Managing animal movement conserves predator–prey dynamics

Anthropogenic landscape change can lead to novel interactions among species with consequences for predator–prey dynamics. Population responses of predators and prey vary according to species abundance, movement, and distribution. Although conservation often involves managing species abundance, culli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in ecology and the environment 2021-09, Vol.19 (7), p.379-385
Main Authors: Keim, Jonah L, DeWitt, Philip D, Wilson, Steven F, Fitzpatrick, J Jeremy, Jenni, Noemie S, Lele, Subhash R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abundance
Anthropogenic factors
Bears
Canis lupus
Caribou
Endangered & extinct species
Endangered species
Geographical distribution
Habitat utilization
Human influences
Human motion
Predator-prey interactions
Predators
Prey
Rangifer tarandus
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Ursus americanus
Wildlife conservation
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Summary:Anthropogenic landscape change can lead to novel interactions among species with consequences for predator–prey dynamics. Population responses of predators and prey vary according to species abundance, movement, and distribution. Although conservation often involves managing species abundance, culling predators to benefit vulnerable prey is socially, ethically, and ecologically tenuous. We conducted a before–after control–impact experiment to test how well mitigations designed to disrupt animal movement reduce encounters between endangered caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and their predators in a human-modified landscape. Using camera traps, we quantified coincident habitat use by predators and prey. By deploying obstacles to disrupt ease of movement on human developments, we reduced the ratio of wolf (Canis lupus)–caribou encounters by 85% and reduced the ratio of black bear (Ursus americanus)–caribou encounters by 60%, without removing predators. By managing animal movements that regulate predator–prey encounters, risk to endangered species can be reduced without the disruptive trophic effects caused by intensive carnivore removals.
ISSN:1540-9295
1540-9309
DOI:10.1002/fee.2358