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Collins AC, Vickers TW, Shilling FM. Behavioral responses to anthropogenic noise at highways vary across temporal scales. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.891595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise is pervasive across the landscape and can be present at two temporal scales: acute (occurring sporadically and stochastically over the shortest time scales, e.g., milliseconds), and chronic (more persistent than instantaneous and occurring over longer timescales, e.g., minutes, days). Acute and chronic anthropogenic noise may induce a behavioral fear-mediated response in wildlife that is analogous to a prey response to predators. Understanding wildlife responses to anthropogenic noise is especially important in the case of wildlife crossing structures that provide wildlife with access to resources across busy roadways. Focusing on two species common at wildlife crossing structures, mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and coyotes (Canis latrans), we addressed the hypotheses that (1) acute traffic noise causes flight behavior; and (2) chronic traffic noise causes changes in a range of behaviors associated with the vigilance–foraging trade-off (vigilance, running, and foraging). We placed camera traps at entrances to ten crossing structures for a period of ∼ 2 months each throughout California, USA. Mule deer and coyotes demonstrated a flight response to acute traffic noise at entrances to crossing structures. Both species demonstrated shifts in behavioral response to chronic traffic noise within and among structures. Coyote behavior was indicative of fear, demonstrating increased vigilance at louder times within crossing structures, and switching from vigilance to running activity at louder crossings. Mule deer responded positively, increasing foraging at both spatial scales, and demonstrating decreased vigilance at louder structures, potentially using crossing structures as a Human Shield. Our results are the first to demonstrate that anthropogenic noise at crossing structures could alter wildlife passage, and that variations in fear response to anthropogenic noise exist across temporal, spatial, and amplitude scales. This dynamic response could alter natural predator-prey interactions and scale up to ecosystem-level consequences such as trophic cascades in areas with roads.
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Lunn RB, Blackwell BF, DeVault TL, Fernández-Juricic E. Can we use antipredator behavior theory to predict wildlife responses to high-speed vehicles? PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267774. [PMID: 35551549 PMCID: PMC9098083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals seem to rely on antipredator behavior to avoid vehicle collisions. There is an extensive body of antipredator behavior theory that have been used to predict the distance/time animals should escape from predators. These models have also been used to guide empirical research on escape behavior from vehicles. However, little is known as to whether antipredator behavior models are appropriate to apply to an approaching high-speed vehicle scenario. We addressed this gap by (a) providing an overview of the main hypotheses and predictions of different antipredator behavior models via a literature review, (b) exploring whether these models can generate quantitative predictions on escape distance when parameterized with empirical data from the literature, and (c) evaluating their sensitivity to vehicle approach speed using a simulation approach wherein we assessed model performance based on changes in effect size with variations in the slope of the flight initiation distance (FID) vs. approach speed relationship. The slope of the FID vs. approach speed relationship was then related back to three different behavioral rules animals may rely on to avoid approaching threats: the spatial, temporal, or delayed margin of safety. We used literature on birds for goals (b) and (c). Our review considered the following eight models: the economic escape model, Blumstein's economic escape model, the optimal escape model, the perceptual limit hypothesis, the visual cue model, the flush early and avoid the rush (FEAR) hypothesis, the looming stimulus hypothesis, and the Bayesian model of escape behavior. We were able to generate quantitative predictions about escape distance with the last five models. However, we were only able to assess sensitivity to vehicle approach speed for the last three models. The FEAR hypothesis is most sensitive to high-speed vehicles when the species follows the spatial (FID remains constant as speed increases) and the temporal margin of safety (FID increases with an increase in speed) rules of escape. The looming stimulus effect hypothesis reached small to intermediate levels of sensitivity to high-speed vehicles when a species follows the delayed margin of safety (FID decreases with an increase in speed). The Bayesian optimal escape model reached intermediate levels of sensitivity to approach speed across all escape rules (spatial, temporal, delayed margins of safety) but only for larger (> 1 kg) species, but was not sensitive to speed for smaller species. Overall, no single antipredator behavior model could characterize all different types of escape responses relative to vehicle approach speed but some models showed some levels of sensitivity for certain rules of escape behavior. We derive some applied applications of our findings by suggesting the estimation of critical vehicle approach speeds for managing populations that are especially susceptible to road mortality. Overall, we recommend that new escape behavior models specifically tailored to high-speeds vehicles should be developed to better predict quantitatively the responses of animals to an increase in the frequency of cars, airplanes, drones, etc. they will face in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan B. Lunn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Bradley F. Blackwell
- USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Sandusky, OH, United States of America
| | - Travis L. DeVault
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Jackson, SC, United States of America
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Brieger F, Kämmerle JL, Hagen R, Suchant R. Behavioural reactions to oncoming vehicles as a crucial aspect of wildlife-vehicle collision risk in three common wildlife species. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2022; 168:106564. [PMID: 35183917 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) strongly impact road safety. While technical aspects of collision risk and the effects of roads on animal populations are well studied, knowledge about wildlife behaviour prior to and during contact with oncoming vehicles as a crucial aspect of collision risk is still lacking. We analysed 28,400 hours of video data (thermal network cameras at 14 road sections in south-west Germany) with 2,841 animal-vehicle encounters (1,960 roe deer, Capreolus capreolus, 696 red fox, Vulpes vulpes and 185 wild boar, Sus scrofa) and classified animal behaviour before and during contact with a vehicle. We fitted two sets of models to the data. In the first step, we modelled the intensity of the behavioural reaction exhibited by the animals as a function of behavioural and environmental predictors using ordinal Bayesian mixed-effect regression models. In a second step, we modelled the probability of a positive vs. a negative behavioural response in terms of WVC risk using binomial mixed-effect regression models. Both the intensity of behavioural reactions as well as the degree of risk during the interaction with oncoming vehicles differed among the species and as a function of road section layout. Our results showed that animal attentiveness, the behaviour a priori, access to cover, vehicle type and biological seasonality were important predictors of an animal's response to oncoming vehicles. More specifically, roe deer reacted to oncoming vehicles mostly with short movements away from the road, foxes often reacted unpredictably and wild boar behaviour appeared to be least affected by oncoming vehicles. Thus, we suggest that collision risk for common European mammals is shaped by the interplay of vehicle type, the road layout as well as the species-specific behavioural repertoire including the attentiveness of the animal and the behavioural state prior to an approaching vehicle. In addition, wildlife warning reflectors, a frequently used technique in WVC mitigation, did not alter behavioural reactions and thus failed to reduce WVC risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falko Brieger
- Wildlife Institute, Forest Research Institute of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Wonnhaldestraße 4, 79100 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Jim-Lino Kämmerle
- Wildlife Institute, Forest Research Institute of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Wonnhaldestraße 4, 79100 Freiburg, Germany; Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstraße 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Hagen
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rudi Suchant
- Wildlife Institute, Forest Research Institute of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Wonnhaldestraße 4, 79100 Freiburg, Germany
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DeVault TL, Seamans TW, Blackwell BF. Frontal vehicle illumination via rear‐facing lighting reduces potential for collisions with white‐tailed deer. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Travis L. DeVault
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Sandusky Ohio44870USA
| | - Thomas W. Seamans
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Sandusky Ohio44870USA
| | - Bradley F. Blackwell
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Sandusky Ohio44870USA
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Blackwell BF, Seamans TW, DeVault TL, Lima SL, Pfeiffer MB, Fernández-Juricic E. Social information affects Canada goose alert and escape responses to vehicle approach: implications for animal-vehicle collisions. PeerJ 2019; 7:e8164. [PMID: 31871837 PMCID: PMC6924344 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal-vehicle collisions represent substantial sources of mortality for a variety of taxa and can pose hazards to property and human health. But there is comparatively little information available on escape responses by free-ranging animals to vehicle approach versus predators/humans. METHODS We examined responses (alert distance and flight-initiation distance) of focal Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) to vehicle approach (15.6 m·s-1) in a semi-natural setting and given full opportunity to escape. We manipulated the direction of the vehicle approach (direct versus tangential) and availability of social information about the vehicle approach (companion group visually exposed or not to the vehicle). RESULTS We found that both categorical factors interacted to affect alert and escape behaviors. Focal geese used mostly personal information to become alert to the vehicle under high risk scenarios (direct approach), but they combined personal and social information to become alert in low risk scenarios (tangential approach). Additionally, when social information was not available from the companion group, focal birds escaped at greater distances under direct compared to tangential approaches. However, when the companion group could see the vehicle approaching, focal birds escaped at similar distances irrespective of vehicle direction. Finally, geese showed a greater tendency to take flight when the vehicle approached directly, as opposed to a side step or walking away from the vehicle. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that the perception of risk to vehicle approach (likely versus unlikely collision) is weighted by the availability of social information in the group; a phenomenon not described before in the context of animal-vehicle interactions. Notably, when social information is available, the effects of heightened risk associated with a direct approach might be reduced, leading to the animal delaying the escape, which could ultimately increase the chances of a collision. Also, information on a priori escape distances required for surviving a vehicle approach (based on species behavior and vehicle approach speeds) can inform planning, such as location of designated cover or safe areas. Future studies should assess how information from vehicle approach flows within a flock, including aspects of vehicle speed and size, metrics that affect escape decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley F. Blackwell
- National Widlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sandusky, OH, USA
| | - Thomas W. Seamans
- National Widlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sandusky, OH, USA
| | - Travis L. DeVault
- National Widlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sandusky, OH, USA
| | - Steven L. Lima
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA
| | - Morgan B. Pfeiffer
- National Widlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sandusky, OH, USA
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Blackwell BF, Seamans TW, Fernández‐Juricic E, Devault TL, Outward RJ. Avian responses to aircraft in an airport environment. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bradley F. Blackwell
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceWildlife ServicesNational Wildlife Research Center6100 Columbus AvenueClevelandOH44870USA
| | - Thomas W. Seamans
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceWildlife ServicesNational Wildlife Research Center6100 Columbus AvenueClevelandOH44870USA
| | | | - Travis L. Devault
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceWildlife ServicesNational Wildlife Research Center6100 Columbus AvenueClevelandOH44870USA
| | - Randy J. Outward
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceWildlife Services1501 N. Marginal RdClevelandOH44114USA
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DeVault T, Seamans T, Blackwell B, Lima S, Fernández-Juricic E. Individual variation in avian avoidance behaviours in response to repeated, simulated vehicle approach. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Birds exhibit variation in alert and flight behaviours in response to vehicles within and between species, but it is unclear how properties inherent to individuals influence variation in avoidance responses over time. We examined individual variation in avoidance behaviours of Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater (Boddaert, 1783)) in response to repeated presentation of a simulated vehicle approach in a video playback scenario. We modeled temporal alert and flight behaviours to determine whether overall behavioural variation resulted primarily from variation within individuals (i.e., intraindividual variation) or between individuals (i.e., interindividual variation). We examined reaction norms (individual × treatment day) and whether birds showed plasticity in responses via habituation or sensitization. Repeatability in the response metrics for individuals was low (∼0.22 for alert and flight), indicating that model variation was due primarily to within-individual variation rather than between-individual variation. We observed sensitization in alert responses over time, but no sensitization or habituation in flight responses. Our results indicate that individuals learned to anticipate the vehicle approach but did not vary their escape behaviour, suggesting that alert and flight behaviours might be affected differently by cues associated with oncoming objects or experience with them. We consider our findings in light of the ongoing development of strategies to reduce animal–vehicle collisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- T.L. DeVault
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 6100 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
| | - T.W. Seamans
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 6100 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
| | - B.F. Blackwell
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, 6100 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
| | - S.L. Lima
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, 600 Chestnut Street, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - E. Fernández-Juricic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, Lilly Hall G-302, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Brieger F, Hagen R, Kröschel M, Hartig F, Petersen I, Ortmann S, Suchant R. Do roe deer react to wildlife warning reflectors? A test combining a controlled experiment with field observations. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-017-1130-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Blackwell BF, DeVault TL, Fernández-Juricic E, Gese EM, Gilbert-Norton L, Breck SW. No single solution: application of behavioural principles in mitigating human–wildlife conflict. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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The effects of radar on avian behavior: Implications for wildlife management at airports. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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DeVault TL, Blackwell BF, Seamans TW, Lima SL, Fernández-Juricic E. Speed kills: ineffective avian escape responses to oncoming vehicles. Proc Biol Sci 2015; 282:20142188. [PMID: 25567648 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.2188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal-vehicle collisions cause high levels of vertebrate mortality worldwide, and what goes wrong when animals fail to escape and ultimately collide with vehicles is not well understood. We investigated alert and escape behaviours of captive brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in response to virtual vehicle approaches of different sizes and at speeds ranging from 60 to 360 km h(-1). Alert and flight initiation distances remained similar across vehicle speeds, and accordingly, alert and flight initiation times decreased at higher vehicle speeds. Thus, avoidance behaviours in cowbirds appeared to be based on distance rather than time available for escape, particularly at 60-150 km h(-1); however, at higher speeds (more than or equal to 180 km h(-1)) no trend in response behaviour was discernible. As vehicle speed increased, cowbirds did not have enough time to assess the approaching vehicle, and cowbirds generally did not initiate flight with enough time to avoid collision when vehicle speed exceeded 120 km h(-1). Although potentially effective for evading predators, the decision-making process used by cowbirds in our study appears maladaptive in the context of avoiding fast-moving vehicles. Our methodological approach and findings provide a framework to assess how novel management strategies could affect escape rules, and the sensory and cognitive abilities animals use to avoid vehicle collisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis L DeVault
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
| | - Bradley F Blackwell
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
| | - Thomas W Seamans
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
| | - Steven L Lima
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
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