Identifying impediments to long‐distance mammal migrations

Seidler, Renee G.; Long, Ryan A.; Berger, Joël; Bergen, Scott; Beckmann, Jon P.

doi:10.1111/cobi.12376

Cited by 115 publications

(109 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The ability or frequency at which individuals cross roads will likely remain a priority in the field of road ecology, as a road can reduce landscape permeability by acting as a barrier or filter to movement and, therefore, has the potential to influence population persistence. One study highlighted that the barrier effects of roads are a particular concern for species that migrate, such as the pronghorn (Antilocapra Americana) [46]. Of the studies included in this review, nine identified the characteristics of road that influenced permeability, such as traffic volume [46][47][48], road width or the number of lanes [47,49], and road surface type.…”

Section: Indirect Impacts Of Roads On Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

Bennett

2017

Curr Landscape Ecol Rep

114

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The development and presence of roads can reduce landscape permeability, lead to habitat loss, and increase habitat fragmentation. It is these fundamental changes in landscape structure that can have both direct and indirect impacts on the conservation of species and biodiversity. In this review, I examine 215 research studies conducted between 2011 and 2015 that explore the impacts of roads and road networks on a wide range of species. I divided these studies into four main categories: 1) the direct effects of roads on wildlife, 2) the indirect effects of roads on wildlife, 3) the consequences of road networks on wildlife populations, and 4) survey design and mitigation including both innovations and evaluations. I found that the majority of studies (38%) explored the indirect effects of roads on wildlife, including displacement, fitness consequences, and road crossing ability of wildlife. Nevertheless, despite there being a pressing need to understand how existing road networks impact wildlife and how increasing road density may influence local and regional population persistence, only 10% of the studies considered the implications of road networks on wildlife. However, there is an increasing trend towards the development of predictive models that can be used for a better understanding of road network impacts, assess landscape connectivity, and devise mitigation. This review also highlighted the continued need to devise and evaluate mitigation measures so transportation authorities and conservation practitioners may be better equipped to address the ecological implications of roads and proposed road development.

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Section: Indirect Impacts Of Roads On Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

Bennett

2017

Curr Landscape Ecol Rep

114

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“…These disturbances include natural gas and oil extraction, open-pit mining, residential developments, restrictive fencing, and recreational development and use (Sawyer et al 2006, Sawyer et al 2009a, Lendrum et al 2012, Lendrum et al 2013, Sawyer et al 2013, Seidler et al 2014. These developments often result in direct or indirect loss of wildlife and habitat, which also influences behavior and habitat use of affected species, and can lead to changes in survival and recruitment (Cole et al 1997, Sawyer et al 2006, Bolger et al 2008, Sawyer et al 2009a.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, scientists have attempted to quantify the impacts of human disturbances across a variety of migratory ungulates (Lendrum et al 2012, Lendrum et al 2013, Sawyer et al 2013, Seidler et al 2014). Natural gas exploration has been the primary focus of that research because of the recent expansion of exploration across the western United States (Sawyer et al 2006, Sawyer et al 2009a, Beckmann et al 2012, Lendrum et al 2012, Lendrum et al 2013, Sawyer et al 2013, Buchanan et al 2014, Seidler et al 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Natural gas exploration has been the primary focus of that research because of the recent expansion of exploration across the western United States (Sawyer et al 2006, Sawyer et al 2009a, Beckmann et al 2012, Lendrum et al 2012, Lendrum et al 2013, Sawyer et al 2013, Buchanan et al 2014, Seidler et al 2014. Research in these areas suggests that mule deer increase their movement rates, select habitat types that provide greater amounts of concealment cover, reduce stopover use, and migration route use and width decreased when migrating through areas with high densities of well pads (Lendrum et al 2012, Lendrum et al 2013, Sawyer et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On winter range, mule deer avoided areas with natural gas fields and shifted habitat use away from disturbance (Sawyer et al 2006, Sawyer et al 2009a). In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, researchers reported that pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra Americana) moved slower through disturbances, avoided patches with high levels of natural gas fields, and that these disturbances created ''hazardinduced stopovers'' where individuals used stopover locations with low greenness estimates (Beckmann et al 2012, Seidler et al 2014. Similarly, North American elk (Cervus elaphus) responded to the development of natural gas fields and increased traffic by shifting habitat use farther away from roads, and by selecting for areas with higher amounts of concealment cover (Cole et al 1997, Buchanan et al 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of large‐scale gold mining on migratory behavior of a large herbivore

2015

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Abstract. Loss of migratory corridors has been identified as an important ecological issue among species that exhibit long-distance migration worldwide. Increased mineral exploration and development has raised the level of concern over the protection of terrestrial migration routes for ungulates. Mineral exploration and other types of development may adversely affect migratory corridors for large herbivores, but little is known about functional effects on migratory behavior and resource selection. To address these important questions we examined movement patterns and resource selection to understand the effects of an operating gold mine on migratory pathways of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). We captured and applied radio collars to female mule deer (n ¼ 43) on the migratory pathway and in the proximity of an active mine in the Ruby Mountains of eastern Nevada. We used Brownian Bridge Movement Models to delineate stopover sites for each individual during both the autumn and spring migrations. We calculated linear efficiency of movement along the migration path and movement rate between stopover locations outside and within the mining area to determine the effects of the mine on movement patterns. We also used resource selection functions to determine if mule deer avoided areas with extensive excavation and disturbance of the land surface when navigating through the mine complex. Our results indicated greater linear efficiency of movement along the migration path and movement rates between stopover locations outside the mine when compared with movement through the mine complex. Additionally, mule deer that migrated through the mine complex avoided the highest disturbance levels by spending the majority of their time in undisturbed habitat patches. These results suggest an increase in energy expenditure of mule deer navigating through highly disturbed areas, which may have fitness consequences for migratory animals. Such increases in energy expenditure during migration may decrease survival or productivity of migratory populations of large, terrestrial mammals.

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Functional attributes of ungulate migration: landscape features facilitate movement and access to forage

Monteith

Hayes

Kauffman

et al. 2018

Ecological Applications

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Long‐distance migration by terrestrial mammals is a phenomenon critical to the persistence of populations, but such migrations are declining globally because of over‐harvest, habitat loss, and movement barriers. Increasingly, there is a need to improve existing routes, mitigate route segments affected by anthropogenic disturbance, and in some instances, determine whether alternative routes are available. Using a hypothesis‐driven approach, we identified landscape features associated with the primary functional attributes, stopovers and movement corridors, of spring migratory routes for mule deer in two study areas using resource selection functions. Patterns of selection for landscape attributes of movement corridors and stopovers mostly were similar; however, landscape features associated with movement corridors aligned better with areas that facilitated movement, whereas selection of stopovers was consistent with sites offering early access to spring forage. For movement corridors, deer selected for dry sites, low elevation, and low anthropogenic disturbance. For stopovers, deer selected for dry sites, with consistently early green‐up across years, south‐southwesterly aspects, low elevation, and low anthropogenic disturbance. Stopovers and movement corridors of a migratory route presumably promote different functions, but for a terrestrial migrant, patterns of habitat selection indicate that the same general habitat attributes may facilitate both movement and foraging in spring. Our findings emphasize the roles of topographical wetness, vegetation phenology, and anthropogenic disturbance in shaping use of the landscape during migration for this large herbivore. Avoiding human disturbance and tracking ephemeral forage resources appear to be a consistent pattern during migration, which reinforces the notion that movement during migration has a nutritional underpinning and disturbance potentially alters the net benefits of migration.

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Identifying impediments to long‐distance mammal migrations

Cited by 115 publications

References 38 publications

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

Effects of large‐scale gold mining on migratory behavior of a large herbivore

Functional attributes of ungulate migration: landscape features facilitate movement and access to forage

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