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Sells SN, Costello CM. Predicting future grizzly bear habitat use in the Bitterroot Ecosystem under recolonization and reintroduction scenarios. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308043. [PMID: 39231120 PMCID: PMC11373846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Many conservation actions must be implemented with limited data. This is especially true when planning recovery efforts for extirpated populations, such as grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) within the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE), where strategies for reestablishing a resident population are being evaluated. Here, we applied individual-based movement models developed for a nearby grizzly bear population to predict habitat use in and near the BE, under scenarios of natural recolonization, reintroduction, and a combination. All simulations predicted that habitat use by grizzly bears would be higher in the northern half of the study area. Under the natural recolonization scenario, use was concentrated in Montana, but became more uniform across the northern BE in Idaho over time. Use was more concentrated in east-central Idaho under the reintroduction scenario. Assuming that natural recolonization continues even if bears are reintroduced, use remained widespread across the northern half of the BE and surrounding areas. Predicted habitat maps for the natural recolonization scenario aligned well with outlier and GPS collar data available for grizzly bears in the study area, with Spearman rank correlations of ≥0.93 and mean class values of ≥9.1 (where class 10 was the highest relative predicted use; each class 1-10 represented 10% of the landscape). In total, 52.4% of outlier locations and 79% of GPS collar locations were in class 10 in our predicted habitat maps for natural recolonization. Simulated grizzly bears selected habitats over a much larger landscape than the BE itself under all scenarios, including multiple-use and private lands, similar to existing populations that have expanded beyond recovery zones. This highlights the importance of recognizing and planning for the role of private lands in recovery efforts, including understanding resources needed to prevent and respond to human-grizzly bear conflict and maintain public acceptance of grizzly bears over a large landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Sells
- U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, Ecology and Evolution Program, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Cecily M Costello
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Kalispell, Montana, United States of America
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2
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Living high and at risk: predicting Andean bear occurrence and conflicts with humans in southeastern Peru. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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3
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Urbanek RE, Gillikin MN, Olfenbuttel C, Dukes CG. Survival of rehabilitated yearling American black bears. URSUS 2022. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-21-00013.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E. Urbanek
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Environmental Sciences, 601 S. College Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
| | - Mike N. Gillikin
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Environmental Sciences, 601 S. College Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
| | - Colleen Olfenbuttel
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, NCSU Centennial Campus, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Casey G. Dukes
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, NCSU Centennial Campus, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
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4
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Nowakowski K, Ważna A, Kurek P, Cichocki J, Bojarski J, Gabryś G. Long Arm of Motorway-The Impact of Fenced Road on the Mortality of European Badgers. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 69:429-437. [PMID: 34845534 PMCID: PMC8789629 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01570-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
We studied the impact of the new fenced and accident-safe motorway on the mortality of European badgers Meles meles on local roads in western Poland in 2010-2015. We monitored the badgers mortality on local roads of three categories: main roads, secondary roads and county roads. The study was conducted before and after the opening of the motorway in 2012. We hypothesized that the mortality of badgers is lower due to traffic concentration on motorway. Ninety two badgers were killed in collisions with vehicles on all monitored roads. Mean number of killed badgers was lowest in 2010 before the motorway opening and the highest in 2012. The mortality of badgers on regional roads was highest after the opening of the motorway due to the changes in traffic on the access roads. Within the road network, the mortality of badgers was 5.8 individuals/10 km of road per whole study period with the highest rate on main roads 8.5 individuals/10 km. The badgers mortality was highest on county roads but it was lower than expected in relation to the road network density. The highest vehicle collision risk for badgers of both sexes occurred in June. Distance to human settlements was the only environmental factor that was positively related to badger mortality on roads. We conclude that the new motorway did not reduce the mortality rate of badgers on the adjacent roads because the status of local roads has changed and now they mainly function as access roads to the motorway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Nowakowski
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana 1, 65-516, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Ważna
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana 1, 65-516, Zielona Góra, Poland.
| | - Przemysław Kurek
- Department of Plant Ecology and Environmental Protection, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jan Cichocki
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana 1, 65-516, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Jacek Bojarski
- Department of Mathematical Statistics and Econometrics, Institute of Mathematics, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana 4a, 65-516, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Gabryś
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana 1, 65-516, Zielona Góra, Poland
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Hughes C, Steenweg RJ, Vander Vennen LM, Melnycky NA, Fullerton L, Witiw JT, Morehouse A. Working Together for Grizzly Bears: A Collaborative Approach to Estimate Population Abundance in Northwest Alberta, Canada. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.719044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Grizzly bears are a threatened species in Alberta, Canada, and their conservation and management is guided by a provincial recovery plan. While empirical abundance and densities estimates have been completed for much of the province, empirical data are lacking for the northwest region of Alberta, a 2.8 million hectare area called Bear Management Area 1 (BMA 1). In part, this is due to limited staff capacity and funding to cover a vast geographic area, and a boreal landscape that is difficult to navigate. Using a collaborative approach, a multi-stakeholder working group called the Northwest Grizzly Bear Team (NGBT) was established to represent land use and grizzly bear interests across BMA 1. Collectively, we identified our project objectives using a Theory of Change approach, to articulate our interests and needs, and develop common ground to ultimately leverage human, social, financial and policy resources to implement the project. This included establishing 254 non-invasive genetic hair corral sampling sites across BMA 1, and using spatially explicit capture-recapture models to estimate grizzly bear density. Our results are two-fold: first we describe the process of developing and then operating within a collaborative, multi-stakeholder governance arrangement, and demonstrate how our approach was key to both improving relationships across stakeholders but also delivering on our grizzly bear project objectives; and, secondly we present the first-ever grizzly bear population estimate for BMA 1, including identifying 16 individual bears and estimating density at 0.70 grizzly bears/1,000 km2-the lowest recorded density of an established grizzly bear population in Alberta. Our results are not only necessary for taking action on one of Alberta's iconic species at risk, but also demonstrate the value and power of collaboration to achieve a conservation goal.
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6
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McClelland CJ, Denny CK, Larsen TA, Stenhouse GB, Nielsen SE. Landscape estimates of carrying capacity for grizzly bears using nutritional energy supply for management and conservation planning. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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7
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Zubiria Perez A, Bone C, Stenhouse G. Simulating multi-scale movement decision-making and learning in a large carnivore using agent-based modelling. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Wilson AE, Wismer D, Stenhouse G, Coops NC, Janz DM. Landscape condition influences energetics, reproduction, and stress biomarkers in grizzly bears. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12124. [PMID: 34108541 PMCID: PMC8190091 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91595-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental change has been shown to influence mammalian distribution, habitat use, and behavior; however, few studies have investigated the impact on physiological function. This study aimed to determine the influence of landscape condition on the expression of target proteins related to energetics, reproduction, and stress in grizzly bears. We hypothesized that changes in landscape condition explains protein expression. Skin biopsies were collected from free-ranging grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada from 2013-2019 (n = 86 individuals). We used an information theoretic approach to develop 11 a priori candidate generalized linear mixed models to explain protein expression. We compared models using Akaike Information Criteria (AICc) weights and averaged models with ΔAICc < 2 for each protein. Food resources, represented by increased distance to coal mines and decreased crown closure, positively influenced energetic proteins (adiponectin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein). Proteins related to reproduction (ceruloplasmin and serpin B5) were positively associated with increased wetland and upland food resources in addition to movement, but negatively associated with increased distance to roads. One stress related protein, complement C3, was positively influenced by increased percent conifer. Given the need to detect emerging threats to wildlife, we suggest the assessment of physiological function will lead to improved monitoring of species in rapidly changing landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbey E. Wilson
- grid.25152.310000 0001 2154 235XDepartment of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4 Canada ,Toxicology Centre, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3 Canada
| | - Dan Wismer
- fRI Research, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3 Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- fRI Research, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3 Canada
| | - Nicholas C. Coops
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - David M. Janz
- grid.25152.310000 0001 2154 235XDepartment of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4 Canada ,Toxicology Centre, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3 Canada
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9
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Sorensen A, Denny C, McKay T, Stenhouse G. Response of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) to pipelines in Alberta. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 67:1158-1170. [PMID: 33738538 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01457-y] [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: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This research provides the first in-depth analysis of fine-scale grizzly bear habitat selection and movement patterns in response to the linear footprints cleared for below-ground pipelines in Alberta. Using an extensive set of GPS location data from collared grizzly bears, we were able to determine that grizzly bears selected for younger pipelines (mean age since last construction~6.5 years), which are known to have a greater abundance of important bear foods. Bears also selected for wider corridors that were disturbed for construction more than once. During the spring season, sex/age class was an important predictor of grizzly bear use of pipelines, with adult female bears more likely to use these features than other sex/age classes. Examination of movement patterns revealed that pipeline density influenced grizzly bears' movement rates and path straightness, particularly in the spring, when bears moved more slowly and movement paths were more tortuous in areas with higher pipeline densities. These movement patterns are consistent with foraging behavior and further indicate that bears are not exhibiting avoidance behaviors or displacement by pipeline features, and pipelines may be functioning as seasonally important foraging areas for grizzly bears in Alberta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Sorensen
- Wildlife Research Biologist, Grizzly Bear Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada.
| | - Catherine Denny
- Grizzly Bear Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - Tracy McKay
- Wildlife Biologist, Caribou Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- Research Scientist and Program Lead, Grizzly Bear Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada
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10
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Blackburn A, Heffelfinger LJ, Veals AM, Tewes ME, Young JH. Cats, cars, and crossings: The consequences of road networks for the conservation of an endangered felid. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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11
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Parsons B, Coops N, Kearney S, Burton A, Nelson T, Stenhouse G. Road visibility influences habitat selection by grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis). CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbances, including roads, are known to influence animal habitat selection and mortality. In this study, we consider the role of sensory perception in understanding why and how animals respond to disturbances. Our goal was to investigate the effect of visual perception (visibility) around roads on grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis Ord, 1815) habitat selection and mortality in Alberta, Canada. We used detailed topographic and vegetation data from airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) to estimate visibility around roads. We modelled habitat selection as a function of road visibility and environmental variables using GPS telemetry data from 39 grizzly bears and integrated step selection analysis (iSSA). Finally, we assessed mortality risk in visible areas by comparing habitat selection between grizzly bears that died and those that survived. We found that grizzly bears were less likely to select visible areas when moving slowly or resting, but were more likely to select visible areas when travelling. We found that grizzly bears that survived selected for areas farther from roads than grizzly bears that died. However, no difference in selection for visible areas was observed. An exploratory analysis showed that grizzly bear mortalities commonly occurred in visible areas. Our findings highlight the importance of sensory perception in understanding animal behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- B.M. Parsons
- Department of Forest Resources Management, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - N.C. Coops
- Department of Forest Resources Management, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - S.P. Kearney
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | - A.C. Burton
- Department of Forest Resources Management, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - T.A. Nelson
- Department of Geography, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-4060, USA
| | - G.B. Stenhouse
- fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3, Canada
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12
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Goodbody TR, Coops NC, Srivastava V, Parsons B, Kearney SP, Rickbeil GJ, Stenhouse GB. Mapping recreation and tourism use across grizzly bear recovery areas using social network data and maximum entropy modelling. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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13
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Wilson AE, Kearney S, Wismer D, Macbeth B, Stenhouse G, Coops NC, Janz DM. Population‐level monitoring of stress in grizzly bears between 2004 and 2014. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abbey E. Wilson
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences University of Saskatchewan 44 Campus Drive Saskatoon SaskatchewanS7N 5B3Canada
| | - Sean Kearney
- Department of Forest Resource Management University of British Columbia 2424 Main Mall Vancouver British ColumbiaV6T 1Z4Canada
| | - Dan Wismer
- Grizzly Bear Program Foothills Research Institute 1176 Switzer Drive Hinton AlbertaT7V 1V3Canada
| | - Bryan Macbeth
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development 2080 Labieux Road Nanaimo British ColumbiaV9T 6J9Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- Grizzly Bear Program Foothills Research Institute 1176 Switzer Drive Hinton AlbertaT7V 1V3Canada
| | - Nicholas C. Coops
- Department of Forest Resource Management University of British Columbia 2424 Main Mall Vancouver British ColumbiaV6T 1Z4Canada
| | - David M. Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences University of Saskatchewan 44 Campus Drive Saskatoon SaskatchewanS7N 5B3Canada
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14
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Wilson AE, Michaud SA, Jackson AM, Stenhouse G, Coops NC, Janz DM. Development and validation of protein biomarkers of health in grizzly bears. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa056. [PMID: 32607241 PMCID: PMC7311831 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Large carnivores play critical roles in the maintenance and function of natural ecosystems; however, the populations of many of these species are in decline across the globe. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel techniques that can be used as sensitive conservation tools to detect new threats to the health of individual animals well in advance of population-level effects. Our study aimed to determine the expression of proteins related to energetics, reproduction and stress in the skin of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) using a liquid chromatography and multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assay. We hypothesized that a suite of target proteins could be measured using this technique and that the expression of these proteins would be associated with biological (sex, age, sample location on body) and environmental (geographic area, season, sample year) variables. Small skin biopsies were collected from free-ranging grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada, from 2013 to 2019 (n = 136 samples from 111 individuals). Over 700 proteins were detected in the skin of grizzly bears, 19 of which were chosen as targets because of their established roles in physiological function. Generalized linear mixed model analysis was used for each target protein. Results indicate that sample year influenced the majority of proteins, suggesting that physiological changes may be driven in part by responses to changes in the environment. Season influenced the expression of proteins related to energetics, reproduction and stress, all of which were lower during fall compared to early spring. The expression of proteins related to energetics and stress varied by geographic area, while the majority of proteins that were affected by biological attributes (age class, sex and age class by sex interaction) were related to reproduction and stress. This study provides a novel method by which scientists and managers can further assess and monitor physiological function in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbey E Wilson
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Sarah A Michaud
- The University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, 4464 Markham St #3101, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Angela M Jackson
- The University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, 4464 Markham St #3101, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- Foothills Research Institute, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, Alberta T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - Nicholas C Coops
- Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - David M Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
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15
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Building a perceptual zone of influence for wildlife: delineating the effects of roads on grizzly bear movement. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-01390-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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16
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van der Marel RC, Holroyd PC, Duinker PN. Managing human footprint to achieve large-landscape conservation outcomes: Establishing density limits on motorized route-user networks in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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18
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Proctor MF, McLellan BN, Stenhouse GB, Mowat G, Lamb CT, Boyce MS. Effects of roads and motorized human access on grizzly bear populations in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. URSUS 2020. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-18-00016.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F. Proctor
- Birchdale Ecological, P.O. Box 606, Kaslo, British Columbia, V0G 1M0, Canada
| | - Bruce N. McLellan
- Ministry of Forest, Lands, & Natural Resource Operations, P.O. Box 1732, D'Arcy, British Columbia, V0N 1L0, Canada
| | | | - Garth Mowat
- Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4K3, Canada
| | - Clayton T. Lamb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
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19
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Thatte P, Chandramouli A, Tyagi A, Patel K, Baro P, Chhattani H, Ramakrishnan U. Human footprint differentially impacts genetic connectivity of four wide‐ranging mammals in a fragmented landscape. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Thatte
- National Center for Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore India
| | - Anuradha Chandramouli
- National Center for Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore India
| | - Abhinav Tyagi
- National Center for Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore India
| | - Kaushal Patel
- National Center for Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore India
| | - Phulmani Baro
- National Center for Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore India
| | - Himanshu Chhattani
- National Center for Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore India
| | - Uma Ramakrishnan
- National Center for Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore India
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20
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Gantchoff M, Conlee L, Belant J. Conservation implications of sex‐specific landscape suitability for a large generalist carnivore. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Gantchoff
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, College of Environmental Science and Forestry State University of New York Syracuse New York USA
| | - Laura Conlee
- Missouri Department of Conservation Columbia Missouri USA
| | - Jerrold Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, College of Environmental Science and Forestry State University of New York Syracuse New York USA
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21
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Lamb CT, Ford AT, Proctor MF, Royle JA, Mowat G, Boutin S. Genetic tagging in the Anthropocene: scaling ecology from alleles to ecosystems. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01876. [PMID: 30913353 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Anthropocene is an era of marked human impact on the world. Quantifying these impacts has become central to understanding the dynamics of coupled human-natural systems, resource-dependent livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. Ecologists are facing growing pressure to quantify the size, distribution, and trajectory of wild populations in a cost-effective and socially acceptable manner. Genetic tagging, combined with modern computational and genetic analyses, is an under-utilized tool to meet this demand, especially for wide-ranging, elusive, sensitive, and low-density species. Genetic tagging studies are now revealing unprecedented insight into the mechanisms that control the density, trajectory, connectivity, and patterns of human-wildlife interaction for populations over vast spatial extents. Here, we outline the application of, and ecological inferences from, new analytical techniques applied to genetically tagged individuals, contrast this approach with conventional methods, and describe how genetic tagging can be better applied to address outstanding questions in ecology. We provide example analyses using a long-term genetic tagging dataset of grizzly bears in the Canadian Rockies. The genetic tagging toolbox is a powerful and overlooked ensemble that ecologists and conservation biologists can leverage to generate evidence and meet the challenges of the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton T Lamb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Adam T Ford
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | | | - J Andrew Royle
- Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA
| | - Garth Mowat
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4K3, Canada
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
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22
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Berman EE, Coops NC, Kearney SP, Stenhouse GB. Grizzly bear response to fine spatial and temporal scale spring snow cover in Western Alberta. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215243. [PMID: 30970010 PMCID: PMC6457671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Snow dynamics influence seasonal behaviors of wildlife, such as denning patterns and habitat selection related to the availability of food resources. Under a changing climate, characteristics of the temporal and spatial patterns of snow are predicted to change, and as a result, there is a need to better understand how species interact with snow dynamics. This study examines grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) spring habitat selection and use across western Alberta, Canada. Made possible by newly available fine-scale snow cover data, this research tests a hypothesis that grizzly bears select for locations with less snow cover and areas where snow melts sooner during spring (den emergence to May 31st). Using Integrated Step Selection Analysis, a series of models were built to examine whether snow cover information such as fractional snow covered area and date of snow melt improved models constructed based on previous knowledge of grizzly bear selection during the spring. Comparing four different models fit to 62 individual bear-years, we found that the inclusion of fractional snow covered area improved model fit 60% of the time based on Akaike Information Criterion tallies. Probability of use was then used to evaluate grizzly bear habitat use in response to snow and environmental attributes, including fractional snow covered area, date since snow melt, elevation, and distance to road. Results indicate grizzly bears select for lower elevation, snow-free locations during spring, which has important implications for management of threatened grizzly bear populations in consideration of changing climatic conditions. This study is an example of how fine spatial and temporal scale remote sensing data can be used to improve our understanding of wildlife habitat selection and use in relation to key environmental attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan E. Berman
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicholas C. Coops
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sean P. Kearney
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Kearney SP, Coops NC, Stenhouse GB, Nelson TA. EcoAnthromes of Alberta: An example of disturbance-informed ecological regionalization using remote sensing. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 234:297-310. [PMID: 30634122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Humans influence ecosystems on magnitudes that often exceed that of natural forces such as climate and geology; however, frameworks rarely include anthropogenic disturbance when delineating unique ecological regions. A critical step toward understanding, managing and monitoring human-altered ecosystems is to incorporate disturbance into ecological regionalizations. Furthermore, quantitative regionalization approaches are desirable to provide cost-effective, repeatable and statistically sound stratification for environmental monitoring. We applied a two-stage multivariate clustering technique to identify 'EcoAnthromes' across a large area - the province of Alberta, Canada - at 30 m spatial resolution, and using primarily remotely sensed inputs. The EcoAnthrome clusters represent regions with unique ecological characteristics based on a combination of natural ecological potential (e.g., climatic and edaphic factors) and disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic. Compared to existing expert-derived Natural Subregions in Alberta, the model-based EcoAnthromes showed greater class separation and explained more variance for an assortment of variables related to land cover, disturbance and species intactness. The EcoAnthromes successfully separated important ecological regions that are defined by complex assemblages of topography, climate and disturbance, such as gravel-bed river valleys, boreal forests, grasslands, post-fire recovery areas and highly disturbed agricultural, industrial and urban landscapes. In addition to presenting a flexible method for EcoAnthrome regionalization, we group and describe the EcoAnthromes created for Alberta and discuss how they can complement expert-derived regionalizations to aid in environmental management efforts, such as species recovery planning and monitoring for threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Kearney
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - N C Coops
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - T A Nelson
- School of Geographic Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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24
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Find’o S, Skuban M, Kajba M, Chalmers J, Kalaš M. Identifying attributes associated with brown bear (Ursus arctos) road-crossing and roadkill sites. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation caused by transportation infrastructure is an issue of growing concern worldwide. We show how secondary roads may affect landscape permeability for brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758). We focused on identifying environmental variables that govern the selection of road-crossing zones by bears (crossing model). We also investigated whether variables that characterize road-crossing zones differ from those that are typical for bear–vehicle collision sites (collision model). The study area was located in north-central Slovakia. To identify road-crossing sites, we used the GPS fixes of 27 bears and identified 35 bear–vehicle collision sites from a different data set. We used mixed-effects logistic regression to model resource selection at road-crossing sites and to compare bear-crossing sites with bear-kill sites. The crossing model showed that the traffic volume with distance to forest and grassland were the most influential factors in bear selection of road-crossing sites. Results of the collision model indicated that successful road crossings by bears were located at different road sections from vehicle collisions, which differed by a traffic volume of 5000 vehicles/24 h. The outcomes of this study can facilitate improved mitigation measures on secondary roads.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Find’o
- Carpathian Wildlife Society, Tulská 2461/29, 961 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
- Slovak State Nature Conservancy, Tajovského 28 B, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - M. Skuban
- Carpathian Wildlife Society, Tulská 2461/29, 961 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - M. Kajba
- YMS, a. s. (Inc.), Hornopotočná 1, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
| | - J. Chalmers
- Carpathian Wildlife Society, Tulská 2461/29, 961 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - M. Kalaš
- Slovak State Nature Conservancy, Tajovského 28 B, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
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25
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Atuo FA, Saud P, Wyatt C, Determan B, Crose JA, O'Connell TJ. Are oil and natural gas development sites ecological traps for nesting killdeer? WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fidelis A. Atuo
- F. A. Atuo , C. Wyatt, B. Determan and T. J. O'Connell, Dept of Natural Resource Ecol
| | - Pradip Saud
- P. Saud, Dept of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces
| | - Case Wyatt
- F. A. Atuo , C. Wyatt, B. Determan and T. J. O'Connell, Dept of Natural Resource Ecol
| | - Benjamin Determan
- F. A. Atuo , C. Wyatt, B. Determan and T. J. O'Connell, Dept of Natural Resource Ecol
| | - Jodie A. Crose
- J. A. Crose, Dept of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Timothy J. O'Connell
- F. A. Atuo , C. Wyatt, B. Determan and T. J. O'Connell, Dept of Natural Resource Ecol
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26
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Ladle A, Avgar T, Wheatley M, Stenhouse GB, Nielsen SE, Boyce MS. Grizzly bear response to spatio‐temporal variability in human recreational activity. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ladle
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Tal Avgar
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Matthew Wheatley
- Department of Renewable ResourcesUniversity of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | | | - Scott E. Nielsen
- Department of Renewable ResourcesUniversity of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
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27
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Coogan SCP, Coops NC, Janz DM, Cattet MRL, Kearney SP, Stenhouse GB, Nielsen SE. Towards grizzly bear population recovery in a modern landscape. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean C. P. Coogan
- Department of Renewable ResourcesUniversity of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Nicholas C. Coops
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - David M. Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Saskatchewan Saskatoon SK Canada
| | - Marc R. L. Cattet
- RGL Recovery Wildlife Health & Veterinary Services Saskatoon SK Canada
| | - Sean P. Kearney
- Department of Forest Resources ManagementUniversity of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | | | - Scott E. Nielsen
- Department of Renewable ResourcesUniversity of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
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28
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Denny CK, Stenhouse GB, Nielsen SE. Scales of selection and perception: landscape heterogeneity of an important food resource influences habitat use by a large omnivore. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine K. Denny
- C. K. Denny and S. E. Nielsen, Dept of Renewable Resources, Univ. of Alberta, 7
| | | | - Scott E. Nielsen
- C. K. Denny and S. E. Nielsen, Dept of Renewable Resources, Univ. of Alberta, 7
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29
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Penteriani V, Delgado MDM, Krofel M, Jerina K, Ordiz A, Dalerum F, Zarzo-Arias A, Bombieri G. Evolutionary and ecological traps for brown bearsUrsus arctosin human-modified landscapes. Mamm Rev 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE); CSIC; Avda. Montañana 1005 50059 Zaragoza Spain
| | - María Del Mar Delgado
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources; Biotechnical Faculty; University of Ljubljana; Vecˇna pot 83 SI-1001 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Klemen Jerina
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources; Biotechnical Faculty; University of Ljubljana; Vecˇna pot 83 SI-1001 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management; Norwegian University of Life Sciences; Postbox 5003 NO-1432 Ås Norway
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
- Department of Zoology; Stockholm University; 10691 Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Zoology and Entomology; Mammal Research Institute (MRI); University of Pretoria; Private Bag X20 Hatfield 0028 South Africa
| | - Alejandra Zarzo-Arias
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
| | - Giulia Bombieri
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
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30
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Boulanger J, Nielsen SE, Stenhouse GB. Using spatial mark-recapture for conservation monitoring of grizzly bear populations in Alberta. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5204. [PMID: 29581471 PMCID: PMC5980105 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23502-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the challenges in conservation is determining patterns and responses in population density and distribution as it relates to habitat and changes in anthropogenic activities. We applied spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) methods, combined with density surface modelling from five grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) management areas (BMAs) in Alberta, Canada, to assess SECR methods and to explore factors influencing bear distribution. Here we used models of grizzly bear habitat and mortality risk to test local density associations using density surface modelling. Results demonstrated BMA-specific factors influenced density, as well as the effects of habitat and topography on detections and movements of bears. Estimates from SECR were similar to those from closed population models and telemetry data, but with similar or higher levels of precision. Habitat was most associated with areas of higher bear density in the north, whereas mortality risk was most associated (negatively) with density of bears in the south. Comparisons of the distribution of mortality risk and habitat revealed differences by BMA that in turn influenced local abundance of bears. Combining SECR methods with density surface modelling increases the resolution of mark-recapture methods by directly inferring the effect of spatial factors on regulating local densities of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Boulanger
- Integrated Ecological Research, 924 Innes St., Nelson, BC V1L 5T2, Canada.
| | - Scott E Nielsen
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 751 General Services Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada
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31
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Cattet M, Stenhouse GB, Boulanger J, Janz DM, Kapronczai L, Swenson JE, Zedrosser A. Can concentrations of steroid hormones in brown bear hair reveal age class? CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy001. [PMID: 29399362 PMCID: PMC5788069 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Although combining genetic and endocrine data from non-invasively collected hair samples has potential to improve the conservation of threatened mammals, few studies have evaluated this opportunity. In this study, we determined if steroid hormone (testosterone, progesterone, estradiol and cortisol) concentration profiles in 169 hair samples collected from free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) could be used to accurately discriminate between immature and adult bears within each sex. Because hair samples were acquired opportunistically, we also needed to establish if interactions between hormones and several non-hormone factors (ordinal day, year, contact method, study area) were associated with age class. For each sex, we first compared a suite of candidate models by Akaike Information Criteria model selection, using different adult-age thresholds (3, 4 and 5 years), to determine the most supported adult age. Because hair hormone levels better reflect the endocrine state at an earlier time, possibly during the previous year, then at the time of sampling, we re-analysed the data, excluding the records for bears at the adult-age threshold, to establish if classification accuracy improved. For both sexes, candidate models were most supported based on a 3-year-old adult-age threshold. Classification accuracy did not improve with the 3-year-old bear data excluded. Male age class was predicted with a high degree of accuracy (88.4%) based on the concomitant concentrations of all four hormones. Female age class was predicted with less accuracy (77.1%) based only on testosterone and cortisol. Accuracy was reduced for females, primarily because we had poor success in correctly classifying immature bears (60%) whereas classification success for adult females was similar to that for males (84.5%). Given the small and unbalanced sample used in this study, our findings should be viewed as preliminary, but they should also provide a basis for more comprehensive future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Cattet
- RGL Recovery Wildlife Health & Veterinary Services, 415 Mount Allison Crescent, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7H 4A6, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Gordon B Stenhouse
- fRI Research and Alberta Environment and Parks, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, Alberta T7V 1X6, Canada
| | - John Boulanger
- Integrated Ecological Research, 924 Innes Street, Nelson, British Columbia V1L 5T2, Canada
| | - David M Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Luciene Kapronczai
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Nature Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway and Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Telemark University College of Southeast Norway, NO-3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
- Department for Integrative Biology, Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna A-1180, Austria
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32
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Lamb CT, Mowat G, Reid A, Smit L, Proctor M, McLellan BN, Nielsen SE, Boutin S. Effects of habitat quality and access management on the density of a recovering grizzly bear population. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clayton T. Lamb
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Garth Mowat
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Nelson British Columbia Canada
| | - Aaron Reid
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Nelson British Columbia Canada
| | - Laura Smit
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Nelson British Columbia Canada
| | | | - Bruce N. McLellan
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Nelson British Columbia Canada
| | - Scott E. Nielsen
- Department of Renewable Resources; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta Canada
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33
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Dexter CE, Appleby RG, Scott J, Edgar JP, Jones DN. Individuals matter: predicting koala road crossing behaviour in south-east Queensland. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/am16043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The ability to predict the frequency with which koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) cross roads is an important step in developing mitigation strategies aimed at maintaining metapopulation viability for this species. In south-east Queensland, Australia, rapid urban development, including fragmentation and vehicle-related mortality, has contributed to a dramatic decline in local koala populations. Assessment of wildlife crossing structures that mitigates the impact of roads demonstrates these to be beneficial for many species. However, building enough structures to enable animals to move freely across impacted landscapes may be prohibitive in complex urban landscapes. The focus for this study was to consider the role of differing characteristics for species at risk. We examined the frequency of road crossings by individual koalas among six subpopulations in south-east Queensland. We explored the influence of potential predictor variables including: age, sex, and distance from roads. We established that road crossings were limited to a subset of individuals, with only 18 of 51 (~35%) koalas studied ever crossing a road. We found that koalas were disproportionately more likely to cross a road if they had initially been found within a distance of 100 m of that road. Males were more likely to cross roads than females, as were koalas aged less than five years. We suggest that successful wildlife road mitigation can be improved by better understanding the road-crossing behaviour of species such as the koala.
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34
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Skuban M, Finďo S, Kajba M, Koreň M, Chamers J, Antal V. Effects of roads on brown bear movements and mortality in Slovakia. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-017-1138-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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35
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León-Ortega M, Martínez JE, Pérez E, Lacalle JA, Calvo JF. The contribution of non-protected areas to the conservation of Eurasian Eagle-owls in Mediterranean ecosystems. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mario León-Ortega
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología; Facultad de Biología; Universidad de Murcia; 30100 Murcia Spain
| | - José E. Martínez
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología; Facultad de Biología; Universidad de Murcia; 30100 Murcia Spain
- Bonelli′s Eagle Study and Conservation Group; apdo. 4009 30080 Murcia Spain
| | - Eloy Pérez
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología; Facultad de Biología; Universidad de Murcia; 30100 Murcia Spain
| | - José A. Lacalle
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología; Facultad de Biología; Universidad de Murcia; 30100 Murcia Spain
| | - José F. Calvo
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología; Facultad de Biología; Universidad de Murcia; 30100 Murcia Spain
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36
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Paton DG, Ciuti S, Quinn M, Boyce MS. Hunting exacerbates the response to human disturbance in large herbivores while migrating through a road network. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dale G. Paton
- Anatum Ecological Ltd. Crowsnest Pass Alberta T0K 0E0 Canada
| | - Simone Ciuti
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis University of Freiburg Freiburg 79106 Germany
| | - Michael Quinn
- Research, Scholarship & Community Engagement Mount Royal University Calgary Alberta T3E 6K6 Canada
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
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37
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Elasticity of population growth with respect to the intensity of biotic or abiotic driving factors. Ecology 2017; 98:1016-1025. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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38
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Mclellan BN, Mowat G, Hamilton T, Hatter I. Sustainability of the grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia, Canada. J Wildl Manage 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce N. Mclellan
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; P.O. Box 1732 D'Arcy BC V0N 1L0 Canada
| | - Garth Mowat
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Suite 401-333 Victoria St. Nelson BC V1L 4K3 Canada
| | - Tony Hamilton
- British Columbia Ministry of Environment; 2975 Jutland Road Victoria BC V8W 9M1 Canada
| | - Ian Hatter
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; 2975 Jutland Road Victoria BC V8W 9M8 Canada
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39
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Ladle A, Avgar T, Wheatley M, Boyce MS. Predictive modelling of ecological patterns along linear‐feature networks. Methods Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ladle
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T5J 1G4 Canada
| | - Tal Avgar
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T5J 1G4 Canada
| | | | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB T5J 1G4 Canada
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40
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Lamb CT, Mowat G, McLellan BN, Nielsen SE, Boutin S. Forbidden fruit: human settlement and abundant fruit create an ecological trap for an apex omnivore. J Anim Ecol 2016; 86:55-65. [PMID: 27677529 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Habitat choice is an evolutionary product of animals experiencing increased fitness when preferentially occupying high-quality habitat. However, an ecological trap (ET) can occur when an animal is presented with novel conditions and the animal's assessment of habitat quality is poorly matched to its resulting fitness. We tested for an ET for grizzly (brown) bears using demographic and movement data collected in an area with rich food resources and concentrated human settlement. We derived measures of habitat attractiveness from occurrence models of bear food resources and estimated demographic parameters using DNA mark-recapture information collected over 8 years (2006-2013). We then paired this information with grizzly bear mortality records to investigate kill and movement rates. Our results demonstrate that a valley high in both berry resources and human density was more attractive than surrounding areas, and bears occupying this region faced 17% lower apparent survival. Despite lower fitness, we detected a net flow of bears into the ET, which contributed to a study-wide population decline. This work highlights the presence and pervasiveness of an ET for an apex omnivore that lacks the evolutionary cues, under human-induced rapid ecological change, to assess trade-offs between food resources and human-caused mortality, which results in maladaptive habitat selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton T Lamb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Garth Mowat
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Nelson, BC, V1L 4K3, Canada.,Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. 5003, 1430 Ås, Norway
| | - Bruce N McLellan
- BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, P.O. Box 1732, D'Arcy, BC V0N 1L0, Canada
| | - Scott E Nielsen
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
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41
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Sadleir RMFS, Linklater WL. Annual and seasonal patterns in wildlife road-kill and their relationship with traffic density. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2016.1155465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wayne L Linklater
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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42
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Almasieh K, Kaboli M, BEIER PAUL. Identifying habitat cores and corridors for the Iranian black bear in Iran. URSUS 2016. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-15-00032.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kamran Almasieh
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kaboli
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - PAUL BEIER
- School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5018, USA
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43
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Vieira-Neto EHM, Vasconcelos HL, Bruna EM. Roads increase population growth rates of a native leaf-cutter ant in Neotropical savannahs. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ernane H. M. Vieira-Neto
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida; Gainesville FL 32611-0430 USA
| | - Heraldo L. Vasconcelos
- Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Av. Pará 1720 Uberlândia MG 38405-320 Brazil
| | - Emilio M. Bruna
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida; Gainesville FL 32611-0430 USA
- Center for Latin American Studies; University of Florida; Gainesville FL 32611-5530 USA
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Carlson RI, Cattet MRL, Sarauer BL, Nielsen SE, Boulanger J, Stenhouse GB, Janz DM. Development and application of an antibody-based protein microarray to assess physiological stress in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 4:cow001. [PMID: 27293753 PMCID: PMC4771112 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cow001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 12/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A novel antibody-based protein microarray was developed that simultaneously determines expression of 31 stress-associated proteins in skin samples collected from free-ranging grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in Alberta, Canada. The microarray determines proteins belonging to four broad functional categories associated with stress physiology: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis proteins, apoptosis/cell cycle proteins, cellular stress/proteotoxicity proteins and oxidative stress/inflammation proteins. Small skin samples (50-100 mg) were collected from captured bears using biopsy punches. Proteins were isolated and labelled with fluorescent dyes, with labelled protein homogenates loaded onto microarrays to hybridize with antibodies. Relative protein expression was determined by comparison with a pooled standard skin sample. The assay was sensitive, requiring 80 µg of protein per sample to be run in triplicate on the microarray. Intra-array and inter-array coefficients of variation for individual proteins were generally <10 and <15%, respectively. With one exception, there were no significant differences in protein expression among skin samples collected from the neck, forelimb, hindlimb and ear in a subsample of n = 4 bears. This suggests that remotely delivered biopsy darts could be used in future sampling. Using generalized linear mixed models, certain proteins within each functional category demonstrated altered expression with respect to differences in year, season, geographical sampling location within Alberta and bear biological parameters, suggesting that these general variables may influence expression of specific proteins in the microarray. Our goal is to apply the protein microarray as a conservation physiology tool that can detect, evaluate and monitor physiological stress in grizzly bears and other species at risk over time in response to environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth I. Carlson
- Toxicology Graduate Program, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaS7N 5B3
| | - Marc R. L. Cattet
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaS7N 5B4
| | - Bryan L. Sarauer
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaS7N 5B3
| | - Scott E. Nielsen
- Department of Renewable Resources, 751 General Services, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AL, CanadaT6G 2H1
| | - John Boulanger
- 924 Innes, Integrated Ecological Research, Nelson, BC, CanadaV1L 5T2
| | - Gordon B. Stenhouse
- Foothills Research Institute and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Hinton, AL, CanadaT7V 1V3
| | - David M. Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaS7N 5B4
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Sorensen A, Stenhouse G, Bourbonnais M, Nelson T. Effects of habitat quality and anthropogenic disturbance on grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) home-range fidelity. CAN J ZOOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2015-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the Rocky Mountain eastern slopes of Alberta, Canada, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis Ord, 1815) live in a landscape heavily impacted by industrial development and human disturbance. We characterized the role of changing habitat quality and new disturbance features on patterns of grizzly bear seasonal home-range fidelity and drift by comparing consecutive-year seasonal home ranges. We relied on the geographic technique “spatial–temporal analysis of moving polygons” (STAMP) to examine changes in habitat quality and new development between zones of home-range fidelity, expansion, and contraction. Areas considered to be high-quality habitat were selected at a greater frequency than available and retained in zones of home-range fidelity, but also vacated during home-range contraction. Areas of decreasing habitat quality were equally present in zones of contraction, expansion, and stability. The proportion of new forest harvest areas and roads developed within the past year did not differ between zones of home-range change, but the proportion of new well sites was higher in contraction zones than in stability zones. Our results showed that while considerable drift occurs, changes in habitat quality and recent anthropogenic disturbances cannot account for annual variation in home ranges, suggesting other important factors influencing behaviour and movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.A. Sorensen
- Foothills Research Institute, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - G.B. Stenhouse
- Foothills Research Institute, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - M.L. Bourbonnais
- Spatial Pattern Analysis and Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3R4, Canada
| | - T.A. Nelson
- Spatial Pattern Analysis and Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3R4, Canada
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46
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McLellan BN. Some mechanisms underlying variation in vital rates of grizzly bears on a multiple use landscape. J Wildl Manage 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce N. McLellan
- BC Ministry of Forests; Lands and Natural Resource Operations, P.O. Box 1732; D'Arcy B.C. V0N 1L0 Canada
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47
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Proctor MF, Nielsen SE, Kasworm WF, Servheen C, Radandt TG, Machutchon AG, Boyce MS. Grizzly bear connectivity mapping in the Canada-United States trans-border region. J Wildl Manage 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott E. Nielsen
- Department of Renewable Resources; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - Wayne F. Kasworm
- US Fish and Wildlife Service; 385 Fish Hatchery Road Libby MT 59923 USA
| | - Chris Servheen
- US Fish and Wildlife Service; College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana; 309 University Hall Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Thomas G. Radandt
- US Fish and Wildlife Service; 385 Fish Hatchery Road Libby MT 59923 USA
| | | | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB, Canada T6G 2E9
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