A fence runs through it: A call for greater attention to the influence of fences on wildlife and ecosystems

Jakes, Andrew F.; Jones, Patricia S.; Paige, L. Christine; Seidler, Renee G.; Huijser, Marcel P

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2018.09.026

Cited by 135 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…, Jakes et al. ). For example, our Alberta and Montana study regions contained enough fence to circle the earth eight times (Seward et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Jakes et al. ). Until the public becomes aware of an event where ungulates become either entangled or their movement is severely restricted resulting in mass mortalities, fences are essentially invisible in terms of their broad‐scale impacts (Jakes et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fences are among the most dominant anthropogenic features and may far exceed road densities in these landscapes (Jakes et al. ). Fences are an increasing feature of African pastoralist systems; border fences are expanding in North America and Europe and are listed as a contributing global threat to mammalian migration and movements (Berger , Wilcove and Wikelski , Flesch et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Jakes et al. ), there have been few direct studies that quantify fence effects on partially migratory ungulate populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fences reduce habitat for a partially migratory ungulate in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe

et al. 2019

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Few studies have examined differential responses of partially migratory ungulates to human development or activity, where some individuals in a population migrate and others do not. Yet understanding how animals with different movement tactics respond to anthropogenic disturbance is key to sustaining global ungulate migrations. We examined seasonal resource selection of a partially migratory population of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana from 2003 to 2011. We developed step‐selection functions (SSF) for migrant and resident pronghorn during the summer and winter at two spatial scales (second order and third order) and then integrated SSFs across scales to estimate pronghorn responses to fences and subsequent habitat loss from these features while accounting for responses to other resource use. Both migrant and resident pronghorn showed the strongest responses to natural and anthropogenic features at the second order and weaker responses at the third order. Selection responses of migrant and residents differed the most in response to normalized difference vegetation index, topography, and anthropogenic features. Seasonally, selection for intermediate greenness was strongest in summer, whereas avoidance of roads strongly influenced winter resource selection of both tactics. Both migrant and resident pronghorn showed strong avoidance of fencing at both spatial scales during summer and winter. Model predictions with complete removal of fences from the landscape (i.e., natural conditions) predicted an increase in the area of high‐quality habitat of 16–38%. In contrast, doubling fence density on the landscape decreased the amount of high‐quality habitat by 1–11% and increased low‐quality habitat by 13–21%. Our results suggest that pronghorn winter and summer ranges can be improved by reducing the density of fences on the landscape, or mitigation measures to enhance fence crossings, to alleviate the indirect loss of habitat for this important endemic prairie species.

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“…, Jakes et al. ). For example, our Alberta and Montana study regions contained enough fence to circle the earth eight times (Seward et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Jakes et al. ), there have been few direct studies that quantify fence effects on partially migratory ungulate populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Fences reduce habitat for a partially migratory ungulate in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe

et al. 2019

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“…The GPS biotelemetry data used to develop our emu movement model are at a spatial grain that precludes detailed analysis of edge response and so we used a phenomenological, but biologically informed, representation of this effect. Understanding the general and specific responses of seed dispersers to habitat edges requires further research (Beyer et al, ; Jakes, Jones, Paige, Seidler, & Huijser, ). Our model does not represent the spatial memory of frugivores (Fagan et al, ), which mediates foraging strategies and detection, and potentially reaction to habitat edges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The spatial complexity of seed movement: Animal‐generated seed dispersal patterns in fragmented landscapes revealed by animal movement models

et al. 2019

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Large animals provide crucial seed dispersal services, yet face continued threats and are susceptible to changes in landscape composition and configuration. Thus, there is a growing imperative to improve understanding of animal‐generated seed dispersal using models that incorporate spatial complexity in a realistic, yet tractable, way. We developed a spatially explicit agent‐based seed dispersal model, with disperser movements informed by biotelemetry data, to evaluate how landscape composition and configuration affect seed dispersal patterns. We illustrated this approach for the world's second largest ratite, the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), a highly mobile generalist frugivore considered an important long‐distance disperser for many plant species across Australia. When animal movement is unrestricted, model parameters related to seed gut passage largely determine seed dispersal kernels. However, as habitat loss and fragmentation increase, the extent of long‐distance dispersal events is reduced and seed shadows became progressively more aggregated. This effect is due to the emu not being able to move between disconnected parts of the landscape, with small changes in habitat structure causing decreased long‐distance dispersal. We simulated seed dispersal patterns generated by three commonly used generic models of animal movement – unbiased and biased correlated random walks and Lévy walks – to evaluate how different representations of movement affect estimations of animal movements and emergent seed dispersal patterns. Simulated movements informed by the emu biotelemetry data resulted in longer median seed dispersal distances than do the three generic models. Synthesis. Changes in landscape composition and configuration can dramatically alter patterns of zoochorous seed dispersal as they influence animal movement. However, when models are used to simulate the patterns of seed dispersal, decisions about how animal movement is represented also affect estimates of seed dispersal.

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Observations of fin injury closure in Great Hammerheads and implications for the use of fin‐mounted geolocators

et al. 2023

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Objective: Sharks face a high risk of injuries throughout all life stages and are therefore expected to show a good wound closure capacity. Methods:Here, the wound closure of one major injury and one minor injury to the first dorsal fins of two free-ranging, mature female Great Hammerheads Sphyrna mokarran is described macroscopically. Result:The sharks showed complete wound closure of single, clean-cut lacerations measuring 24.2 and 11.6 cm in length after an estimated 323 and 138 days. These estimates were based on the observed closure rate and visual confirmation of a complete wound closure upon multiple resightings of the same individuals. Additionally, the posterior lateral displacement of fin-mounted geolocators within the fin and outside of the fin without causing external damage was documented in three additional Great Hammerheads. Conclusion:These observations supplement findings about wound closure capabilities in elasmobranchs. The documented geolocator displacement furthers the discussion about the safe use of these geolocators to track shark movements but also has implications for future tagging studies.

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A fence runs through it: A call for greater attention to the influence of fences on wildlife and ecosystems

Cited by 135 publications

References 55 publications

Fences reduce habitat for a partially migratory ungulate in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe

Fences reduce habitat for a partially migratory ungulate in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe

The spatial complexity of seed movement: Animal‐generated seed dispersal patterns in fragmented landscapes revealed by animal movement models

Observations of fin injury closure in Great Hammerheads and implications for the use of fin‐mounted geolocators

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