Patchy indirect effects of predation: predators contribute to landscape heterogeneity and ecosystem function via localized pathways

Johnson‐Bice, Sean M.; Gable, Thomas D.; Roth, James D.; Bump, Joseph K.

doi:10.1111/oik.10065

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 194 publications

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“…In addition to increasing scavenger food resources, carcasses transferred to terrestrial ecosystems by river otters may increase local nutrient availability and generate biogeochemical hotspots, particularly in low‐productivity coastal dune habitats such as those surrounding Abbotts Lagoon (Johnson‐Bice et al., 2023 ). These carcass‐associated hotspots can generate novel interactions among local soil, plant, and invertebrate communities, potentially leading to landscape‐level consequences such as altered spatial heterogeneity (Monk & Schmitz, 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovering predators link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: River otters subsidize coyotes with carrion

Gerraty,

Carroll,

Williams

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Despite global declines in the abundance and distribution of predators, conservation and reintroduction efforts are increasingly leading to predator recoveries. Unexpected species interactions and ecological consequences often arise when these predator recoveries occur. Here, we describe a novel species interaction in which coyotes (Canis latrans) kleptoparasitize North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) in a region of river otter recovery along the north‐central California coast, USA. We describe eight observations of coyotes scavenging otter‐killed waterbird carrion, including one observation in which river otters aggressively defended their prey from a coyote kleptoparasite. These observations highlight the importance of carrion provisioning as an overlooked pathway through which river otters facilitate nutrient subsidies to terrestrial scavengers. This behavior may have ecological implications including effects on the abundance, behavior, and health of scavengers as well as their interspecific interactions. We propose hypotheses and questions regarding these ecological consequences to guide further investigations into the cross‐ecosystem impacts of recovering river otter populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovering predators link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: River otters subsidize coyotes with carrion

Gerraty,

Carroll,

Williams

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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“…( 2021 ), while white‐tailed eagles made them available to the wider scavenger community in our study. The aggregated spatiotemporal distribution of carcasses produced by the white‐tailed eagles can be expected to cause local effects, both through the attraction of other scavengers and by generating biogeochemical hotspots affecting the productivity and biodiversity of the soil ecosystem, including plant growth (Johnson‐Bice et al., 2023 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The scavenger species recorded for pink salmon in northern Norway byDunlop et al (2021) were the same species as recorded in our study.A main difference between studies was that pink salmon carcasses were made available to the scavengers by humans in the study design ofDunlop et al (2021), while white-tailed eagles made them available to the wider scavenger community in our study. The aggregated spatiotemporal distribution of carcasses produced by the whitetailed eagles can be expected to cause local effects, both through the attraction of other scavengers and by generating biogeochemical hotspots affecting the productivity and biodiversity of the soil ecosystem, including plant growth(Johnson-Bice et al, 2023).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological implications of the pink salmon invasion in northern Norway—Aggregative responses and terrestrial transfer by white‐tailed eagles

Bonde,

Stien

2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Over the last 10 years, the spawning population of invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) has increased in the river systems in northern Norway to a level that is causing concern about their impact on endemic fauna and ecosystem processes. The scale of transfer of pink salmon carcasses into the terrestrial ecosystem is likely to be a key determinant of terrestrial impact. Bears (Ursus sp.) are responsible for most such transfers in North America but are rare in Norway. The white‐tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is common however, and a candidate to be a main cause of such transfers. To evaluate this hypothesis, data on the abundance of white‐tailed eagles and pink salmon were collected along the river Skallelv in northern Norway in 2021, a year the pink salmon spawned in the river, and in 2022, a year no pink salmon spawned in the river. The abundance of white‐tailed eagles along the river was much higher the year pink salmon spawned in the river. Furthermore, white‐tailed eagles were observed aggregating and catching pink salmon where and when pink salmon were present at the spawning and post‐spawning stages. Based on our observations, we suggest that the white‐tailed eagle is the main species involved in the transport of pink salmon from the river into the riparian zone in northern Norway and that other scavengers, in particular the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and common raven (Corvus corax), play an important role in transporting pink salmon carcasses from the riparian zone to the wider terrestrial ecosystem.

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Missing carcasses, lost nutrients: Quantifying nutrient losses from deer culling practices in Scotland

Ferraro,

Hirst

2024

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Deer management has become an integral part of ecosystem recovery efforts across the globe. Within Scotland, annual deer culls have been implemented to control deer browsing, with the carcasses most often removed from the landscape. Given that animal bodies concentrate large quantities of nutrients, this practice may deplete ecosystems of vital nutrients. We quantified the nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium losses from the removal of culled deer carcasses using nationwide statutory cull reports for four deer species in Scotland between 2010 and 2021. We estimate that annual losses from carcass removal over this period averaged 195,652 kg of nitrogen, 152,834 kg of phosphorus and 251,188 kg of calcium across Scotland. While both red and roe deer were culled at a much higher rate than the other two species red deer culls accounted for approximately 70% of the nutrients lost. Further, while large quantities of all three nutrients were removed from the landscape, calcium losses were particularly high. We then calculated nutrient losses within the three land classifications used in statutory cull reporting—agricultural areas, open range and woodlands—across Scotland's Deer Count Areas. Using data from the literature, we considered these losses in the context of other major environmental inputs and outputs within each land classification. Our results demonstrate that while open range lost more nutrients compared to the other two land classifications, culling resulted in high rates of phosphorus and calcium loss throughout all land classifications when compared to other environmental inputs. Practical implication. Our findings suggest that current practices of carcass removal are gradually stripping nutrients from the Scottish landscape, potentially undermining habitat recovery goals. While this study offers a preliminary, coarse scale summary of the issue, the way forward requires further study of local effects from carcass removal on nutrient pools and balancing deer management with habitat function through interwoven deer and nutrient management strategies.

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Patchy indirect effects of predation: predators contribute to landscape heterogeneity and ecosystem function via localized pathways

Cited by 7 publications

References 194 publications

Recovering predators link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: River otters subsidize coyotes with carrion

Recovering predators link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: River otters subsidize coyotes with carrion

Ecological implications of the pink salmon invasion in northern Norway—Aggregative responses and terrestrial transfer by white‐tailed eagles

Missing carcasses, lost nutrients: Quantifying nutrient losses from deer culling practices in Scotland

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