Cumulative effects of forestry on habitat use by gray wolf (Canis lupus) in the boreal forest

Houle, Mélina; Fortin, Daniel; Dussault, Christian; Courtois, Réhaume; Ouellet, Jean‐Pierre

doi:10.1007/s10980-009-9420-2

Cited by 129 publications

(171 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Nevertheless, the selection of intermediate distances from roads was significantly different among seasons for both data sets. The relatively complex patterns we observed here may account for conflicting results that are found in the literature, with some studies concluding that wolves prefer habitat close to roads (James and Stuart-Smith 2000, Houle et al 2010, Whittington et al 2011, Lesmerises et al 2012) and other studies concluding the opposite (Ciucci et al 2003, Jędrzejewski et al 2004, Whittington et al 2005, Jędrzejewski et al 2008, Latham et al 2011. For context, the behavior of Yellowstone wolves near roads within the park and the absence of hunting and poaching along those roads suggest that they would not perceive those roads as a threat.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

“…All those landscape characteristics are known drivers of wolf habitat selection and their relationship with prey (Mao et al 2005, Kauffman et al 2007, Hebblewhite and Merrill 2008, Houle et al 2010, Latham et al 2011, Milakovic et al 2011, Whittington et al 2011 Mao et al (2005). This coverage represents the percentage of openhabitat pixels at a distance smaller than 400 m from each grid cell (25-m cell resolution).…”

Section: Data Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long‐ and short‐term temporal variability in habitat selection of a top predator

et al. 2015

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Abstract. Considerable theory explains the importance of understanding temporal variation in ecological processes. Nevertheless, long-term variability in habitat selection is rarely assessed or even acknowledged. We explored temporal variability in the habitat selection of a top-predator, the wolf (Canis lupus), at two time scales: interannual and seasonal variability. To do this, we developed resource utilization functions to relate wolf habitat selection to environmental variables in different years and seasons. We used radiotelemetry data collected from a wolf population in Yellowstone National Park during a 10-year period (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007) and added a Year variable in the models to account for interannual variation in the studied processes. We also used a three-year data set (nested within the 10-year data set) to incorporate additional variables in the models and test for differences in short-and long-term patterns of habitat selection. Wolves exhibited seasonal variation in habitat selection with respect to distance from roads, elevation, openness, and habitat type. Habitat selection was considerably more complicated during the winter compared to summer, when wolves only selected habitat based on distance from roads. We detected clear patterns of habitat selection in the three-year data set that could not be detected in the 10-year data set, despite the longer data set had more statistical power for pattern detection. This observation is likely the result of the longer data set being comprised of several shorter-term and countervailing patterns. This explanation is also consistent with having detected significant year effects in the 10-year data set. Insomuch as habitat selection is important to conservation and management, this research is significant for demonstrating the different impressions that can be given by short-term and long-term studies. It may be common for short-term data sets to suggest patterns of habitat selection that do not prevail over longer periods of time.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

Section: Data Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐ and short‐term temporal variability in habitat selection of a top predator

et al. 2015

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“…Gustine et al [31] also reported an increase in predation risk for caribou calves in areas of high vegetation biomass. Wolves can also make extensive use of the road network when moving across their territory [2,49]. We found, however, that the negative effect of road density on calf survival tended to disappear as the local percentage of mature mixed/deciduous stands increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…Habitat selection is a fundamental mechanism by which animals achieve their distribution, and as such, it is central to a broad range of ecological fields, such as landscape ecology, wildlife conservation and management, and evolutionary ecology [1][2][3][4]. Habitat selection decisions can vary broadly among members of a population [5 -7], and this behavioural plasticity can yield different fitness payoffs [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

et al. 2012

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The impact of anthropogenic disturbance on the fitness of prey should depend on the relative effect of human activities on different trophic levels. This verification remains rare, however, especially for large animals. We investigated the functional link between habitat selection of female caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and the survival of their calves, a fitness correlate. This top-down controlled population of the threatened forestdwelling caribou inhabits a managed forest occupied by wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus). Sixty-one per cent of calves died from bear predation within two months following their birth. Variation in habitat selection tactics among mothers resulted in different mortality risks for their calves. When calves occupied areas with few deciduous trees, they were more likely to die from predation if the local road density was high. Although caribou are typically associated with pristine forests, females selected recent cutovers without negative impact on calf survival. This selection became detrimental, however, as regeneration took place in harvested stands owing to increased bear predation. We demonstrate that human disturbance has asymmetrical consequences on the trophic levels of a food web involving multiple large mammals, which resulted in habitat selection tactics with a greater short-term fitness payoff and, therefore, with higher evolutionary opportunity.

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“…Habitat alterations resulting in an increase in early seral communities can benefit species (e.g., moose, elk, wolves) that are also tolerant of some industrial development (James et al 2004;Dunne and Quinn 2009;Houle et al 2010;Webb et al 2011;Van Dyke et al 2012). In contrast, the large overlap between highvalue winter habitat and areas of resource activity is of particular concern for the conservation of woodland caribou because as a species at risk (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada 2011), it is highly sensitive to resource development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential conflict between future development of natural resources and high-value wildlife habitats in boreal landscapes

Suzuki

Parker

2016

Biodivers Conserv

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We used the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area in northeast British Columbia, Canada as a case study to determine potential conflicts between future resource development and high-value habitats of large mammals in an undeveloped boreal landscape. More than 50 % of high-value habitats for caribou, moose, elk, wolves and grizzly bears were located in Special Resource Management Zones, where natural resource developments could occur. We developed geographic information system (GIS) layers of potential forest resources, oil and gas, minerals, wind power, all resources combined, and roads; and quantified the proportions of high-value habitats overlapping these potentials. Greater proportions of high-value habitats across seasons for moose, elk, and wolves overlapped areas with high cumulative resource potential (winter, 49-70 %, growing season, 35-63 %) more than for three other species (grizzly bears, Stone's sheep, mountain goats). This pattern was similar for forest resources, oil and gas, wind power, and roads. Caribou were more seasonally influenced. The proportions of their high-value habitat in areas with high cumulative resource potential (winter, 53 %, growing season, 16 %), as well as high forest and oil and gas potentials, were greatest in winter; in contrast, overlap with high mineral potential was greatest during the growing season. We recommend a quantitative and visual GIS approach to scenario planning in the Muskwa-Kechika to maintain the abundance and diversity of wildlife populations there. Resource development would likely increase early seral habitats, presumably benefiting moose, elk, and wolves, but could adversely affect caribou and grizzly bears through habitat loss and increased access.

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Cumulative effects of forestry on habitat use by gray wolf (Canis lupus) in the boreal forest

Cited by 129 publications

References 62 publications

Long‐ and short‐term temporal variability in habitat selection of a top predator

Long‐ and short‐term temporal variability in habitat selection of a top predator

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

Potential conflict between future development of natural resources and high-value wildlife habitats in boreal landscapes

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