Coexistence of carnivores in a heterogeneous landscape: habitat selection and ecological niches

Pereira, Pedro; Silva, António Alves da; Alves, Joana; Matos, Milena; Fonseca, Carlos

doi:10.1007/s11284-012-0949-1

Cited by 43 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Habitat segregation has been studied at different scales for many coexisting species, from spiders (Thompson, Ball, & Fitzgerald, ) to a variety of mammals, including ungulates (Darmon et al., ; Owen‐Smith, Martin, & Yoganand, ) and medium‐sized and large carnivores (Broekhuis et al., ; May et al., ; Pereira, Alves da Silva, Alves, Matos, & Fonseca, ). However, evidence of interspecific competition between sympatric large carnivores with fine‐scale data (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The patterns observed at different spatial scales (Ordiz et al, 2015 and this study) show that the result of biotic interactions might be visible at several scales and might act as a key mechanism allowing the coexistence between apex predators. Because most of the observed interactions between wolves and bears occur at carcasses (Ballard et al, 2003), fine-scale movements around carcasses might be an additional mechanism used to reduce the risk of encoun- Habitat segregation has been studied at different scales for many coexisting species, from spiders (Thompson, Ball, & Fitzgerald, 2015) to a variety of mammals, including ungulates (Darmon et al, 2012;Owen-Smith, Martin, & Yoganand, 2015) and medium-sized and large carnivores (Broekhuis et al, 2013;May et al, 2008;Pereira, Alves da Silva, Alves, Matos, & Fonseca, 2012). However, evidence of interspecific competition between sympatric large carnivores with fine-scale data (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat segregation between brown bears and gray wolves in a human‐dominated landscape

Milleret

Ordiz

Chapron

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Identifying how sympatric species belonging to the same guild coexist is a major question of community ecology and conservation. Habitat segregation between two species might help reduce the effects of interspecific competition and apex predators are of special interest in this context, because their interactions can have consequences for lower trophic levels. However, habitat segregation between sympatric large carnivores has seldom been studied. Based on monitoring of 53 brown bears (Ursus arctos) and seven sympatric adult gray wolves (Canis lupus) equipped with GPS collars in Sweden, we analyzed the degree of interspecific segregation in habitat selection within their home ranges in both late winter and spring, when their diets overlap the most. We used the K‐select method, a multivariate approach that relies on the concept of ecological niche, and randomization methods to quantify habitat segregation between bears and wolves. Habitat segregation between bears and wolves was greater than expected by chance. Wolves tended to select for moose occurrence, young forests, and rugged terrain more than bears, which likely reflects the different requirements of an omnivore (bear) and an obligate carnivore (wolf). However, both species generally avoided human‐related habitats during daytime. Disentangling the mechanisms that can drive interspecific interactions at different spatial scales is essential for understanding how sympatric large carnivores occur and coexist in human‐dominated landscapes, and how coexistence may affect lower trophic levels. The individual variation in habitat selection detected in our study may be a relevant mechanism to overcome intraguild competition and facilitate coexistence.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat segregation between brown bears and gray wolves in a human‐dominated landscape

Milleret

Ordiz

Chapron

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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“…; Pereira et al . ) and similar bait mixes are known to substantially improve camera survey detection rates for many of the target fauna (Paull et al . ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shrub expansion alters forest structure but has little impact on native mammal occurrence

Hradsky

Loschiavo

Hradsky³

et al. 2015

Austral Ecology

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The expansion (or encroachment) of shrubs in forests and woodlands is generally considered a serious threat to biodiversity. The effects of shrub expansion on forest fauna, however, are poorly understood and likely to depend on the availability of key resources in shrub-encroached forest. Coranderrk Bushland, like many conservation reserves in south-eastern Australia, is considered threatened by the spread of an indigenous shrub. We investigated the associations between cover of Yarra burgan (Kunzea leptospermoides (Myrtaceae)), vegetation structure and the occurrence of terrestrial native mammals within the reserve, basing our predictions on prior knowledge of burgan growth habits and fauna habitat preferences. We quantified burgan cover and other potentially important habitat attributes using structure surveys, and used motion-sensing cameras to detect terrestrial mammals. Dense burgan cover was associated with less grass, a sparser understorey, and more cryptogams, dead trees and coarse woody debris. However, there was no evidence that these changes negatively affected native mammals: burgan cover had little influence on the occurrence of any species except swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor), which occurred in all areas of the reserve but shifted from sites with high burgan cover during the day to sites with low cover at night. Our findings contrast with those from grassland shrubexpansion studies, where fauna generally show strong responses to shrub cover. The effects of shrub expansion on forest fauna may be mitigated by the greater pre-existing structural diversity in forests or the longer time required for structural changes to be fully realized. The large quantities of dead wood in areas with high shrub cover may also provide compensatory resources for small mammals, while the proximity to un-encroached areas may enable large herbivores to move between dense shelter and forage. Shrub-encroached forests clearly provide resources for some native fauna, and management strategies need to consider the potential impacts of shrub removal on these taxa.

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“…Logging has apparently a negative impact on the abundance of medium and large terrestrial frugivores (Heydon and Bulloh 1997;Gutie´rrez-Granados and Dirzo 2010). For anthropogenic and natural reasons the availability of habitats has been reduced, and consequently, the proportion of individuals of certain species in a particular habitat type may be altered (Pereira et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat preferences of medium/large mammals in human disturbed forests in Central Japan

Tsujino¹,

Yumoto²

2014

Ecological Research

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It is a great concern whether human disturbed forest, i.e., secondary forest or monoculture forest, can be a habitat for the wildlife. We examined habitat preference of medium/large terrestrial mammal species in a human‐disturbed mountainous settlement area of Akiyama Region, Central Japan, by using camera‐traps, which were placed at conifer plantation forest, high/low‐disturbed deciduous broad‐leaved forest, and broad‐leaved/conifer mixed forest in 2008 and 2009. Camera‐traps were operational for 4568.6 trap‐nights producing 740 photo‐captures of 13 medium/large terrestrial mammal species. Japanese serow and Japanese hare dominated 54 % of all photo‐captures. Low‐disturbed deciduous broad‐leaved forest showed the richest mammal fauna (12 spp.). We suggested that fruit trees and understory vegetation provided suitable habitat for frugivorous as well as herbivorous mammals. The mixed forest showed the lowest mammal fauna (6 spp.), which located higher elevation. High‐disturbed deciduous broad‐leaved forest (9 spp.) was also supposed to be a better habitat for some frugivorous mammals and herbivorous mammals, but tended to be avoided by Japanese marten and Japanese macaque. Conifer plantation forest (7 spp.) with understory vegetation was supposed to be a better habitat for Japanese serow and Japanese hare, but not for the other species. Without fruit trees, conifer plantation forest was supposed to be non‐attractive habitat for frugivorous mammals. We demonstrated that, if a forest had been disturbed by human, the forest can be a habitat for terrestrial herbivores, but this was not always true for frugivores.

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Coexistence of carnivores in a heterogeneous landscape: habitat selection and ecological niches

Cited by 43 publications

References 51 publications

Habitat segregation between brown bears and gray wolves in a human‐dominated landscape

Habitat segregation between brown bears and gray wolves in a human‐dominated landscape

Shrub expansion alters forest structure but has little impact on native mammal occurrence

Habitat preferences of medium/large mammals in human disturbed forests in Central Japan

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