Predator Effects on Herbivore Dynamics and Behavior

Chamaillé‐Jammes, Simon; Cromsigt, Joris P. G. M.

doi:10.1002/9781119081111.ch10

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 175 publications

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“…Conversely, for cursorial predators like wolves and wild dogs, dense vegetation can hinder their hunting success, while open habitats facilitate it (Lone et al., 2014 ). Similarly, prey species that prefer to hide require dense vegetation cover, whereas those that prefer to flee benefit from open areas (Chamaillé‐Jammes et al., 2019 ; Gorini et al., 2011 ). Additionally, prey adjust their habitat use based on the diurnal or nocturnal activity of predators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, prey adjust their habitat use based on the diurnal or nocturnal activity of predators. Prey, especially herbivores, continuously adjust their use of the landscape in response to spatio‐temporal changes in risk (Chamaillé‐Jammes et al., 2019 ). In line with these dynamics, conservation area managers should devise habitat management strategies that align with the specific landscape features and help maintain delicate prey–predator dynamics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These antipredator responses often come at the cost of time spent on other essential activities such as foraging (Lima & Bednekoff, 1999 ; Say‐Sallaz et al., 2019 ). This can lead to a decrease in their performance (Clinchy et al., 2013 ) and ultimately affect their population dynamics (Chamaillé‐Jammes et al., 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integration of the landscape of fear concept in grassland management: An experimental study on subtropical monsoon grasslands in Bardia National Park, Nepal

Thapa,

de Jong,

Hof

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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The ‘landscape of fear’ concept offers valuable insights into wildlife behaviour, yet its practical integration into habitat management for conservation remains underexplored. In this study, conducted in the subtropical monsoon grasslands of Bardia National Park, Nepal, we aimed to bridge this gap through a multi‐year, landscape‐scale experimental investigation in Bardia National Park, Nepal. The park has the highest density of tigers (with an estimated density of ~7 individuals per 100 km2) in Nepal, allowing us to understand the effect of habitat management on predation risk and resource availability especially for three cervid species: chital (Axis axis), swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) and hog deer (Axis porcinus). We used plots with varying mowing frequency (0–4 times per year), size (ranging from small: 49 m2 to large: 3600 m2) and artificial fertilisation type (none, phosphorus, nitrogen) to assess the trade‐offs between probable predation risk and resources for these cervid species, which constitute primary prey for tigers in Nepal. Our results showed distinct responses of these deer to perceived predation risk within grassland habitats. Notably, these deer exhibited heightened use of larger plots, indicative of a perceived sense of safety, as evidenced by the higher occurrence of pellet groups in the larger plots (mean = 0.1 pellet groups m−2 in 3600 m2 plots vs. 0.07 in 400 m2 and 0.05 in 49 m2 plots). Furthermore, the level of use by the deer was significantly higher in larger plots that received mowing and fertilisation treatments compared to smaller plots subjected to similar treatments. Of particular interest is the observation that chital and swamp deer exhibited greater utilisation of the centre (core) areas within the larger plots (mean = 0.21 pellet groups m−2 at the centre vs. 0.13 at the edge) despite the edge (periphery) also provided attractive resources to these deer. In contrast, hog deer did not display any discernible reaction to the experimental treatments, suggesting potential species‐specific variations in response to perceived predation risk arising from management interventions. Our findings emphasise the importance of a sense of security as a primary determinant of habitat selection for medium‐sized deer within managed grassland environments. These insights carry practical implications for park managers, providing a nuanced understanding of integrating the ‘landscape of fear’ into habitat management strategies. This study emphasises that the ‘landscape of fear’ concept can and should be integrated into habitat management to maintain delicate predator–prey dynamics within ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integration of the landscape of fear concept in grassland management: An experimental study on subtropical monsoon grasslands in Bardia National Park, Nepal

Thapa,

de Jong,

Hof

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Southern Africa, on the other hand, has prominent large carnivore guilds and is increasingly becoming the focus of trophic rewilding efforts through carnivore reintroductions [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], but associated top-down ecosystem-level effects are not well-studied [ 34 ]. Prey responses to changing predation pressures in savanna ecosystems can be complex and diversified [ 35 , 36 ], which could affect prey population dynamics as well as the rehabilitated carnivores that depend on prey for long-term viability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rewilding Apex Predators Has Effects on Lower Trophic Levels: Cheetahs and Ungulates in a Woodland Savanna

Ruble

Verschueren

Cristescu

et al. 2022

Animals

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The restoration of ecosystems through trophic rewilding has become increasingly common worldwide, but the effects on predator–prey and ecosystem dynamics remain poorly understood. For example, predation pressure may impose spatiotemporal behavioural adjustments in prey individuals, affecting herbivory and predation success, and therefore potentially impinging on the long-term success of trophic rewilding through apex predator reintroduction. Predation risk might have detrimental effects on prey through displacement from water or other vital resources. We investigated how five species of African ungulates responded behaviourally to changes in predation risk, following cheetah releases in the system. We grouped ungulates by body size to represent preferred prey weight ranges of the cheetah and examined changes in visitation rates, duration of stay, and activity patterns at waterholes with and without cheetah presence. During cheetah presence, visitation rates of ungulates were low for medium-sized species but high for large-sized species, suggesting that the species within the cheetah’s preferred prey weight range adjusted behaviourally to minimize waterhole visits. Visits to waterholes were longer for small- and large-sized ungulates with cheetah presence, possibly indicating increased vigilance, or a strategy to maximize water intake per visit while minimizing visits. We did not detect significant differences in circadian or seasonal activity in waterhole visits, which may be attributable to the need of ungulates to access water year-round in our semi-arid study system and where migration was impeded due to physical barriers (fencing). We recommend further research into the long-term behavioural consequences of trophic rewilding on prey populations and trophic cascades to assist the success of recovery programs and to minimize potential detrimental effects at target sites.

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Rocky outcrops form islands of high and unique tree biodiversity within an ocean of grass in Serengeti National Park

van der Plas,

Olff

2024

Afr J Ecol

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African savannahs are characterised by a high plant diversity, partly resulting from a high turnover in community compositions across space. However, it is poorly understood what is driving this spatial turnover in plant communities. Here, we investigate to which extent the presence of rocky outcrops (also called kopjes) explains the community composition of trees in an African savannah, and how we can understand the responses of tree species to rocky outcrops by their functional traits. Along a precipitation gradient, we visited 24 sites in Serengeti National Park (Tanzania). At each site, we characterised tree communities, as well as their functional traits, in both a kopje and an adjacent open savannah plot (matrix plot). We found that kopjes harboured elevated tree abundances and species richness. Their dominant trees were more often evergreen, had a higher specific leaf area, a lower leaf nitrogen content and a lower spine density, than dominant trees in the savannah matrix. Differences in tree communities between kopjes and savannah matrix plots were generally the largest at sites with low precipitation. Our results indicate that kopjes are strong drivers of tree biodiversity, possibly due to locally increased soil moisture and low fire frequencies. The uniqueness of kopje tree communities may have important implications for higher trophic levels and ecosystem functioning.

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Predator Effects on Herbivore Dynamics and Behavior

Cited by 5 publications

References 175 publications

Integration of the landscape of fear concept in grassland management: An experimental study on subtropical monsoon grasslands in Bardia National Park, Nepal

Integration of the landscape of fear concept in grassland management: An experimental study on subtropical monsoon grasslands in Bardia National Park, Nepal

Rewilding Apex Predators Has Effects on Lower Trophic Levels: Cheetahs and Ungulates in a Woodland Savanna

Rocky outcrops form islands of high and unique tree biodiversity within an ocean of grass in Serengeti National Park

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