Hidden Markov Models reveal a clear human footprint on the movements of highly mobile African wild dogs

Creel, Scott; Merkle, Johnathan; Mweetwa, Thandiwe; Becker, Matthew S.; Mwape, Henry; Simpamba, Twakundine; Simukonda, Chuma

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74329-w

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…For example, puma in California exhibited slower movement rates near anthropogenic developments, perhaps because they were forced to travel in rugged terrain that slowed movements (49). Similarly, wild dogs in Africa decreased movement rates near human settlements but increased rates of travel outside of protected areas, perhaps because of lower prey availability (17). Conversely, African lions (Panthera leo) increased their speed of travel near bomas (livestock enclosures), perhaps to reduce their risk of encountering and being detected by people (49).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towns and Trails Drive Carnivore Movement Behaviour, Resource Selection, and Connectivity

Whittington

Hebblewhite

Baron

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background. Global increases in human activity threaten connectivity of animal habitat and populations. Protection and restoration of wildlife habitat and movement corridors require robust models to forecast the effects of human activity on movement behaviour, resource selection, and connectivity. Recent research suggests that animal resource selection and responses to human activity depend on their behavioural movement state, with increased tolerance for human activity in fast states of movement. Yet, few studies have incorporated state-dependent movement behaviour into analyses of Merriam connectivity, that is individual-based metrics of connectivity that incorporate landscape structure and movement behaviour. Methods. We assessed the cumulative effects of anthropogenic development on multiple movement processes including movement behaviour, resource selection, and Merriam connectivity. We simulated movement paths using hidden Markov movement models and step selection functions to estimate habitat use and connectivity for three landscape scenarios: reference conditions with no anthropogenic development, current conditions, and future conditions with a simulated expansion of towns and recreational trails. Our analysis used 20 years of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) and gray wolf (Canis lupus) movement data collected in and around Banff National Park, Canada. Results. Carnivores increased their speed of travel near towns and areas of high trail and road density, presumably to avoid encounters with people. They exhibited stronger avoidance of anthropogenic development when foraging and resting compared to travelling and during the day compared to night. Wolves exhibited stronger avoidance of anthropogenic development than grizzly bears. Current development reduced the amount of high-quality habitat between two mountain towns by more than 35%. Habitat degradation constrained movement routes around towns and was most pronounced for foraging and resting behaviour. Anthropogenic development reduced connectivity by more than 80%. Habitat quality and connectivity further declined under a future development scenario. Conclusions. Our results highlight the cumulative effects of anthropogenic development on carnivore movement behaviour, habitat use, and connectivity. Our strong behaviour-specific responses to human activity suggest that conservation initiatives should consider how proposed developments and restoration actions would affect where animals travel and how they use the landscape.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Multiple studies have found strong state-dependent responses to anthropogenic development (13,(15)(16)(17) and that ignoring movement behaviour can generate poor estimates of connectivity (18).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towns and Trails Drive Carnivore Movement Behaviour, Resource Selection, and Connectivity

Whittington

Hebblewhite

Baron

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…The interplay between fast and slow movements occurs as animals move between and within habitat patches [ 13 ] and also when animals leave secure habitat to navigate matrix habitat that may contain unsuitable forage, high risk of disturbance, or high risk of mortality [ 14 – 16 ]. Multiple studies have found strong state-dependent responses to anthropogenic development [ 15 , 17 – 19 ] and that ignoring movement behaviour can generate poor estimates of connectivity [ 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Transition probabilities between behavioural states can also be modelled as a function of spatial and temporal covariates. For example, Creel et al [ 19 ] used a three-state model for African wild dogs ( Lycaon pictus ) and found that the probability of transitioning to a fast state of movement increased outside of protected areas, perhaps because of lower prey availability, and decreased in areas near human activity. Most hidden Markov movement models do not, however, address animal selection or avoidance of resources, which is important when trying to predict where animals will travel on the landscape.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towns and trails drive carnivore movement behaviour, resource selection, and connectivity

Whittington¹,

Hebblewhite

Baron³

et al. 2022

Mov Ecol

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Background Global increases in human activity threaten connectivity of animal habitat and populations. Protection and restoration of wildlife habitat and movement corridors require robust models to forecast the effects of human activity on movement behaviour, resource selection, and connectivity. Recent research suggests that animal resource selection and responses to human activity depend on their behavioural movement state, with increased tolerance for human activity in fast states of movement. Yet, few studies have incorporated state-dependent movement behaviour into analyses of Merriam connectivity, that is individual-based metrics of connectivity that incorporate landscape structure and movement behaviour. Methods We assessed the cumulative effects of anthropogenic development on multiple movement processes including movement behaviour, resource selection, and Merriam connectivity. We simulated movement paths using hidden Markov movement models and step selection functions to estimate habitat use and connectivity for three landscape scenarios: reference conditions with no anthropogenic development, current conditions, and future conditions with a simulated expansion of towns and recreational trails. Our analysis used 20 years of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) and gray wolf (Canis lupus) movement data collected in and around Banff National Park, Canada. Results Carnivores increased their speed of travel near towns and areas of high trail and road density, presumably to avoid encounters with people. They exhibited stronger avoidance of anthropogenic development when foraging and resting compared to travelling and during the day compared to night. Wolves exhibited stronger avoidance of anthropogenic development than grizzly bears. Current development reduced the amount of high-quality habitat between two mountain towns by more than 35%. Habitat degradation constrained movement routes around towns and was most pronounced for foraging and resting behaviour. Current anthropogenic development reduced connectivity from reference conditions an average of 85%. Habitat quality and connectivity further declined under a future development scenario. Conclusions Our results highlight the cumulative effects of anthropogenic development on carnivore movement behaviour, habitat use, and connectivity. Our strong behaviour-specific responses to human activity suggest that conservation initiatives should consider how proposed developments and restoration actions would affect where animals travel and how they use the landscape.

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“…The global free-ranging population is estimated at approximately 6600 adults, of which only 1400 are mature, i.e., capable of reproducing during any given breeding season, and their numbers are declining [1]. Due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, infectious disease, and conflict with livestock and game farmers, they have largely been eradicated from north, west, and central Africa, and are likely or confirmed to be extinct in 20 of the 39 countries in which they previously occurred [1][2][3][4][5][6]. A total of 39 subpopulations remain, the largest of which together number fewer than 270 mature individuals [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America

Miller‐Butterworth

Vacco²,

Russell

et al. 2021

Genes

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African painted dogs (Lycaon pictus, APD) are highly endangered, with fewer than 7000 remaining in nature. Captive breeding programs can preserve a genetically diverse population and provide a source of individuals for reintroductions. However, most programs are initiated from few founders and suffer from low genetic diversity and inbreeding. The aims of this study were to use molecular markers to assess genetic variation, inbreeding, and relatedness among APDs in the North American captive population, to use these data to realign studbook records, and to compare these data to wild populations and to the European captive population to facilitate the development of a global management plan. We sequenced mitochondrial and major histocompatibility (MHC) class II loci and genotyped 14 microsatellite loci from 109 APDs from 34 institutions in North America. We identified three likely studbook errors and resolved ten cases of uncertain paternity. Overall, microsatellite heterozygosity was higher than reported in Europe, but effective population size estimates were lower. Mitochondrial sequence variation was extremely limited, and there were fewer MHC haplotypes than in Europe or the wild. Although the population did not show evidence of significant inbreeding overall, several individuals shared high relatedness values, which should be incorporated into future breeding programs.

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Hidden Markov Models reveal a clear human footprint on the movements of highly mobile African wild dogs

Cited by 14 publications

References 64 publications

Towns and Trails Drive Carnivore Movement Behaviour, Resource Selection, and Connectivity

Towns and Trails Drive Carnivore Movement Behaviour, Resource Selection, and Connectivity

Towns and trails drive carnivore movement behaviour, resource selection, and connectivity

Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America

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