Article
Ecology
Aaron M. Grade, Paige S. Warren, Susannah B. Lerman
Summary: Increased urbanization leads to habitat loss, but residential land has potential for mammal habitat. This study investigates the variation in mammal community composition within residential lands across an urban gradient. The results show that land-use context and parcel habitat features both influence the mammal community, with different species associated with different sites. The findings highlight the importance of informed residential yard management for urban wildlife management.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Maureen H. Murray, Mason Fidino, Elizabeth W. Lehrer, Juniper L. Simonis, Seth B. Magle
Summary: Camera traps are a useful tool for monitoring wildlife health and infection status, such as sarcoptic mange in coyotes. The occurrence of mange in urban coyotes is higher in areas with low urbanization and high canopy cover. The model developed can provide detection-corrected estimates of visible characteristics in wildlife using camera trap data.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jiawei Feng, Yifei Sun, Hailong Li, Yuqi Xiao, Dandan Zhang, James L. D. Smith, Jianping Ge, Tianming Wang
Summary: In temperate forests of Northeast Asia, both natural and anthropogenic factors have varying influences on mammalian species richness and occupancy, with livestock grazing being the primary human disturbance negatively impacting species occupancy and richness. Multispecies occupancy models help identify drivers of biodiversity declines and guide conservation strategies in human-dominated landscapes.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Katherine C. B. Weiss, Austin M. Green, Daniel J. Herrera, Tru M. Hubbard, Christine C. Rega-Brodsky, Maximilian L. Allen
Summary: Identifying the drivers of urban association in wildlife is a challenge in conservation biology. This study investigated the relationship between intraspecific trait variation and urban occupancy in mammal species using camera trap data. The results showed that demographic traits like litter size affected urban association across all species, while other traits had variable and informative relationships across different taxonomic orders. These findings highlight the importance of trait variation in wildlife management and conservation, and provide insights into the species that occupy and adapt to urban environments.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giacomo Cremonesi, Francesco Bisi, Lorenzo Gaffi, Thet Zaw, Hla Naing, Kyaw Moe, Zarni Aung, Maria V. Mazzamuto, Alessandra Gagliardi, Lucas A. Wauters, Damiano G. Preatoni, Adriano Martinoli
Summary: Tropical forests, especially in Myanmar, are heavily impacted by human disturbances, leading to lower mammal diversity in disturbed areas. Camera trap data and occupancy models were used to evaluate biodiversity levels and ecosystem functions, revealing a significant decrease in carnivores and herbivores in degraded areas. This study provides insights into the direct and indirect effects of human disruptions on wildlife populations in Myanmar's tropical forests.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Justin P. Suraci, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Maximilian L. Allen, Peter Alexander, Justin S. Brashares, Sara Cendejas-Zarelli, Kevin Crooks, L. Mark Elbroch, Tavis Forrester, Austin M. Green, Jeffrey Haight, Nyeema C. Harris, Mark Hebblewhite, Forest Isbell, Barbara Johnston, Roland Kays, Patrick E. Lendrum, Jesse S. Lewis, Alex McInturff, William McShea, Thomas W. Murphy, Meredith S. Palmer, Arielle Parsons, Mitchell A. Parsons, Mary E. Pendergast, Charles Pekins, Laura R. Prugh, Kimberly A. Sager-Fradkin, Stephanie Schuttler, Cagan H. Sekercioglu, Brenda Shepherd, Laura Whipple, Jesse Whittington, George Wittemyer, Christopher C. Wilmers
Summary: A study on 24 mammal species in North America found that 33% of species showed reduced occurrence or activity in response to increasing human presence and footprint, while 58% of species were positively associated with increasing disturbance. The study also revealed that species traits such as size, diet, and reproductive rate were strong predictors of their responses to human footprint, with smaller, less carnivorous, and faster-reproducing species being favored. Differential responses to human presence and footprint highlight the importance of considering these two forms of human disturbance separately when estimating anthropogenic impacts on wildlife.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Marcelo Magioli, Elildo A. R. Carvalho Jr, Ricardo Sampaio, Thomas Puttker, Svenja Arlt, Wedika Hanoeman, Rewie Mattai, Ariane Ooms, Anne -Maria Schweizer, Miriam Scriba, Michael Koehl, Joerg U. Ganzhorn
Summary: Increasing knowledge of species occurrence and assemblage composition is crucial to uncover the impacts of human activities on biodiversity. Here we investigate the effects of certified selective logging on assemblages of medium-and large-sized mammals in central Suriname. Using camera traps set in logged and unlogged parts of two logging concessions, we estimated mammal richness and assemblage composition within them and compared the results to other sites across Suriname obtained from a literature search. Then, using Bayesian multi-species occupancy models, we investigated if selective logging affects the richness, composition, and probabilities of habitat use and detection of mammals in the study sites. We recorded 27 mammal species in total, of which four are threatened globally. The study areas were amongst the richest concerning mammalian diversity throughout Suriname in response to the larger sampling effort employed. However, assemblage composition was overall similar to other sites previously sampled in the country, with variation in species richness mainly driven by sampling effort. Species richness and assemblage composition were similar concerning logged and unlogged parts of the concessions. At the species level, only a minor influence was observed in the probabilities of detection and habitat use of mammals. Most species presented positive responses to logging status, i.e., increasing their detection and habitat use probabilities in logged sites. Therefore, we conclude that selective logging to the extent practiced in the managed sites may fulfill the criteria of sustainability. Due to the continuous nature of Suriname's landscape, which allows for a constant flow of species from managed to un-managed sites, it may act as a buffer to hamper the secondary and indirect impacts of selective logging.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Asit K. Behera, P. Ramesh Kumar, M. Malathi Priya, T. Ramesh, Riddhika Kalle
Summary: The COVID-19 lockdown measures have caused changes in the activity patterns and habitat use of wildlife, resulting in a range of positive and negative impacts. This study reveals the effects of the lockdown on wildlife by examining changes in temporal and spatial use before and during the lockdown.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kelsey M. Gump, Daniel H. Thornton
Summary: Outdoor recreation on public lands is increasing rapidly, which has potential consequences for wildlife communities. The type of recreation and proximity of wildlife to human disturbance both play important roles in understanding the impacts of recreation on wildlife. A camera-trapping survey in Washington revealed that wildlife responded differently to motorized and nonmotorized recreation, with nonmotorized recreation having a more significant effect. The study suggests that a better understanding of the landscape-scale impacts of recreation is needed, and quiet, nonconsumptive recreation should receive more attention for its potential influence on wildlife ecology.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Davy Fonteyn, Cedric Vermeulen, Nicolas Deflandre, Daniel Cornelis, Simon Lhoest, Fructueux G. A. Houngbegnon, Jean-Louis Doucet, Adeline Fayolle
Summary: Camera traps are increasingly used for wildlife monitoring worldwide. A study in Gabon compared systematically placed and wildlife-trail-oriented CTs to investigate their impact on mammal diversity, finding that both types of placements provided similar results in depicting species richness and composition of the mammal community. The study shows that despite potential biases, both systematic and trail-based CT placements can be used in combination for multi-site analyses.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Zoe Woodgate, Marine Drouilly, Greg Distiller, M. Justin O'Riain
Summary: It has been recognized that state-owned protected areas are not enough to preserve the world's diverse biodiversity. Private land conservation can be a significant contribution to national conservation goals without excessive use of state resources. In South Africa, legislation has been introduced to encourage private landowners to support national biodiversity goals. This study used camera traps and occupancy modeling to assess the impact of land-use on mammal diversity in the drylands of South Africa. Results showed that a land-use matrix incorporating statutory and private protected areas and well-managed rangelands can benefit wildlife conservation, as long as these land-uses are included in carefully developed regional conservation planning.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ye Htet Lwin, Lin Wang, Guogang Li, Rui-Chang Quan
Summary: Species responses to human presence and prioritization of conservation areas were examined in Northern Mountain Forest Complex (NMFC), Myanmar. Results showed that human presence had no significant impact on mammal occupancy at the individual level, but had a significant influence on mammal abundance at the community level. Variables such as distance to settlements, proximity to water sources, and forest cover shaped mammal habitat occupancy in NMFC. Priority analysis revealed that non-protected areas supported a significant proportion of high-priority areas, particularly in the southeast of NMFC. Conservation efforts should focus on both protected and non-protected areas to ensure effective management and biodiversity conservation in NMFC.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kendall L. L. Calhoun, Benjamin R. R. Goldstein, Kaitlyn M. M. Gaynor, Alex McInturff, Leonel Solorio, Justin S. S. Brashares
Summary: Increasingly frequent megafires are dramatically altering landscapes and critical habitats around the world, posing a threat to the conservation of native wildlife. Woodland savannas, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to megafires. However, most fire impact studies have focused on coniferous forests, leaving the impact on biodiversity in woodland savannas relatively unknown. This study assessed the resistance of a woodland savanna mammal community to the short-term impacts of megafire and found that most species showed high resistance and recovered by the end of the study period. Maintaining canopy cover through fire management is crucial for providing refugia for vulnerable species after the fire.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Austin M. Green, Emily Young, Hailey Keller, Trayl Grace, Mary E. Pendergast, Cagan H. Sekercioglu
Summary: As humans continue to urbanize and the urban landscapes expand globally, wildlife faces pressure to adapt to new environmental disturbances. Human recreational activities can affect wildlife behavior, particularly in less developed areas, and especially during peak periods of recreational activity. This study examined the impact of periodic increases in human recreation on mammal species in northern Utah, USA, using data from a large-scale citizen science camera trapping project. The findings suggest that while some species did exhibit altered temporal activity patterns during periods of increased human recreational activity, overall there was little evidence of a temporal 'weekend effect'.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xueyou Li, Wenqiang Hu, William V. Bleisch, Quan Li, Hongjiao Wang, Bu Ti, Zhongyi Qin, Jun Sun, Fuyou Zhang, Xuelong Jiang
Summary: Human activities pose threats to numerous species, leading to habitat degradation and extinction risks. This study investigates the drivers and patterns of species richness of threatened and non-threatened terrestrial mammals in southwest China. The results show that human impacts have negative effects on threatened species richness, while non-threatened and total species richness increase with human modification. It highlights the importance of considering threatened species diversity separately when planning conservation efforts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
John M. Bates, Mason Fidino, Laurel Nowak-Boyd, Bill M. Strausberger, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Christopher J. Whelan
Summary: This study examines the nesting phenology of 72 bird species in the Upper Midwest of the United States and its relation to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration. The results show that the lay dates of bird species advanced by approximately 10 days over a 143-year period. Among the studied species, 24 (33.3%) showed a significant advancement in lay date, while only one (1.4%) showed a significant delay. The study also highlights the importance of data gathering and archiving in historical museums.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Tal Caspi, Jacob R. Johnson, Max R. Lambert, Christopher J. Schell, Andrew Sih
Summary: Plasticity-led evolution plays a central role in evolutionary theory and is particularly evident in novel environments like cities. Our research highlights the abundant evidence of plastic behavioral changes in urban animals and their significant impact on urban evolution through spatial, temporal, and mate-choice mechanisms. We emphasize the need to incorporate behavioral plasticity more formally into urban evolutionary research and the opportunity provided by urban environments to study behavioral mechanisms of plasticity-led processes.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Brian C. Verrelli, Marina Alberti, Simone Des Roches, Nyeema C. Harris, Andrew P. Hendry, Marc T. J. Johnson, Amy M. Savage, Anne Charmantier, Kiyoko M. Gotanda, Lynn Govaert, Lindsay S. Miles, L. Ruth Rivkin, Kristin M. Winchell, Kristien I. Brans, Cristian Correa, Sarah E. Diamond, Ben Fitzhugh, Nancy B. Grimm, Sara Hughes, John M. Marzluff, Jason Munshi-South, Carolina Rojas, James S. Santangelo, Christopher J. Schell, Jennifer A. Schweitzer, Marta Szulkin, Mark C. Urban, Yuyu Zhou, Carly Ziter
Summary: Research on the evolutionary ecology of urban areas reveals the impact of human-induced evolutionary changes on biodiversity and ecosystem services, requiring interdisciplinary collaborations and methodological advances.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maureen H. Murray, Kaylee A. Byers, Jacqueline Buckley, Elizabeth W. Lehrer, Cria Kay, Mason Fidino, Seth B. Magle, Danielle German
Summary: Reduced human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic led to unusual wildlife sightings in highly developed areas. A study in Chicago, Illinois, USA found that residents in wealthier and greener neighborhoods were more likely to observe increased wildlife sightings, particularly common birds and mammals. Encounters with specific species, such as passerine birds and the absence of rats, were associated with residents' support for seeing wildlife in residential areas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ty J. Werdel, Colleen W. Piper, Andrew M. Ricketts, Matthew S. Peek, Dan S. Sullins, Adam A. Ahlers
Summary: Grasslands, once covering a vast area in North America, have now been reduced to only 30% due to human activities. Strategic conservation of remaining grassland landcover is crucial for the persistence of grassland species, and the majority of priority conservation areas are located on privately owned working lands.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Gabriela Palomo-Munoz, Ty J. Werdel, Colleen W. Piper, Matthew S. Peek, Andrew M. Ricketts, Adam A. Ahlers
Summary: Since European colonization, anthropogenic activities have significantly altered the landscape and affected native biodiversity of the North American Great Plains. To understand the effects of human-modified landscapes on mammals, we surveyed 381 sites in Kansas using camera traps over three years. We identified 28 mammal species and collected data on their habitat use, distributions, diel activity patterns, and interspecific interactions.
Article
Zoology
Ty J. Werdel, Colleen W. Piper, Andrew M. Ricketts, Matthew S. Peek, Adam A. Ahlers
Summary: Carnivore communities in human-modified landscapes are influenced by multiple direct and indirect factors, including water availability, prey abundance, and land cover. Agricultural expansion has a positive influence on carnivore richness, but these communities often lack prairie-obligate species. Human activities, including agricultural expansion, are causing declines in carnivore populations and increasing their risk of extinction. Understanding the factors shaping carnivore communities in imperiled prairie landscapes is important for conservation efforts.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jeffrey D. Haight, Sharon J. Hall, Mason Fidino, Solny A. Adalsteinsson, Adam A. Ahlers, Julia Angstmann, Whitney J. B. Anthonysamy, Elizabeth Biro, Merri K. Collins, Barbara Dugelby, Travis Gallo, Austin M. Green, Laura Hartley, Mark J. Jordan, Cria A. M. Kay, Elizabeth W. Lehrer, Robert A. Long, Brandon MacDougall, Seth B. Magle, Darren E. Minier, Chris Mowry, Maureen Murray, Kristina Nininger, Mary E. Pendergast, Katie R. Remine, Travis Ryan, Carmen Salsbury, Christopher J. Schell, Cagan H. Sekercioglu, Catherine J. Shier, Kelly C. Simon, Colleen C. St Clair, Theodore Stankowich, Cassondra J. Stevenson, Lisa Wayne, Dave Will, Jacque Williamson, Larry Wilson, Amanda J. Zellmer, Jesse S. Lewis
Summary: Human-driven environmental changes affect wildlife diversity, but the impact varies across different cities due to landscape patterns, species characteristics, and other factors. This study analyzed data from 20 North American cities and found that regional environmental characteristics and mammal species traits influenced the effects of urbanization on species occupancy and community composition.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Seth B. Magle, Mathew S. Crowther
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cria A. M. Kay, Adam T. Rohnke, Heather A. Sander, Theodore Stankowich, Mason Fidino, Maureen H. Murray, Jesse S. Lewis, Ilanah Taves, Elizabeth W. Lehrer, Amanda J. Zellmer, Christopher J. Schell, Seth B. Magle
Summary: Cities are not only human-centric, but also dynamic ecosystems that provide habitat for various forms of life. The 2019 Urban Wildlife Information Network Summit brought together experts from different fields to discuss the role of cities in combating the global biodiversity crisis.
