Article
Ecology
Brian A. Hoover, Kristin M. Brunk, Gabriella Jukkala, Nathan Banfield, Andrew L. Rypel, Walter H. Piper
Summary: The study found that juvenile common loons tend to choose lakes with similar pH values to their natal lakes for foraging, while showing no specific preference for lakes of similar sizes.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Nathan D. Hooven, Matthew T. Springer, Clayton K. Nielsen, Eric M. Schauber
Summary: In this study, we investigated how animals exhibit a preference for new habitat that is similar to their natal environment, and how natal habitat cues influence path selection before settlement. By analyzing GPS collar relocation data of white-tailed deer in an agricultural landscape in Illinois, we found that preference for natal habitat similarity was weak during excursive movements but strong during dispersals, suggesting that NHPI is manifested during dispersal habitat selection. Our approach can be applied to various taxa and expand our understanding of individual behavioral variation and early life experience in shaping landscape connectivity and resistance.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Florian Orgeret, Martin U. Gruebler, Patrick Scherler, Valentijn S. van Bergen, Urs G. Kormann
Summary: In this study, we tracked red kites from fledging to settlement and found that their habitat selection changed during natal dispersal. During the prospecting phase, individuals had a wide distribution in western Europe and were less responsive to the environment. However, during the settlement phase, they selected a narrower range of environmental gradients and avoided certain areas. These findings highlight the importance of considering different environmental constraints before and after settlement in species conservation strategies.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Adam F. Smith, Simone Ciuti, Dmitry Shamovich, Viktar Fenchuk, Barbara Zimmermann, Marco Heurich
Summary: The challenges faced by large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes are continuously increasing due to the Anthropocene. Understanding the behavior of these animals in relation to human-induced risks is crucial for designing landscapes where both humans and predators can coexist. Wolves, for example, adapt their behavior by selecting or avoiding certain areas at specific times, taking into account the risks and available resources. This study focused on GPS collared wolves in a national park in Belarus and found that they strongly selected areas with higher levels of nature protection. They also avoided human disturbance from settlements and roads, but their behavior varied depending on the time of day. Females were more likely to avoid settlements compared to males. Overall, this study provides detailed insights into how wolves spatially and temporally avoid disturbance in protected areas, which is crucial for effective conservation and coexistence.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Francesca S. E. Dawson Pell, Ben J. Hatchwell, Jose G. Carrillo-Ortiz, Alba Ortega-Segalerva, Francesc Uribe, Juan Carlos Senar
Summary: Habitat selection has significant impacts on individual fitness. The natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) hypothesis proposes that individuals choose habitats that resemble the environment they experienced in early life. This study examined and tested the NHPI hypothesis in monk parakeets, an invasive species that nests primarily in pine or palm trees. The results showed that dispersed individuals and adult birds undertaking breeding dispersal preferred to nest in their natal tree type, demonstrating the influence of early life experiences on habitat selection.
Article
Ecology
Martin Mayer, Christina Fischer, Niels Blaum, Peter Sunde, Wiebke Ullmann
Summary: This study investigates how roads and seasonal changes in habitat structure affect the space use and habitat selection of European hares. The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between road types and suggest that animals in more heterogeneous landscapes are better able to avoid main roads. The study also emphasizes that homogeneous landscapes increase the probability of road crossings, which can have an impact on population dynamics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ellen E. Brandell, Paul C. Cross, Meggan E. Craft, Douglas W. Smith, Edward J. Dubovi, Marie L. J. Gilbertson, Tyler Wheeldon, John A. Stephenson, Shannon Barber-Meyer, Bridget L. Borg, Mathew Sorum, Daniel R. Stahler, Allicia Kelly, Morgan Anderson, H. Dean Cluff, Daniel R. MacNulty, Dominique E. Watts, Gretchen H. Roffler, Helen Schwantje, Mark Hebblewhite, Kimberlee Beckmen, Peter J. Hudson
Summary: Based on a study of North American wolf populations, it was found that pathogen exposure rates are not significantly correlated with latitude, but rather depend more on specific mechanistic factors. Individual host characteristics and inherent features of ecosystems have a greater impact on pathogen exposure risk.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Maksim Sergeyev, Evan P. Tanner, Michael J. Cherry, Jason V. Lombardi, Michael E. Tewes, Tyler A. Campbell
Summary: This study aims to investigate the selection of thermal cover by ocelots and bobcats and examine the potential occurrence of resource partitioning and interspecific competition.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Rodomiro Ortiz, Fredrik Reslow, Jose Crossa, Jaime Cuevas
Summary: Potato breeding research shows that tuber starch percentage and total tuber weight are the traits with the highest heritability, which can be further improved through recombination and selection. Late blight has a negative and significant impact on potato productivity and quality.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Serrano, Ainara Cortes-Avizanda, Inigo Zuberogoitia, Guillermo Blanco, Jose Ramon Benitez, Cecile Ponchon, Juan Manuel Grande, Olga Ceballos, Jon Morant, Eneko Arrondo, Jabi Zabala, Eugenio Montelio, Enrique Avila, Jose L. Gonzalez, Bernardo Arroyo, Oscar Frias, Erick Kobierzycki, Rafael Arenas, Jose Luis Tella, Jose Antonio Donazar
Summary: This study on Egyptian vultures found that dispersal distance is inversely related to population density, with females dispersing further than males. It also concluded that males are more sensitive to the social environment, indicating different dispersal tactics between the sexes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Stephane Tchakoudeu Kehou, Kasso Dainou, Paul Lagoute
Summary: This study investigated the long-term impacts of selective logging and management plans on great ape habitats in a FSC-certified forestry concession in Cameroon. The results showed that selective logging combined with reduced-impact logging techniques could maintain or increase the spatial distribution of great ape habitats. Great apes prefer highly dense rainforests and tend to avoid areas with high road density.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giorgia Cecino, Roozbeh Valavi, Eric A. Treml
Summary: This study introduces innovative predictive factors to integrate connectivity information into species distribution models, quantifying the impact of species-specific connectivity estimates on marine-based model outcomes. The research demonstrates how larval dispersal and adult movement play a significant role in shaping species distribution patterns in marine seascapes.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Alberto Macias-Duarte, Angel B. Montoya, J. Roberto Rodriguez-Salazar, J. Andres Alvarado-Castro, Oscar G. Gutierrez-Ruacho
Summary: The study used satellite transmitters to track the movements of two wild Chihuahuan Desert Aplomado Falcons, finding that they dispersed from their natal territories after fledging and wandered between historic breeding territories and recently converted farmlands. The male falcon covered a distance of 7412 km(2) over 2 years and nested unsuccessfully before successfully fledging two offspring. The female falcon roamed an area of 12,136 km(2) for 17 months before her transmitter failed.
JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Angelique Pagenaud, Andreas Ravache, Karen Bourgeois, Mathieu Mathivet, Edouard Bourguet, Eric Vidal, Martin Thibault
Summary: This study investigates the nest-site selection and breeding success of the Tahiti petrel, finding that they prefer steep slopes in mature forests with rocky substrate and deep soil for nesting. The study also highlights the importance of burrow type and width for breeding success.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Isma Benmazouz, Jukka Jokimaki, Szabolcs Lengyel, Lajos Juhasz, Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimaki, Gabor Kardos, Petra Paladi, Laszlo Kover
Summary: Corvid birds, such as crows, ravens, and jays, are highly adaptable to urban environments, benefiting from easily accessible food and artificial nesting sites. They exhibit high breeding success rates in cities and show flexibility in resource use, making them successful urban exploiters.
Review
Ecology
Anthony Seveque, Louise K. Gentle, Jose Vicente Lopez-Bao, Richard W. Yarnell, Antonio Uzal
Summary: Interspecific competition is a significant evolutionary force that shapes interactions between species and biological communities. Wild mammalian carnivores may employ temporal partitioning to avoid competition, but human activities disrupting this strategy could increase temporal overlap and enhance interspecific competition. The impact of humans on temporal niche partitioning may vary globally, suggesting that context-dependent factors play a role in regulating activity patterns among carnivores.
Review
Zoology
Jade Bateman, Antonio Uzal
Summary: The current literature shows inconclusive relationships between the ACI and avian species richness and diversity. Studies analyzing relationships between the index, environmental and anthropogenic factors provided contrasting results due to the lack of replication between studies. The future implementation of a standardized approach towards data collection should lead to more compelling conclusions.
BIOACOUSTICS-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SOUND AND ITS RECORDING
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mikael Akesson, Oystein Flagstad, Jouni Aspi, Ilpo Kojola, Olof Liberg, Petter Wabakken, Hakan Sand
Summary: The study found that although the genetic diversity increased among Scandinavian wolves, it has not reached the levels found in Finland and Russia, with immigration from both countries confirmed. However, low genetic differentiation between Finnish and Russian wolves made it difficult to determine the origin of immigrant wolves, and the assumption that immigrants are unrelated is not advisable as some were found to be closely related. Management actions facilitating transboundary dispersal are highlighted as necessary for the long term viability of wolves in Northern Europe.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnese Viluma, Oystein Flagstad, Mikael Akesson, Camilla Wikenros, Hakan Sand, Petter Wabakken, Hans Ellegren
Summary: Genetic drift can lead to reduced genetic diversity and allele frequency changes in small populations. We studied a highly inbred Scandinavian wolf population over a span of 30 years and found that approximately 20 years of inbreeding resulted in the loss of chromosome-level haplotypes from 10% to 24% of the diploid genomes. A total of 160,000 SNP alleles were lost, which may include adaptive variants and wild-type alleles masking recessively deleterious alleles. Our study provides a novel perspective on quantifying the consequences of genetic drift in a small inbred population using whole-genome resequencing of temporally stratified samples.
Article
Ecology
Mikael Akesson, Linn Svensson, Oystein Flagstad, Petter Wabakken, Jens Frank
Summary: This study evaluated the reliability of wolf monitoring in Scandinavia by estimating the detectability of territorial pairs, packs, and reproduction. The results showed that most territorial wolves and reproduction events were successfully detected, indicating that yearly monitoring and continuous updates of the pedigree can help retrospectively identify previously undetected events and packs.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Henrik Andren, Heather Hemmingmoore, Malin Aronsson, Mikael Akesson, Jens Persson
Summary: The Eurasian lynx population in southern Sweden has recolonized naturally without exhibiting an Allee effect. Despite the possibility of an Allee effect, it is likely that sufficient mating partners were available for colonizing females. The growth rate of the lynx population in southern Sweden was lower compared to central Sweden, possibly due to the presence of unsuitable habitat areas hindering southward immigration.
Article
Zoology
A. Uzal, J. Martinez-Artero, A. Ordiz, A. Zarzo-Arias, V Penteriani
Summary: The mechanisms determining habitat use in animal populations have important implications for population dynamics, conservation, and management. The study found that an increase in the number of brown bear females with cubs of the year (FCOY) led to differences in the characteristics of habitats around reproductive dens. During a period of population growth, breeding areas were located closer to rivers, fruit trees, and human disturbances. The study suggests that both density-dependent factors and human-related features of the landscape are crucial to understanding long-term dynamics in the habitat use of a threatened species.
Article
Ecology
Ane Eriksen, Erik Versluijs, Boris Fuchs, Barbara Zimmermann, Petter Wabakken, Andres Ordiz, Peter Sunde, Camilla Wikenros, Hakan Sand, Benjamin Gillich, Frank Michler, Kristoffer Nordli, David Carricondo-Sanchez, Lucrezia Gorini, Siegfried Rieger
Summary: Studying how wolves respond to human encounters is valuable for promoting human-wolf coexistence. This article presents a standardized protocol using high-resolution GPS data to evaluate wolf responses to approaching humans. The protocol includes a field protocol, statistical methods, a tutorial with R code, and data collection forms. This protocol will facilitate studies on wolf behavior and help establish a baseline distribution of wolf response patterns.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Erik Versluijs, Ane Eriksen, Boris Fuchs, Camilla Wikenros, Hakan Sand, Petter Wabakken, Barbara Zimmermann
Summary: Wolves tend to flee from humans and the distance at which they initiate flight is influenced by horizontal visibility. Additionally, early detection does not necessarily result in less intense flight responses. Standardized human approach trials with high-resolution GPS data can provide valuable insights into wolf behavior towards humans.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Christer Kalen, Henrik Andren, Johan Mansson, Hakan Sand
Summary: In this study, a mechanistic moose population model was developed using hunter observations data in Sweden, estimating the moose population size change trends from 2012 to 2020. The results showed a 15% nationwide decrease in moose abundance during this period, with the northern and northernmost regions having the highest density.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Robert S. Davis, Louise K. Gentle, William O. Mgoola, Emma L. Stone, Antonio Uzal, Richard W. Yarnell
Summary: Basic ecological knowledge on African small carnivores and their interactions with the wider carnivore guild is limited. This study provides new insights into the habitat use of caracal in a miombo woodland and compares their dynamics with those of leopards and spotted hyenas. Caracal prefer sites with higher grass cover and further away from permanent water sources, and their site use increases in areas with lower spotted hyena abundance. Caracal showed different temporal activity patterns from spotted hyenas but did not exhibit spatial or temporal avoidance of leopards.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ana Sanz-Perez, Rocio Tarjuelo, David Giralt, Francesc Sarda-Palomera, Francois Mougeot, Carlos Santisteban, Marcos Perez, Gerard Bota
Summary: Farmland ecosystems are influenced by meteorological fluctuations and anthropogenic land-use changes, resulting in seasonally dynamic habitats. Farmland birds, like the endangered Pin-tailed sandgrouse, may face seasonal constraints due to limited resources. This study found that there is a spring habitat bottleneck for sandgrouse, as they avoid cereal crops with high vegetation and prefer open natural habitats and fallows. Conservation measures promoting suitable vegetation structures can influence sandgrouse habitat selection. Halting the loss of fallow land is crucial for the conservation of steppe birds, as they serve as a refuge during seasonal habitat bottlenecks.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Robert S. Davis, Louise K. Gentle, William O. Mgoola, Emma L. Stone, Antonio Uzal, Richard W. Yarnell
Summary: African elephants in Kasungu National Park show habitat preference near water sources and exhibit nocturnal behavior to avoid peak times of human activity. Increased law enforcement activity around permanent water sources could help protect the elephant population.
Article
Ecology
Camilla Wikenros, Cecilia Di Bernardi, Barbara Zimmermann, Mikael Akesson, Maike Demski, Oystein Flagstad, Jenny Mattisson, Aimee Tallian, Petter Wabakken, Hakan Sand
Summary: This study investigates the scavenging and predation behavior of gray wolves in Scandinavia, where human activities have impacts on the ecosystem. The majority of animal carcasses utilized by wolves were killed by wolves themselves, with a small proportion being natural deaths or caused by humans. Winter, solitary wolves, and wolves with higher inbreeding coefficients spent more time scavenging. Additionally, there was weak evidence for competition between wolves and brown bears, as well as a positive relationship between human density and scavenging time. This study highlights the factors influencing wolf scavenging behavior. Rating: 8/10.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
