Article
Ecology
Collin J. Peterson, Nicholas J. DeCesare, Teagan A. Hayes, Chad J. Bishop, Michael S. Mitchell
Summary: This study assessed the availability and selection of forage and predation risk on summer ranges of migratory and resident mule deer populations, showing that the two groups face different choices at various spatial scales. Resident deer were able to compensate for lower forage availability and higher predation risk compared to migrants through stronger selection at finer scales.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sam Chambers, Miguel L. Villarreal, Olivia Duane, Seth M. Munson, Erica Stuber, Gayle Tyree, Eric K. Waller, Michael C. Duniway
Summary: Wildlife avoidance of human disturbances, such as roads and development, can affect their energy expenditure and fitness. However, current management decisions rarely take into account an individual's energetic requirements.
Article
Ecology
David Milda, K. Ashish, Tharmalingam Ramesh, Riddhika Kalle, M. Thanikodi
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the habitat occupancy pattern of large mammals across a gradient of anthropogenic pressures. Through ecological sign surveys in Tamil Nadu, India, the study examined the effects of ecological and anthropogenic variables on the occupancy of tiger, leopard, dhole, elephant, and gaur. The results showed that the occupancy of large mammals was influenced by prey abundance, habitat features, direct human disturbance, and habitat fragmentation. Tigers and dholes were driven by the abundance of large and medium-sized prey, while leopards also relied on small prey species and fragmented forest patches.
Article
Ecology
Harry A. Moore, Damian R. Michael, Judy A. Dunlop, Leonie E. Valentine, Mitchell A. Cowan, Dale G. Nimmo
Summary: Habitat amount and configuration are independent but closely linked landscape characteristics. This study found that habitat configuration has a stronger impact on the occupancy and abundance of northern quolls than habitat amount when the habitat amount is low. This highlights the importance of considering habitat configuration in conservation efforts.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Amanda K. Martin, Jennifer A. Sheridan
Summary: Alterations in body size have significant impacts on an organism's life history and ecology, and are influenced by climate and land use changes. Climate warming leads to smaller body sizes, while urbanization primarily results in body size increases. However, few studies have explored the combined effects of climate and land use changes on body size.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yue Sun, Zongzhi Li, Junda Chen, Romaan Hayat Khattak, Zhensheng Liu, Liwei Teng
Summary: This study conducted a habitat selection analysis of water deer using the data of 11 habitat factors in Baishan Musk Deer National Nature Reserve from 2018 to 2019. The results revealed that water deer preferred grasslands with sufficient sunlight and at middle slopes, dominated by Artemisia carvifolia and A. argyi in the autumn and winter, respectively. The resource selection function model showed that the height of dominant herbage, hiding cover, distance from water, and distance to human settlements significantly influenced the habitat selection of water deer in the cold season. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for the conservation and restoration of water deer and for implementing sustainable development strategies in northeast China.
Article
Ecology
Patrick A. Rodgers, Hall Sawyer, Tony W. Mong, Sam Stephens, Matthew J. Kauffman
Summary: The study found that hunting has gender-specific effects on habitat selection and migratory behavior of ungulates, with males and females exhibiting different responses. Additionally, weather factors such as temperature and precipitation influence migration timing. For deer that survived to rifle season, hunting had less impact on migration timing compared to environmental factors.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ozkan Evcin
Summary: One of the main things wildlife does for survival is movement. Highways have a wide range of effects on factors such as biodiversity, wildlife, and ecology. The study found that road density was the most influential factor in the distribution of the deer before the tunnel construction, but after the tunnel construction, roads ceased to be the main factor affecting the distribution of the species.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2023)
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
Ecology
Dylan G. Stewart, William D. Gulsby, Stephen S. Ditchkoff, Bret A. Collier
Summary: Resource selection in sexually dimorphic ungulates is influenced by sex-specific resource requirements and risk aversion strategies. Female white-tailed deer may be forced to utilize high risk areas during high risk periods due to their smaller body size and increased nutritional demands, while larger males are better able to forgo foraging opportunities during risky periods to mitigate risk.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabio Weiss, Frank Uwe Michler, Benjamin Gillich, Joerg Tillmann, Simone Ciuti, Marco Heurich, Siegfried Rieger
Summary: This study investigates the influence of herded sheep and goats on red deer spatial behavior. The findings show that red deer use grazed areas less during conservation grazing, and this effect persists up to 21 days after conservation grazing ends. Habitat selection of red deer is also affected up to 3000 meters away from the conservation grazing sites, with no signs of habituation or adaption.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Garret D. Langlois, Sixto Fernandez, Mark C. Wallace, Richard D. Stevens
Summary: This study found that a tall, large-boled tree covered with vines in an uncluttered stand of smaller trees is the most important factor affecting roost selection by Artibeus lituratus in the Alto Parana & PRIME; Atlantic Forests of eastern Paraguay.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Clara Superbie, Kathrine M. Stewart, Charlotte E. Regan, Jill F. Johnstone, Philip D. McLoughlin
Summary: Understanding the relative importance of threats to species across their range is crucial for large-scale conservation planning. A study on the Canada-wide boreal caribou reveals that current policy draws heavily from data obtained in the southern area, but further research is needed to understand the situation in the northern region.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Marie E. Martin, Katie M. Moriarty, Jonathan N. Pauli
Summary: The study found that Pacific martens in northern California mountains exhibit seasonally dependent resource selection and spatial use patterns. During snow-free periods, they tend to select features associated with complex forest structure, while in snow-covered periods, they prefer dense forest structure and topographic features.
Article
Forestry
Rasmus Mohr Mortensen, Michelle Fyrstelin Fuller, Lars Dalby, Thomas Bjorneboe Berg, Peter Sunde
Summary: The research studied habitat selection of hazel dormouse in intensively managed woodlands in Denmark. The study found that the species strongly selected sites with high abundance-weighted species richness and high vegetation density of woody plants, and had specific habitat requirements related to food and safety. The results provide relatively simple means for accommodating the habitat needs of hazel dormouse in managed forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Adrian P. Monroe, Travis W. Nauman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O'Donnell, Michael C. Duniway, Brian S. Cade, Daniel J. Manier, Patrick J. Anderson
Summary: This study demonstrated the use of a dynamic reference approach to studying sagebrush recovery. Results showed that sagebrush recovery on former well pads increased more when paired reference sites had greater sagebrush cover. Higher quantiles of sagebrush cover were projected to recover quickly, while lower quantiles were projected to have minimal recovery within 100 years. The findings highlight the importance of using dynamic reference sites and quantile regression for vegetation recovery studies.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. Joanne Saher, Michael S. O'Donnell, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs
Summary: Identifying and protecting habitats for declining wildlife populations is crucial for species conservation. We developed a modeling approach that considers population-specific environmental differences in order to identify effective habitat improvement actions. Using Gunnison sage-grouse as a case study, we found both similarities and differences among populations and different scales of resource conditions, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in habitat management efforts. This approach can benefit spatially-structured populations with different environmental contexts and species with complex habitat needs.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shawna J. Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Mevin B. Hooten, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Summary: Habitat fragmentation and degradation have a significant impact on an organism's gene flow and extinction risk. Understanding the effects of landscape composition and scale on gene flow is crucial for conservation decision-making. Using a landscape genetics approach, we identified sagebrush habitat as the primary driver of connectivity for Gunnison sage-grouse.
Article
Ecology
Bryan C. Tarbox, Nathan D. Van Schmidt, Jessica E. Shyvers, D. Joanne Saher, Julie A. Heinrichs, Cameron L. Aldridge
Summary: Invasions of non-native species pose significant challenges to ecosystem management and conservation, particularly in the case of invasive annual grasses such as cheatgrass, medusahead, and ventenata in sagebrush-steppe communities of the western United States. Spatial data describing the distribution and abundance of these invasive species are used by resource managers, but there are obstacles in translating these datasets into actionable management strategies. Improving the spatial resolution and accuracy of such data products can help bridge the research-implementation gap.
RANGELAND ECOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cali L. Roth, Shawn T. O'Neil, Peter S. Coates, Mark A. Ricca, David A. Pyke, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs, Shawn P. Espinosa, David J. Delehanty
Summary: Unprecedented conservation efforts for sagebrush ecosystems in the western United States have been driven by the threat of escalated wildfire activity and its impact on habitat for sagebrush-obligate species like Greater Sage-Grouse. However, post-fire restoration is challenging due to spatial variation in ecosystem processes, invasive species, and the time lag between sagebrush recovery and sage-grouse population responses. To address these challenges, a framework was developed to strategically target burned areas for restoration actions that will benefit sage-grouse populations in the long term. The framework incorporates predictions of sagebrush recovery and invasive species risk under different restoration scenarios, and integrates nest site selection and survival models to guide restoration efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Michael S. O'Donnell, David R. Edmunds, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs, Adrian P. Monroe, Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Steve E. Hanser, Lief A. Wiechman
Summary: Understanding wildlife population structure and connectivity is crucial for conservation strategies. We developed a novel approach combining graph theory and biological inference to define hierarchical tiers of population structure. We applied this approach to the greater sage-grouse and found that it accurately depicted population structure and identified areas of potential landscape disturbances.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Shawna J. Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O'Donnell, David R. Edmunds, Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Jennifer A. Fike, Todd B. Cross, Bradley C. Fedy, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Summary: Genetic variation is an important indicator of population fitness but is often overlooked in monitoring programs for sensitive species. This study demonstrates that hierarchically nested population units can be used to identify areas with low genetic diversity in greater sage-grouse, aiding in conservation targeting. The finding highlights the importance of considering genetic diversity in conservation planning.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Maegwin Bonar, Spencer J. Anderson, Charles R. Anderson Jr, George Wittemyer, Joseph M. Northrup, Aaron B. A. Shafer
Summary: Animal migrations are a widespread and threatened ecological process globally. Analyzing migratory traits based on genetic mechanisms is crucial for understanding species' adaptive potential in novel environments and environmental changes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Adrian P. Monroe, Cameron L. Aldridge
Summary: Land management decisions may lead to population declines for non-target wildlife species. In the western United States, the removal of conifer trees from sagebrush ecosystems is happening to restore the population of greater sage-grouse, but it may result in the loss of habitat for pinyon jay, a species that has experienced long-term declines. A Bayesian hierarchical model was developed using 13 years of data to assess conifer removal effects on pinyon jay populations and generate hypotheses regarding their declines.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brian G. Prochazka, Peter S. Coates, Michael S. O'Donnell, David R. Edmunds, Adrian P. Monroe, Mark A. Ricca, Gregory T. Wann, Steve E. Hanser, Lief A. Wiechman, Kevin E. Doherty, Michael P. Chenaille, Cameron L. Aldridge
Summary: A hierarchical monitoring framework is presented to model rates of change in abundance and identify local declines that are out of synchrony with larger spatial scales. Application to a rapidly declining indicator species (greater sage-grouse) revealed population declines ranging between 58 and 68%, while population trends unassociated with triggers showed little decline. Retrospective application indicated the need for management intervention to reverse declines and stabilize the U.S. population.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Courtney J. Duchardt, Adrian P. Monroe, David R. Edmunds, Matthew J. Holloran, Alison G. Holloran, Cameron L. Aldridge
Summary: The effectiveness of using greater sage-grouse as an umbrella species for grassland songbirds was examined using neutral landscape models. Results showed that some grassland songbird species had greater overlap with sage-grouse habitat, indicating potential effectiveness of the umbrella species concept.
Article
Ecology
Andrew T. Tredennick, Adrian P. Monroe, Thomas Prebyl, John Lombardi, Cameron L. Aldridge
Summary: This study investigated the effects of climate change on sagebrush cover in Wyoming's sage-grouse core areas. The results showed that temperature had a positive effect on sagebrush performance in most management areas, and the predicted increase in temperature would lead to an increase in sagebrush cover. Only a small percentage of management areas were projected to switch from optimal to suboptimal in the future.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Danielle Bilyeu Johnston, Charles R. R. Anderson Jr
Summary: Land managers in western North America often use mechanical methods such as chaining, roller-chopping, and mastication to reverse succession and reduce fire risk. These methods differ in cost and impact on vegetation and animal responses.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tim C. C. Swearingen, Robert W. W. Klaver, Charles R. R. Anderson Jr, Christopher N. N. Jacques
Summary: The probability of obtaining images of target species may differ based on camera models and alignment of cameras. The alignment of cameras within paired stations can affect species detection due to exposure issues. Our study found that the alignment of cameras did not significantly impact the number of usable mammal photos, but reliability varied between different camera models. Further testing is recommended before large-scale deployment to optimize reliability and performance.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John D. Lloyd, Cameron L. Aldridge, Taber D. Allison, Chad W. LeBeau, Lance B. McNew, Virginia L. Winder
Summary: The challenge of balancing wildlife conservation and decarbonization of the electricity sector is well illustrated in the grasslands and shrub-steppe of North America. The potential consequences of wind-energy development on prairie grouse have been synthesized, and the short-term effects seem to have little impact on adult survival and nest success. However, changes in habitat use and reduced lek persistence suggest behavioral responses that may have demographic consequences. Important uncertainties remain, such as the potential long-term cumulative effects of extensive wind-energy development.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2022)
