Divergent patterns of understory forage growth after seismic line exploration: Implications for caribou habitat restoration

Finnegan, Laura; MacNearney, Doug; Pigeon, Karine E.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2017.12.010

Cited by 60 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…In our system, we expect to observe these patterns in both ungulate species (caribou and moose), with a magnitude reflecting their respective vulnerability to wolf predation Mumma et al, 2017). Lastly, if anthropogenic LFs provide subsidies, as is the expectation for bears, another dominant predator in our system (Dawe, Filicetti, & Nielsen, 2017;Finnegan, MacNearney, & Pigeon, 2018;Tigner et al, 2014), we predict that individuals select these features and move slowly when they are on them. While LFs are predicted to provide subsidies that would also attract moose, we predict LFs are more strongly associated with risk.…”

mentioning

confidence: 73%

“…We targeted the snow‐free period because it is when bears are active and woodland caribou neonates and adults are most susceptible to predation (McLoughlin, Dzus, Wynes, & Boutin, ). This period is also when anthropogenic LFs are hypothesized to provide the biggest movement benefit to wolves (Finnegan et al, ) and deep, uncompacted snow conditions on unmaintained LFs are less favourable during winter months (Droghini & Boutin, ). All GPS data were screened for potential errors by excluding 3‐dimensional locations with a dilution of precision (DOP) >10 and 2‐dimensional locations with DOP > 5 (accounting for <0.3% of the total data from individuals monitored with 15‐min data), as well as based descriptors of movement following the methods of Bjørneraas, Van Moorter, Rolandsen, and Herfindal ().…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Dickie

McNay²,

Sutherland³

et al. 2019

Journal of Animal Ecology

112

130

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Space‐use behaviour reflects trade‐offs in meeting ecological needs and can have consequences for individual survival and population demographics. The mechanisms underlying space use can be understood by simultaneously evaluating habitat selection and movement patterns, and fine‐resolution locational data are increasing our ability to do so. We use high‐resolution location data and an integrated step‐selection analysis to evaluate caribou, moose, bear, and wolf habitat selection and movement behaviour in response to anthropogenic habitat modification, though caribou data were limited. Space‐use response to anthropogenic linear features (LFs) by predators and prey is hypothesized to increase predator hunting efficiency and is thus believed to be a leading factor in woodland caribou declines in western Canada. We found that all species moved faster while on LFs. Wolves and bears were also attracted towards LFs, whereas prey species avoided them. Predators and prey responded less strongly and consistently to natural features such as streams, rivers and lakeshores. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that LFs facilitate predator movement and increase hunting efficiency, while prey perceive such features as risky. Understanding the behavioural mechanisms underlying space‐use patterns is important in understanding how future land‐use may impact predator–prey interactions. Explicitly linking behaviour to fitness and demography will be important to fully understand the implications of management strategies.

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confidence: 73%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Dickie

McNay²,

Sutherland³

et al. 2019

Journal of Animal Ecology

112

130

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“…Because of the small spatial extent of roads and pipelines (i.e., <5% of LFs), we did not test for effects of line type, rather we combined all LF data sources to create a parsimonious disturbance layer while retaining attributes describing relative disturbance age (≤2005 versus ≥2006). We buffered all disturbances by 20 m, a width incorporating the mean GPS measurement error estimated for a similar model of Lotek GPS collars (14 m;McKenzie et al 2009) and potential edge effects on vegetation composition and structure extending into the surrounding forest (Finnegan et al 2018). Locations falling within this buffered distance were therefore considered within the footprint.…”

Section: Environmental Covariatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These hypotheses described whether LFs (i) increased forage availability, (ii) enhanced movement efficiency, or (iii) increased predation risk. Under the forage availability hypothesis, bison are predicted to select for LFs and move slower while on them because LFs have higher abundances of preferred forage (e.g., graminoids, forbs, and shrubs; Larter and Gates 1991; Jung 2015) compared with the surrounding forest (Leverkus 2015;Finnegan et al 2018). The movement efficiency hypothesis similarly predicts for LF selection, but movement on them will be faster (Dickie et al 2017b;Serrouya et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of differences in life history strategies, the wood bison's response to LFs may fundamentally differ from those reported for caribou. For example, bison diets are composed largely of sedges and graminoids (Larter and Gates 1991;Jung 2015;Jung et al 2015) and they may select LFs because these disturbances have an increased abundance of grasses and sedges compared with the surrounding forest (Leverkus 2015;Finnegan et al 2018). Selection may occur despite the potentially increased predation risk associated with LFs because adult bison have a lower probability of death on wolf encounter compared with caribou (Mech et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of linear features on resource selection and movement rates of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)

2020

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Human-mediated disturbances can lead to novel environmental features that can affect native biota beyond simple habitat loss. In boreal forests of western Canada, linear features (LFs; e.g., pipelines, seismic lines, and roads) are known to alter behaviour, movements, and interactions among species. Understanding LF impacts on native species has therefore been a management priority. Here, we investigate how LFs affect the spatial behaviour of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae Rhoads, 1898), which are designated as “threatened” in Canada. Using data collected from the Ronald Lake population in northeastern Alberta, we assessed how LFs influenced habitat selection and movement of bison by testing support among three hypotheses explaining whether LFs (i) increased forage availability, (ii) enhanced movement efficiency, or (iii) increased predation risk. Results supported the movement efficiency hypothesis as bison were generally ambivalent toward LFs, showing weak selection or avoidance depending on land-cover type, but moved slightly faster when on them. These findings contrast with avoidance behaviours reported for sympatric woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)), which are also “threatened.” Our results should inform critical habitat decisions for wood bison, but we caution that further research is needed to understand the effects of LFs on bison demography.

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Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features

Tattersall¹,

Pigeon²,

MacNearney³

et al. 2023

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Habitat restoration is a necessary component of wildlife conservation in anthropogenic landscapes. To ensure restoration initiatives achieve the desired effects on wildlife communities, it is useful to investigate how animals use landscape features. Understanding the relationships between wildlife use and ecological cues provides specific and measurable targets that can be used to measure restoration success. In western Canada, linear feature networks formed by seismic lines, pipelines and roads have altered the boreal forest landscape and resulted in population declines for woodland caribou. Restoration is aimed at supporting caribou recovery by deterring linear feature use by caribou predators and ungulate competitors. Information on how linear feature characteristics facilitate or deter wildlife use supports restoration initiatives by providing specific targets for restoration. Here, we used wildlife track and sign data to investigate biophysical characteristics related to the use of linear features by canines, bears, deer, elk and moose in caribou ranges of west‐central and north‐western Alberta and British Columbia. We built generalized linear mixed models consistent with three hypotheses that could explain likely mechanisms for use: (1) ease of movement, (2) risk avoidance and (3) resource availability (prey and forage). Moose, deer, elk and bears were more likely to use linear features with either human or game trails. Bears and canines were less likely to use seismic lines with greater lateral vegetation cover and taller vegetation, respectively. Moose, deer and elk were more likely to use linear features with a greater cover of ungulate forage taxa such as willow, birch, sedges and forbs. These results suggest that restoration focusing on trails, online vegetation structure and online vegetation type should deter predators and ungulate prey species to the overall benefit of caribou. Our study corroborates the findings of other research recommending structural and functional restoration using high‐intensity line blocking and vegetative regeneration. We provide specific targets for linear feature restoration to assist in prioritization according to restoration objectives, which translates to a broader goal of linking local‐level restoration actions to landscape‐level conservation goals. This approach to restoration has implications for any major system experiencing anthropogenic landscape change.

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Divergent patterns of understory forage growth after seismic line exploration: Implications for caribou habitat restoration

Cited by 60 publications

References 58 publications

Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Corridors or risk? Movement along, and use of, linear features varies predictably among large mammal predator and prey species

Effects of linear features on resource selection and movement rates of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)

Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features

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