Human-caused mortality influences spatial population dynamics: Pumas in landscapes with varying mortality risks

Abstract

b s t r a c tAn understanding of how stressors affect dispersal attributes and the contribution of local populations to multi-population dynamics are of immediate value to basic and applied ecology. Puma (Puma concolor) populations are expected to be influenced by inter-population movements and susceptible to humaninduced source-sink dynamics. Using long-term datasets we quantified the contribution of two puma populations to operationally define them as sources or sinks. The puma population in the Northern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (NGYE) was largely insulated from human-induced mortality by Yellowstone National Park. Pumas in the western Montana Garnet Mountain system were exposed to greater human-induced mortality, which changed over the study due to the closure of a 915 km 2 area to hunting.The NGYE's population growth depended on inter-population movements, as did its ability to act as a source to the larger region. The heavily hunted Garnet area was a sink with a declining population until the hunting closure, after which it became a source with positive intrinsic growth and a 16Â increase in emigration. We also examined the spatial and temporal characteristics of individual dispersal attributes (emigration, dispersal distance, establishment success) of subadult pumas (N = 126). Human-caused mortality was found to negatively impact all three dispersal components. Our results demonstrate the influence of human-induced mortality on not only within population vital rates, but also inter-population vital rates, affecting the magnitude and mechanisms of local population's contribution to the larger metapopulation.

Modelling the ecological niche of an endangered population of Puma concolor: First application of the GNESFA method to an elusive carnivore

“…Additionally, pumas in this region were restrictive in the selection of the range of conditions in which they inhabit. Because pumas are affected by habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting pressure (De Angelo et al, 2011;Laundré et al, 2009;Newby et al, 2013), this result is consistent with our prediction based on the observations that local puma populations have to withstand a high degree of habitat modification and the strong persecution by ranchers .…”

The importance of conflict-induced mortality for conservation planning in areas of human–elephant co-occurrence

“…Large mammal species that can 'adapt' to a humandominated environment may occur in the CA in relatively high densities (e.g., Athreya et al, 2013). However, given that large mammal persistence in heterogeneous landscapes is increasingly threatened by human-induced mortality due to human-wildlife conflict, CAs can potentially act as population sinks (Woodroffe and Ginsberg, 1998;Balme et al, 2010;Newby et al, 2013). As such, anthropogenic mortality of wide-ranging megafauna within these CAs can greatly devalue their role as proxy habitat around inviolate core areas.…”

A spatially explicit population model of simulated fisheries impact on loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

“…For thorough population assessments, spatial differences in habitat, as well as migration among habitats, may be important (Kareiva et al, 1990;Botsford et al, 2009;Newby et al, 2013). When stocks are harvested in multiple fisheries or span multiple regional management areas, it may be prudent to include spatial information in the assessment.…”