Resilience and Conservation of Large Carnivores in the Rocky Mountains

Abstract

Large carnivores evolved behaviors and life‐history traits that conferred resilience to environmental disturbances at various temporal and spatial scales. We synthesize empirical information for each large carnivore species in the Rocky Mountains regarding three basic mechanisms of resilience at different hierarchical levels: (1) behavioral plasticity in foraging behavior that ameliorates flux in food availability, (2) demographic compensation that mitigates increased exploitation, and (3) dispersal that provides functional connectivity among fragmented populations. With their high annual productivity and dispersal capabilities, wolves (Canis lupus) possess resiliency to modest levels of human disturbance of habitat and populations. Cougars (Puma concolor) appear to have slightly less resiliency because of more specific requirements for stalking habitat and lower biennial productivity. Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) possess much less resiliency because of their need for quality forage in spring and fall, their low triennial productivity, and the strong philopatry of female offspring to maternal home ranges. Based upon limited information, wolverines (Gulo gulo) appear more susceptible to natural fluctuations in scavenging opportunities and may have lower lifetime productivity than even grizzly bears. By accelerating the rate and expanding the scope of disturbance, humans have undermined the resiliency mechanisms of large carnivores and have caused widespread declines. Both the resiliency profiles and the historical record attest to the need for some form of refugia for large carnivores. With their productivity and dispersal capability, wolves and cougars might respond adequately to refugia that are well distributed in several units across the landscape at distances scaled to successful dispersal (e.g., less than five home range diameters). With their lower productivity and dispersal capability, grizzly bears and wolverines might fare better in a landscape dominated by larger or more contiguous refugia. Refugia must encompass the full array of seasonal habitats needed by large carnivores and should be connected to other refugia through landscape linkages.

Survival rates and causes of mortality of leopards Panthera pardus in southern Africa

“…However, large carnivores are vulnerable to several forms of human-caused mortality, which are often biased towards adults (Treves & Karanth, 2003). Because the majority of large carnivores evolved under conditions of high adult survival (Weaver et al, 1996), changes in adult survival can have serious consequences for the long-term persistence of carnivore populations (Dalerum et al, 2008). Consequently, adult-biased killing has the potential to threaten population viability (e.g.…”

Table scraps: inter-trophic food provisioning by pumas

“…Yet, because of our perceived negative impacts of carnivores on natural and agricultural systems, numerous carnivores are threatened with extinction [4,5]. Researchers, however, are increasingly demonstrating positive and essential ecological roles performed by large carnivores in structuring and diversifying communities [6 -8].…”

Do attacks by jaguars Panthera onca and pumas Puma concolor (Carnivora: Felidae) on livestock correlate with species richness and relative abundance of wild prey?

“…Palmeira (2004 in Brazil, estimated the loss attributable to jaguars as 25 865USD in six years in one big cattle farm, while 50 small farms in Northern Costa Rica recorded total cattle losses of 9 065USD, during one and a half year, when including both jaguar and puma attacks (Amit, GordilloChavez, & Bone, 2013). Despite these tangible losses in that study, perception of damage overestimated real losses, implying the relevance of social and educational factors when addressing these issues.Frequently, big cats are considered a problem by farmers, who directly retaliate on predators to minimize the incidences on livestock, thus contributing to the decline of the felid populations (Weaver, Paquet, & Ruggiero, 1996;Treves & Naughton-Treves, 2005;inskip & Zimmermann, 2009). However, top predators like big cats, have an important role in the ecosystem regulation.…”

“…Frequently, big cats are considered a problem by farmers, who directly retaliate on predators to minimize the incidences on livestock, thus contributing to the decline of the felid populations (Weaver, Paquet, & Ruggiero, 1996;Treves & Naughton-Treves, 2005;inskip & Zimmermann, 2009). However, top predators like big cats, have an important role in the ecosystem regulation.…”