Article
Environmental Sciences
Fiona McDuie, Austen A. Lorenz, Robert C. Klinger, Cory T. Overton, Cliff L. Feldheim, Joshua T. Ackerman, Michael L. Casazza
Summary: Long-term environmental management to prevent waterfowl population declines is based on ecology, movement behavior, and habitat use patterns. Human-induced disturbance can cause changes in behavior, affecting movement and resource needs. A study in California found that dabbling ducks adjust rapidly to different levels of disturbance during hunting season, showcasing the importance of understanding the relationship between human disturbance and animal behavior for effective management strategies.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Carla Freitas, David Villegas-Rios, Even Moland, Esben Moland Olsen
Summary: Understanding how aquatic animals respond to temperature variation is crucial for predicting future climate change impacts and guiding conservation efforts. In a coastal area of Norway, a study found that fish species adjusted their behavior and habitat selection based on thermal preferences, with cod preferring colder waters, while pollack and ballan wrasse favored warmer waters in different seasons. This study highlights the importance of behavioral plasticity in coping with temperature variability and potential adaptation to climate change.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ryan R. Reisinger, Ari S. Friedlaender, Alexandre N. Zerbini, Daniel M. Palacios, Virginia Andrews-Goff, Luciano Dalla Rosa, Mike Double, Ken Findlay, Claire Garrigue, Jason How, Curt Jenner, Micheline-Nicole Jenner, Bruce Mate, Howard C. Rosenbaum, S. Mduduzi Seakamela, Rochelle Constantine
Summary: A new method of combining regional models to fit predictive models of animal habitat selection across large ranges was proposed, resulting in higher predictive performance than a circumpolar naive model when tested on satellite telemetry data of humpback whales in the Southern Ocean's five geographic regions.
Article
Ecology
Dustin H. Ranglack, Kelly M. Proffitt, Jodie E. Canfield, Justin A. Gude, Jay Rotella, Robert A. Garrott
Summary: Understanding factors influencing elk summer resource selection, such as nutritional resources and access routes, is crucial for effective habitat management. Regional models performed better than population-specific models for predicting resource selection across populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mathieu Leblond, Yan Boulanger, Jesus Pascual Puigdevall, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: Many boreal populations of woodland caribou in Canada are declining due to human activities and climate change. This study used a forest landscape model to predict future caribou habitat suitability and found that harvesting has a dominant impact on habitat suitability, while climate change also plays a role, especially under high radiative forcing scenarios.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric Nordberg, Jon Ashley, Alyssa A. Hoekstra, Sarah Kirkpatrick, Vincent A. Cobb
Summary: The study examined the movement ecology of snakes in a fragmented landscape and found that while small nature preserves may not effectively contain timber rattlesnakes throughout the year, they still support the conservation of key habitat necessary for the survival of this species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Daniela Nagl, Urs Breitenmoser, Klaus Hacklaender, Andreas Ryser, Fridolin Zimmermann, Sven Signer, Heinrich Haller, Christine Breitenmoser-Wuersten, Kristina Vogt
Summary: The study reveals that wild-caught Eurasian lynx reintroduced to Central Switzerland in the 1970s have adapted to the alpine environment over generations, selecting more open habitats, higher elevations, and steep slopes. This adaptation has led to significant changes in their prey spectrum.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Bryan S. Stevens, Shane B. Roberts, Courtney J. Conway, Devin K. Englestead
Summary: Global change has led to an increase in megafire events, which significantly impact wildlife habitat. This study examined the functional responses and space use of breeding greater sage-grouse before and after a large-scale wildfire in Idaho, USA. The results showed that megafire altered the distribution of available resources and influenced the use of nesting habitat, while individual variation in resources affected brood rearing. Importantly, resource selection models built prior to the fire had poor transferability in predicting post-fire space use. These findings have important implications for understanding how animals respond to changing environments and can aid in habitat conservation efforts.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ryan J. Askren, Ethan R. Massey, J. Dale James, Douglas C. Osborne
Summary: This study investigated the arrival timing and foraging behaviors of greater white-fronted geese in wintering areas and highlighted the potential underestimation of energetic demands and competitive nature of early migratory geese by current bioenergetics models. The findings contribute to the refinement of bioenergetics models and future waterfowl habitat planning efforts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Akiko Takii, Masaaki Ozeki, Chihiro Takahata, Shigeyuki Izumiyama
Summary: The grazing pressure by deer has significant impacts on ecosystem functions and interspecific interactions, and is considered a major factor in ecological degradation. This study analyzed the altitudinal movement patterns and habitat selection of alpine sika deer, and estimated the relative probability of their habitat use. The results highlight the urgent need to prioritize the conservation of alpine vegetation in the South Alps National Park.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eduardo Laguna, Jose A. Barasona, Joaquin Vicente, Oliver Keuling, Pelayo Acevedo
Summary: The study highlights the impact of sex and land use on the spatial ecology and habitat selection of adult wild boar in the Mediterranean region. Male wild boar exhibited higher activity levels and larger daily range in mixed farms compared to fenced hunting estates, with lower values observed in protected areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
G. D. Clewley, L. J. Barber, G. J. Conway, N. A. Clark, B. J. Donato, C. B. Thaxter, N. H. K. Burton
Summary: Individual foraging specialisms among generalist species can have important consequences for demographic rates. Our study on the habitat preferences of breeding Herring Gulls at South Walney revealed a shift towards greater selection for coastal habitats, particularly mussel bed areas, and a reduction in the use of urban and landfill areas. Understanding and managing intertidal resources could help balance conservation needs with the commercial and social interests of nearby shellfisheries.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
J. A. Moon, S. E. Lehnen, K. L. Metzger, M. A. Squires, M. G. Brasher, B. C. Wilson, W. C. Conway, D. A. Haukos, B. E. Davis, F. C. Rohwer, E. M. Wehland, B. M. Ballard
Summary: Coastal wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico are vital ecosystems that have been declining in size and quality since the 1930s. Research on mottled ducks predicts negative impacts on their habitat from future sea-level rise and human development, with the highest habitat loss rate expected in the Chenier Plain of Louisiana, USA. Identifying vulnerable areas and targeting conservation efforts could help ensure the future persistence of mottled ducks in the landscape.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bartlomiej Popczyk, Daniel Klich, Pawel Nasiadka, Maria Sobczuk, Wanda Olech, Piotr Kociuba, Krzysztof Gadkowski, Ludwik Purski
Summary: Understanding the home range, spatial patterns, and habitat use of wild boar is crucial for effectively managing their population. This study examined the impact of crop harvesting on habitat selection of wild boar in an agricultural landscape in Poland. The results showed that wild boar exhibited monthly dynamics in their preference for arable land, pastures, forests, and mosaics. The preference for arable land decreased significantly in August, likely due to the impact of harvesting. Intensive agriculture was found to significantly affect the frequency of wild boar in different habitats, while forest habitats remained their main daytime refuge. Extensive farming, on the other hand, had a neutral effect on the abundance of wild boar in habitats.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brianne E. Brussee, Peter S. Coates, Shawn T. O'Neil, Michael L. Casazza, Shawn P. Espinosa, John D. Boone, Elisabeth M. Ammon, Scott C. Gardner, David J. Delehanty
Summary: Numerous wildlife species in semi-arid shrubland ecosystems in western North America are suffering from habitat loss and fragmentation. Greater sage-grouse, considered an indicator of ecosystem health, have experienced population decline due to habitat degradation.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Martyn Eliott, Simon Lawson, Andrew Hayes, Valerie Debuse, Alan York, Tom Lewis
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Holly Sitters, Julian Di Stefano
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Forestry
Annalie Dorph, Matthew Swan, Ellen Rochelmeyer, Julian Di Stefano
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Matthew Swan, Fiona Christie, Erin Steel, Holly Sitters, Alan York, Julian Di Stefano
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Matthew Swan, Mark Le Pla, Julian Di Stefano, Jack Pascoe, Trent D. Penman
Summary: Species distribution models are important tools for biodiversity conservation, particularly in understanding the impact of climate, fire, vegetation, and topography on ground-dwelling mammal distributions. The study found that climate is the primary driver of habitat suitability for most species, while time since fire only significantly affects the distribution of two out of 16 modelled species.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Annalie Dorph, Matthew Swan, Julian Di Stefano, Trent D. Penman
Summary: Understanding the relationships between spatial pattern, spatial scale and biodiversity is crucial for assessing the impacts of environmental change on species richness. Our study found that both composition and configuration of environmental factors play important roles, with the strength and presence of relationships varying across different spatial scales. Patterns in NDVI, time since fire, habitat complexity, and elevation were identified as having the strongest effects on mammal species richness.
Article
Ecology
Lauren Delaney, Julian Di Stefano, Holly Sitters
Summary: This study explores how interactions between fire history, landscape context, and matrix availability influence mammal responses in human-modified landscapes, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in fire management for better conservation outcomes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rachel Nalliah, Holly Sitters, Amy Smith, Julian Di Stefano
Summary: The study investigated the interrelationships between the endangered heath mouse, fire, resource availability, and introduced fox in southeast Australia, revealing that heath mouse abundance is influenced by shrub cover, plant-group diversity, and fox relative abundance, mediated by post-fire age class.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Emily F. Hynes, Desley A. Whisson, Julian Di Stefano
Summary: Plantation harvesting has minimal impact on resident koalas, with most of them safely dispersing to adjacent plantations during and after the harvest. The survival of koalas during the process is attributed to active efforts to guide them away from harm and facilitate their movement to nearby areas. Future research should focus on the influence of landscape context on harvested plantations.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Geofe O. Cadiz, Jane G. Cawson, Thomas J. Duff, Trent D. Penman, Alan York, Claire Farrell
Summary: Understanding the abundance of different plant species can provide insights into the properties of vegetation communities, such as flammability. Water and light play important roles in influencing plant growth and abundance, which in turn affects the flammability of forest ecosystems. Our study found that drought and shade have independent effects on wiregrass growth, biomass allocation, and leaf morphology, supporting the hypothesis of uncoupled impacts.
Article
Forestry
Christopher J. Weston, Julian Di Stefano, Samuel Hislop, Liubov Volkova
Summary: Climate change is expanding the wildfire-burnt areas in seasonally dry forests worldwide, prompting a need for revising management strategies. Prescribed burning and mechanical thinning are effective in reducing wildfire risk, with the latter being less commonly used in Australia. The study shows that managing fuel load through thinning and prescribed burning can significantly decrease wildfire severity and risk.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Saumya Wanniarachchi, Matthew Swan, Paul Nevil, Alan York
Summary: Food acquisition is crucial in influencing animal distribution and abundance. Utilizing eDNA metabarcoding allows for a more comprehensive understanding of animal diets and how they change over time.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Sandra Penman, Pia Lentini, Bradley Law, Alan York
Summary: This study provides a starting point for incorporating terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) methods into ecological research and monitoring. A case study from a temperate forest in Australia is used to demonstrate the workflow and R code for processing TLS data and extracting vegetation structure metrics relevant to wildlife habitat. The study highlights the value of three-dimensional data obtained through TLS in wildlife studies and its potential for exploring advanced ecological and conservation questions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Geofe O. Cadiz, Jane G. Cawson, Trent D. Penman, Alan York, Thomas J. Duff
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2020)