Disentangling the direct and indirect effects of canopy and understory vegetation on the foraging habitat selection of the brown bear Ursus arctos

Tomita, Kanji; Hiura, Tsutom

doi:10.2981/wlb.00886

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 59 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Because the frequency of digging is the highest in larch plantations among other plantation forests (Tomita & Hiura, 2021a), we tested the effects of brown bear digging on the growth of canopy larch trees. The digging occurred more extensively in larch plantations not covered with understory dwarf bamboo ( Sasa kurilensis ) than in those covered with dwarf bamboo (Tomita & Hiura, 2021b). Thus, we set survey plots that were larch plantations dug and undug by brown bears; the dug plots were without understory cover and the undug plots had dwarf bamboo cover.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brown bear digging decreases tree growth: Implication for ecological role of top predators in anthropogenic landscapes

Tomita,

Hiura

2024

Ecology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Large carnivores have recently increased in number and recolonized in human‐dominated landscapes; however, their ecological roles in these landscapes have not been well studied. In the Shiretoko World Heritage (SWH) site, brown bears have recolonized a previously abandoned mosaic landscape of natural forests and conifer plantations after land abandonment. We previously reported that the bears had recently begun to dig for cicada nymphs in association with the creation of larch plantations. As a result, this digging activity decreased soil nutrients. To deepen the understanding of the novel ecological role of brown bears within human‐modified landscapes, we examined the impacts of brown bear digging on the growth of larch trees. We found that brown bear digging decreased fine root biomass of larch, soil water, and nitrogen availability. Brown bear digging negatively affected needle nitrogen content, but not carbon isotope ratios, a water stress index of trees. Tree ring data suggest that digging negatively affected the radial growth of larches. The results imply that digging decreases tree growth due to limited soil nitrogen uptake. Our findings indicate that the ecological roles of large carnivores may differ between natural and anthropogenic landscapes.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brown bear digging decreases tree growth: Implication for ecological role of top predators in anthropogenic landscapes

Tomita,

Hiura

2024

Ecology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, closed forests and the structure of the lower vegetation directly or indirectly affect the habitat selection of a species due to changes in its habitat and prey-food preference. This is particularly more effective in the food habitat selection of predatory species (Tomita and Hiura 2021). In general, closed forest stands are preferred more by a lot of wild mammals, while open stands are less preferred (Hodorff et.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The changes that will occur in the habitats of the species may cause their spread to regions with better ecological conditions (forced migration) or extinction in that region, rather than adapting to new conditions (Raia et al 2011). For example, in a study that stated that the forest cover and the density of the lower vegetation, directly and indirectly, affect the feeding habitat selection of grizzly bears it was determined that the removal of dwarf bamboo which is an important sub-vegetation cover of the region expands the feeding areas of this species (Tomita and Hiura 2021). Again, in a different study, it was determined that wolves mostly prefer high-quality habitats away from humans with high hunting success (Lesmerises et.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Different Variables on Habitat Selection and Temporal Activities of Wild Animals; The Case of Central Anatolia

Özkazanç

Özay

2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study, which was carried out between 2015-2019, were taken 3730 photographs and video recordings with the number of 6380 camera trap days at 142 different points with the camera traps. At the end of the study, 13 different large mammal wild animal species were identified. In the study area, wild boar (Sus scrofa) 845, hare (Lepus europaeus) 634, red fox (Vulpes vulpes) 565, gray wolf (Canis lupus) 549, golden jackal (Canis aureus) 322, red deer (Cervus elaphus) 224, stone marten (Martes foina) 174, European badger (Meles meles) 89, brown bear (Ursus arctos) 86, Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) 84, jungle cat (Felis chaus) 69, wildcat (Felis silvestris) 52 and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) 28 times have been observed. The distribution of the identified species according to altitude and stand type, and their activities according to months and hours of the day were evaluated. It has been determined that the determined species prefer mixed and degraded stand types, they are more intense between 1200-1400 meters, daily activities are more frequent at night and they are more active in the spring and autumn seasons.

show abstract

Camera traps reveal interspecific differences in the diel and seasonal patterns of cicada nymph predation

Tomita

2021

Sci Nat

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cicadas, a group of large-bodied insects, are preyed upon at both nymphal and adult stages by diverse range of vertebrates such as birds and mammals. Although the behavior of predators toward adult cicadas is well documented, there is a lack of research on the predation on cicada nymphs. In this study, camera-traps deployed in conifer plantations, in which high population densities of cicadas Lyristes bihamatus emerge, were used to evaluate the seasonal and diel patterns of predation upon cicada nymphs by three predator species, namely brown bears, red foxes, and jungle crows from May to September in 2018 and 2019 in northern Japan. Among all three species, cicada nymph predation occurred until early August when the final instar nymphs fully emerged. Bears were observed to constantly dig for cicada nymphs until early August, whereas foxes and crows were frequently observed foraging from late July to early August, during the season of L. bihamatus emergence. In contract to the powerful digging ability of bears, which facilitates efficient predation upon subterranean cicada nymphs, it is generally difficult for foxes and crows with limited or no digging ability to gain access these nymphs until the period of emergence. Cicada nymph predation by bears and crows was observed primarily during the daytime, despite the typical crepuscular/nocturnal emergence schedules of these insects. Contrastingly, the predatory activities of foxes tended to be nocturnal during the period prior to the beginning of cicada emergence, although subsequently became diurnal during the cicada emergence period. These observations indicate that the temporal activity patterns of cicada nymph predators are determined by interspecific differences in predation abilities and cicada emergence schedules. Accordingly, the findings of this study provide evidence to indicate that the timing and duration of trophic interactions between above-and belowground communities might vary among predator species, depending on their predation abilities.

show abstract

Disentangling the direct and indirect effects of canopy and understory vegetation on the foraging habitat selection of the brown bear Ursus arctos

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 7 publications

References 59 publications

Brown bear digging decreases tree growth: Implication for ecological role of top predators in anthropogenic landscapes

Brown bear digging decreases tree growth: Implication for ecological role of top predators in anthropogenic landscapes

Effects of Different Variables on Habitat Selection and Temporal Activities of Wild Animals; The Case of Central Anatolia

Camera traps reveal interspecific differences in the diel and seasonal patterns of cicada nymph predation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About