Landscape connectivity and predator–prey population dynamics

Baggio, Jacopo A.; Salau, Kehinde R.; Janssen, Marco A.; Schoon, Michael; Bodin, Örjan

doi:10.1007/s10980-010-9493-y

Cited by 44 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Patch accessibility depends not only on the structural (i.e., spatial arrangement of patches) attributes of connectivity, but also on its functional (i.e., movement capacity) aspects (Crooks and Sanjayan 2006, McIntire et al 2007, Dancose et al 2011. Through its influence on animal movements, connectivity may largely determine predator-prey interactions (Kareiva 1987, Ryall and Fahrig 2006, Baggio et al 2011. Through its influence on animal movements, connectivity may largely determine predator-prey interactions (Kareiva 1987, Ryall and Fahrig 2006, Baggio et al 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Logging‐induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf–caribou–moose system

Courbin

Fortin

Dussault

et al. 2014

Ecological Monographs

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Habitat connectivity influences the distribution dynamics of animals. Connectivity can therefore shape trophic interactions, but little empirical evidence is available, especially for large mammals. In forest ecosystems, logging alters functional connectivity among habitat patches, and such activities can affect the spatial game between large herbivores and their predators. We used graph theory to evaluate how harvesting-induced changes in habitat connectivity influence patch choice and residency time of GPS-collared caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and moose (Alces alces) in winter in the boreal forest. We then investigated the predator-prey game by assessing how GPS-collared wolves (Canis lupus) adjusted their movements to changes in landscape properties and in the networks of their prey species. We built prey habitat networks using minimum planar graphs organized around species-specific, highly selected habitat patches (i.e., network nodes). We found that spatial dynamics of large herbivores were influenced not only by the intrinsic quality of habitat patches, but also by the connectivity of those network nodes. Caribou and moose selected nodes that were connected by a high number of links, and moose also spent relatively more time in those nodes. By limiting node accessibility, human disturbances influenced travel decisions. Caribou and moose avoided nodes that were surrounded by a high proportion of cuts and roads, but once within these nodes, moose stayed longer than in other nodes. Caribou selectively moved among nodes with low distance costs, and their residency time increased with distance costs required to reach the nodes. Wolves selected their prey's nodes, where vegetation consumed by caribou and moose was highly abundant. Furthermore, wolves discriminated among those nodes by selecting the most connected ones. In fact, selection by wolves was stronger for their prey's nodes than for the prey's utilization distribution per se, a difference that increased with the level of human disturbance. Considering the difficulty of keeping track of highly mobile prey, predators may benefit by targeting not only their prey's resource patches, but also the most highly connected patches. Matrix quality and connectivity are therefore key elements shaping the predator-prey spatial game in human-altered landscapes because of their impact on the spatial dynamics of the interacting species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Logging‐induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf–caribou–moose system

Courbin

Fortin

Dussault

et al. 2014

Ecological Monographs

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“…This is typical, for instance, of small animals with short home-ranges. Therefore, considering the preypredator relationship, fragmentation may be an advantage for the former [48]. A patch can represent a good hiding region for the prey, once predators tend to be much more diffusive, with the lower encounter rates results applying to them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unveiling a mechanism for species decline in fragmented habitats: fragmentation induced reduction in encounter rates

Wosniack

Santos

Pie

et al. 2014

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Several studies have reported that fragmentation (e.g. of anthropogenic origin) of habitats often leads to a decrease in the number of species in the region. An important mechanism causing this adverse ecological impact is the change in the encounter rates (i.e. the rates at which individuals meet other organisms of the same or different species). Yet, how fragmentation can change encounter rates is poorly understood. To gain insight into the problem, here we ask how landscape fragmentation affects encounter rates when all other relevant variables remain fixed. We present strong numerical evidence that fragmentation decreases search efficiencies thus encounter rates. What is surprising is that it falls even when the global average densities of interacting organisms are held constant. In other words, fragmentation per se can reduce encounter rates. As encounter rates are fundamental for biological interactions, it can explain part of the observed diminishing in animal biodiversity. Neglecting this effect may underestimate the negative outcomes of fragmentation. Partial deforestation and roads that cut through forests, for instance, might be responsible for far greater damage than thought. Preservation policies should take into account this previously overlooked scientific fact.

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“…One of the consequences of deforestation and a major challenge in conservation biology is habitat fragmentation (Zipperer 1993;Dixo et al 2009;Rueda et al 2013). In recent years, it has become increasingly important to better understand the ecological consequences of fragmentation due to the expansion and intensification of land use (Baggio et al 2011;Ziolkowska et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The jaguar is an appropriate choice for this study because of its broad but declining distribution and its value as a flagship species across the Americas (Sanderson et al 2002;Cavalcanti and Gese 2010;Rabinowitz and Zeller 2010;Tobler et al 2013). Jaguars are an excellent example of a large ranging predator that depends on undisturbed habitat for movement across a variety of ecosystems (Baggio et al 2011). They are also very sensitive to human presence and human activities (De Angelo et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of deforestation on habitat connectivity thresholds for large carnivores in tropical forests

Zemanova

Perotto‐Baldivieso

Dickins³

et al. 2017

Ecol Process

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Introduction: Deforestation significantly impacts large carnivores that depend on large tracts of interconnected forest habitat and that are sensitive to human activities. Understanding the relationship between habitat use and spatial distribution of such species across human modified landscapes is critical when planning effective conservation strategies. This study assessed the presence of potential landscape connectivity thresholds resulting from habitat fragmentation associated with different deforestation patterns using a scale-based approach that links species-specific home ranges with the extent of anthropogenic activities. The objectives were (1) to quantify the spatial and temporal distribution of natural vegetation for five common deforestation patterns and (2) to evaluate the connectivity associated with these patterns and the existence of potential thresholds affecting jaguar dispersal. The Bolivian lowlands, located within jaguar conservation units, were analysed with landscape metrics to capture the spatial and temporal changes within deforested areas and to determine potential impact on jaguar connectivity and connectivity thresholds for dispersal. Results: Over the period of 1976-2005, the amount of natural vegetation has decreased by more than 40% in all locations with the biggest changes occurring between 1991 and 2000. Landscape spatial structure around jaguar locations showed that jaguars used areas with mean proportion of natural areas = 83.14% (SE = 3.72%), mean patch density = 1.16 patches/100 ha (SE = 0.28 patches/100 ha), mean patch area = 616.95 ha (SE = 172.89 ha) and mean edge density = 705.27 m/ha (SE = 182.19 m/ha).We observed strong fragmentation processes in all study locations, which has resulted in the connectivity of jaguar habitat decreasing to <20% by 2005. A connectivity threshold zone was observed when the proportion of natural vegetation was less than 58.4% (SE = 1.3). Conclusions: Assessing fragmentation and connectivity for carnivores within the extent of human-modified landscapes proved to be an effective way to understand the changes caused by deforestation and their potential effects on large carnivore habitats. Our study highlights the importance of scale-based approaches for assessing current conservation challenges to protect large carnivores.

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Landscape connectivity and predator–prey population dynamics

Cited by 44 publications

References 51 publications

Logging‐induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf–caribou–moose system

Logging‐induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf–caribou–moose system

Unveiling a mechanism for species decline in fragmented habitats: fragmentation induced reduction in encounter rates

Impact of deforestation on habitat connectivity thresholds for large carnivores in tropical forests

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