Long-term density-dependent changes in habitat selection in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Pérez‐Barbería, F. Javier; Hooper, R. J.; Gordon, Iain J.

doi:10.1007/s00442-013-2686-8

Cited by 38 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…A recurrent aim in habitat selection studies is to try to identify the underlying behavioural processes involved in the emergence of habitat selection patterns. These may include functional responses (Godvik et al , Herfindal et al , Roever et al ), familiarity responses (Wolf et al , Van Moorter et al ), and density‐related responses (Mobæk et al , Pérez‐Barbería et al , van Beest et al , ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Functional responses in habitat selection are density dependent in a large herbivore

et al. 2015

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Habitat selection is complex due to density dependence and functional responses, defined as variation in relative habitat use depending on availability. In this study we unite these concepts by empirically testing for density‐dependent functional responses in habitat selection using a large herbivore, elk Cervus canadensis manitobensis, as a model species. Theory on density‐dependent habitat selection predicts specialised behaviour when densities are low with a gradual switch to generalist behaviour (more even selection of habitat) as competition intensifies. This suggests that functional responses in habitat selection should be positive when competition is low, but that density may have a negative effect on the functional response due to constraining effects of competition on habitat use and availability. We tested this prediction using data from Global Positioning System (GPS) collared elk (n = 33) and empirical data on spatiotemporal variation in local density during winter in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada (2002–2011). As local density increased, winter home range size decreased and the proportion of mixed forest (providing shelter and forage to elk) used and available within the home range also decreased. Our resource selection function (RSF) revealed clear density‐dependent effects in selection, being strongest (or weakest) for high quality (or low quality) habitat types at lowest observed density leading to more even selection as densities increased. The functional response in mixed forest selection was negatively affected by local density. Increasing availability of mixed forest in the home range was associated with higher selection at low density (positive functional response); no effect of availability on selection at moderate density (no functional response); and lower selection as availability increased at high density (negative functional response). Our study demonstrates that this process is largely driven by the negative effect of density on home range size as it constrains use and availability of habitat.

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Functional responses in habitat selection are density dependent in a large herbivore

et al. 2015

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“…To obtain robust indications of forage offtake, elk abundance and meadow use would be useful variables to estimate because density‐dependent meadow selection is likely (Perez‐Barberia et al. ). Nonetheless, cropping rates of male and female elk measured in 1994 and 2002 indicated a change in elk feeding behavior in the Prairie Creek drainage (Weckerly et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation changes associated with a population irruption by Roosevelt elk

Starns

Weckerly

Ricca

et al. 2014

Ecology and Evolution

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Interactions between large herbivores and their food supply are central to the study of population dynamics. We assessed temporal and spatial patterns in meadow plant biomass over a 23-year period for meadow complexes that were spatially linked to three distinct populations of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) in northwestern California. Our objectives were to determine whether the plant community exhibited a tolerant or resistant response when elk population growth became irruptive. Plant biomass for the three meadow complexes inhabited by the elk populations was measured using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which was derived from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper imagery. Elk populations exhibited different patterns of growth through the time series, whereby one population underwent a complete four-stage irruptive growth pattern while the other two did not. Temporal changes in NDVI for the meadow complex used by the irruptive population suggested a decline in forage biomass during the end of the dry season and a temporal decline in spatial variation of NDVI at the peak of plant biomass in May. Conversely, no such patterns were detected in the meadow complexes inhabited by the nonirruptive populations. Our findings suggest that the meadow complex used by the irruptive elk population may have undergone changes in plant community composition favoring plants that were resistant to elk grazing.

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“…; Pérez‐Barbería et al. ). This increase in competition often results in individuals using less preferred habitats where competition is reduced, but general fitness also is lowered (Fretwell and Lucas ; Rosenzweig ; Pérez‐Barbería et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Sexual segregation in North American elk: the role of density dependence

Stewart

Walsh

Kie

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

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We investigated how density-dependent processes and subsequent variation in nutritional condition of individuals influenced both timing and duration of sexual segregation and selection of resources. During 1999–2001, we experimentally created two population densities of North American elk (Cervus elaphus), a high-density population at 20 elk/km2, and a low-density population at 4 elk/km2 to test hypotheses relative to timing and duration of sexual segregation and variation in selection of resources. We used multi-response permutation procedures to investigate patterns of sexual segregation, and resource selection functions to document differences in selection of resources by individuals in high- and low-density populations during sexual segregation and aggregation. The duration of sexual segregation was 2 months longer in the high-density population and likely was influenced by individuals in poorer nutritional condition, which corresponded with later conception and parturition, than at low density. Males and females in the high-density population overlapped in selection of resources to a greater extent than in the low-density population, probably resulting from density-dependent effects of increased intraspecific competition and lower availability of resources.

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Long-term density-dependent changes in habitat selection in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Cited by 38 publications

References 69 publications

Functional responses in habitat selection are density dependent in a large herbivore

Functional responses in habitat selection are density dependent in a large herbivore

Vegetation changes associated with a population irruption by Roosevelt elk

Sexual segregation in North American elk: the role of density dependence

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