Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Dickie, Melanie; McNay, Scott; Sutherland, Glenn D.; Cody, Michael; Avgar, Tal

doi:10.1111/1365-2656.13130

Cited by 131 publications

(144 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The effects of linear features on the movement of large terrestrial mammals are relatively well understood (DeMars et al, 2016;Dickie et al, 2019;Latham et al, 2011;McKenzie et al, 2012;Whittington et al, 2004); here we provide evidence that anthropogenic linear features also affect movement and space use of avian species during migration. Our approach was analytically nuanced, incorporating the effects of energy subsidies key to soaring movement into the availability kernel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Novel step selection analyses on energy landscapes reveal how linear features alter migrations of soaring birds

Eisaguirre

Booms

Barger

et al. 2020

Journal of Animal Ecology

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1. Human modification of landscapes includes extensive addition of linear features, such as roads and transmission lines. These can alter animal movement and space use and affect the intensity of interactions among species, including predation and competition. Effects of linear features on animal movement have seen relatively little research in avian systems, despite ample evidence of their effects in mammalian systems and that some types of linear features, including both roads and transmission lines, are substantial sources of mortality. 2. Here, we used satellite telemetry combined with step selection functions designed to explicitly incorporate the energy landscape (el-SSFs) to investigate the effects of linear features and habitat on movements and space use of a large soaring bird, the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, during migration. Our sample consisted of 32 adult eagles tracked for 45 spring and 39 fall migrations from 2014 to 2017. 3. Fitted el-SSFs indicated eagles had a strong general preference for south-facing slopes, where thermal uplift develops predictably, and that these areas are likely important aspects of migratory pathways. el-SSFs also provided evidence that roads and railroads affected movement during both spring and fall migrations, but eagles selected areas near roads to a greater degree in spring compared to fall and at higher latitudes compared to lower latitudes. During spring, time spent near linear features often occurred during slower-paced or stopover movements, perhaps in part to access carrion produced by vehicle collisions. 4. Regardless of the behavioural mechanism of selection, use of these features could expose eagles and other soaring species to elevated risk via collision with vehicles and/or transmission lines. Linear features have previously been documented to affect the ecology of terrestrial species (e.g. large mammals) by modifying individuals' movement patterns; our work shows that these effects on movement extend to avian taxa.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Novel step selection analyses on energy landscapes reveal how linear features alter migrations of soaring birds

Eisaguirre

Booms

Barger

et al. 2020

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…In contrast to the response to primary roads, we found browsing occurrence was 1.1–2.3 times higher along secondary roadsides relative to the furthest point from the road. Moose could use secondary roads for travel but often these linear features are perceived as risky, especially when predators are present (Dickie et al 2020), so we would expect some degree of road avoidance behavior. A more plausible explanation for the positive effect of secondary roads is that roads change an herbivore’s food landscapes without adding the burden of high vehicle traffic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roads, forestry, and wolves interact to drive moose browsing behavior in Scandinavia

et al. 2021

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As wild ungulate densities increase across Europe and North America, plant-herbivore interactions are increasingly important from ecological and economic perspectives. These interactions are particularly significant where agriculture and forestry occur and where intensive grazing and browsing by wild ungulates can result in economic losses to growing crops and trees. We studied plant-herbivore interactions in a moose (Alces alces)-dominant system where forestry is a primary economy, the primary and secondary road networks are extensive, and wolves (Canis lupus) are recolonizing. Wolves and humans use low-traffic, secondary roads, yet roadsides provide high-quality and quantity browse for moose. Foraging theory predicts that moose will respond to riskier landscapes by selecting habitats that reduce predation risk, sacrificing feeding time or food quality. As food becomes limiting, however, animals will accept higher predation risk in search of food. We predicted that road avoidance behavior would be strongest within wolf territories. In areas without wolves, moose should select roadsides for their high forage availability. To test these predictions, we measured moose browsing and counted pellet groups as a proxy for habitat use each spring in Norway and Sweden between 2008 and 2018, in areas with and without wolves and at different distances from primary and secondary roads. We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate drivers of the probability of browsing occurrence and browsing pressure. We found that browsing occurrence increased closer to secondary roads but decreased closer to primary roads. We also found browsing patterns to vary among tree species. For Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), the browsing occurrence was two times higher in young forests relative to non-young forests and decreased further from secondary roads. Wolf territory presence and probability had neutral or positive effect on browsing occurrence and pressure for all species. However, wolf territory presence had negative effects on browsing occurrence and pressure when interacting with secondary roads, young forest, or snow cover. We showed that roads can influence browsing patterns in Norway and Sweden. However, further research is needed, particularly in the face of continued infrastructure development in Scandinavia.

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“…We discuss this process further below, and provide examples in the Additional File 2. See also [64], [65], and [66].…”

Section: ))mentioning

confidence: 99%

A ‘How-to’ Guide for Interpreting Parameters in Habitat-Selection Analyses

Fieberg

Signer

Smith

et al. 2020

Preprint

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111

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Resource-selection and step-selection analyses allow researchers to link animals to their environment and are commonly used to address questions related to wildlife management and conservation efforts. Step-selection analyses that incorporate movement characteristics, referred to as integrated step-selection analyses, are particularly appealing because they allow modeling of both movement and habitat-selection processes.Despite their popularity, many users struggle with interpreting parameters in resource-selection and step-selection functions. Integrated step-selection analyses also require several additional steps to translate model parameters into a full-fledged movement model, and the mathematics supporting this approach can be challenging for biologists to understand.Using simple examples, we demonstrate how weighted distribution theory and the inhomogeneous Poisson point-process model can facilitate parameter interpretation in resource-selection and step-selection analyses. Further, we provide a “how to” guide illustrating the steps required to implement integrated step-selection analyses using the amt package.By providing clear examples with open-source code, we hope to make resource-selection and integrated step-selection analyses more understandable and accessible to end users.

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Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Cited by 131 publications

References 64 publications

Novel step selection analyses on energy landscapes reveal how linear features alter migrations of soaring birds

Novel step selection analyses on energy landscapes reveal how linear features alter migrations of soaring birds

Roads, forestry, and wolves interact to drive moose browsing behavior in Scandinavia

A ‘How-to’ Guide for Interpreting Parameters in Habitat-Selection Analyses

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