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Felton AM, Wam HK, Borowski Z, Granhus A, Juvany L, Matala J, Melin M, Wallgren M, Mårell A. Climate change and deer in boreal and temperate regions: From physiology to population dynamics and species distributions. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17505. [PMID: 39319472 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17505] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Climate change causes far-reaching disruption in nature, where tolerance thresholds already have been exceeded for some plants and animals. In the short term, deer may respond to climate through individual physiological and behavioral responses. Over time, individual responses can aggregate to the population level and ultimately lead to evolutionary adaptations. We systematically reviewed the literature (published 2000-2022) to summarize the effect of temperature, rainfall, snow, combined measures (e.g., the North Atlantic Oscillation), and extreme events, on deer species inhabiting boreal and temperate forests in terms of their physiology, spatial use, and population dynamics. We targeted deer species that inhabit relevant biomes in North America, Europe, and Asia: moose, roe deer, wapiti, red deer, sika deer, fallow deer, white-tailed deer, mule deer, caribou, and reindeer. Our review (218 papers) shows that many deer populations will likely benefit in part from warmer winters, but hotter and drier summers may exceed their physiological tolerances. We found support for deer expressing both morphological, physiological, and behavioral plasticity in response to climate variability. For example, some deer species can limit the effects of harsh weather conditions by modifying habitat use and daily activity patterns, while the physiological responses of female deer can lead to long-lasting effects on population dynamics. We identified 20 patterns, among which some illustrate antagonistic pathways, suggesting that detrimental effects will cancel out some of the benefits of climate change. Our findings highlight the influence of local variables (e.g., population density and predation) on how deer will respond to climatic conditions. We identified several knowledge gaps, such as studies regarding the potential impact on these animals of extreme weather events, snow type, and wetter autumns. The patterns we have identified in this literature review should help managers understand how populations of deer may be affected by regionally projected futures regarding temperature, rainfall, and snow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika M Felton
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Lomma, Sweden
| | - Hilde Karine Wam
- Department of Wildlife and Rangelands, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Ås, Norway
| | | | - Aksel Granhus
- Department of Forest Management, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Ås, Norway
| | - Laura Juvany
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Lomma, Sweden
| | - Juho Matala
- Natural Resources Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Joensuu, Finland
| | - Markus Melin
- Natural Resources Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Joensuu, Finland
| | - Märtha Wallgren
- Skogforsk (Forestry Research Institute of Sweden), Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå, Sweden
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Ganz TR, Bassing SB, DeVivo MT, Gardner B, Kertson BN, Satterfield LC, Shipley LA, Turnock BY, Walker SL, Abrahamson D, Wirsing AJ, Prugh LR. White-tailed deer population dynamics in a multipredator landscape shaped by humans. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e3003. [PMID: 38890813 DOI: 10.1002/eap.3003] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Large terrestrial mammals increasingly rely on human-modified landscapes as anthropogenic footprints expand. Land management activities such as timber harvest, agriculture, and roads can influence prey population dynamics by altering forage resources and predation risk via changes in habitat, but these effects are not well understood in regions with diverse and changing predator guilds. In northeastern Washington state, USA, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are vulnerable to multiple carnivores, including recently returned gray wolves (Canis lupus), within a highly human-modified landscape. To understand the factors governing predator-prey dynamics in a human context, we radio-collared 280 white-tailed deer, 33 bobcats (Lynx rufus), 50 cougars (Puma concolor), 28 coyotes (C. latrans), and 14 wolves between 2016 and 2021. We first estimated deer vital rates and used a stage-structured matrix model to estimate their population growth rate. During the study, we observed a stable to declining deer population (lambda = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.88, 1.05), with 74% of Monte Carlo simulations indicating population decrease and 26% of simulations indicating population increase. We then fit Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate how predator exposure, use of human-modified landscapes, and winter severity influenced deer survival and used these relationships to evaluate impacts on overall population growth. We found that the population growth rate was dually influenced by a negative direct effect of apex predators and a positive effect of timber harvest and agricultural areas. Cougars had a stronger effect on deer population dynamics than wolves, and mesopredators had little influence on the deer population growth rate. Areas of recent timber harvest had 55% more forage biomass than older forests, but horizontal visibility did not differ, suggesting that timber harvest did not influence predation risk. Although proximity to roads did not affect the overall population growth rate, vehicle collisions caused a substantial proportion of deer mortalities, and reducing these collisions could be a win-win for deer and humans. The influence of apex predators and forage indicates a dual limitation by top-down and bottom-up factors in this highly human-modified system, suggesting that a reduction in apex predators would intensify density-dependent regulation of the deer population owing to limited forage availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R Ganz
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sarah B Bassing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Melia T DeVivo
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spokane Valley, Washington, USA
| | - Beth Gardner
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brian N Kertson
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Snoqualmie, Washington, USA
| | - Lauren C Satterfield
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lisa A Shipley
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | - Aaron J Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laura R Prugh
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Hoy JA, Haas GT, Hallock P. Was the massive increase in use of teratogenic agrichemicals in western states (USA) associated with declines in wild ruminant populations between 1994 and 2013? CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142320. [PMID: 38735490 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Population declines were documented in multiple ruminant species in Montana and surrounding states starting in 1995. While weather, food sources, and predation certainly contributed, the declines were often attributed, at least partly, to unexplained factors. Use of teratogenic agrichemicals, notably neonicotinoid insecticides, fungicides, and glyphosate-based herbicides, massively increased regionally in 1994-96. The question explored in this review is whether this vastly increased use of these teratogenic pesticides might have contributed to observed population declines. We provide references and data documenting that specific developmental malformations on vertebrates can be associated with exposure to one or more of these agrichemicals. These pesticides are known to disrupt thyroid and other hormonal functions, mitochondrial functions, and biomineralization, all of which are particularly harmful to developing fetuses. Exposures can manifest as impaired embryonic development of craniofacial features, internal and reproductive organs, and musculoskeletal/integumental systems, often resulting in reproductive failure or weakened neonates. This paper reviews: a) studies of ruminant populations in the region, especially elk and white-tailed deer, prior to and after 1994; b) published and new data on underdeveloped facial bones in regional ruminants; c) published and new data on reproductive abnormalities in live and necropsied animals before and after 1994; and d) studies documenting the effects of exposures to three of the most applied teratogenic chemicals. While answers to the question posed above are complex and insufficient evidence is available for definitive answers, this review provides ideas for further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Hoy
- 2858 Pheasant Lane, Stevensville, MT, 59870, USA; Bitterroot Wildlife Rehab Center, Stevensville, MT, 59870, (now retired), USA
| | - Gary T Haas
- Big Sky Beetle Works, 5189 Highway 93 North, Box 776, Florence, MT, 59833-0776, USA
| | - Pamela Hallock
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue S., St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA.
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Farley ZJ, Thompson CJ, Boyle ST, Tatman NM, Cain JW. Behavioral trade-offs and multitasking by elk in relation to predation risk from Mexican gray wolves. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11383. [PMID: 38803606 PMCID: PMC11128461 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Predator non-consumptive effects (NCE) can alter prey foraging time and habitat use, potentially reducing fitness. Prey can mitigate NCEs by increasing vigilance, chewing-vigilance synchronization, and spatiotemporal avoidance of predators. We quantified the relationship between Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) predation risk and elk (Cervus canadensis) behavior. We conducted behavioral observations on adult female elk and developed predation risk indices using GPS collar data from Mexican wolves, locations of elk killed by wolves, and landscape covariates. We compared a priori models to determine the best predictors of adult female behavior and multitasking. Metrics that quantified both spatial and temporal predation risk were the most predictive. Vigilance was positively associated with increased predation risk. The effect of predation risk on foraging and resting differed across diurnal periods. During midday when wolf activity was lower, the probability of foraging increased while resting decreased in high-risk areas. During crepuscular periods when elk and wolves were most active, increased predation risk was associated with increased vigilance and slight decreases in foraging. Our results suggest elk are temporally avoiding predation risk from Mexican wolves by trading resting for foraging, a trade-off often not evaluated in behavioral studies. Probability of multitasking depended on canopy openness and an interaction between maternal period and predation risk; multitasking decreased prior to parturition and increased post parturition in high-risk areas. Openness was inversely related to multitasking. These results suggest adult female elk are altering the type of vigilance used depending on resource availability/quality, current energetic needs, and predation risk. Our results highlight potentially important, but often-excluded behaviors and trade-offs prey species may use to reduce the indirect effects of predation and contribute additional context to our understanding of predator-prey dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J. Farley
- Department of Fish Wildlife and Conservation EcologyNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNew MexicoUSA
| | - Cara J. Thompson
- Department of Fish Wildlife and Conservation EcologyNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNew MexicoUSA
| | - Scott T. Boyle
- Department of Fish Wildlife and Conservation EcologyNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNew MexicoUSA
| | | | - James W. Cain
- U.S. Geological Survey New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish Wildlife and Conservation EcologyNew Mexico State UniversityLas CrucesNew MexicoUSA
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Ganz TR, DeVivo MT, Wirsing AJ, Bassing SB, Kertson BN, Walker SL, Prugh LR. Cougars, wolves, and humans drive a dynamic landscape of fear for elk. Ecology 2024; 105:e4255. [PMID: 38361248 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
To manage predation risk, prey navigate a dynamic landscape of fear, or spatiotemporal variation in risk perception, reflecting predator distributions, traits, and activity cycles. Prey may seek to reduce risk across this landscape using habitat at times and in places when predators are less active. In multipredator landscapes, avoiding one predator could increase vulnerability to another, making the landscape of fear difficult to predict and navigate. Additionally, humans may shape interactions between predators and prey, and induce new sources of risk. Humans can function as a shield, providing a refuge for prey from human-averse carnivores, and as a predator, causing mortality through hunting and vehicle collisions and eliciting a fear response that can exceed that of carnivores. We used telemetry data collected between 2017 and 2021 from 63 Global Positioning System-collared elk (Cervus canadensis), 42 cougars (Puma concolor), and 16 wolves (Canis lupus) to examine how elk habitat selection changed in relation to carnivores and humans in northeastern Washington, USA. Using step selection functions, we evaluated elk habitat use in relation to cougars, wolves, and humans, diel period (daytime vs. nighttime), season (summer calving season vs. fall hunting season), and habitat structure (open vs. closed habitat). The diel cycle was critical to understanding elk movement, allowing elk to reduce encounters with predators where and when they would be the largest threat. Elk strongly avoided cougars at night but had a near-neutral response to cougars during the day, whereas elk avoided wolves at all times of day. Elk generally used more open habitats where cougars and wolves were most active, rather than altering the use of habitat structure depending on the predator species. Elk avoided humans during the day and ~80% of adult female mortality was human caused, suggesting that humans functioned as a "super predator" in this system. Simultaneously, elk leveraged the human shield against wolves but not cougars at night, and no elk were confirmed to have been killed by wolves. Our results add to the mounting evidence that humans profoundly affect predator-prey interactions, highlighting the importance of studying these dynamics in anthropogenic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R Ganz
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Melia T DeVivo
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spokane Valley, Washington, USA
| | - Aaron J Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sarah B Bassing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brian N Kertson
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Snoqualmie, Washington, USA
| | | | - Laura R Prugh
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Tallian A, Mattisson J, Stenbacka F, Neumann W, Johansson A, Støen OG, Kindberg J. Proximity-sensors on GPS collars reveal fine-scale predator-prey behavior during a predation event: A case study from Scandinavia. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10750. [PMID: 38089892 PMCID: PMC10714063 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the advent of high-resolution GPS tracking technology has helped increase our understanding of individual and multispecies behavior in wildlife systems, detecting and recording direct interactions between free-ranging animals remains difficult. In 2023, we deployed GPS collars equipped with proximity sensors (GPS proximity collars) on brown bears (Ursus arctos) and moose (Alces alces) as part of a multispecies interaction study in central Sweden. On 6 June, 2023, a collar on an adult female moose and a collar on an adult male bear triggered each other's UHF signal and started collecting fine-scale GPS positioning data. The moose collar collected positions every 2 min for 89 min, and the bear collar collected positions every 1 min for 41 min. On 8 June, field personnel visited the site and found a female neonate moose carcass with clear indications of bear bite marks on the head and neck. During the predation event, the bear remained at the carcass while the moose moved back and forth, moving toward the carcass site about five times. The moose was observed via drone with two calves on 24 May and with only one remaining calf on 9 June. This case study describes, to the best of our knowledge, the first instance of a predation event between two free ranging, wild species recorded by GPS proximity collars. Both collars successfully triggered and switched to finer-scaled GPS fix rates when the individuals were in close proximity, producing detailed movement data for both predator and prey during and after a predation event. We suggest that, combined with standard field methodology, GPS proximity collars placed on free-ranging animals offer the ability for researchers to observe direct interactions between multiple individuals and species in the wild without the need for direct visual observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Tallian
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
| | | | - Fredrik Stenbacka
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Wiebke Neumann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | | | | | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
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Vuillaume B, Richard JH, Hamel S, Taillon J, Festa-Bianchet M, Côté SD. Birth date determines early calf survival in migratory caribou. Oecologia 2023; 202:819-830. [PMID: 37640888 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05441-7] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The decline of most caribou (Rangifer tarandus) populations underlines the need to understand the determinants of key demographic parameters. In migratory caribou, we have limited information on rates and drivers of pre-weaning mortality. We fitted 60 pregnant females of the Rivière-aux-Feuilles caribou herd with GPS camera collars to track the survival of calves from birth to weaning in 2016-2018. Over the three years, calf survival rate before weaning, i.e. to 01-Sep, approximately three months of age, was 0.63 (CI 0.50-0.77). Summer mortality risk was mainly influenced by calf birth date, with calves born earlier in the calving season having a lower mortality risk than those born later. Mortality also increased when calves experienced low or high temperature during calving. This study provides the first estimates of pre-weaning survival of migratory caribou calves in this herd, illustrating the value of new technologies to collect data otherwise difficult to obtain in widely distributed migratory populations. This approach can easily be extended to other large herbivores and predators. Our study brings new insights on how climate change may affect summer juvenile survival given the increased temperatures and faster changes in plant phenology expected in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Vuillaume
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, Ave. de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Julien H Richard
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, Ave. de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sandra Hamel
- Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Joëlle Taillon
- Ministère des Forêts de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, QC, G1S 2L2, Canada
| | - Marco Festa-Bianchet
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2 R1, Canada
| | - Steeve D Côté
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, Ave. de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Wikenros C, Di Bernardi C, Zimmermann B, Åkesson M, Demski M, Flagstad Ø, Mattisson J, Tallian A, Wabakken P, Sand H. Scavenging patterns of an inbred wolf population in a landscape with a pulse of human-provided carrion. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10236. [PMID: 37415640 PMCID: PMC10319521 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Scavenging is an important part of food acquisition for many carnivore species that switch between scavenging and predation. In landscapes with anthropogenic impact, humans provide food that scavenging species can utilize. We quantified the magnitude of killing versus scavenging by gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Scandinavia where humans impact the ecosystem through hunter harvest, land use practices, and infrastructure. We investigated the cause of death of different animals utilized by wolves, and examined how the proportion of their consumption time spent scavenging was influenced by season, wolf social affiliation, level of inbreeding, density of moose (Alces alces) as their main prey, density of brown bear (Ursus arctos) as an intraguild competitor, and human density. We used data from 39 GPS-collared wolves covering 3198 study days (2001-2019), including 14,205 feeding locations within space-time clusters, and 1362 carcasses utilized by wolves. Most carcasses were wolf-killed (80.5%) while a small part had died from other natural causes (1.9%). The remaining had either anthropogenic mortality causes (4.7%), or the cause of death was unknown (12.9%). Time spent scavenging was higher during winter than during summer and autumn. Solitary wolves spent more time scavenging than pack-living individuals, likely because individual hunting success is lower than pack success. Scavenging time increased with the mean inbreeding coefficient of the adult wolves, possibly indicating that more inbred individuals resort to scavenging, which requires less body strength. There was weak evidence for competition between wolves and brown bears as well as a positive relationship between human density and time spent scavenging. This study shows how both intrinsic and extrinsic factors drive wolf scavenging behavior, and that despite a high level of inbreeding and access to carrion of anthropogenic origin, wolves mainly utilized their own kills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
| | - Cecilia Di Bernardi
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”University of Rome La SapienzaRomeItaly
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and BiotechnologyInland Norway University of Applied SciencesElverumNorway
| | - Mikael Åkesson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
| | - Maike Demski
- County Administrative Board of NorrbottenLuleåSweden
| | | | - Jenny Mattisson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
| | - Aimee Tallian
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and BiotechnologyInland Norway University of Applied SciencesElverumNorway
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
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Merli E, Mattioli L, Bassi E, Bongi P, Berzi D, Ciuti F, Luccarini S, Morimando F, Viviani V, Caniglia R, Galaverni M, Fabbri E, Scandura M, Apollonio M. Estimating Wolf Population Size and Dynamics by Field Monitoring and Demographic Models: Implications for Management and Conservation. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1735. [PMID: 37889658 PMCID: PMC10252110 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We estimated the current size and dynamics of the wolf population in Tuscany and investigated the trends and demographic drivers of population changes. Estimates were obtained by two different approaches: (i) mixed-technique field monitoring (from 2014 to 2016) that found the minimum observed pack number and estimated population size, and (ii) an individual-based model (run by Vortex software v. 10.3.8.0) with demographic inputs derived from a local intensive study area and historic data on population size. Field monitoring showed a minimum population size of 558 wolves (SE = 12.005) in 2016, with a density of 2.74 individuals/100 km2. The population model described an increasing trend with an average annual rate of increase λ = 1.075 (SE = 0.014), an estimated population size of about 882 individuals (SE = 9.397) in 2016, and a density of 4.29 wolves/100 km2. Previously published estimates of wolf population were as low as 56.2% compared to our field monitoring estimation and 34.6% in comparison to our model estimation. We conducted sensitivity tests to analyze the key parameters driving population changes based on juvenile and adult mortality rates, female breeding success, and litter size. Mortality rates played a major role in determining intrinsic growth rate changes, with adult mortality accounting for 62.5% of the total variance explained by the four parameters. Juvenile mortality was responsible for 35.8% of the variance, while female breeding success and litter size had weak or negligible effects. We concluded that reliable estimates of population abundance and a deeper understanding of the role of different demographic parameters in determining population dynamics are crucial to define and carry out appropriate conservation and management strategies to address human-wildlife conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Merli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Luca Mattioli
- Wildlife Service, Tuscany Region, 50127 Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Bassi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Duccio Berzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesca Ciuti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Siriano Luccarini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Federico Morimando
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Viviana Viviani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Romolo Caniglia
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), 40064 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Elena Fabbri
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), 40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Scandura
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Blum ME, Stewart KM, Shoemaker KT, Cox M, Wakeling BF, Dilts TE, Bennett JR, Bleich VC. Changes in selection of resources with reproductive state in a montane ungulate. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2023; 11:20. [PMID: 37020241 PMCID: PMC10077753 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-023-00378-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Animals select habitats based on food, water, space, and cover. Each of those components are essential to the ability of an individual to survive and reproduce in a particular habitat. Selection of resources is linked to reproductive fitness and individuals likely vary in how they select resources relative to their reproductive state: during pregnancy, while provisioning young when nutritional needs of the mother are high, but offspring are vulnerable to predation, or if they lose young to mortality. We investigated the effects of reproductive state on selection of resources by maternal female desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) by comparing selection during the last trimester of gestation, following parturition when females were provisioning dependent young, and if the female lost an offspring. We captured, and recaptured each year, 32 female bighorn sheep at Lone Mountain, Nevada, during 2016-2018. Captured females were fit with GPS collars and those that were pregnant received vaginal implant transmitters. We used a Bayesian approach to estimate differences in selection between females provisioning and not provisioning offspring, as well as the length of time it took for females with offspring to return levels of selection similar to that observed prior to parturition. Females that were not provisioning offspring selected areas with higher risk of predation, but greater nutritional resources than those that were provisioning dependent young. When females were provisioning young immediately following parturition, females selected areas that were safe from predators, but had lower nutritional resources. Females displayed varying rates of return to selection strategies associated with access to nutritional resources as young grew and became more agile and less dependent on mothers. We observed clear and substantial shifts in selection of resources associated with reproductive state, and females exhibited tradeoffs in favor of areas that were safer from predators when provisioning dependent young despite loss of nutritional resources to support lactation. As young grew and became less vulnerable to predators, females returned to levels of selection that provided access to nutritional resources to restore somatic reserves lost during lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus E Blum
- Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, 1001 Holleman Dr, College Station, TX, 77840, USA.
| | - Kelley M Stewart
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St., MS 186, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Kevin T Shoemaker
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St., MS 186, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Mike Cox
- Nevada Department of Wildlife, 6980 Sierra Center Parkway #120, Reno, NV, 89511, USA
| | - Brian F Wakeling
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620, USA
| | - Thomas E Dilts
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St., MS 186, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Joe R Bennett
- Nevada Department of Wildlife, 6980 Sierra Center Parkway #120, Reno, NV, 89511, USA
| | - Vernon C Bleich
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St., MS 186, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
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11
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Watkins BE, Bergman EJ, Dhaseleer LC, Bernal LJ. Factors influencing productivity and recruitment of elk in northern New Mexico. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce E. Watkins
- Vermejo Park Ranch, Turner Enterprises, P.O. Drawer E, Raton NM 87740 USA
| | - Eric J. Bergman
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 317 Prospect Road Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | | | - Lance J. Bernal
- Vermejo Park Ranch, Turner Enterprises, P.O. Drawer E, Raton NM 87740 USA
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12
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Berg JE, Eacker DR, Hebblewhite M, Merrill EH. Summer elk calf survival in a partially migratory population. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi E. Berg
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | | | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Evelyn H. Merrill
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
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13
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Trump T, Knopff K, Morehouse A, Boyce MS. Sustainable elk harvests in Alberta with increasing predator populations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269407. [PMID: 36288266 PMCID: PMC9604012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Large predators often are believed to cause declines in hunter harvests of ungulates due to direct competition for prey with hunters. In Alberta, predators of elk (Cervus elaphus), including grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), cougar (Puma concolor), and wolf (Canis lupus), have increased in recent years. We used trend analysis replicated by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) to examine regional trends in elk harvest and hunter success. Over a 26-yr period, average harvest of elk increased by 5.46% per year for unrestricted bull and by 6.64% per year for limited-quota seasons. Also, over the same time frame, average hunter success increased by 0.2% per year for unrestricted bull and by 0.3% per year for limited-quota seasons, but no trend was detected in hunter effort (P>0.05). Our results show that increasing large-predator populations do not necessarily reduce hunter harvest of elk, and we only found evidence for this in Alberta's mountain WMUs where predation on elk calves has reduced recruitment. Furthermore, data indicate that Alberta's elk harvest management has been sustainable, i.e., hunting has continued while populations of elk have increased throughout most of the province. Wildlife agencies can justify commitments to long-term population monitoring because data allow adaptive management and can inform stakeholders on the status of populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Trump
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kyle Knopff
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Golder Associates, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Morehouse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Winisk Research and Consulting, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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14
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Ruprecht J, Forrester TD, Jackson NJ, Clark DA, Wisdom MJ, Rowland MM, Smith JB, Stewart KM, Levi T. A seasonal pulse of ungulate neonates influences space use by carnivores in a multi-predator, multi-prey system. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9389. [PMID: 36254298 PMCID: PMC9558345 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9389] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The behavioral mechanisms by which predators encounter prey are poorly resolved. In particular, the extent to which predators engage in active search for prey versus incidentally encountering them has not been well studied in many systems and particularly not for neonate prey during the birth pulse. Parturition of many large herbivores occurs during a short and predictable temporal window in which young are highly vulnerable to predation. Our study aims to determine how a suite of carnivores responds to the seasonal pulse of newborn ungulates using contemporaneous global positioning system (GPS) locations of four species of predators and two species of prey. We used step-selection functions to assess whether coyotes, cougars, black bears, and bobcats encountered parturient adult female ungulates more often than expected by chance in a low-density population of mule deer and a high-density population of elk. We then assessed whether the carnivore species that encountered parturient prey more often than expected by chance did so by shifting their habitat use toward areas with a high probability of encountering neonates. None of the four carnivore species encountered GPS-collared parturient mule deer more often than expected by chance. By contrast, we determined that cougar and male bear movements positioned them in the proximity of GPS-collared parturient elk more often than expected by chance which may provide evidence of searching behavior. Although both male bears and cougars exhibited behavior consistent with active search for neonates, only male bears used elk parturition habitat in a way that dynamically tracked the phenology of the elk birth pulse suggesting that maximizing encounters with juvenile elk was a motivation when selecting resources. Our results suggest that there is high interspecific and intersexual variability in foraging strategies among large mammalian predators and their prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Ruprecht
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | | | - Nathan J. Jackson
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Nevada, RenoRenoNevadaUSA
| | | | - Michael J. Wisdom
- US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research StationLa GrandeOregonUSA
| | - Mary M. Rowland
- US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research StationLa GrandeOregonUSA
| | | | - Kelley M. Stewart
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Nevada, RenoRenoNevadaUSA
| | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
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15
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Schooler SL, Svoboda NJ, Finnegan SP, Crye J, Kellner KF, Belant JL. Maternal carryover, winter severity, and brown bear abundance relate to elk demographics. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274359. [PMID: 36173937 PMCID: PMC9521920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ungulates are key components of ecosystems due to their effects on lower trophic levels, role as prey, and value for recreational and subsistence harvests. Understanding factors that drive ungulate population dynamics can inform protection of important habitat and successful management of populations. To ascertain correlates of ungulate population dynamics, we evaluated the effects of five non-exclusive hypotheses on ungulate abundance and recruitment: winter severity, spring nutritional limitation (spring bottleneck), summer-autumn maternal condition carryover, predation, and timber harvest. We used weather, reconstructed brown bear (Ursus arctos) abundance, and timber harvest data to estimate support for these hypotheses on early calf recruitment (calves per 100 adult females in July–August) and population counts of Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) on Afognak and Raspberry islands, Alaska, USA, 1958–2020. Increasing winter temperatures positively affected elk abundance, supporting the winter severity hypothesis, while a later first fall freeze had a positive effect on elk recruitment, supporting the maternal carry-over hypothesis. Increased brown bear abundance was negatively associated with elk recruitment, supporting the predation hypothesis. Recruitment was unaffected by spring climate conditions or timber harvest. Severe winter weather likely increased elk energy deficits, reducing elk survival and subsequent abundance in the following year. Colder and shorter falls likely reduced late-season forage, resulting in poor maternal condition which limited elk recruitment more than winter severity or late-winter nutritional bottlenecks. Our results additionally demonstrated potential negative effects of brown bears on elk recruitment. The apparent long-term decline in elk recruitment did not result in a decline of abundance, which suggests that less severe winters may increase elk survival and counteract the potential effects of predation on elk abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Schooler
- Department of Environmental Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nathan J. Svoboda
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Division, Kodiak, Alaska, United States of America
| | - Shannon P. Finnegan
- Department of Environmental Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - John Crye
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Division, Kodiak, Alaska, United States of America
| | - Kenneth F. Kellner
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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16
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Paterson JT, Proffitt KM, DeCesare NJ, Gude JA, Hebblewhite M. Evaluating the summer landscapes of predation risk and forage quality for elk ( Cervus canadensis). Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9201. [PMID: 35979523 PMCID: PMC9366754 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The recovery of carnivore populations in North American has consequences for trophic interactions and population dynamics of prey. In addition to direct effects on prey populations through killing, predators can influence prey behavior by imposing the risk of predation. The mechanisms through which patterns of space use by predators are linked to behavioral response by prey and nonconsumptive effects on prey population dynamics are poorly understood. Our goal was to characterize population- and individual-level patterns of resource selection by elk (Cervus canadensis) in response to risk of wolves (Canis lupus) and mountain lions (Puma concolor) and evaluate potential nonconsumptive effects of these behavioral patterns. We tested the hypothesis that individual elk risk-avoidance behavior during summer would result in exposure to lower-quality forage and reduced body fat and pregnancy rates. First, we evaluated individuals' second-order and third-order resource selection with a used-available sampling design. At the population level, we found evidence for a positive relationship between second- and third-order selection and forage, and an interaction between forage quality and mountain lion risk such that the relative probability of use at low mountain lion risk increased with forage quality but decreased at high risk at both orders of selection. We found no evidence of a population-level trade-off between forage quality and wolf risk. However, we found substantial among-individual heterogeneity in resource selection patterns such that population-level patterns were potentially misleading. We found no evidence that the diversity of individual resource selection patterns varied predictably with available resources, or that patterns of individual risk-related resource selection translated into biologically meaningful changes in body fat or pregnancy rates. Our work highlights the importance of evaluating individual responses to predation risk and predator hunting technique when assessing responses to predators and suggests nonconsumptive effects are not operating at a population scale in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation SciencesUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
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17
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Kautz TM, Fowler NL, Petroelje TR, Beyer DE, Duquette JF, Belant JL. White-tailed deer exploit temporal refuge from multi-predator and human risks on roads. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9125. [PMID: 35898426 PMCID: PMC9309034 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most prey have multiple predator species, few studies have quantified how prey respond to the temporal niches of multiple predators which pose different levels of danger. For example, intraspecific variation in diel activity allows white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to reduce fawn activity overlap with coyotes (Canis latrans) but finding safe times of day may be more difficult for fawns in a multi-predator context. We hypothesized that within a multi-predator system, deer would allocate antipredation behavior optimally based on combined mortality risk from multiple sources, which would vary depending on fawn presence. We measured cause-specific mortality of 777 adult (>1-year-old) and juvenile (1-4-month-old) deer and used 300 remote cameras to estimate the activity of deer, humans, and predators including American black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes, and wolves (Canis lupus). Predation and vehicle collisions accounted for 5.3 times greater mortality in juveniles (16% mortality from bears, coyotes, bobcats, wolves, and vehicles) compared with adults (3% mortality from coyotes, wolves, and vehicles). Deer nursery groups (i.e., ≥1 fawn present) were more diurnal than adult deer without fawns, causing fawns to have 24-38% less overlap with carnivores and 39% greater overlap with humans. Supporting our hypothesis, deer nursery groups appeared to optimize diel activity to minimize combined mortality risk. Temporal refuge for fawns was likely the result of carnivores avoiding humans, simplifying diel risk of five species into a trade-off between diurnal humans and nocturnal carnivores. Functional redundancy among multiple predators with shared behaviors may partially explain why white-tailed deer fawn predation rates are often similar among single- and multi-predator systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Kautz
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Global Wildlife Conservation CenterState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | - Nicholas L. Fowler
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Global Wildlife Conservation CenterState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | - Tyler R. Petroelje
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Global Wildlife Conservation CenterState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
- Wildlife DivisionMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesLansingMichiganUSA
| | - Dean E. Beyer
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Jared F. Duquette
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Global Wildlife Conservation CenterState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
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18
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Mohr AS, Ewanyk J, Hardy O, Windsor J, Zulliger E, Hilson C, Gunther MS, Bean WT. A multi‐metric movement model for identifying elk parturition events. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1256] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam S. Mohr
- Department of Wildlife Humboldt State University Arcata 95521 CA USA
| | - Jon Ewanyk
- Department of Wildlife Humboldt State University Arcata 95521 CA USA
| | - Owen Hardy
- Department of Wildlife Humboldt State University Arcata 95521 CA USA
| | - Justin Windsor
- Department of Wildlife Humboldt State University Arcata 95521 CA USA
| | - Erin Zulliger
- Department of Wildlife Humboldt State University Arcata 95521 CA USA
| | | | | | - William T. Bean
- Department of Wildlife Humboldt State University Arcata 95521 CA USA
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19
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Compensatory human and predator risk trade-offs in neonatal white-tailed deer. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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20
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LaBarge LR, Evans MJ, Miller JRB, Cannataro G, Hunt C, Elbroch LM. Pumas
Puma concolor
as ecological brokers: a review of their biotic relationships. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura R. LaBarge
- Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, Department of Environment and Sustainability, The State University of New York University at Buffalo Amherst NY14260USA
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Bücklestraße 5 Konstanz DE78467Germany
| | - Michael J. Evans
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University 4400 University Dr Fairfax VA22030USA
| | - Jennifer R. B. Miller
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University 4400 University Dr Fairfax VA22030USA
| | - Gillian Cannataro
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Conservation, Management and Welfare Sciences Association of Zoos and Aquariums 8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 710 Silver Spring MD20910‐3314USA
| | - Christian Hunt
- Field Conservation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
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21
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Weterings MJA, Losekoot S, Kuipers HJ, Prins HHT, van Langevelde F, van Wieren SE. Influence of multiple predators decreases body condition and fecundity of European hares. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8442. [PMID: 35136544 PMCID: PMC8809432 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the hypothesized negative correlation between the influence of multiple predators and body condition and fecundity of the European hare, from 13 areas in the Netherlands.Year-round abundance of predators was estimated by hunters. We quantified predator influence as the sum of their field metabolic rates, as this sum reflects the daily food requirements of multiple individuals. We determined the ratio between body mass and hindfoot length of hares as an index of body condition and the weight of their adrenal gland as a measure of chronic exposure to stress, and we counted the number of placental scars to estimate fecundity of hares.As hypothesized, we found that the sum of field metabolic rate of predators was negatively correlated with body condition and the number of placental scars, whereas it was positively related to the weight of the adrenal glands. In contrast to the sum of the field metabolic rate, the total number of predators did not or weakly affect the investigated risk responses.The sum of the field metabolic rate can be a useful proxy for the influence of multiple predators and takes into account predator abundance, type, body weight, and food requirements of multiple predators.With our findings, our paper contributes to a better understanding of the risk effects of multiple predators on prey fitness. Additionally, we identify a potential contributor to the decline of European hare populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn J. A. Weterings
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
- Wildlife ManagementDepartment of Animal ManagementVan Hall Larenstein University of Applied SciencesLeeuwardenThe Netherlands
| | - Sanne Losekoot
- Wildlife ManagementDepartment of Animal ManagementVan Hall Larenstein University of Applied SciencesLeeuwardenThe Netherlands
| | - Henry J. Kuipers
- Wildlife ManagementDepartment of Animal ManagementVan Hall Larenstein University of Applied SciencesLeeuwardenThe Netherlands
| | - Herbert H. T. Prins
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Frank van Langevelde
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
- School of Life SciencesWestville CampusUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Sipke E. van Wieren
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
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22
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Tallian A, Ordiz A, Metz MC, Zimmermann B, Wikenros C, Smith DW, Stahler DR, Wabakken P, Swenson JE, Sand H, Kindberg J. Of wolves and bears: Seasonal drivers of interference and exploitation competition between apex predators. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Tallian
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research NO‐7485 Trondheim Norway
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Postbox 5003, NO‐1432 Ås Norway
- Dpto. de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental Área de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales Universidad de León Campus de Vegazana s/n 24071 León Spain
| | - Matthew C. Metz
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Douglas W. Smith
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Daniel R. Stahler
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Postbox 5003, NO‐1432 Ås Norway
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research NO‐7485 Trondheim Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐901 83 Umeå Sweden
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23
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Orning EK, Dugger KM, Clark DA. Gray wolf (Canis lupus) predation patterns following recent recolonization in a multi-predator, multi-prey system. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Predator–prey interactions are among the most fundamental of ecological relationships. Recolonizing gray wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) populations present new challenges for wildlife management in multi-prey, multi-carnivore systems. We documented diet composition and kill rates for wolves in a recently recolonized area over winter and summer seasons (2014–2015). Elk (Cervus canadensis Erxleben, 1777) were the primary ungulate prey (63%) located at wolf kill sites. Deer (mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780))) were less prevalent than elk in wolf diets, but the amount of deer in diets (40%–50%) varied by pack and season. Juvenile elk were the most prevalent class of prey in wolf diets during summer (63.3%) and winter (36.3%), with adult elk (32.5%) observed nearly as often as juveniles in winter. Kill rates varied by season, with rates 2.3 times higher in summer (mean = 3.5 ungulates/week per pack) than winter (mean = 1.5 ungulates/week per pack), consistent with increased availability and use of neonate prey. Prey biomass acquisition did not vary by pack or season (summer = 243 kg/week per pack; winter = 182 kg/week per pack). Our study quantified predation patterns for a recolonizing wolf population, and patterns that we documented were similar to other multi-prey systems in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K. Orning
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Katie M. Dugger
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Darren A. Clark
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1401 Gekeler Lane, La Grande, OR 97850, USA
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Berg JE, Reimer J, Smolko P, Bohm H, Hebblewhite M, Merrill EH. Mothers' Movements: Shifts in Calving Area Selection by Partially Migratory Elk. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi E. Berg
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Jody Reimer
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Peter Smolko
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Holger Bohm
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Evelyn H. Merrill
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
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25
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Horne JS, Thompson SJ. Estimating survival of unmarked neonates with camera traps. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jon S. Horne
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game 600 S. Walnut Street Boise Idaho83712USA
| | - Sarah J. Thompson
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game 600 S. Walnut Street Boise Idaho83712USA
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26
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The return of large carnivores: Using hunter observation data to understand the role of predators on ungulate populations. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Brackel KL, Michel ES, Gullikson BS, Jenks JA, Jensen WF. Capture method affects survival estimates and subsequent interpretation of ecological covariates for a long-lived cervid. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:6444-6455. [PMID: 34141230 PMCID: PMC8207354 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7494] [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: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding what variables affect ungulate neonate survival is imperative to successful conservation and management of the species. Predation is commonly cited as a cause-specific source of mortality, and ecological covariates often influence neonate survival. However, variation in survival estimates related to capture methodology has been documented with opportunistically captured neonates generally displaying greater survival than those captured via aid of vaginal implant transmitters (VITs), likely because of increased left truncation observed in the opportunistically captured datasets. Our goal was to assess whether 3- and 6-month survival estimates varied by capture method while simultaneously assessing whether capture method affected model selection and interpretation of ecological covariates for white-tailed deer neonates captured from three study sites from 2014 to 2015 in North Dakota and South Dakota, USA. We found survival varied by capture method for 3-month neonate survival with opportunistically captured neonates displaying up to 26% greater survival than their counterparts captured via VITs; however, this relationship was not present for 6-month survival. We also found model selection and subsequent interpretation of ecological covariates varied when analyzing datasets comprised of neonates captured via VITs, neonates captured opportunistically, and all neonates combined regardless of capture method. When interpreting results from our VIT-only analysis for 3-month survival, we found survival varied by three time intervals and was lowest in the first two weeks of life. Capture method did not affect 6-month survival, which was most influenced by total precipitation occurring during 3 - 8 weeks of a neonate's life and percent canopy cover found at a neonate's capture site. Our results support previous research that capture method must be accounted for when deriving survival estimates for ungulate neonates as it can impact derived estimates and subsequent interpretation of results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric S. Michel
- Farmland Wildlife Populations and Research GroupMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesMadeliaUSA
| | | | - Jonathan A. Jenks
- Department of Natural Resource ManagementSouth Dakota State UniversityUSA
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Chinn SM, Kilgo JC, Vukovich MA, Beasley JC. Influence of intrinsic and extrinsic attributes on neonate survival in an invasive large mammal. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11033. [PMID: 34040083 PMCID: PMC8155080 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90495-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding factors influencing survival of neonates for wild species is important for successful management, particularly for determining drivers of population dynamics. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are invasive and populations are rapidly increasing in part due to high reproductive capacity. Survival of adults is generally high, however, survival of piglets, and particularly neonates, is largely unknown. We located neonates at the natal nest and quantified survival in relation to individual and maternal biological attributes, and environmental variables. During 2017-2020, we captured 50 neonates from 13 litters and documented 28 mortalities (56%) over six weeks. Survival was positively influenced by pelage coloration, likely as a form of camouflage from predators. Male neonates had higher survival. They were born larger than females, which could be beneficial for thermoregulation and competition for milk. Neonates born to larger sows had lower survival. Sow size was positively correlated with litter size, and this finding may reflect the increased nutritional demands of sustaining large litters, or difficulties in defending more neonates against predators. Neonates born in warmer months had higher survival than those born in cooler months. Neonates are inefficient thermoregulators, thus being born in warmer months could be beneficial for maintaining homeostasis as well as access to more food resources. These are the largest and most complete data for neonate wild pig survival and will inform population models for the development of management strategies to reduce negative impacts of this destructive invasive species on native ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Chinn
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, 29803, USA.
- Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - John C Kilgo
- USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, New Ellenton, SC, 29809, USA
| | - Mark A Vukovich
- USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, New Ellenton, SC, 29809, USA
- USDA Forest Service-Shawnee National Forest, Vienna, IL, 62995, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, 29803, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Sergeyev M, McMillan BR, Hersey KR, Larsen RT. How Size and Condition Influence Survival and Cause‐Specific Mortality of Female Elk. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maksim Sergeyev
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84604 USA
| | - Brock R. McMillan
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84604 USA
| | - Kent R. Hersey
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Salt Lake City UT 84116 USA
| | - Randy T. Larsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84604 USA
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30
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Clark TJ, Hebblewhite M. Predator control may not increase ungulate populations in the future: A formal meta‐analysis. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. J. Clark
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT USA
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT USA
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31
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Proffitt KM, Garrott R, Gude JA, Hebblewhite M, Jimenez B, Paterson JT, Rotella J. Integrated Carnivore‐Ungulate Management: A Case Study in West‐Central Montana. WILDLIFE MONOGRAPHS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wmon.1056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M. Proffitt
- Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks 1400 South 19th Street Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Robert Garrott
- Department of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program Montana State University 310 Lewis Hall Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Justin A. Gude
- Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks 1420 E 6th Ave Helena MT 59620 USA
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Benjamin Jimenez
- Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks 3201 Spurgin Road Missoula MT 59804 USA
| | - J. Terrill Paterson
- Department of Ecology Montana State University 310 Lewis Hall Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Jay Rotella
- Department of Ecology Montana State University 310 Lewis Hall Bozeman MT 59718 USA
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33
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Lachish S, Brandell EE, Craft ME, Dobson AP, Hudson PJ, MacNulty DR, Coulson T. Investigating the Dynamics of Elk Population Size and Body Mass in a Seasonal Environment Using a Mechanistic Integral Projection Model. Am Nat 2020; 196:E23-E45. [PMID: 32673097 DOI: 10.1086/708723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Environmentally mediated changes in body size often underlie population responses to environmental change, yet this is not a universal phenomenon. Understanding when phenotypic change underlies population responses to environmental change is important for obtaining insights and robust predictions of population dynamics in a changing world. We develop a dynamic integral projection model that mechanistically links environmental conditions to demographic rates and phenotypic traits (body size) via changes in resource availability and individual energetics. We apply the model to the northern Yellowstone elk population and explore population responses to changing patterns of seasonality, incorporating the interdependence of growth, demography, and density-dependent processes operating through population feedback on available resources. We found that small changes in body size distributions can have large impacts on population dynamics but need not cause population responses to environmental change. Environmental changes that altered demographic rates directly, via increasing or decreasing resource availability, led to large population impacts in the absence of substantial changes to body size distributions. In contrast, environmentally driven shifts in body size distributions could occur with little consequence for population dynamics when the effect of environmental change on resource availability was small and seasonally restricted and when strong density-dependent processes counteracted expected population responses. These findings highlight that a robust understanding of how associations between body size and demography influence population responses to environmental change will require knowledge of the shape of the relationship between phenotypic distributions and vital rates, the population status with regard to its carrying capacity, and importantly the nature of the environmentally driven change in body size and carrying capacity.
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34
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Hurley MA, Hebblewhite M, Gaillard J. Competition for safe real estate, not food, drives density-dependent juvenile survival in a large herbivore. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5464-5475. [PMID: 32607167 PMCID: PMC7319175 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Density-dependent competition for food reduces vital rates, with juvenile survival often the first to decline. A clear prediction of food-based, density-dependent competition for large herbivores is decreasing juvenile survival with increasing density. However, competition for enemy-free space could also be a significant mechanism for density dependence in territorial species. How juvenile survival is predicted to change across density depends critically on the nature of predator-prey dynamics and spatial overlap among predator and prey, especially in multiple-predator systems. Here, we used a management experiment that reduced densities of a generalist predator, coyotes, and specialist predator, mountain lions, over a 5-year period to test for spatial density dependence mediated by predation on juvenile mule deer in Idaho, USA. We tested the spatial density-dependence hypothesis by tracking the fate of 251 juvenile mule deer, estimating cause-specific mortality, and testing responses to changes in deer density and predator abundance. Overall juvenile mortality did not increase with deer density, but generalist coyote-caused mortality did, but not when coyote density was reduced experimentally. Mountain lion-caused mortality did not change with deer density in the reference area in contradiction of the food-based competition hypothesis, but declined in the treatment area, opposite to the pattern of coyotes. These observations clearly reject the food-based density-dependence hypothesis for juvenile mule deer. Instead, our results provide support for the spatial density-dependence hypothesis that competition for enemy-free space increases predation by generalist predators on juvenile large herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology ProgramDepartment of Ecosystem Sciences and ConservationW.A. Franke College of Forestry and ConservationUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMTUSA
| | - Jean‐Michel Gaillard
- Laboratoire Biométrie & Biologie ÉvolutiveCNRSUMR‐CNRS 5558University Claude Bernard ‐ Lyon IVilleurbanne CedexFrance
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35
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Van de Kerk M, Arthur S, Bertram M, Borg B, Herriges J, Lawler J, Mangipane B, Lambert Koizumi C, Wendling B, Prugh L. Environmental Influences on Dall's Sheep Survival. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Van de Kerk
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington Seattle WA 98195 USA
| | - Stephen Arthur
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceArctic National Wildlife Refuge 101 12th Avenue, Room 236 Fairbanks AK 99701 USA
| | - Mark Bertram
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceYukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge 101 12th Avenue, Room 264 Fairbanks AK 99701 USA
| | - Bridget Borg
- U.S. National Park ServiceDenali National Park and Preserve P.O. Box 9 Denali Park AK 99755 USA
| | - Jim Herriges
- Bureau of Land ManagementEastern Interior Field Office 222 University Avenue Fairbanks AK 99709 USA
| | - James Lawler
- U.S. National Park ServiceInventory and Monitoring Program 240 West 5th Avenue Anchorage AK 99501 USA
| | - Buck Mangipane
- U.S. National Park ServiceLake Clark National Park Port Alsworth AK 99653 USA
| | | | - Brad Wendling
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1300 College Avenue Fairbanks AK 99701 USA
| | - Laura Prugh
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington Seattle WA 98195 USA
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36
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Wilmers CC, Metz MC, Stahler DR, Kohl MT, Geremia C, Smith DW. How climate impacts the composition of wolf-killed elk in northern Yellowstone National Park. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:1511-1519. [PMID: 32145069 PMCID: PMC7317765 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
While the functional response of predators is commonly measured, recent work has revealed that the age and sex composition of prey killed is often a better predictor of prey population dynamics because the reproductive value of adult females is usually higher than that of males or juveniles. Climate is often an important mediating factor in determining the composition of predator kills, but we currently lack a mechanistic understanding of how the multiple facets of climate interact with prey abundance and demography to influence the composition of predator kills. Over 20 winters, we monitored 17 wolf packs in Yellowstone National Park and recorded the sex, age and nutritional condition of kills of their dominant prey—elk—in both early and late winter periods when elk are in relatively good and relatively poor condition, respectively. Nutritional condition (as indicated by per cent marrow fat) of wolf‐killed elk varied markedly with summer plant productivity, snow water equivalent (SWE) and winter period. Moreover, marrow was poorer for wolf‐killed bulls and especially for calves than it was for cows. Wolf prey composition was influenced by a complex set of climatic and endogenous variables. In early winter, poor plant growth in either year t or t − 1, or relatively low elk abundance, increased the odds of wolves killing bulls relative to cows. Calves were most likely to get killed when elk abundance was high and when the forage productivity they experienced in utero was poor. In late winter, low SWE and a relatively large elk population increased the odds of wolves killing calves relative to cows, whereas low SWE and poor vegetation productivity 1 year prior together increased the likelihood of wolves killing a bull instead of a cow. Since climate has a strong influence on whether wolves prey on cows (who, depending on their age, are the key reproductive components of the population) or lower reproductive value of calves and bulls, our results suggest that climate can drive wolf predation to be more or less additive from year to year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher C Wilmers
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Matthew C Metz
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA.,Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Daniel R Stahler
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA
| | - Michel T Kohl
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Chris Geremia
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA
| | - Douglas W Smith
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA
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37
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Paterson JT, Proffitt K, Rotella J, Garrott R. An improved understanding of ungulate population dynamics using count data: Insights from western Montana. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226492. [PMID: 31869366 PMCID: PMC6927647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of ungulate populations is critical given their ecological and economic importance. In particular, the ability to evaluate the evidence for potential drivers of variation in population trajectories is important for informed management. However, the use of age ratio data (e.g., juveniles:adult females) as an index of variation in population dynamics is hindered by a lack of statistical power and difficult interpretation. Here, we show that the use of a population model based on count, classification and harvest data can dramatically improve the understanding of ungulate population dynamics by: 1) providing estimates of vital rates (e.g., per capita recruitment and population growth) that are easier to interpret and more useful to managers than age ratios and 2) increasing the power to assess potential sources of variation in key vital rates. We used a time series of elk (Cervus canadensis) spring count and classification data (2004 to 2016) and fall harvest data from hunting districts in western Montana to construct a population model to estimate vital rates and assess evidence for an association between a series of environmental covariates and indices of predator abundance on per capita recruitment rates of elk calves. Our results suggest that per capita recruitment rates were negatively associated with cold and wet springs, and severe winters, and positively associated with summer precipitation. In contrast, an analysis of the raw age ratio data failed to detect these relationships. Our approach based on a population model provided estimates of the region-wide mean per capita recruitment rate (mean = 0.25, 90% CI = 0.21, 0.29), temporal variation in hunting-district-specific recruitment rates (minimum = 0.09; 90% CI = [0.07, 0.11], maximum = 0.43; 90% CI = [0.38, 0.48]), and annual population growth rates (minimum = 0.83; 90% CI = [0.78, 0.87], maximum = 1.20; 90% CI = [1.11, 1.29]). We recommend using routinely collected population count and classification data and a population modeling approach rather than interpreting estimated age ratios as a substantial improvement in understanding population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Terrill Paterson
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kelly Proffitt
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Jay Rotella
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Robert Garrott
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
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38
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Freeman AR, Wood TJ, Bairos-Novak KR, Anderson WG, Hare JF. Gone girl: Richardson's ground squirrel offspring and neighbours are resilient to female removal. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190904. [PMID: 31598313 PMCID: PMC6774953 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Within matrilineal societies, the presence of mothers and female kin can greatly enhance survival and reproductive success owing to kin-biased alarm calling, cooperation in territory defence, protection from infanticidal conspecifics, joint care of young and enhanced access to resources. The removal of mothers by predators or disease is expected to increase the stress experienced by offspring via activation of their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increasing circulating glucocorticoids and reducing offspring survival and reproductive success. Yet, few studies have removed mothers in the post-weaning period to examine the assumed physiological and fitness consequences associated with these mortality events. We examined how the loss of a mother affects juvenile Richardson's ground squirrels' (Urocitellus richardsonii) faecal glucocorticoid metabolites and their survival. Given that neighbours are often close kin, we further hypothesized that conspecific removal would similarly diminish the fitness of neighbouring individuals. Upon removing the mother, we detected no impact on offspring or neighbouring conspecific faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in the removal year, or on overwinter survival in the following year. Furthermore, no impact on neighbour reproductive success was detected. Given the high predation rates of ground squirrels in wild populations, resilience to a changing social environment would prove adaptive for both surviving kin and non-kin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R. Freeman
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Thomas J. Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kevin R. Bairos-Novak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - W. Gary Anderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - James F. Hare
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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39
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Woodruff SP, Jimenez MD. Winter predation patterns of wolves in Northwestern Wyoming. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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40
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Wright CA, Mcroberts JT, Wiskirchen KH, Keller BJ, Millspaugh JJ. Landscape‐scale habitat characteristics and neonatal white‐tailed deer survival. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe A. Wright
- University of Montana, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and ConservationWildlife Biology Program 32 Campus Drive Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Jon T. Mcroberts
- University of Missouri, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences 302 Anheuser‐Busch Natural Resources Building Columbia MO 65211 USA
| | - Kevyn H. Wiskirchen
- Missouri Department of ConservationResource Science Division 3500 East Gans Road Columbia MO 65201 USA
| | - Barbara J. Keller
- Missouri Department of ConservationResource Science Division 3500 East Gans Road Columbia MO 65201 USA
| | - Joshua J. Millspaugh
- University of Montana, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and ConservationWildlife Biology Program 32 Campus Drive Missoula MT 59812 USA
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41
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Horne JS, Hurley MA, White CG, Rachael J. Effects of wolf pack size and winter conditions on elk mortality. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jon S. Horne
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game3316 16th Street Lewiston ID 83501 USA
| | - Mark A. Hurley
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game 600 South Walnut Street Boise ID 83712 USA
| | - Craig G. White
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game 324 South 417 East, Suite 1 Jerome ID 83338 USA
| | - Jon Rachael
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game 600 South Walnut Street Boise ID 83712 USA
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42
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Forrester TD, Wittmer HU. Predator identity and forage availability affect predation risk of juvenile black-tailed deer. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tavis D. Forrester
- T. D. Forrester (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6762-4115) , Dept of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, Univ. of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Heiko U. Wittmer
- H. U. Wittmer, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria Univ. of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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43
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Kautz TM, Belant JL, Beyer DE, Strickland BK, Petroelje TR, Sollmann R. Predator densities and white‐tailed deer fawn survival. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Kautz
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife ConservationState University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife ConservationState University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Dean E. Beyer
- Wildlife DivisionMichigan Department of Natural Resources1990 US Highway 41S Marquette MI 49855 USA
| | - Bronson K. Strickland
- Forest and Wildlife Research CenterMississippi State UniversityBox 9680 Mississippi State MS 39762 USA
| | - Tyler R. Petroelje
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife ConservationState University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of California–Davis Davis CA 95616 USA
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44
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Johnson BK, Jackson DH, Cook RC, Clark DA, Coe PK, Cook JG, Rearden SN, Findholt SL, Noyes JH. Roles of maternal condition and predation in survival of juvenile Elk in Oregon. WILDLIFE MONOGRAPHS 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/wmon.1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce K. Johnson
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Dewaine H. Jackson
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 4192 N. Umpqua Highway Roseburg OR 97470 USA
| | - Rachel C. Cook
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Darren A. Clark
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Priscilla K. Coe
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - John G. Cook
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Spencer N. Rearden
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Oregon State University; Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Scott L. Findholt
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - James H. Noyes
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
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45
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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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46
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Rowland MM, Wisdom MJ, Nielson RM, Cook JG, Cook RC, Johnson BK, Coe PK, Hafer JM, Naylor BJ, Vales DJ, Anthony RG, Cole EK, Danilson CD, Davis RW, Geyer F, Harris S, Irwin LL, McCoy R, Pope MD, Sager-Fradkin K, Vavra M. Modeling Elk Nutrition and Habitat Use in Western Oregon and Washington. WILDLIFE MONOGRAPHS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/wmon.1033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary M. Rowland
- U. S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Michael J. Wisdom
- U. S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Ryan M. Nielson
- Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), Inc.; 2121 Midpoint Drive, Suite 201 Fort Collins CO 80525 USA
| | - John G. Cook
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Rachel C. Cook
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Bruce K. Johnson
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Priscilla K. Coe
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Jennifer M. Hafer
- U. S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Bridgett J. Naylor
- U. S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - David J. Vales
- Muckleshoot Indian Tribe; 39015 172nd Avenue SE Auburn WA 98092 USA
| | - Robert G. Anthony
- Oregon State University; 1500 Southwest Jefferson Way Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Eric K. Cole
- U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; National Elk Refuge; P. O. Box 510, Jackson WY, 83001 USA
| | - Chris D. Danilson
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Region 4, 111 Sherman Street La Conner WA 98257 USA
| | - Ronald W. Davis
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana IL 61820 USA
| | - Frank Geyer
- Quileute Tribe; 401 Main Street La Push WA 98350 USA
| | - Scott Harris
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; 48 Devonshire Road Montesano WA 98563 USA
| | - Larry L. Irwin
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement; P. O. Box 68 Stevensville MT 59870 USA
| | - Robert McCoy
- Makah Forestry; P. O. Box 116 Neah Bay WA 98357 USA
| | | | - Kim Sager-Fradkin
- Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Natural Resources; 760 Stratton Road Port Angeles WA 98363 USA
| | - Martin Vavra
- U. S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station; 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
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47
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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48
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Tatman NM, Liley SG, Cain JW, Pitman JW. Effects of calf predation and nutrition on elk vital rates. J Wildl Manage 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M. Tatman
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; 1 Wildlife Way Santa Fe NM 87507 USA
| | - Stewart G. Liley
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; 1 Wildlife Way Santa Fe NM 87507 USA
| | - James W. Cain
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology; New Mexico State University; PO Box 30003, MSC 4901 Las Cruces NM 88033 USA
| | - James W. Pitman
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; 1 Wildlife Way Santa Fe NM 87507 USA
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49
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Bender LC, Rosas-Rosas OC, Hartsough MJ, Rodden CL, Morrow PC. Effect of predation on adult pronghorn Antilocapra americana (Antilocapridae) in New Mexico, Southwestern USA. MAMMALIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2018-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The effect of predation on ungulate populations remains contentious, despite a lack of evidence showing impacts in arid Southwestern USA populations where low precipitation and frequent drought limit ungulate nutritional condition. These conditions can increase predisposition of prey to mortality, which is prerequisite for predation to be compensatory. Consequently, we tested the effect of predation on adult pronghorn Antilocapra americana (Ord 1815) in two populations in arid New Mexico by modeling transformed annual survival rates as a function of predation rates. For this conservative test, a slope=0 indicates complete compensation, whereas a slope=−1 indicates complete additivity. The corrected slope of mortality potentially attributable to predation was >−0.14, and this result was consistent among individual populations. Thus, predation was primarily compensatory. Primarily compensatory predation was related to the relatively low condition of pronghorn individuals, as predated individuals were all below the mean condition of the population, similar to results seen in previous tests of the compensatory versus additive predation hypothesis in the arid Southwest USA. Conditions that predispose individual ungulates to mortality are present more often than not in arid environments, and thus managers should not assume that predation is limiting, regardless of predation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis C. Bender
- Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University , PO Box 30003, MSC 3AE , Las Cruces, NM 88003 , USA
| | - Octavio C. Rosas-Rosas
- Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus San Luis Potosí , Iturbide No. 73, Salinas de Hidalgo , San Luis Potosí, México C.P. 78600 , Mexico
| | - Matthew J. Hartsough
- Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University , PO Box 30003, MSC 3AE , Las Cruces, NM 88003 , USA
| | - Cristina L. Rodden
- U.S. Army, White Sands Missile Range, Environmental Stewardship Branch, WSMR , NM 88002 , USA
| | - Patrick C. Morrow
- U.S. Army, White Sands Missile Range, Environmental Stewardship Branch, WSMR , NM 88002 , USA
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50
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Creel S. The control of risk hypothesis: reactive vs. proactive antipredator responses and stress-mediated vs. food-mediated costs of response. Ecol Lett 2018; 21:947-956. [PMID: 29744982 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Inducible defences against predators evolve because they reduce the rate of direct predation, but this benefit is offset by the cost (if any) of defence. If antipredator responses carry costs, the effect of predators on their prey is partitioned into two components, direct killing and risk effects. There is considerable uncertainty about the strength of risk effects, the factors that affect their strength, and the mechanisms that underlie them. In some cases, antipredator responses are associated with a glucocorticoid stress response, and in other cases they are associated with trade-offs between food and safety, but there is no general theory to explain this variation. Here, I develop the control of risk (COR) hypothesis, predicting that proactive responses to predictable and controllable aspects of risk will generally have food-mediated costs, while reactive responses to unpredictable or uncontrollable aspects of predation risk will generally have stress-mediated costs. The hypothesis is grounded in laboratory studies of neuroendocrine stressors and field studies of food-safety trade-offs. Strong tests of the COR hypothesis will require more studies of responses to natural variation in predation risk and the physiological consequences of these responses, but its explanatory power can be illustrated with existing case studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Creel
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
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