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Gašparová K, Fennessy J, Moussa Zabeirou AR, Abagana AL, Rabeil T, Brandlová K. Saving the Last West African Giraffe Population: A Review of Its Conservation Status and Management. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:702. [PMID: 38473087 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) was historically spread across much of the Sudano-Sahelian zone but is now restricted to Niger. Several factors resulted in their dramatic decline during the late 20th century. In 1996, only 49 individuals remained, concentrated in the 'Giraffe Zone'. Conservation activities implemented by the Government of Niger, supported by local communities and NGOs, facilitated their population numbers to increase. This review summarizes past and present conservation activities and evaluates their impact to advise and prioritize future conservation actions for the West African giraffe. The long-term conservation of the West African giraffe is highly dependent on the local communities who live alongside them, as well as supplementary support from local and international partners. Recent conservation initiatives range from community-based monitoring to the fitting of GPS satellite tags to better understand their habitat use, spatial movements to expansion areas, and environmental education to the establishment of the first satellite population of West African giraffe in Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve, the latter serving as a flagship for the future restoration of large mammal populations in West Africa. The integration of modern technologies and methods will hopefully provide better-quality data, improved spatial analyses, and greater understanding of giraffe ecology to inform the long-term management of West African giraffe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Gašparová
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Julian Fennessy
- Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Windhoek 10009, Namibia
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Abdoul Razack Moussa Zabeirou
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Windhoek 10009, Namibia
| | - Ali Laouel Abagana
- Project Sustainable Management of Biodiversity, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Niamey 920001, Niger
| | - Thomas Rabeil
- Wild Africa Conservation, Kouara Kano, BP32, Niamey 920001, Niger
| | - Karolína Brandlová
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
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Persson J, Ordiz A, Ladle A, Andrén H, Aronsson M. Recolonization following past persecution questions the importance of persistent snow cover as a range limiting factor for wolverines. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:5802-5815. [PMID: 37566106 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Globally, climate is changing rapidly, which causes shifts in many species' distributions, stressing the need to understand their response to changing environmental conditions to inform conservation and management. Northern latitudes are expected to experience strongest changes in climate, with milder winters and decreasing snow cover. The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is a circumpolar, threatened carnivore distributed in northern tundra, boreal, and subboreal habitats. Previous studies have suggested that wolverine distribution and reproduction are constrained by a strong association with persistent spring snow cover. We assess this hypothesis by relating spatial distribution of 1589 reproductive events, a fitness-related proxy for female reproduction and survival, to snow cover over two decades. Wolverine distribution has increased and number of reproductive events increased 20 times in areas lacking spring snow cover during our study period, despite low monitoring effort where snow is sparse. Thus, the relationship between reproductive events and persistent spring snow cover weakened during this period. These findings show that wolverine reproductive success and hence distribution are less dependent on spring snow cover than expected. This has important implications for projections of future habitat availability, and thus distribution, of this threatened species. Our study also illustrates how past persecution, or other factors, that have restricted species distribution to remote areas can mask actual effects of environmental parameters, whose importance reveals when populations expand beyond previously restricted ranges. Overwhelming evidence shows that climate change is affecting many species and ecological processes, but forecasting potential consequences on a given species requires longitudinal data to revisit hypotheses and reassess the direction and magnitude of climate effects with new data. This is especially important for conservation-oriented management of species inhabiting dynamic systems where environmental factors and human activities interact, a common scenario for many species in different ecosystems around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Persson
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Área de Zoología, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Andrew Ladle
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Henrik Andrén
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Malin Aronsson
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Kilfoil JP, Quinn TP, Wirsing AJ. Human effects on brown bear diel activity may facilitate subadults foraging on Pacific salmon. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
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4
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Characteristics of natural and anthropogenic mortality of an endangered brown bear population. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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5
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Mohammadi A, Nayeri D, Alambeigi A, Glikman JA. Evaluation of Motorists Perceptions Toward Collision of an Endangered Large Herbivore in Iran. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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6
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Jordan KE, Mahamane S, Haynes J, Young JK. Ecological factors shape quantitative decision-making in coyotes. Anim Cogn 2022; 26:813-821. [PMID: 36434132 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01717-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Much research has focused on the development and evolution of cognition in the realm of numerical knowledge in human and nonhuman animals but often fails to take into account ecological realities that, over time, may influence and constrain cognitive abilities in real-life decision-making. Cognitive abilities such as enumerating and timing are central to many psychological and ecological models of behavior, yet our knowledge of how these are affected by environmental fluctuations remains incomplete. Our research bridges the gap between basic cognitive research and ecological decision-making. We used coyotes (Canis latrans) as a model animal system to study decision-making about smaller, more proximal food rewards and larger, more distant food rewards; we tested animals across their four reproductive cycle phases to examine effects of ecological factors such as breeding status and environmental risk on quantitative performance. Results show that coyotes, similar to other species, spatially discount food rewards while foraging. The degree to which coyotes were sensitive to the risk of obtaining the larger food reward, however, depended on the season in which they completed the foraging task, the presence of unfamiliar humans (i.e., risk), and the presence of conspecifics. Importantly, our results support that seasonal variations drive many differences in nonhuman animal behavior and cognition (e.g., hibernation, breeding, food resource availability). Further, it may be useful in the future to extend this work to humans because seasons may influence human cognition as well, and this remains unexplored in the realms of enumeration, timing, and spatial thinking.
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Donatelli A, Mastrantonio G, Ciucci P. Circadian activity of small brown bear populations living in human-dominated landscapes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15804. [PMID: 36138081 PMCID: PMC9499929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20163-1] [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: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas numerous studies on large carnivores have focused on analyzing spatial patterns and habitat use, the temporal dimension of their activity has been relatively little investigated, making this a topic of growing interest, especially in human-dominated landscapes. Relict and isolated Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus) have been living in a human-modified landscape since millennia, but no information is available on their activity patterns. By means of GPS telemetry (26,880 GPS locations collected from 18 adult Apennine brown bears) we investigated their circadian rhythms, using hourly movement rates as an index of bear activity. Based on a Bayesian modeling approach, circadian activity of Apennine brown bears was described by a bimodal curve, with peaks of activity around sunrise and sunset. We revealed seasonal effects, with bears exhibiting higher movement rates throughout the mating season, but no relevant influence of sex. In addition, bears increased their movement rate at distances < 100–500 m to roads and settlements exclusively during spring and late summer, suggesting a trade-off between foraging opportunities and risk avoidance. The absence of a marked nocturnality in Apennine brown bears suggests a relatively low degree of habitat encroachment and disturbance by humans. Yet, the occurrence of crepuscular activity patterns and the responses in proximity of anthropogenic landscape features likely indicate a coadaptation by bears to human presence through a shift in their temporal niche. Further studies should aim to unveil fitness implications of such modifications in activity patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Donatelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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8
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Hussain Z, Ghaskadbi P, Panchbhai P, Govekar R, Nigam P, Habib B. Long‐distance dispersal by a male sub‐adult tiger in a human‐dominated landscape. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9307. [PMID: 36188506 PMCID: PMC9514059 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Parag Nigam
- Wildlife Institute of India Chandrabani, Dehradun India
| | - Bilal Habib
- Wildlife Institute of India Chandrabani, Dehradun India
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9
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Thiel A, Giroud S, Hertel AG, Friebe A, Devineau O, Fuchs B, Blanc S, Støen OG, Laske TG, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. Seasonality in Biological Rhythms in Scandinavian brown Bears. Front Physiol 2022; 13:785706. [PMID: 35600291 PMCID: PMC9118031 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.785706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological rhythms, such as rhythms in activity and body temperature, are usually highly synchronized and entrained by environmental conditions, such as photoperiod. However, how the expression of these rhythms changes during hibernation, when the perception of environmental cues is limited, has not yet been fully understood for all hibernators, especially in the wild. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Scandinavia lives in a highly seasonal environment and adapts to harsh winter conditions by exhibiting hibernation, characterized by reduced metabolism and activity. In this study, we aimed to explore the expression of biological rhythms in activity, body temperature and heart rate of free-ranging brown bears over the annual cycle, including active, hibernation and the transition states around den entry and exit. We found that rhythms in physiology and activity are mostly synchronized and entrained by the light-dark cycle during the bears’ active state with predominantly diel and ultradian rhythms for body temperature, activity and heart rate. However, during hibernation, rhythms in body temperature and heart rate were considerably slowed down to infradian rhythms, influenced by the amount of snow in the denning area, whereas rhythms in activity remained diel. Rhythms in the transition states when bears prepared for entering or coming out of hibernation state displayed a combination of infradian and diel rhythms, indicating the preparation of the body for the change in environmental conditions. These results reveal that brown bears adjust their biological rhythms to the seasonal environment they inhabit. Rhythms in physiology and activity show simultaneity during the active state but are partly disconnected from each other during hibernation, when bears are most sheltered from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Thiel
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anne G Hertel
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrea Friebe
- Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, Orsa, Sweden.,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Olivier Devineau
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Stephane Blanc
- IPHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,UMR7178, CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Timothy G Laske
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
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10
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Psaralexi M, Lazarina M, Mertzanis Y, Michaelidou DE, Sgardelis S. Exploring 15 years of brown bear (Ursus arctos)-vehicle collisions in northwestern Greece. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.47.71348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Road networks provide several benefits to human societies; however, they are also one of the major drivers of fragmentation and habitat degradation. Their negative effects include wildlife-vehicle collisions which are associated with increased barrier effects, restricted gene flow, and increased local extinction risk. Large carnivores, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), are vulnerable to road mortality while they also put human safety at risk in every collision. We recorded approximately 100 bear-vehicle collisions during the last 15 years (2005–2020) in northwestern Greece and identified common aspects for collisions, i.e., spatial, or temporal segregation of collision events, road features, and age or sex of the involved animals. We recorded collisions in both the core distribution area of brown bears, as well as at the periphery, where few individuals, mostly males, disperse. According to our findings, there are four collision hotspots which include ca. 60% of total collisions. Bear-vehicle collisions occurred mostly in periods of increased animal mobility, under poor light conditions and low visibility. In most cases, we deem that a collision was unavoidable at the time of animal detection, because the driver could not have reacted in time to avoid it. Appropriate fencing, in combination with the retention of safe passages for the animals, can minimize collisions. Therefore, such mitigation measures, wildlife warning signs and other collision prevention systems, such as animal detection systems, should be adopted to decrease the number of bear-vehicle collisions and improve road safety.
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11
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Age Ain't Nothing But a Number: factors other than age shape brown bear movement patterns. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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Habitat Selection by Brown Bears with Varying Levels of Predation Rates on Ungulate Neonates. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13120678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In northern Eurasia, large carnivores overlap with semi-domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and moose (Alces alces). In Scandinavia, previous studies have quantified brown bear (Ursus arctos) spring predation on neonates of reindeer (mostly in May) and moose (mostly in June). We explored if habitat selection by brown bears changed following resource pulses and whether these changes are more pronounced on those individuals characterised by higher predatory behaviour. Fifteen brown bears in northern Sweden (2010–2012) were fitted with GPS proximity collars, and 2585 female reindeers were collared with UHF transmitters. Clusters of bear positions were visited to investigate moose and reindeer predation. Bear kill rates and home ranges were calculated to examine bear movements and predatory behaviour. Bear habitat selection was modelled using resource selection functions over four periods (pre-calving, reindeer calving, moose calving, and post-calving). Coefficients of selection for areas closer to different land cover classes across periods were compared, examining the interactions between different degrees of predatory behaviour (i.e., high and low). Bear habitat selection differed throughout the periods and between low and high predatory bears. Differences among individuals’ predatory behaviour are reflected in the selection of habitat types, providing empirical evidence that different levels of specialization in foraging behaviour helps to explain individual variation in bear habitat selection.
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Bista D, Baxter GS, Hudson NJ, Lama ST, Weerman J, Murray PJ. Movement and dispersal of a habitat specialist in human-dominated landscapes: a case study of the red panda. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2021; 9:62. [PMID: 34906253 PMCID: PMC8670026 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-021-00297-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Habitat specialists living in human-dominated landscapes are likely to be affected by habitat fragmentation and human disturbances more than generalists. But there is a paucity of information on their response to such factors. We examined the effect of these factors on movement patterns of red pandas Ailurus fulgens, a habitat and diet specialist that inhabits the eastern Himalaya. METHODS We equipped 10 red pandas (six females, four males) with GPS collars and monitored them from September 2019 to March 2020 in Ilam, eastern Nepal. We collected habitat and disturbance data over four seasons. We considered geophysical covariates, anthropogenic factors and habitat fragmentation metrics, and employed linear -mixed models and logistic regression to evaluate the effect of those variables on movement patterns. RESULTS The median daily distance travelled by red pandas was 756 m. Males travelled nearly 1.5 times further than females (605 m). Males and sub-adults travelled more in the mating season while females showed no seasonal variation for their daily distance coverage. Red pandas were relatively more active during dawn and morning than the rest of the day, and they exhibited seasonal variation in distance coverage on the diel cycle. Both males and females appeared to be more active in the cub-rearing season, yet males were more active in the dawn in the birthing season. Two sub-adult females dispersed an average of 21 km starting their dispersal with the onset of the new moon following the winter solstice. The single subadult male did not disperse. Red pandas avoided roads, small-habitat patches and large unsuitable areas between habitat patches. Where connected habitat with high forest cover was scarce the animals moved more directly than when habitat was abundant. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that this habitat specialist is vulnerable to human disturbances and habitat fragmentation. Habitat restoration through improving functional connectivity may be necessary to secure the long-term conservation of specialist species in a human-dominated landscape. Regulation of human activities should go in parallel to minimize disturbances during biologically crucial life phases. We recommend habitat zonation to limit human activities and avoid disturbances, especially livestock herding and road construction in core areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damber Bista
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (Wildlife Science Unit), The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia.
| | - Greg S Baxter
- School of Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West St, Darling Heights, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Hudson
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (Wildlife Science Unit), The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia
| | | | - Janno Weerman
- Royal Rotterdam Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Postbus 532, 3000 AM, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter John Murray
- School of Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West St, Darling Heights, QLD, 4350, Australia
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14
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Mohammadi A, Fatemizadeh F. Quantifying Landscape Degradation Following Construction of a Highway Using Landscape Metrics in Southern Iran. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.721313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid expansion of roads is among the strongest drivers of the loss and degradation of natural habitats. The goal of the present study is to quantify landscape fragmentation and degradation before and after the construction of the Isfahan-Shiraz highway in southern Iran. To this end, the ecological impacts of the highway on forests, rangelands, and protected areas were evaluated. Impacts of the construction of the highway were studied within a 1,000-m buffer around the road, which was then overlaid on maps of forests, rangelands, and protected areas. Class area, number of patches, largest patch index, edge density, landscape shape index, mean patch size, and patch cohesion index were used to gauge changes in the spatial configuration of the landscape; the ecological impacts of the highway were quantified using effective mesh size (MESH), division index, and splitting index. The results indicated that after the construction of the highway, 6,406.9 ha of forest habitat, 16,647.1 ha of rangeland habitat, and 912 of the Tang-e Bostanak Protected Area will be lost. The effective MESH metric showed that after the construction of the highway, the area of forest, rangeland habitats and protected area will decrease by 20,537, 49,149, and 71,822 ha, respectively. Our findings revealed drastic habitat loss and landscape fragmentation associated with construction of the highway, serving as references for conservation planning and development.
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Lamamy C, Delgado MM, Kojola I, Heikkinen S, Penteriani V. Does moonlight affect movement patterns of a non‐obligate carnivore? Brown bears do not mind that the moon exists. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Lamamy
- Forest is life, TERRA Research Unit Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech Université de Liège Gembloux Belgium
| | - M. M. Delgado
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)‐University of Oviedo‐Principality of Asturias), Campus Mieres Mieres Spain
| | - I. Kojola
- LUKE, Natural Resources Institute Rovaniemi Finland
| | - S. Heikkinen
- LUKE, Natural Resources Institute Rovaniemi Finland
| | - V. Penteriani
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)‐University of Oviedo‐Principality of Asturias), Campus Mieres Mieres Spain
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16
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Nasanbat B, Ceacero F, Ravchig S. A small neighborhood well-organized: seasonal and daily activity patterns of the community of large and mid-sized mammals around waterholes in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Front Zool 2021; 18:25. [PMID: 34001162 PMCID: PMC8130113 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00412-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Animal communities have complex patterns of ecological segregation at different levels according to food resources, habitats, behavior, and activity patterns. Understanding these patterns among the community is essential for the conservation of the whole ecosystem. However, these networks are difficult to study nowadays, due to anthropic disturbances and local extinctions, making it difficult to conclude if segregation patterns are natural or human-induced. We studied ecological segregation in a community of large and mid-sized mammals in the Great Gobi Desert, a remote arid area free from recent extinctions and human disturbances. Activity patterns of 10 sympatric mammal species were monitored around 6 waterholes through camera-trapping over a two-year period, and analyzed them primarily through circular statistics. Results Complex patterns of spatial, seasonal, and daily segregation were found. Overlap in seasonal activity was detected in only 3 of the 45 possible pairs of species. Four species used the waterholes all-year-round, while others peaked their activity during different periods. The Bactrian camel showed continuous daily activity, the grey wolf had bimodal activity, and the argali and Siberian ibex were diurnal, while the others had nocturnal peaks during different hours. Daily and spatial overlap were both detected in only 6 of the 45 pairs. Only one species pair (snow leopard and Eurasian lynx) showed an overlap at two levels: seasonal and daily. Climate and moon phase significantly affected the activity of certain species. Conclusions Altogether, the results showed complex patterns of ecological segregation at different levels in the use of the key resource in arid environments: waterholes. These results are important for understanding the biology of these species under natural conditions, as well as potential changes in altered ecosystems, and may help to design conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Battogtokh Nasanbat
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia.,Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.,School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Francisco Ceacero
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia.
| | - Samiya Ravchig
- School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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De Angelis D, Huber D, Reljic S, Ciucci P, Kusak J. Factors affecting the home range of Dinaric-Pindos brown bears. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Studying how animals interact with their environment is fundamental to informing conservation and management efforts, especially when examining large, wide-ranging carnivores in human-dominated landscapes. We hypothesized that the home ranges of bears are configured to exploit supplemental food (corn) and avoid people. In 2004–2016, we tracked 10 brown bears from the Dinaric-Pindos population using GPS telemetry, then used Brownian bridge movement models to estimate their home ranges. We related seasonal home range size to circadian period and density of supplemental feeding sites using generalized linear mixed-effect models. We also used ecological-niche factor analysis to study habitat composition within home range core areas in study areas characterized by different levels of human encroachment. We found that home range size was inversely related to density of supplemental feeding sites, and bears had larger home ranges at night (x̅ = 103.3 ± 72.8 km2) than during the day (x̅ = 62.3 ± 16.6 km2). Our results also revealed that bears living in more human-influenced areas concentrated their use far from human settlements and agricultural lands but stayed close to supplemental feeding sites. Our data suggest that bears alter their space-use patterns at the home range level in response to anthropogenic land use and food availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele De Angelis
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Universita` 32, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Djuro Huber
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza Av. 33, 31120 Kraków, Poland
| | - Slaven Reljic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Universita` 32, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Josip Kusak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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18
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Abstract
The effects of human disturbance spread over virtually all ecosystems and ecological communities on Earth. In this review, we focus on the effects of human disturbance on terrestrial apex predators. We summarize their ecological role in nature and how they respond to different sources of human disturbance. Apex predators control their prey and smaller predators numerically and via behavioral changes to avoid predation risk, which in turn can affect lower trophic levels. Crucially, reducing population numbers and triggering behavioral responses are also the effects that human disturbance causes to apex predators, which may in turn influence their ecological role. Some populations continue to be at the brink of extinction, but others are partially recovering former ranges, via natural recolonization and through reintroductions. Carnivore recovery is both good news for conservation and a challenge for management, particularly when recovery occurs in human-dominated landscapes. Therefore, we conclude by discussing several management considerations that, adapted to local contexts, may favor the recovery of apex predator populations and their ecological functions in nature.
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19
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Zarzo‐Arias A, Delgado MM, Palazón S, Afonso Jordana I, Bombieri G, González‐Bernardo E, Ordiz A, Bettega C, García‐González R, Penteriani V. Seasonality, local resources and environmental factors influence patterns of brown bear damages: implications for management. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Zarzo‐Arias
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB CSIC‐UO‐PA) Mieres Spain
| | - M. M. Delgado
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB CSIC‐UO‐PA) Mieres Spain
| | - S. Palazón
- Fauna and Flora Service, Territory and Sustainability Department Generalitat de Catalunya Barcelona Spain
| | | | - G. Bombieri
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB CSIC‐UO‐PA) Mieres Spain
- Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati Museo delle Scienze Trento Italy
| | | | - A. Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås Norway
| | - C. Bettega
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB CSIC‐UO‐PA) Mieres Spain
| | | | - V. Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB CSIC‐UO‐PA) Mieres Spain
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20
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Hammond TT, Ortiz-Jimenez CA, Smith JE. Anthropogenic Change Alters Ecological Relationships via Interactive Changes in Stress Physiology and Behavior within and among Organisms. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:57-69. [PMID: 31960928 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic change has well-documented impacts on stress physiology and behavior across diverse taxonomic groups. Within individual organisms, physiological and behavioral traits often covary at proximate and ultimate timescales. In the context of global change, this means that impacts on physiology can have downstream impacts on behavior, and vice versa. Because all organisms interact with members of their own species and other species within their communities, the effects of humans on one organism can impose indirect effects on one or more other organisms, resulting in cascading effects across interaction networks. Human-induced changes in the stress physiology of one species and the downstream impacts on behavior can therefore interact with the physiological and behavioral responses of other organisms to alter emergent ecological phenomena. Here, we highlight three scenarios in which the stress physiology and behavior of individuals on different sides of an ecological relationship are interactively impacted by anthropogenic change. We discuss host-parasite/pathogen dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and beneficial partnerships (mutualisms and cooperation) in this framework, considering cases in which the effect of stressors on each type of network may be attenuated or enhanced by interactive changes in behavior and physiology. These examples shed light on the ways that stressors imposed at the level of one individual can impact ecological relationships to trigger downstream consequences for behavioral and ecological dynamics. Ultimately, changes in stress physiology on one or both sides of an ecological interaction can mediate higher-level population and community changes due in part to their cascading impacts on behavior. This framework may prove useful for anticipating and potentially mitigating previously underappreciated ecological responses to anthropogenic perturbations in a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talisin T Hammond
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
| | - Chelsea A Ortiz-Jimenez
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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21
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Warrier R, Noon BR, Bailey L. Agricultural lands offer seasonal habitats to tigers in a human‐dominated and fragmented landscape in India. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Warrier
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University 1474 Campus delivery Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Barry R. Noon
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University 1474 Campus delivery Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Larissa Bailey
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University 1474 Campus delivery Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
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22
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23
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Abstract
AbstractMammals usually adjust behavioral patterns when exposed to disturbances. Elusiveness and low-risk time selection may reduce their stress in periods of highest risk. In Europe, brown bears (Ursus arctos) coexist with humans in densely populated and modified landscapes and, consequently, are exposed to human-caused disturbances during the daytime hours. Furthermore, intraspecific interactions might also influence their behavioral responses, especially during the mating season. Activity patterns of several large carnivores have been thoroughly studied; however, research is scarce for relocated populations. Here, we report the activity patterns in the reintroduced brown bear population in the Pyrenees. We expected the bears to reduce their activity depending on the type and level of disturbances. We analyzed individual behavior of both sexes (males, solitary females, and females with offspring) and age groups (adults and subadults) using camera-trap surveys under different types of intraspecific and anthropogenic disturbances. In general, bears were more active during the night (2200–0600 h) and avoided peaks of human activity (1000–1800 h). Furthermore, with the increasing nocturnal disturbance of adult males during the mating season, females with offspring and subadults were more active during daylight. This suggests that vulnerable individuals showed high tolerance for human presence. These results contribute to improve our knowledge of how a threatened and relocated bear population behaves in a human-modified landscape of southern Europe. Further research on this population will be crucial to establish optimal management interventions during translocations, and the prevention of human-bear encounters and conflicts.
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24
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Tian C, Zhang YY, Liu ZX, Dayananda B, Fu XB, Yuan D, Tu ZB, Luo CP, Li JQ. Temporal niche patterns of large mammals in Wanglang National Nature Reserve, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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25
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Gabriel Hernando M, Karamanlidis AA, Grivas K, Krambokoukis L, Papakostas G, Beecham J. Reduced movement of wildlife in Mediterranean landscapes: a case study of brown bears in Greece. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Gabriel Hernando
- Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment ARCTUROS Florina Greece
- Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences Universidad de León León Spain
| | - A. A. Karamanlidis
- Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment ARCTUROS Florina Greece
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås Norway
| | - K. Grivas
- Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment ARCTUROS Florina Greece
| | - L. Krambokoukis
- Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment ARCTUROS Florina Greece
| | - G. Papakostas
- Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment ARCTUROS Florina Greece
| | - J. Beecham
- Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment ARCTUROS Florina Greece
- Boise ID USA
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26
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Johann F, Handschuh M, Linderoth P, Dormann CF, Arnold J. Adaptation of wild boar (Sus scrofa) activity in a human-dominated landscape. BMC Ecol 2020; 20:4. [PMID: 31918698 PMCID: PMC6953143 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-019-0271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wild boars (Sus scrofa L.) are globally widely distributed, and their populations have increased in Europe during recent decades. Encounters between humans and wild boars are rare because of the predominantly nocturnal lifestyle of the latter, and wild boar management by hunting is a challenging task. Animal activity patterns are important for understanding the behaviour of a species. However, knowledge of detailed temporal patterns and an understanding of the drivers of wild boar activity at a fine temporal scale are lacking. Of special relevance for human–wild boar interactions (e.g., encounters, conflicts, and management) is the question of whether nocturnal activity depends on anthropogenic factors and, particularly, how local hunting regimes may affect activity patterns. We used GPS telemetry and acceleration measurements to shed light on this part of wild boar behaviour, observing 34 animals in Central Europe. Animals were tracked along a gradient of hunting pressure from hunting-free areas to areas with low or high hunting pressure. Fitted generalised additive models allowed predicting the probability of active behaviour under differing disturbance regimes precisely to day of year and time of day. Results The wild boars were predominantly nocturnal, with peak activity at approximately midnight. However, the data showed increased activity during daylight for wild boars that used no-hunting zones or reduced-hunting zones. Large areas with low disturbance levels promoted activity during daylight more than smaller areas with an intermediate disturbance regime. High air temperatures and locations within forests reduced the probability of active behaviour, whereas proximity to tracks used for forestry or agriculture was accompanied by a higher probability of activity. Conclusions We conclude that wild boars flexibly adjust their activity to their local environmental conditions, considering disturbances at the scale of long-term home ranges as well as actual small-scale landscape quality. Entire wild boar home ranges should be covered in the delineation of reserves intending to stimulate activity during daylight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Johann
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg i. Br., Germany. .,Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Württemberg, Aulendorf, Germany.
| | - Markus Handschuh
- Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Württemberg, Aulendorf, Germany.,Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Peter Linderoth
- Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Württemberg, Aulendorf, Germany
| | - Carsten F Dormann
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Janosch Arnold
- Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Württemberg, Aulendorf, Germany
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27
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Rich LN, Furnas BJ, Newton DS, Brashares JS. Acoustic and camera surveys inform models of current and future vertebrate distributions in a changing desert ecosystem. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey N. Rich
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California‐Berkeley Berkeley California
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Branch Sacramento California
| | - Brett J. Furnas
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Investigations Laboratory Rancho Cordova California
| | - D. Scott Newton
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Branch Sacramento California
| | - Justin S. Brashares
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California‐Berkeley Berkeley California
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28
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Scherer RD, Hansen EC, Joseph M, Wack RF. Estimating relationships between size and fecundity in the threatened giant garter snake in seminatural and agricultural wetlands. POPUL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/1438-390x.1015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric C. Hansen
- Consulting Environmental Biologist Sacramento California
| | - Max Joseph
- Earth Lab University of Colorado Boulder Colorado
| | - Raymund F. Wack
- Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis California
- Sacramento Zoo Sacramento California
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29
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Rich LN, Beissinger SR, Brashares JS, Furnas BJ. Artificial water catchments influence wildlife distribution in the Mojave Desert. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey N. Rich
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California‐ Berkeley130 Mulford Hall 3114BerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - Steven R. Beissinger
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California‐ Berkeley130 Mulford Hall 3114BerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - Justin S. Brashares
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California‐ Berkeley130 Mulford Hall 3114BerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - Brett J. Furnas
- Wildlife Investigations LaboratoryCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeRancho CordovaCA95670USA
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30
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Milleret C, Ordiz A, Chapron G, Andreassen HP, Kindberg J, Månsson J, Tallian A, Wabakken P, Wikenros C, Zimmermann B, Swenson JE, Sand H. Habitat segregation between brown bears and gray wolves in a human-dominated landscape. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11450-11466. [PMID: 30598748 PMCID: PMC6303696 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying how sympatric species belonging to the same guild coexist is a major question of community ecology and conservation. Habitat segregation between two species might help reduce the effects of interspecific competition and apex predators are of special interest in this context, because their interactions can have consequences for lower trophic levels. However, habitat segregation between sympatric large carnivores has seldom been studied. Based on monitoring of 53 brown bears (Ursus arctos) and seven sympatric adult gray wolves (Canis lupus) equipped with GPS collars in Sweden, we analyzed the degree of interspecific segregation in habitat selection within their home ranges in both late winter and spring, when their diets overlap the most. We used the K-select method, a multivariate approach that relies on the concept of ecological niche, and randomization methods to quantify habitat segregation between bears and wolves. Habitat segregation between bears and wolves was greater than expected by chance. Wolves tended to select for moose occurrence, young forests, and rugged terrain more than bears, which likely reflects the different requirements of an omnivore (bear) and an obligate carnivore (wolf). However, both species generally avoided human-related habitats during daytime. Disentangling the mechanisms that can drive interspecific interactions at different spatial scales is essential for understanding how sympatric large carnivores occur and coexist in human-dominated landscapes, and how coexistence may affect lower trophic levels. The individual variation in habitat selection detected in our study may be a relevant mechanism to overcome intraguild competition and facilitate coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Milleret
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural SciencesInland Norway University of Applied SciencesKoppangNorway
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Guillaume Chapron
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research StationDepartment of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
| | - Harry Peter Andreassen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural SciencesInland Norway University of Applied SciencesKoppangNorway
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
| | - Johan Månsson
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research StationDepartment of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
| | - Aimee Tallian
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research StationDepartment of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
- Department of Wildland Resources & Ecology CenterUtah State UniversityLoganUtah
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural SciencesInland Norway University of Applied SciencesKoppangNorway
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research StationDepartment of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural SciencesInland Norway University of Applied SciencesKoppangNorway
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research StationDepartment of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
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31
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Naves J, Ordiz A, Fernández-Gil A, Penteriani V, Delgado MDM, López-Bao JV, Revilla E, Delibes M. Patterns of brown bear damages on apiaries and management recommendations in the Cantabrian Mountains, Spain. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206733. [PMID: 30485290 PMCID: PMC6261554 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Large carnivores are often persecuted due to conflict with human activities, making their conservation in human-modified landscapes very challenging. Conflict-related scenarios are increasing worldwide, due to the expansion of human activities or to the recovery of carnivore populations. In general, brown bears Ursus arctos avoid humans and their settlements, but they may use some areas close to people or human infrastructures. Bear damages in human-modified landscapes may be related to the availability of food resources of human origin, such as beehives. However, the association of damage events with factors that may predispose bears to cause damages has rarely been investigated. We investigated bear damages to apiaries in the Cantabrian Mountains (Spain), an area with relatively high density of bears. We included spatial, temporal and environmental factors and damage prevention measures in our analyses, as factors that may influence the occurrence and intensity of damages. In 2006-2008, we located 61 apiaries, which included 435 beehives damaged in the study area (346 km2). The probability of an apiary being attacked was positively related to both the intensity of the damage suffered the year before and the distance to the nearest damaged apiary, and negatively related to the number of prevention measures employed as well as the intensity of the damage suffered by the nearest damage apiary. The intensity of damage to apiaries was positively related to the size of the apiary and to vegetation cover in the surroundings, and negatively related to the number of human settlements. Minimizing the occurrence of bear damages to apiaries seems feasible by applying and maintaining proper prevention measures, especially before an attack occurs and selecting appropriate locations for beehives (e.g. away from forest areas). This applies to areas currently occupied by bears, and to neighbouring areas where dispersing individuals may expand their range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Naves
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Vincenzo Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University—Campus Mieres, Mieres, Spain
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE), CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María del Mar Delgado
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University—Campus Mieres, Mieres, Spain
| | - José Vicente López-Bao
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University—Campus Mieres, Mieres, Spain
| | - Eloy Revilla
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel Delibes
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain
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32
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Gaynor KM, Hojnowski CE, Carter NH, Brashares JS. The influence of human disturbance on wildlife nocturnality. Science 2018; 360:1232-1235. [PMID: 29903973 DOI: 10.1126/science.aar7121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 453] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Rapid expansion of human activity has driven well-documented shifts in the spatial distribution of wildlife, but the cumulative effect of human disturbance on the temporal dynamics of animals has not been quantified. We examined anthropogenic effects on mammal diel activity patterns, conducting a meta-analysis of 76 studies of 62 species from six continents. Our global study revealed a strong effect of humans on daily patterns of wildlife activity. Animals increased their nocturnality by an average factor of 1.36 in response to human disturbance. This finding was consistent across continents, habitats, taxa, and human activities. As the global human footprint expands, temporal avoidance of humans may facilitate human-wildlife coexistence. However, such responses can result in marked shifts away from natural patterns of activity, with consequences for fitness, population persistence, community interactions, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M Gaynor
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Cheryl E Hojnowski
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Neil H Carter
- Human-Environment Systems Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Justin S Brashares
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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33
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Moen GK, Ordiz A, Kindberg J, Swenson JE, Sundell J, Støen OG. Behavioral reactions of brown bears to approaching humans in Fennoscandia. ECOSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2018.1513387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gro Kvelprud Moen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Janne Sundell
- Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, Lammi, Finland
| | - Ole-Gunnar Støen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
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34
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Ecological Role of an Apex Predator Revealed by a Reintroduction Experiment and Bayesian Statistics. Ecosystems 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-018-0269-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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35
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Penteriani V, Delgado MDM, Krofel M, Jerina K, Ordiz A, Dalerum F, Zarzo-Arias A, Bombieri G. Evolutionary and ecological traps for brown bearsUrsus arctosin human-modified landscapes. Mamm Rev 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE); CSIC; Avda. Montañana 1005 50059 Zaragoza Spain
| | - María Del Mar Delgado
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources; Biotechnical Faculty; University of Ljubljana; Vecˇna pot 83 SI-1001 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Klemen Jerina
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources; Biotechnical Faculty; University of Ljubljana; Vecˇna pot 83 SI-1001 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management; Norwegian University of Life Sciences; Postbox 5003 NO-1432 Ås Norway
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
- Department of Zoology; Stockholm University; 10691 Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Zoology and Entomology; Mammal Research Institute (MRI); University of Pretoria; Private Bag X20 Hatfield 0028 South Africa
| | - Alejandra Zarzo-Arias
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
| | - Giulia Bombieri
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
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36
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Morant J, Zabala J, Martínez JE, Zuberogoitia I. Out of sight, out of mind? Testing the effects of overwinter habitat alterations on breeding territories of a migratory endangered species. Anim Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Morant
- Department of Ornithology; Aranzadi Sciences Society; Donostia-S. Sebastián Gipuzcoa Spain
| | - J. Zabala
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - J. E. Martínez
- Bonelli′s Eagle Study and Conservation Group; Apdo Murcia Spain
| | - I. Zuberogoitia
- Department of Ornithology; Aranzadi Sciences Society; Donostia-S. Sebastián Gipuzcoa Spain
- Estudios Medioambientales Icarus; Bilbao Biscay Spain
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37
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Frank SC, Ordiz A, Gosselin J, Hertel A, Kindberg J, Leclerc M, Pelletier F, Steyaert SMJG, Støen OG, Van de Walle J, Zedrosser A, Swenson JE. Indirect effects of bear hunting: a review from Scandinavia. URSUS 2017. [DOI: 10.2192/ursu-d-16-00028.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shane C. Frank
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Environmental and Health Studies, University College of Southeast Norway, NO-3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Jacinthe Gosselin
- Départment de Biologie, Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Demography, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Anne Hertel
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Martin Leclerc
- Départment de Biologie, Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Demography, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Départment de Biologie, Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Demography, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Sam M. J. G. Steyaert
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Environmental and Health Studies, University College of Southeast Norway, NO-3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Ole-Gunnar Støen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Joanie Van de Walle
- Départment de Biologie, Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Demography, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Environmental and Health Studies, University College of Southeast Norway, NO-3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
- Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendel Str. 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
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Ordiz A, Støen OG, Delibes M, Swenson JE. Staying cool or staying safe in a human-dominated landscape: which is more relevant for brown bears? Oecologia 2017; 185:191-194. [PMID: 28887693 PMCID: PMC5617871 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3948-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pigeon et al. (2016) Staying cool in a changing landscape: the influence of maximum daily ambient temperature on grizzly bear habitat selection. Oecologia 181:1101. doi:10.1007/s00442-016-3630-5 analyzed the effect of ambient temperature on the habitat selection of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in Alberta, Canada. They concluded that temperature played a significant role in bear habitat selection and that it was unlikely that human activity introduced biases to the habitat selection of bears. However, Pigeon et al. did not consider variables related to human activities in their analyses. They also misinterpreted previous research that has accounted for temperature in the habitat selection of brown bears. There is much literature published on the negative effects of human disturbance on wildlife in general and on bears in particular. Downplaying the role of human disturbance could have important negative consequences if, in fact, human disturbance were a more important factor than thermoregulation. Indeed, dismissing the importance of human influence, in the face of contradictory evidence, could tempt managers to disregard an important factor that is difficult and often unpopular to deal with in their conservation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Postbox 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway.
| | - Ole-Gunnar Støen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Postbox 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway.,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Miguel Delibes
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Postbox 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway.,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
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