
- James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Stephanie Brittain
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science (ICCS), Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Marijke Kuijk
- Ecology and Biodiversity Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kiki MAD, Astaras C, Montgomery RA, Henschel P, Tehou A, Macdonald D, Bauer H. Cost effective assessment of human and habitat factors essential for critically endangered lions in West Africa. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martial A. D. Kiki
- M. A. D. Kiki, Dept of Environment, Polytechnic College of the Univ. of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin and Dept of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Univ. of Florida, USA
| | - Christos Astaras
- C. Astaras, Forest Research Inst., Hellenic Agricultural Organization ‘Demeter’, Vasilika, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Robert A. Montgomery
- R. A. Montgomery, Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory, Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Aristide Tehou
- A. Tehou, Centre National de Gestion des Réserves de Faunes, Cotonou, Benin
| | - David Macdonald
- RAM, D. Macdonald and H. Bauer ✉ , Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Hans Bauer
- RAM, D. Macdonald and H. Bauer ✉ , Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney, Oxfordshire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Exploratory dispersal movements by young tigers in Thailand’s Western Forest Complex: the challenges of securing a territory. MAMMAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-021-00602-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
21
|
Stauffer GE, Roberts NM, Macfarland DM, Van Deelen TR. Scaling Occupancy Estimates up to Abundance for Wolves. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Glenn E. Stauffer
- Office of Applied Sciences Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 107 Sutliff Ave Rhinelander WI 54501 USA
| | - Nathan M. Roberts
- Office of Applied Sciences Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 107 Sutliff Ave Rhinelander WI 54501 USA
| | - David M. Macfarland
- Office of Applied Sciences Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 107 Sutliff Ave Rhinelander WI 54501 USA
| | - Timothy R. Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin 217 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Dr Madison WI 53706 USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Emmet RL, Long RA, Gardner B. Modeling multi‐scale occupancy for monitoring rare and highly mobile species. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Emmet
- Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management University of Washington Seattle, Washington 98195 USA
| | | | - Beth Gardner
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington 98195 USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hofmeester TR, Thorsen NH, Cromsigt JPGM, Kindberg J, Andrén H, Linnell JDC, Odden J. Effects of camera‐trap placement and number on detection of members of a mammalian assemblage. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tim R. Hofmeester
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Umeå SE‐90183 Sweden
| | - Neri H. Thorsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Sognsveien 68 Oslo NO‐0855 Norway
| | - Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Umeå SE‐90183 Sweden
- Department of Zoology Centre for African Conservation Ecology Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth 6031 South Africa
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development Environmental Sciences Utrecht University Utrecht 3548 The Netherlands
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Umeå SE‐90183 Sweden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research PO Box 5685 Torgard Trondheim NO‐7485 Norway
| | - Henrik Andrén
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Grimsö Wildlife Research Station RiddarhyttanSE‐73993 Sweden
| | - John D. C. Linnell
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research PO Box 5685 Torgard Trondheim NO‐7485 Norway
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Koppang NO‐2480 Norway
| | - John Odden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Sognsveien 68 Oslo NO‐0855 Norway
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tucker JM, Moriarty KM, Ellis MM, Golding JD. Effective sampling area is a major driver of power to detect long‐term trends in multispecies occupancy monitoring. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jody M. Tucker
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region 1323 Club Drive Vallejo California94592USA
| | - Katie M. Moriarty
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station 3625 93rd Avenue Olympia Washington98512USA
| | - Martha M. Ellis
- Department of Mathematics Montana State University 1156‐1174 South 11th Street Bozeman Montana59715USA
| | - Jessie D. Golding
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station 800 East Beckwith Avenue Missoula Montana59801USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lewis JS, Spaulding S, Swanson H, Keeley W, Gramza AR, VandeWoude S, Crooks KR. Human activity influences wildlife populations and activity patterns: implications for spatial and temporal refuges. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse S. Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts Arizona State University Mesa Arizona85212USA
| | - Susan Spaulding
- Boulder County Parks and Open Space Longmont Colorado80503USA
| | - Heather Swanson
- City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Boulder Colorado80303USA
| | - William Keeley
- City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Boulder Colorado80303USA
| | - Ashley R. Gramza
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
| | - Kevin R. Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fisher JT, Grey F, Anderson N, Sawan J, Anderson N, Chai SL, Nolan L, Underwood A, Amerongen Maddison J, Fuller HW, Frey S. Indigenous-led camera-trap research on traditional territories informs conservation decisions for resource extraction. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The resource extraction that powers global economies is often manifested in Indigenous Peoples’ territories. Indigenous Peoples living on the land are careful observers of resulting biodiversity changes, and Indigenous-led research can provide evidence to inform conservation decisions. In the Nearctic western boreal forest, landscape change from forest harvesting and petroleum extraction is intensive and extensive. A First Nations community in the Canadian oil sands co-created camera-trap research to explore observations of presumptive species declines, seeking to identify the relative contributions of different industrial sectors to changes in mammal distributions. Camera data were analyzed via generalized linear models in a model-selection approach. Multiple forestry and petroleum extraction features positively and negatively affected boreal mammal species. Pipelines had the greatest negative effect size (for wolves), whereas well sites had a large positive effect size for multiple species, suggesting the energy sector as a target for co-management. Co-created research reveals spatial relationships of disturbance, prey, and predators on Indigenous traditional territories. It provides hypotheses, tests, and interpretations unique to outside perspectives; Indigenous participation in conservation management of their territories scales up to benefit global biodiversity conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Fisher
- University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies, PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Fabian Grey
- Whitefish Lake First Nation. General Delivery, Atikameg, AB T0G 0C0, Canada
| | - Nelson Anderson
- Whitefish Lake First Nation. General Delivery, Atikameg, AB T0G 0C0, Canada
| | - Josiah Sawan
- Whitefish Lake First Nation. General Delivery, Atikameg, AB T0G 0C0, Canada
| | - Nicholas Anderson
- Whitefish Lake First Nation. General Delivery, Atikameg, AB T0G 0C0, Canada
| | - Shauna-Lee Chai
- InnoTech Alberta, 250 Karl Clark Road, Edmonton, AB T6N 1E4 Canada
| | - Luke Nolan
- InnoTech Alberta, 250 Karl Clark Road, Edmonton, AB T6N 1E4 Canada
| | - Andrew Underwood
- InnoTech Alberta, 250 Karl Clark Road, Edmonton, AB T6N 1E4 Canada
| | - Julia Amerongen Maddison
- University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies, PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Hugh W. Fuller
- University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies, PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Sandra Frey
- University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies, PO Box 1700 STN CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Thapa K, Malla S, Subba SA, Thapa GJ, Lamichhane BR, Subedi N, Dhakal M, Acharya KP, Thapa MK, Neupane P, Poudel S, Bhatta SR, Jnawali SR, Kelly MJ. On the tiger trails: Leopard occupancy decline and leopard interaction with tigers in the forested habitat across the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
|
28
|
Green AM, Chynoweth MW, Şekercioğlu ÇH. Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture Through Camera Trapping: A Review of Benchmark Analyses for Wildlife Density Estimation. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.563477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Camera traps have become an important research tool for both conservation biologists and wildlife managers. Recent advances in spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) methods have increasingly put camera traps at the forefront of population monitoring programs. These methods allow for benchmark analysis of species density without the need for invasive fieldwork techniques. We conducted a review of SECR studies using camera traps to summarize the current focus of these investigations, as well as provide recommendations for future studies and identify areas in need of future investigation. Our analysis shows a strong bias in species preference, with a large proportion of studies focusing on large felids, many of which provide the only baseline estimates of population density for these species. Furthermore, we found that a majority of studies produced density estimates that may not be precise enough for long-term population monitoring. We recommend simulation and power analysis be conducted before initiating any particular study design and provide examples using readily available software. Furthermore, we show that precision can be increased by including a larger study area that will subsequently increase the number of individuals photo-captured. As many current studies lack the resources or manpower to accomplish such an increase in effort, we recommend that researchers incorporate new technologies such as machine-learning, web-based data entry, and online deployment management into their study design. We also cautiously recommend the potential of citizen science to help address these study design concerns. In addition, modifications in SECR model development to include species that have only a subset of individuals available for individual identification (often called mark-resight models), can extend the process of explicit density estimation through camera trapping to species not individually identifiable.
Collapse
|
29
|
Zagorski ME, Swihart RK. Are Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius) Facultative Specialists on Arvicoline Rodents in Midwestern Agroecosystems? AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-184.2.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Zagorski
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W. State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
| | - Robert K. Swihart
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W. State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Phumanee W, Steinmetz R, Phoonjampa R, Bejraburnin T, Grainger M, Savini T. Occupancy‐based monitoring of ungulate prey species in Thailand indicates population stability, but limited recovery. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Worrapan Phumanee
- Conservation Ecology Program School of Bioresources and Technology King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi Bangkhuntien Bangkok10150Thailand
- WWF‐Thailand 9 Pisit Building, Pradiphat Road Soi 10 Phayathai Bangkok10400Thailand
| | - Robert Steinmetz
- WWF‐Thailand 9 Pisit Building, Pradiphat Road Soi 10 Phayathai Bangkok10400Thailand
| | - Rungnapa Phoonjampa
- WWF‐Thailand 9 Pisit Building, Pradiphat Road Soi 10 Phayathai Bangkok10400Thailand
| | - Thawatchai Bejraburnin
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation 61 Phaholyothin Road Bangkok10900Thailand
| | | | - Tommaso Savini
- Conservation Ecology Program School of Bioresources and Technology King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi Bangkhuntien Bangkok10150Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Tobajas J, Jímenez J, Sánchez-Rojas G. Factors affecting the abundance of Peters’s squirrel, Sciurus oculatus, in a population of Central Mexico. REV MEX BIODIVERS 2020. [DOI: 10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.3064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
|
32
|
Spatial proximity moderates genotype uncertainty in genetic tagging studies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:17903-17912. [PMID: 32661176 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000247117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Accelerating declines of an increasing number of animal populations worldwide necessitate methods to reliably and efficiently estimate demographic parameters such as population density and trajectory. Standard methods for estimating demographic parameters from noninvasive genetic samples are inefficient because lower-quality samples cannot be used, and they assume individuals are identified without error. We introduce the genotype spatial partial identity model (gSPIM), which integrates a genetic classification model with a spatial population model to combine both spatial and genetic information, thus reducing genotype uncertainty and increasing the precision of demographic parameter estimates. We apply this model to data from a study of fishers (Pekania pennanti) in which 37% of hair samples were originally discarded because of uncertainty in individual identity. The gSPIM density estimate using all collected samples was 25% more precise than the original density estimate, and the model identified and corrected three errors in the original individual identity assignments. A simulation study demonstrated that our model increased the accuracy and precision of density estimates 63 and 42%, respectively, using three replicated assignments (e.g., PCRs for microsatellites) per genetic sample. Further, the simulations showed that the gSPIM model parameters are identifiable with only one replicated assignment per sample and that accuracy and precision are relatively insensitive to the number of replicated assignments for high-quality samples. Current genotyping protocols devote the majority of resources to replicating and confirming high-quality samples, but when using the gSPIM, genotyping protocols could be more efficient by devoting more resources to low-quality samples.
Collapse
|
33
|
Donaldson ME, Jackson K, Rico Y, Sayers JB, Ethier DM, Kyle CJ. Development of a massively parallel, genotyping-by-sequencing assay in American badger (Taxidea taxus) highlights the need for careful validation when working with low template DNA. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-020-01146-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
34
|
Henschel P, Petracca LS, Ferreira SM, Ekwanga S, Ryan SD, Frank LG. Census and distribution of large carnivores in the Tsavo national parks, a critical east African wildlife corridor. Afr J Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Steven Dennis Ryan
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Cairns Qld Australia
| | - Laurence G. Frank
- Living with Lions Mpala Research Centre Nanyuki Kenya
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California Berkeley CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Schlichting PE, Beasley JC, Boughton RK, Davis AJ, Pepin KM, Glow MP, Snow NP, Miller RS, VerCauteren KC, Lewis JS. A Rapid Population Assessment Method for Wild Pigs Using Baited Cameras at 3 Study Sites. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter E. Schlichting
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, 6073 S Backus Mall Mesa AZ 85212 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia P.O. Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Raoul K. Boughton
- University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation 3401 Experiment Station Ona FL 33865 USA
| | - Amy J. Davis
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Kim M. Pepin
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Michael P. Glow
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Nathan P. Snow
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Ryan S. Miller
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health 2150B Center Avenue Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Kurt C. VerCauteren
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521‐2154 USA
| | - Jesse S. Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, 6073 S Backus Mall Mesa AZ 85212 USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Burr PC, Avery JL, Street GM, Strickland BK, Dorr BS. Fine scale characteristics of catfish aquaculture ponds influencing piscivorous avian species foraging use in the Mississippi Delta. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229402. [PMID: 32101563 PMCID: PMC7043738 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Piscivorous avian species are the main source of catfish depredation at aquaculture facilities in Mississippi, resulting in the economic loss of millions of dollars every year. Most notable of these avian species are the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and great egret (A. alba). Understanding why these species select specific ponds can increase management efficiency directed at avian dispersal and provide insight into their decision making with respect to foraging behavior. We collected species presence data on catfish ponds by flying 35 surveys from October through April of 2015-2017, during which an average of 973 catfish ponds were observed each year. We collected data associated with each pond's physical surroundings and contents and used occupancy modeling to determine their influence on avian occupancy probability. We also collected data associated with stocking practices and catfish health on a subset of ponds, and constructed resource selection functions to model their influence on avian presence. Pond area was positively related to occupancy probability of each species. Cormorant occupancy increased as pond distance from forest cover and activity centers, such as workshops and offices, increased. Distance to nearest activity center was positively related to egret occupancy, while distance to nearest forested area was negative. Ponds containing diseased catfish had an increased probability of use by both herons and egrets. In general, cormorants and egrets showed greater probability of use on the periphery of pond clusters. The abundance of catfish was positively related to cormorant and heron presence. Specific pond contents and characteristics influenced presence of each avian species in different ways, including fish species cultured, production methods, pond systems, and fish types. Many pond selection relationships were species-specific, illustrating inherent differences in their foraging ecology. Consequently, specific management actions aimed to reduce avian presence will depend on the targeted species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Burr
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jimmy L. Avery
- National Warmwater Aquaculture Center, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Garrett M. Street
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State, United States of America
| | - Bronson K. Strickland
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State, United States of America
| | - Brian S. Dorr
- Mississippi Field Station, National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Mississippi, Mississippi State, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Milchram M, Suarez‐Rubio M, Schröder A, Bruckner A. Estimating population density of insectivorous bats based on stationary acoustic detectors: A case study. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:1135-1144. [PMID: 32076503 PMCID: PMC7029071 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Automated recording units are commonly used by consultants to assess environmental impacts and to monitor animal populations. Although estimating population density of bats using stationary acoustic detectors is key for evaluating environmental impacts, estimating densities from call activity data is only possible through recently developed numerical methods, as the recognition of calling individuals is impossible.We tested the applicability of generalized random encounter models (gREMs) for determining population densities of three bat species (Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii, and Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri) based on passively collected acoustical data. To validate the results, we compared them to (a) density estimates from the literature and to (b) Royle-Nichols (RN) models of detection/nondetection data.Our estimates for M. nattereri matched both the published data and RN-model results. For E. nilssonii, the gREM yielded similar estimates to the RN-models, but the published estimates were more than twice as high. This discrepancy might be because the high-altitude flight of E. nilssonii is not accounted for in gREMs. Results of gREMs for P. pipistrellus were supported by published data but were ~10 times higher than those of RN-models. RN-models use detection/nondetection data, and this loss of information probably affected population estimates of very active species like P. pipistrellus.gREM models provided realistic estimates of bat population densities based on automatically recorded call activity data. However, the average flight altitude of species should be accounted for in future analyses. We suggest including flight altitude in the calculation of the detection range to assess the detection sphere more accurately and to obtain more precise density estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Milchram
- Institute of ZoologyDepartment of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Marcela Suarez‐Rubio
- Institute of ZoologyDepartment of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Annika Schröder
- Institute of ZoologyDepartment of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Alexander Bruckner
- Institute of ZoologyDepartment of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaViennaAustria
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hohnen R, Berris K, Hodgens P, Mulvaney J, Florence B, Murphy BP, Legge SM, Dickman CR, Woinarski JCZ. Pre-eradication assessment of feral cat density and population size across Kangaroo Island, South Australia. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr19137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Context Feral cats (Felis catus) are a significant threat to wildlife in Australia and globally. In Australia, densities of feral cats vary across the continent and also between the mainland and offshore islands. Densities on small islands may be at least an order of magnitude higher than those in adjacent mainland areas. To provide cat-free havens for biodiversity, cat-control and eradication programs are increasingly occurring on Australian offshore islands. However, planning such eradications is difficult, particularly on large islands where cat densities could vary considerably.
Aims In the present study, we examined how feral cat densities vary among three habitats on Kangaroo Island, a large Australian offshore island for which feral cat eradication is planned.
Methods Densities were compared among the following three broad habitat types: forest, forest–farmland boundaries and farmland. To detect cats, three remote-camera arrays were deployed in each habitat type, and density around each array was calculated using a spatially explicit capture–recapture framework.
Key results The average feral cat density on Kangaroo Island (0.37 cats km−2) was slightly higher than that on the Australian mainland. Densities varied from 0.06 to 3.27 cats km−2 and were inconsistent within broad habitat types. Densities were highest on farms that had a high availability of macropod and sheep carcasses. The relationship between cat density and the proportion of cleared land in the surrounding area was weak. The total feral cat population of Kangaroo Island was estimated at 1629±661 (mean±s.e.) individuals.
Conclusions Cat densities on Kangaroo Island are highly variable and may be locally affected by factors such as prey and carrion availability.
Implications For cat eradication to be successful, resources must be sufficient to control at least the average cat density (0.37 cats km−2), with additional effort around areas of high carcass availability (where cats are likely to be at a higher density) potentially also being required.
Collapse
|
39
|
An Evaluation of Systematic Versus Strategically-Placed Camera Traps for Monitoring Feral Cats in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9090687. [PMID: 31527440 PMCID: PMC6769530 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Feral cats are detrimental to native biodiversity worldwide. In New Zealand, feral cats are well established across much of the pastoral landscape, including forested areas. Feral cats, like many carnivore species, are elusive in their nature, and often occur at low densities, making them difficult to detect. Camera traps are a useful, non-invasive monitoring device, capable of ‘capturing’ feral cats as they pass by. Although cameras provide a wealth of information about animals within their field of view; there remains much to be learned about optimal camera trap placement within a landscape, if maximizing detection probability is the objective. Here, we report the results of two methods of camera trap deployment within similar sites: (1) systematic deployment on a grid and (2) strategic deployment, predominantly favoring habitats with assumed higher cat activity. Using the Royle–Nichols abundance-induced heterogeneity model (RN), which assumes detection probability and animal abundance are linked, we found that more cats were detected by cameras at forest margins than in mixed scrub or open farmland (but only slightly more than in forest locations). If maximizing cat detections is the aim, we recommend that cameras should be placed at the edges of forests (including forest fragments) whenever feasible. Abstract We deploy camera traps to monitor feral cat (Felis catus) populations at two pastoral sites in Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand. At Site 1, cameras are deployed at pre-determined GPS points on a 500-m grid, and at Site 2, cameras are strategically deployed with a bias towards forest and forest margin habitat where possible. A portion of cameras are also deployed in open farmland habitat and mixed scrub. We then use the abundance-induced heterogeneity Royle–Nichols model to estimate mean animal abundance and detection probabilities for cameras in each habitat type. Model selection suggests that only cat abundance varies by habitat type. Mean cat abundance is highest at forest margin cameras for both deployment methods (3 cats [95% CI 1.9–4.5] Site 1, and 1.7 cats [95% CI 1.2–2.4] Site 2) but not substantially higher than in forest habitats (1.7 cats [95% CI 0.8–3.6] Site 1, and 1.5 cats [95% CI 1.1–2.0] Site 2). Model selection shows detection probabilities do not vary substantially by habitat (although they are also higher for cameras in forest margins and forest habitats) and are similar between sites (8.6% [95% CI 5.4–13.4] Site 1, and 8.3% [5.8–11.9] Site 2). Cat detections by camera traps are higher when placed in forests and forest margins; thus, strategic placement may be preferable when monitoring feral cats in a pastoral landscape.
Collapse
|
40
|
Rogan MS, Balme GA, Distiller G, Pitman RT, Broadfield J, Mann GKH, Whittington‐Jones GM, Thomas LH, O'Riain MJ. The influence of movement on the occupancy–density relationship at small spatial scales. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Rogan
- The Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
- Panthera 8 West 40th Street New York New York 10018 USA
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation University of Cape Town Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
| | - Guy A. Balme
- The Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
- Panthera 8 West 40th Street New York New York 10018 USA
| | - Greg Distiller
- The Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation University of Cape Town Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
- Department of Statistical Sciences University of Cape Town Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
| | - Ross T. Pitman
- The Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
- Panthera 8 West 40th Street New York New York 10018 USA
| | - Joleen Broadfield
- The Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
- Panthera 8 West 40th Street New York New York 10018 USA
| | - Gareth K. H. Mann
- The Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
- Panthera 8 West 40th Street New York New York 10018 USA
| | | | | | - M. Justin O'Riain
- The Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Sun CC, Royle JA, Fuller AK. Incorporating citizen science data in spatially explicit integrated population models. Ecology 2019; 100:e02777. [PMID: 31168779 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Information about population abundance, distribution, and demographic rates is critical for understanding a species' ecology and for effective conservation and management. To collect data over large spatial and temporal extents for such inferences, especially for species with low densities or wide distributions, citizen science can be an efficient approach. Integrated models have also emerged as an important methodology to estimate population parameters by combining multiple types of data, including citizen science data. We developed a spatially explicit integrated model that combines opportunistically collected presence-absence (PA) data, commonly collected in citizen science efforts, with systematically collected spatial capture-recapture (SCR) data, which are often limited to small spatial and temporal extents. We conducted single and multi-season simulations with parameters informed by North American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations, to evaluate the influence of varying amounts of opportunistic PA data collected at larger spatial and temporal extents on the estimation of population-level parameters. Integrating opportunistic PA data increased the precision and accuracy of posterior estimates of abundance, and survival and recruitment rates. In some cases, adding PA locations improved abundance estimates more than increasing PA detection probability. Posterior estimates were as precise and unbiased as when higher quality, but sparse, SCR data were available. We also applied the integrated model to SCR and citizen science PA data collected on black bears in New York, with results consistent with our simulations. Our findings indicate that citizen science in integrated models can be a cost-efficient way to improve estimates of population parameters and increase the spatiotemporal extent of inference. Continued developments with integrated models and citizen science data will offer additional ways to improve our understanding of population structure and demographics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine C Sun
- New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, 226 Mann Drive, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA
| | - J Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA
| | - Angela K Fuller
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, 226 Mann Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lamb CT, Ford AT, Proctor MF, Royle JA, Mowat G, Boutin S. Genetic tagging in the Anthropocene: scaling ecology from alleles to ecosystems. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01876. [PMID: 30913353 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Anthropocene is an era of marked human impact on the world. Quantifying these impacts has become central to understanding the dynamics of coupled human-natural systems, resource-dependent livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. Ecologists are facing growing pressure to quantify the size, distribution, and trajectory of wild populations in a cost-effective and socially acceptable manner. Genetic tagging, combined with modern computational and genetic analyses, is an under-utilized tool to meet this demand, especially for wide-ranging, elusive, sensitive, and low-density species. Genetic tagging studies are now revealing unprecedented insight into the mechanisms that control the density, trajectory, connectivity, and patterns of human-wildlife interaction for populations over vast spatial extents. Here, we outline the application of, and ecological inferences from, new analytical techniques applied to genetically tagged individuals, contrast this approach with conventional methods, and describe how genetic tagging can be better applied to address outstanding questions in ecology. We provide example analyses using a long-term genetic tagging dataset of grizzly bears in the Canadian Rockies. The genetic tagging toolbox is a powerful and overlooked ensemble that ecologists and conservation biologists can leverage to generate evidence and meet the challenges of the Anthropocene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clayton T Lamb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Adam T Ford
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | | | - J Andrew Royle
- Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA
| | - Garth Mowat
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4K3, Canada
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Croose E, Bled F, Fowler NL, Beyer Jr DE, Belant JL. American marten and fisher do not segregate in space and time during winter in a mixed-forest system. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:4906-4916. [PMID: 31031953 PMCID: PMC6476749 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of coexistence between ecologically similar species is an important issue in ecology. Carnivore coexistence may be facilitated by spatial segregation, temporal avoidance, and differential habitat selection. American martens Martes americana and fishers Pekania pennanti are medium-sized mustelids that occur sympatrically across portions of North America, yet mechanisms of coexistence between the two species are not fully understood. We assessed spatial and temporal partitioning in martens and fishers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, using camera trap data collected during winter 2013-2015. To investigate spatial segregation, we used a dynamic occupancy model to estimate species' occupancy probabilities and probabilities of persistence and colonization as a function of covariates and yearly occupancy probability for the other species. Temporal segregation was assessed by estimating diel activity overlap between species. We found weak evidence of spatial or temporal niche partitioning of martens and fishers. There was high overlap in forest cover selection, and both marten and fisher occupancy were positively correlated with deciduous forests (excluding aspen [Populus tremuloides]). There was strong temporal overlap (Δ ^ 4 = 0.81 ; CI = 0.79-0.82) with both species exhibiting largely crepuscular activity patterns. Co-occurrence of martens and fishers appears to be facilitated by mechanisms not investigated in this study, such as partitioning of snow features or diet. Our results add additional insights into resource partitioning of mesocarnivores, but further research is required to enhance our understanding of mechanisms that facilitate marten and fisher coexistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Croose
- Vincent Wildlife TrustLedburyUK
- Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Florent Bled
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia
| | - Nicholas L. Fowler
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife ConservationState University of New York College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuseNew York
| | - Dean E. Beyer Jr
- Wildlife DivisionMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesMarquetteMichigan
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife ConservationState University of New York College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuseNew York
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Clare JDJ, Townsend PA, Anhalt-Depies C, Locke C, Stenglein JL, Frett S, Martin KJ, Singh A, Van Deelen TR, Zuckerberg B. Making inference with messy (citizen science) data: when are data accurate enough and how can they be improved? ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01849. [PMID: 30656779 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Measurement or observation error is common in ecological data: as citizen scientists and automated algorithms play larger roles processing growing volumes of data to address problems at large scales, concerns about data quality and strategies for improving it have received greater focus. However, practical guidance pertaining to fundamental data quality questions for data users or managers-how accurate do data need to be and what is the best or most efficient way to improve it?-remains limited. We present a generalizable framework for evaluating data quality and identifying remediation practices, and demonstrate the framework using trail camera images classified using crowdsourcing to determine acceptable rates of misclassification and identify optimal remediation strategies for analysis using occupancy models. We used expert validation to estimate baseline classification accuracy and simulation to determine the sensitivity of two occupancy estimators (standard and false-positive extensions) to different empirical misclassification rates. We used regression techniques to identify important predictors of misclassification and prioritize remediation strategies. More than 93% of images were accurately classified, but simulation results suggested that most species were not identified accurately enough to permit distribution estimation at our predefined threshold for accuracy (<5% absolute bias). A model developed to screen incorrect classifications predicted misclassified images with >97% accuracy: enough to meet our accuracy threshold. Occupancy models that accounted for false-positive error provided even more accurate inference even at high rates of misclassification (30%). As simulation suggested occupancy models were less sensitive to additional false-negative error, screening models or fitting occupancy models accounting for false-positive error emerged as efficient data remediation solutions. Combining simulation-based sensitivity analysis with empirical estimation of baseline error and its variability allows users and managers of potentially error-prone data to identify and fix problematic data more efficiently. It may be particularly helpful for "big data" efforts dependent upon citizen scientists or automated classification algorithms with many downstream users, but given the ubiquity of observation or measurement error, even conventional studies may benefit from focusing more attention upon data quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D J Clare
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Philip A Townsend
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Christine Anhalt-Depies
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Christina Locke
- Office of Applied Sciences, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, 53716, USA
| | - Jennifer L Stenglein
- Office of Applied Sciences, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, 53716, USA
| | - Susan Frett
- Office of Applied Sciences, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, 53716, USA
| | - Karl J Martin
- Division of Cooperative Extension, University of Wisconsin Extension, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Aditya Singh
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Timothy R Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Taggart PL, Fancourt BA, Bengsen AJ, Peacock DE, Hodgens P, Read JL, McAllister MM, Caraguel CGB. Evidence of significantly higher island feral cat abundance compared with the adjacent mainland. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Feral cats (Felis catus) impact the health and welfare of wildlife, livestock and humans worldwide. They are particularly damaging where they have been introduced into island countries such as Australia and New Zealand, where native prey species evolved without feline predators. Kangaroo Island, in South Australia, is Australia’s third largest island and supports several threatened and endemic species. Cat densities on Kangaroo Island are thought to be greater than those on the adjacent South Australian mainland, based on one cat density estimate on the island that is higher than most estimates from the mainland. The prevalence of cat-borne disease in cats and sheep is also higher on Kangaroo Island than the mainland, suggesting higher cat densities. A recent continental-scale spatial model of cat density predicted that cat density on Kangaroo Island should be about double that of the adjacent mainland. However, although cats are believed to have severe impacts on some native species on the island, other species that are generally considered vulnerable to cat predation have relatively secure populations on the island compared with the mainland.
Aims
The present study aimed to compare feral cat abundance between Kangaroo Island and the adjacent South Australian mainland using simultaneous standardised methods. Based on previous findings, we predicted that the relative abundance of feral cats on Kangaroo Island would be approximately double that on the South Australian mainland.
Methods
Standardised camera trap surveys were used to simultaneously estimate the relative abundance of feral cats on Kangaroo Island and the adjacent South Australian mainland. Survey data were analysed using the Royle–Nichols abundance-induced heterogeneity model to estimate feral cat relative abundance at each site.
Key results
Cat abundance on the island was estimated to be over 10 times greater than that on the adjacent mainland.
Conclusions
Consistent with predictions, cat abundance on the island was greater than on the adjacent mainland. However, the magnitude of this difference was much greater than expected.
Implications
The findings show that the actual densities of cats at local sites can vary substantially from predictions generated by continental-scale models. The study also demonstrates the value of estimating abundance or density simultaneously across sites using standardised methods.
Collapse
|
46
|
Burgar JM, Stewart FE, Volpe JP, Fisher JT, Burton AC. Estimating density for species conservation: Comparing camera trap spatial count models to genetic spatial capture-recapture models. Glob Ecol Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
47
|
Sutherland C, Fuller AK, Royle JA, Hare MP, Madden S. Large-scale variation in density of an aquatic ecosystem indicator species. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8958. [PMID: 29895946 PMCID: PMC5997698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26847-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring indicator species is a pragmatic approach to natural resource assessments, especially when the link between the indicator species and ecosystem state is well justified. However, conducting ecosystem assessments over representative spatial scales that are insensitive to local heterogeneity is challenging. We examine the link between polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination and population density of an aquatic habitat specialist over a large spatial scale using non-invasive genetic spatial capture-recapture. Using American mink (Neovison vison), a predatory mammal and an indicator of aquatic ecosystems, we compared estimates of density in two major river systems, one with extremely high levels of PCB contamination (Hudson River), and a hydrologically independent river with lower PCB levels (Mohawk River). Our work supports the hypothesis that mink densities are substantially (1.64-1.67 times) lower in the contaminated river system. We demonstrate the value of coupling the indicator species concept with well-conceived and spatially representative monitoring protocols. PCBs have demonstrable detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, including mink, and these effects are likely to be profound and long-lasting, manifesting as population-level impacts. Through integrating non-invasive data collection, genetic analysis, and spatial capture-recapture methods, we present a monitoring framework for generating robust density estimates across large spatial scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003, USA.
| | - Angela K Fuller
- Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - J Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, 12311, USA
| | - Matthew P Hare
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - Sean Madden
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Albany, 12233, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Fitting N-mixture models to count data with unmodeled heterogeneity: Bias, diagnostics, and alternative approaches. Ecol Modell 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
49
|
Iranzo EC, Wittmer HU, Traba J, Acebes P, Mata C, Malo JE. Predator occurrence and perceived predation risk determine grouping behavior in guanaco (Lama guanicoe
). Ethology 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza C. Iranzo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group-TEG, Departamento de Ecología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - Heiko U. Wittmer
- School of Biological Sciences; Victoria University of Wellington; Wellington New Zealand
| | - Juan Traba
- Terrestrial Ecology Group-TEG, Departamento de Ecología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - Pablo Acebes
- Terrestrial Ecology Group-TEG, Departamento de Ecología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - Cristina Mata
- Terrestrial Ecology Group-TEG, Departamento de Ecología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - Juan E. Malo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group-TEG, Departamento de Ecología; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Stewart FEC, Fisher JT, Burton AC, Volpe JP. Species occurrence data reflect the magnitude of animal movements better than the proximity of animal space use. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Frances E. C. Stewart
- School of Environmental Studies; University of Victoria; 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria British Columbia V8W 2Y2 Canada
| | - Jason T. Fisher
- School of Environmental Studies; University of Victoria; 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria British Columbia V8W 2Y2 Canada
- Ecosystem Management Unit; InnoTech Alberta; 3-4476 Markham Street Victoria British Columbia V8Z 7X8 Canada
| | - A. Cole Burton
- Department of Forest Resources Management; University of British Columbia; 2424 Main Mall Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - John P. Volpe
- School of Environmental Studies; University of Victoria; 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria British Columbia V8W 2Y2 Canada
| |
Collapse
|