The spatial patterns of anthropogenic disturbance in the western Canadian boreal forest following oil and gas development

Pickell, Paul D.; Andison, David; Coops, Nicholas C.; Gergel, Sarah E.; Marshall, Peter

doi:10.1139/cjfr-2014-0546

Cited by 50 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 48 publications

(80 reference statements)

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“…Compounding this mature forest loss is the pervasive network of linear features resulting from energy exploration and extraction, which represents a smaller loss in areal extent but plays a disproportionally large role in loss of forest ecosystem function (Pickell et al. ). Nonetheless, predation is the proximate cause of caribou declines, and anthropogenic features bolster alternative prey populations (Toews et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We estimated density to characterize potential predation risk from 3 carnivore species–wolf, black bear, and coyote–on caribou, moose, and white‐tailed deer in a region with high anthropogenic disturbance, Alberta's Oil Sands Region (Pickell et al. ), during the caribou calving season when vulnerability is greatest (Wittmer et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Landscape change is considered the ultimate cause of caribou decline; Canada's boreal forest is second only to tropical forests in terms of annual loss of tree cover (Hansen et al 2013). Compounding this mature forest loss is the pervasive network of linear features resulting from energy exploration and extraction, which represents a smaller loss in areal extent but plays a disproportionally large role in loss of forest ecosystem function (Pickell et al 2015). Nonetheless, predation is the proximate cause of caribou declines, and anthro-pogenic features bolster alternative prey populations (Toews et al 2017) and expedite travel by wolves (Canis lupus) (Dickie et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our motivation was to illustrate how the density of multiple interacting species can be estimated from a camera trap survey, as a basis for more comprehensive and effective conservation decisions. We estimated density to characterize potential predation risk from 3 carnivore species-wolf, black bear, and coyote-on caribou, moose, and white-tailed deer in a region with high anthropogenic disturbance, Alberta's Oil Sands Region (Pickell et al 2015), during the caribou calving season when vulnerability is greatest (Wittmer et al 2005). Published research on the potential impact of predator densities on caribou populations is limited, but given that bears and coyotes are known caribou predators, it is logical to hypothesize that higher densities of predators will lead to greater caribou predation and ultimately further caribou declines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The importance of considering multiple interacting species for conservation of species at risk

Burgar

Burton

Fisher

2018

Conservation Biology

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Conservation of species at risk of extinction is complex and multifaceted. However, mitigation strategies are typically narrow in scope, an artifact of conservation research that is often limited to a single species or stressor. Knowledge of an entire community of strongly interacting species would greatly enhance the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of conservation decisions. We investigated how camera trapping and spatial count models, an extension of spatial‐recapture models for unmarked populations, can accomplish this through a case study of threatened boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Population declines in caribou are precipitous and well documented, but recovery strategies focus heavily on control of wolves (Canis lupus) and pay less attention to other known predators and apparent competitors. Obtaining necessary data on multispecies densities has been difficult. We used spatial count models to concurrently estimate densities of caribou, their predators (wolf, black bear [Ursus americanus], and coyote [Canis latrans]), and alternative prey (moose [Alces alces] and white‐tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus]) from a camera‐trap array in a highly disturbed landscape within northern Alberta's Oil Sands Region. Median densities were 0.22 caribous (95% Bayesian credible interval [BCI] = 0.08–0.65), 0.77 wolves (95% BCI = 0.26–2.67), 2.39 moose (95% BCI = 0.56–7.00), 2.64 coyotes (95% BCI = 0.45–6.68), and 3.63 black bears (95% BCI = 1.25–8.52) per 100 km2. (The white‐tailed deer model did not converge.) Although wolf densities were higher than densities recommended for caribou conservation, we suggest the markedly higher black bear and coyote densities may be of greater concern, especially if government wolf control further releases these species. Caribou conservation with a singular focus on wolf control may leave caribou vulnerable to other predators. We recommend a broader focus on the interacting species within a community when conserving species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The importance of considering multiple interacting species for conservation of species at risk

Burgar

Burton

Fisher

2018

Conservation Biology

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“…The Canadian boreal forest is one biome experiencing dramatic landscape change due to natural resource extraction, which is creating a heterogeneous “working” landscape shared between industry and wildlife (Pickell, Andison, Coops, Gergel, & Marshall, ). Logging alone has an area footprint of approximately 15 million hectares, while energy development has created over half a million kilometers of linear features across the region (Pasher, Seed, & Duffe, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Boreal predator co‐occurrences reveal shared use of seismic lines in a working landscape

Tattersall

Burgar

Fisher

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Interspecific interactions are an integral aspect of ecosystem functioning that may be disrupted in an increasingly anthropocentric world. Industrial landscape change creates a novel playing field on which these interactions take place, and a key question for wildlife managers is whether and how species are able to coexist in such working landscapes. Using camera traps deployed in northern Alberta, we surveyed boreal predators to determine whether interspecific interactions affected occurrences of black bears (Ursus americanus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and lynx (Lynx canadensis) within a landscape disturbed by networks of seismic lines (corridors cut for seismic exploration of oil and gas reserves). We tested hypotheses of species interactions across one spatial‐only and two spatiotemporal (daily and weekly) scales. Specifically, we hypothesized that (1) predators avoid competition with the apex predator, gray wolf (Canis lupus), (2) they avoid competition with each other as intraguild competitors, and (3) they overlap with their prey. All three predators overlapped with wolves on at least one scale, although models at the daily and weekly scale had substantial unexplained variance. None of the predators showed avoidance of intraguild competitors or overlap with prey. These results show patterns in predator space use that are consistent with both facilitative interactions or shared responses to unmeasured ecological cues. Our study provides insight into how predator species use the working boreal landscape in relation to each other, and highlights that predator management may indirectly influence multiple species through their interactions.

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Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features

Tattersall¹,

Pigeon²,

MacNearney³

et al. 2023

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Habitat restoration is a necessary component of wildlife conservation in anthropogenic landscapes. To ensure restoration initiatives achieve the desired effects on wildlife communities, it is useful to investigate how animals use landscape features. Understanding the relationships between wildlife use and ecological cues provides specific and measurable targets that can be used to measure restoration success. In western Canada, linear feature networks formed by seismic lines, pipelines and roads have altered the boreal forest landscape and resulted in population declines for woodland caribou. Restoration is aimed at supporting caribou recovery by deterring linear feature use by caribou predators and ungulate competitors. Information on how linear feature characteristics facilitate or deter wildlife use supports restoration initiatives by providing specific targets for restoration. Here, we used wildlife track and sign data to investigate biophysical characteristics related to the use of linear features by canines, bears, deer, elk and moose in caribou ranges of west‐central and north‐western Alberta and British Columbia. We built generalized linear mixed models consistent with three hypotheses that could explain likely mechanisms for use: (1) ease of movement, (2) risk avoidance and (3) resource availability (prey and forage). Moose, deer, elk and bears were more likely to use linear features with either human or game trails. Bears and canines were less likely to use seismic lines with greater lateral vegetation cover and taller vegetation, respectively. Moose, deer and elk were more likely to use linear features with a greater cover of ungulate forage taxa such as willow, birch, sedges and forbs. These results suggest that restoration focusing on trails, online vegetation structure and online vegetation type should deter predators and ungulate prey species to the overall benefit of caribou. Our study corroborates the findings of other research recommending structural and functional restoration using high‐intensity line blocking and vegetative regeneration. We provide specific targets for linear feature restoration to assist in prioritization according to restoration objectives, which translates to a broader goal of linking local‐level restoration actions to landscape‐level conservation goals. This approach to restoration has implications for any major system experiencing anthropogenic landscape change.

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The spatial patterns of anthropogenic disturbance in the western Canadian boreal forest following oil and gas development

Cited by 50 publications

References 48 publications

The importance of considering multiple interacting species for conservation of species at risk

The importance of considering multiple interacting species for conservation of species at risk

Boreal predator co‐occurrences reveal shared use of seismic lines in a working landscape

Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features

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