Data Associated with Forecasting disturbance effects on wildlife: tolerance does
            not mitigate effects of increased recreation on wild lands

Pauli, Benjamin P.; Spaul, Robert J.; Heath, Julie A.

doi:10.18122/b2jp40

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“…Maintaining historical eagle nesting territories so that they are both available and have low risk factors for failure, to not become an ecological trap, is important. Like other cliff‐nesting raptors, nesting sites for golden eagles are limited and fewer suitable sites will result in a decrease in population size (Pauli, Spaul, & Heath, ; Watson & Whitfield, ). Behavioral observations at three adjacent, historically occupied territories, with high ORV volume and high trail density, suggested that one eagle pair used portions of all three nesting territories (R. Spaul, unpub.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonmotorized recreation and motorized recreation in shrub‐steppe habitats affects behavior and reproduction of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos)

Spaul

Heath

2016

Ecology and Evolution

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Different forms of outdoor recreation have different spatiotemporal activity patterns that may have interactive or cumulative effects on wildlife through human disturbance, physical habitat change, or both. In western North America, shrub‐steppe habitats near urban areas are popular sites for motorized recreation and nonmotorized recreation and can provide important habitat for protected species, including golden eagles. Our objective was to determine whether recreation use (i.e., number of recreationists) or recreation features (e.g., trails or campsites) predicted golden eagle territory occupancy, egg‐laying, or the probability a breeding attempt resulted in ≥1 offspring (nest survival). We monitored egg‐laying, hatching and fledging success, eagle behavior, and recreation activity within 23 eagle territories near Boise, Idaho, USA. Territories with more off‐road vehicle (ORV) use were less likely to be occupied than territories with less ORV use (β = −1.6, 85% CI: −2.8 to −0.8). At occupied territories, early season pedestrian use (β = −1.6, 85% CI: −3.8 to −0.2) and other nonmotorized use (β = −3.6, 85% CI: −10.7 to −0.3) reduced the probability of egg‐laying. At territories where eagles laid eggs, short, interval‐specific peaks in ORV use were associated with decreased nest survival (β = −0.5, 85% CI: −0.8 to −0.2). Pedestrians, who often arrived near eagle nests via motorized vehicles, were associated with reduced nest attendance (β = −11.9, 85% CI: −19.2 to −4.5), an important predictor of nest survival. Multiple forms of recreation may have cumulative effects on local populations by reducing occupancy at otherwise suitable territories, decreasing breeding attempts, and causing nesting failure. Seasonal no‐stopping zones for motorized vehicles may be an alternative to trail closures for managing disturbance. This study demonstrates the importance of considering human disturbance across different parts of the annual cycle, particularly where multiple forms of recreation have varying spatiotemporal use patterns that create human–wildlife interactions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%