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Avrin AC, Pekins CE, Wilmers CC, Sperry JH, Allen ML. Can a mesocarnivore fill the functional role of an apex predator? Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Avrin
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois Urbana Illinois USA
| | - Charles E. Pekins
- Fort Hood Natural Resources Management Branch United States Army Garrison Fort Hood Texas USA
| | - Christopher C. Wilmers
- Environmental Studies Department, Center for Integrated Spatial Research University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
| | - Jinelle H. Sperry
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois Urbana Illinois USA
- Engineer Research and Development Center United States Army Corps of Engineers Champaign Illinois USA
| | - Maximilian L. Allen
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois Urbana Illinois USA
- Illinois Natural History Survey University of Illinois Champaign Illinois USA
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2
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Jensen AJ, Marneweck CJ, Kilgo JC, Jachowski DS. Coyote diet in North America: geographic and ecological patterns during range expansion. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. Jensen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29631 USA
| | - Courtney J. Marneweck
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29631 USA
| | - John C. Kilgo
- USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station New Ellenton South Carolina 29809 USA
| | - David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29631 USA
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3
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Jachowski DS, Butler A, Eng RY, Gigliotti L, Harris S, Williams A. Identifying mesopredator release in multi‐predator systems: a review of evidence from North America. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University 258 Lehotsky Hall Clemson South Carolina29631USA
| | - Andrew Butler
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University 261 Lehotsky Hall Clemson South Carolina29631USA
| | - Robin Y.Y. Eng
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University 261 Lehotsky Hall Clemson South Carolina29631USA
| | - Laura Gigliotti
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University 261 Lehotsky Hall Clemson South Carolina29631USA
| | - Stephen Harris
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University 261 Lehotsky Hall Clemson South Carolina29631USA
| | - Amanda Williams
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University 261 Lehotsky Hall Clemson South Carolina29631USA
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Colborn AS, Kuntze CC, Gadsden GI, Harris NC. Spatial variation in diet-microbe associations across populations of a generalist North American carnivore. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:1952-1960. [PMID: 32445202 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Generalist species, by definition, exhibit variation in niche attributes that promote survival in changing environments. Increasingly, phenotypes previously associated with a species, particularly those with wide or expanding ranges, are dissolving and compelling greater emphasis on population-level characteristics. In the present study, we assessed spatial variation in diet characteristics, gut microbiome and associations between these two ecological traits across populations of coyotes Canis latrans. We highlight the influence of the carnivore community in shaping these relationships, as the coyote varied from being an apex predator to a subordinate, mesopredator across sampled populations. We implemented a scat survey across three distinct coyote populations in Michigan, USA. We used carbon (δ13 C) and nitrogen (δ15 N) isotopic values to reflect consumption patterns and trophic level, respectively. Corresponding samples were also paired with 16S rRNA sequencing to describe the microbial community and correlate with isotopic values. Although consumption patterns were comparable, we found spatial variation in trophic level among coyote populations. Specifically, δ15 N was highest where coyotes were the apex predator and lowest where coyotes co-occurred with grey wolves Canis lupus. The gut microbial community exhibited marked spatial variation across populations with the lowest operational taxonomic units diversity found where coyotes occurred at their lowest trophic level. Bacteriodes and Fusobacterium dominated the microbiome and were positively correlated across all populations. We found no correlation between δ13 C and microbial community attributes. However, positive associations between δ15 N and specific microbial genera increased as coyotes ascended trophic levels. Coyotes provide a model for exploring implications of niche plasticity because they are a highly adaptable, wide-ranging omnivore. As coyotes continue to vary in trophic position and expand their geographic range, we might expect increased divergence within their microbial community, changes in physiology and alterations in behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shawn Colborn
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Corbin C Kuntze
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gabriel I Gadsden
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nyeema C Harris
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Tsunoda H, Newman C, Peeva S, Raichev E, Buesching CD, Kaneko Y. Spatio-temporal partitioning facilitates mesocarnivore sympatry in the Stara Planina Mountains, Bulgaria. ZOOLOGY 2020; 141:125801. [PMID: 32563175 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The top trophic level in many terrestrial food webs is typically occupied by mammalian carnivores (Order Carnivora) that broadly affect and shape ecosystems through trophic cascades. Their inter-specific interactions can further complicate effects on community dynamics as a consequence of intra-guild competition. The capacity for competitive mammalian carnivores to segregate their hunting and activity regimes is in major part a function of their similarity, in terms of body-size and dietary niche; termed the 'niche variation hypothesis'. In this study, we used camera-trapping to investigate intra-guild interactions and spatio-temporal partitioning among five mesocarnivores, the golden jackal (Canis aureus), European badger (Meles meles), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), European wildcat (Felis sylvestris) and stone marten (Martes foina), in the Stara Planina Mountains, Bulgaria. We collected a total of 444 images of golden jackals, 236 images of European badgers, 200 images of red foxes, 171 images of stone martens, and 145 images of European wildcats, from 6612 camera-days across fifteen camera-trapping stations. With respect to body size, the three smaller species (fox, wildcat and marten) were active in different time periods than the two larger competitors (jackal and badger) through both the warm and cold season. The more similar the trophic niche between species pairs (particularly relating to rodent consumption), the greater the spatio-temporal partitioning we observed within the pair; however, this adapted to seasonal dietary shifts. In conclusion, spatial and temporal (fine-scale and seasonal) niche partitioning appeared to reduce encounter probabilities and competition and may act to facilitate sympatric coexistence among this regional mesocarnivore guild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Tsunoda
- Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo-shi, Saitama, 347-0115, Japan.
| | - Chris Newman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney, Abingdon, Oxon, OX13 5QL, UK.
| | - Stanislava Peeva
- Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Student's Campus, Stara Zagora, 6000, Bulgaria.
| | - Evgeniy Raichev
- Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Student's Campus, Stara Zagora, 6000, Bulgaria.
| | - Christina D Buesching
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney, Abingdon, Oxon, OX13 5QL, UK.
| | - Yayoi Kaneko
- Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
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Pedersen S, Angelstam P, Ferguson MA, Wabakken P, Storaas T. Impacts of wolves on rural economies from recreational small game hunting. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1319-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Centralized management of large carnivore populations in rural and remote landscapes used by local people often leads to conflicts between the objectives of wildlife conservation and rural development. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of wolves indirectly reduces landowner revenues from traditional small game hunting, and that landowner revenues are more variable closer to wolf territories. The assumed mechanism is that hunters fear that their economically and culturally valuable hunting dogs may be killed by wolves, which results in reduced hunting, and thus reduced revenues for landowners where and when wolves occur. To determine the effect of wolf presence on revenues from sport hunting, we obtained data from 1990 to 2009 on income from small game management areas, in Hedmark and Oppland Counties in Norway, as well as locations of wolf territories. Small game management areas experienced increased sport hunting revenue with increasing distance to the closest wolf territory. Also, inter-annual variation in revenue decreased with increasing distance from wolf territories. Thus, wolf presence may reduce landowners’ revenues from small game hunting, and cause higher economic variability in rural communities. It is important to note that while the economic impacts of wolves may be compensated where governments have the will and the economic resources, the impacts on the lifestyles of rural people (e.g. hunter’s fear of losing prized dogs to wolves) will remain controversial.
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DeSantis LR, Crites JM, Feranec RS, Fox-Dobbs K, Farrell AB, Harris JM, Takeuchi GT, Cerling TE. Causes and Consequences of Pleistocene Megafaunal Extinctions as Revealed from Rancho La Brea Mammals. Curr Biol 2019; 29:2488-2495.e2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.06.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Baird AB, Robinson MJ, Bickham JW. The role of the American Society of Mammalogists in mammalian conservation: from politics to conservation genetics. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amy B Baird
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Houston - Downtown, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - John W Bickham
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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9
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Spatial organization in wolves Canis lupus recolonizing north-west Poland: Large territories at low population density. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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10
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Haswell PM, Jones KA, Kusak J, Hayward MW. Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators. Oecologia 2018; 187:573-583. [PMID: 29654482 PMCID: PMC6018578 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4133-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Where direct killing is rare and niche overlap low, sympatric carnivores may appear to coexist without conflict. Interference interactions, harassment and injury from larger carnivores may still pose a risk to smaller mesopredators. Foraging theory suggests that animals should adjust their behaviour accordingly to optimise foraging efficiency and overall fitness, trading off harvest rate with costs to fitness. The foraging behaviour of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, was studied with automated cameras and a repeated measures giving-up density (GUD) experiment where olfactory risk cues were manipulated. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, red foxes increased GUDs by 34% and quitting harvest rates by 29% in response to wolf urine. In addition to leaving more food behind, foxes also responded to wolf urine by spending less time visiting food patches each day and altering their behaviour in order to compensate for the increased risk when foraging from patches. Thus, red foxes utilised olfaction to assess risk and experienced foraging costs due to the presence of a cue from gray wolves, Canis lupus. This study identifies behavioural mechanisms which may enable competing predators to coexist, and highlights the potential for additional ecosystem service pathways arising from the behaviour of large carnivores. Given the vulnerability of large carnivores to anthropogenic disturbance, a growing human population and intensifying resource consumption, it becomes increasingly important to understand ecological processes so that land can be managed appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Haswell
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
- UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Butlers Farm, Beenham, Berkshire, RG7 5NT, UK.
| | - Katherine A Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Josip Kusak
- Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matt W Hayward
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
- School of Environment Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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12
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Cooke BD, Soriguer RC. Do dingoes protect Australia's small mammal fauna from introduced mesopredators? Time to consider history and recent events. FOOD WEBS 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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14
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Newsome TM, Fleming PJS, Dickman CR, Doherty TS, Ripple WJ, Ritchie EG, Wirsing AJ. Making a New Dog? Bioscience 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/bix022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Flagel DG, Belovsky GE, Cramer MJ, Beyer DE, Robertson KE. Fear and loathing in a Great Lakes forest: cascading effects of competition between wolves and coyotes. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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16
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Lyly MS, Villers A, Koivisto E, Helle P, Ollila T, Korpimäki E. Avian top predator and the landscape of fear: responses of mammalian mesopredators to risk imposed by the golden eagle. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:503-14. [PMID: 25691975 PMCID: PMC4314280 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 11/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Top predators may induce extensive cascading effects on lower trophic levels, for example, through intraguild predation (IGP). The impacts of both mammalian and avian top predators on species of the same class have been extensively studied, but the effects of the latter upon mammalian mesopredators are not yet as well known. We examined the impact of the predation risk imposed by a large avian predator, the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos, L.), on its potential mammalian mesopredator prey, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes, L.), and the pine marten (Martes martes, L.). The study combined 23 years of countrywide data from nesting records of eagles and wildlife track counts of mesopredators in Finland, northern Europe. The predation risk of the golden eagle was modeled as a function of territory density, density of fledglings produced, and distance to nearest active eagle territory, with the expectation that a high predation risk would reduce the abundances of smaller sized pine martens in particular. Red foxes appeared not to suffer from eagle predation, being in fact most numerous close to eagle nests and in areas with more eagle territories. This is likely due to similar prey preferences of the two predators and the larger size of foxes enabling them to escape eagle predation risk. Somewhat contrary to our prediction, the abundance of pine martens increased from low to intermediate territory density and at close proximity to eagle nests, possibly because of similar habitat preferences of martens and eagles. We found a slightly decreasing trend of marten abundance at high territory density, which could indicate that the response in marten populations is dependent on eagle density. However, more research is needed to better establish whether mesopredators are intimidated or predated by golden eagles, and whether such effects could in turn cascade to lower trophic levels, benefitting herbivorous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari S Lyly
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Alexandre Villers
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku FI-20014, Turku, Finland ; Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé UMR 7372, CNRS & Université de La Rochelle 79360, Beauvoir sur Niort, France
| | - Elina Koivisto
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Pekka Helle
- Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Oulu Game and Fisheries Research, University of Oulu POB 413, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuomo Ollila
- Finnish Forest and Park Services, Natural Heritage Services POB 8016, FI-96101, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Erkki Korpimäki
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku FI-20014, Turku, Finland
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Newsome TM, Ripple WJ. A continental scale trophic cascade from wolves through coyotes to foxes. J Anim Ecol 2014; 84:49-59. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Newsome
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society; Oregon State University; Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - William J. Ripple
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society; Oregon State University; Corvallis OR 97331 USA
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Ripple WJ, Estes JA, Beschta RL, Wilmers CC, Ritchie EG, Hebblewhite M, Berger J, Elmhagen B, Letnic M, Nelson MP, Schmitz OJ, Smith DW, Wallach AD, Wirsing AJ. Status and ecological effects of the world's largest carnivores. Science 2014; 343:1241484. [PMID: 24408439 DOI: 10.1126/science.1241484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1579] [Impact Index Per Article: 157.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Large carnivores face serious threats and are experiencing massive declines in their populations and geographic ranges around the world. We highlight how these threats have affected the conservation status and ecological functioning of the 31 largest mammalian carnivores on Earth. Consistent with theory, empirical studies increasingly show that large carnivores have substantial effects on the structure and function of diverse ecosystems. Significant cascading trophic interactions, mediated by their prey or sympatric mesopredators, arise when some of these carnivores are extirpated from or repatriated to ecosystems. Unexpected effects of trophic cascades on various taxa and processes include changes to bird, mammal, invertebrate, and herpetofauna abundance or richness; subsidies to scavengers; altered disease dynamics; carbon sequestration; modified stream morphology; and crop damage. Promoting tolerance and coexistence with large carnivores is a crucial societal challenge that will ultimately determine the fate of Earth's largest carnivores and all that depends upon them, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Ripple
- Trophic Cascades Program, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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19
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Kamler JF, Stenkewitz U, Macdonald DW. Lethal and sublethal effects of black-backed jackals on cape foxes and bat-eared foxes. J Mammal 2013. [DOI: 10.1644/12-mamm-a-122.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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20
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Barraquand F, Murrell DJ. Scaling up predator-prey dynamics using spatial moment equations. Methods Ecol Evol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Barraquand
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizeé; CNRS Beauvoir-sur-Niort France
- Université Pierre and Marie Curie - Paris 6; Paris France
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology; University of Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
| | - David J. Murrell
- Department of Genetics, Environment and Evolution; University College London; Darwin Building London UK
- CoMPLEX; University College London; Physics Building London UK
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