Corrigendum to: Incorporating movement patterns to discern habitat selection: black bears as a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Dana L. Karelus ◽  
J. Walter McCown ◽  
Brian K. Scheick ◽  
Madelon van de Kerk ◽  
Benjamin M. Bolker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Extrinsic Factors

Context Animals' use of space and habitat selection emerges from their movement patterns, which are, in turn, determined by their behavioural or physiological states and extrinsic factors. Aim The aims of the present study were to investigate animal movement and incorporate the movement patterns into habitat selection analyses using Global Positioning System (GPS) location data from 16 black bears (Ursus americanus) in a fragmented area of Florida, USA. Methods Hidden Markov models (HMMs) were used to discern the movement patterns of the bears. These results were then used in step-selection functions (SSFs) to evaluate habitat selection patterns and the factors influencing these patterns. Key results HMMs revealed that black bear movement patterns are best described by three behavioural states: (1) resting (very short step-lengths and large turning angles); (2) encamped (moderate step-lengths and large turning angles); and (3) exploratory (long step-lengths and small turning angles). Bears selected for forested wetlands and marsh wetlands more than any other land cover type, and generally avoided urban areas in all seasons and when in encamped and exploratory behavioural states. Bears also chose to move to locations farther away from major roads. Conclusions Because habitat selection is influenced by how animals move within landscapes, it is essential to consider animals' movement patterns when making inferences about habitat selection. The present study achieves this goal by using HMMs to first discern black bear movement patterns and associated parameters, and by using these results in SSFs to investigate habitat selection patterns. Thus, the methodological framework developed in this study effectively incorporates state-specific movement patterns while making inferences regarding habitat selection. The unified methodological approach employed here will contribute to an improved understanding of animal ecology as well as informed management decisions. Implications Conservation plans focused on preserving forested wetlands would benefit bears by not only providing habitat for resting and foraging, but also by providing connectivity through fragmented landscapes. Additionally, the framework could be applied to species that follow annual cycles and may provide a tool for investigating how animals are using dispersal corridors.

Incorporating movement patterns to discern habitat selection: black bears as a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana L. Karelus ◽  
J. Walter McCown ◽  
Brian K. Scheick ◽  
Madelon van de Kerk ◽  
Benjamin M. Bolker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Extrinsic Factors

Context Animals’ use of space and habitat selection emerges from their movement patterns, which are, in turn, determined by their behavioural or physiological states and extrinsic factors. Aim The aims of the present study were to investigate animal movement and incorporate the movement patterns into habitat selection analyses using Global Positioning System (GPS) location data from 16 black bears (Ursus americanus) in a fragmented area of Florida, USA. Methods Hidden Markov models (HMMs) were used to discern the movement patterns of the bears. These results were then used in step-selection functions (SSFs) to evaluate habitat selection patterns and the factors influencing these patterns. Key results HMMs revealed that black bear movement patterns are best described by three behavioural states: (1) resting (very short step-lengths and large turning angles); (2) encamped (moderate step-lengths and large turning angles); and (3) exploratory (long step-lengths and small turning angles). Bears selected for forested wetlands and marsh wetlands more than any other land cover type, and generally avoided urban areas in all seasons and when in encamped and exploratory behavioural states. Bears also chose to move to locations farther away from major roads. Conclusions Because habitat selection is influenced by how animals move within landscapes, it is essential to consider animals’ movement patterns when making inferences about habitat selection. The present study achieves this goal by using HMMs to first discern black bear movement patterns and associated parameters, and by using these results in SSFs to investigate habitat selection patterns. Thus, the methodological framework developed in this study effectively incorporates state-specific movement patterns while making inferences regarding habitat selection. The unified methodological approach employed here will contribute to an improved understanding of animal ecology as well as informed management decisions. Implications Conservation plans focused on preserving forested wetlands would benefit bears by not only providing habitat for resting and foraging, but also by providing connectivity through fragmented landscapes. Additionally, the framework could be applied to species that follow annual cycles and may provide a tool for investigating how animals are using dispersal corridors.

scholarly journals Effects of environmental factors and landscape features on movement patterns of Florida black bears

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1463-1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana L Karelus ◽  
J Walter McCown ◽  
Brian K Scheick ◽  
Madelon van de Kerk ◽  
Benjamin M Bolker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Temporal Scales ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Landscape Features ◽  
Directed Paths

Abstract A greater understanding of how environmental factors and anthropogenic landscape features influence animal movements can inform management and potentially aid in mitigating human–wildlife conflicts. We investigated the movement patterns of 16 Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus; 6 females, 10 males) in north-central Florida at multiple temporal scales using GPS data collected from 2011 to 2014. We calculated bi-hourly step-lengths and directional persistence, as well as daily and weekly observed displacements and expected displacements. We used those movement metrics as response variables in linear mixed models and tested for effects of sex, season, and landscape features. We found that step-lengths of males were generally longer than step-lengths of females, and both sexes had the shortest step-lengths during the daytime. Bears moved more slowly (shorter step-lengths) and exhibited less directed movement when near creeks, in forested wetlands, and in marsh habitats, possibly indicating foraging behavior. In urban areas, bears moved more quickly (longer step-lengths) and along more directed paths. The results were similar across all temporal scales. Major roads tended to act as a semipermeable barrier to bear movement. Males crossed major roads more frequently than females but both sexes crossed major roads much less frequently than minor roads. Our findings regarding the influence of landscape and habitat features on movement patterns of Florida black bears could be useful for planning effective wildlife corridors and understanding how future residential or commercial development and road expansions may affect animal movement.

scholarly journals Urban specialization reduces habitat connectivity by a highly mobile wading bird

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire S. Teitelbaum ◽  
Jeffrey Hepinstall-Cymerman ◽  
Anjelika Kidd-Weaver ◽  
Sonia M. Hernandez ◽  
Sonia Altizer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Habitat Connectivity ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Wading Bird ◽  
White Ibis ◽  
Urban Sites

Abstract Background Mobile animals transport nutrients and propagules across habitats, and are crucial for the functioning of food webs and for ecosystem services. Human activities such as urbanization can alter animal movement behavior, including site fidelity and resource use. Because many urban areas are adjacent to natural sites, mobile animals might connect natural and urban habitats. More generally, understanding animal movement patterns in urban areas can help predict how urban expansion will affect the roles of highly mobile animals in ecological processes. Methods Here, we examined movements by a seasonally nomadic wading bird, the American white ibis (Eudocimus albus), in South Florida, USA. White ibis are colonial wading birds that forage on aquatic prey; in recent years, some ibis have shifted their behavior to forage in urban parks, where they are fed by people. We used a spatial network approach to investigate how individual movement patterns influence connectivity between urban and non-urban sites. We built a network of habitat connectivity using GPS tracking data from ibis during their non-breeding season and compared this network to simulated networks that assumed individuals moved indiscriminately with respect to habitat type. Results We found that the observed network was less connected than the simulated networks, that urban-urban and natural-natural connections were strong, and that individuals using urban sites had the least-variable habitat use. Importantly, the few ibis that used both urban and natural habitats contributed the most to connectivity. Conclusions Habitat specialization in urban-acclimated wildlife could reduce the exchange of propagules and nutrients between urban and natural areas, which has consequences both for beneficial effects of connectivity such as gene flow and for detrimental effects such as the spread of contaminants or pathogens.

Habitat selection by black bears in an intensively logged boreal forest

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. 1307-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Brodeur ◽  
Jean-Pierre Ouellet ◽  
Réhaume Courtois ◽  
Daniel Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Use Patterns

Extensive logging of the boreal forest rejuvenates landscapes once dominated by old-growth stands. As black bear ( Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) fitness and behavior are known to be primarily related to the abundance of shade-intolerant soft mast species in northern forests, we hypothesized that logging will influence habitat and space use patterns of black bears. We used VHF telemetry on 12 female black bears in the Réserve faunique des Laurentides (Quebec, Canada) to investigate seasonal patterns of habitat selection in an exploited heterogeneous boreal landscape at different spatial scales. Habitat characterization based on seven forest cover types allowed us to compare the productivity of key forage species in various post-logging age classes. Regenerating stands (6–20 years old) had the uppermost ground vegetation cover, providing both the highest density and a high biomass of berries. Black bears preferred regenerating stands (6–20 years old) and avoided mature coniferous forests inside their home range. Home-range size was inversely related to the proportion of regenerating stands (6–20 years old). Intensive logging influenced black bear habitat and space use patterns, and presumably their population dynamics. An increase in the habitat quality of an opportunistic predator poses great concern for conservation, especially for forest-dwelling woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)).

scholarly journals Exposure to anthropogenic activities and age class mediate mesocarnivore habitat selection in a human-dominated landscape

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Serieys ◽  
Jacqueline M Bishop ◽  
Matthew S Rogan ◽  
Justine A Smith ◽  
Jusin P Suraci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Wildlife Populations

Abstract Wildlife populations are increasingly challenged by human activities that disrupt landscape connectivity, animal movement, population dynamics and population persistence. Yet modified habitats may provide resource subsidies for generalist species resulting in increased selection of disturbed areas. Understanding how species adjust their space use and activity in human-modified landscapes is fundamental to conserving wildlife populations globally. To test three competing hypotheses explaining spatiotemporal responses to human activity, we investigated coarse (3 hour)- and fine (20 minute)- scale habitat selection, activity patterns, and measured home ranges in a human-dominated landscape. We GPS-collared 25 adults and subadult caracals (Caracal caracal) from three contiguous subpopulations in urban and wildland-dominated regions. Caracals in the wildland-dominated region avoided proximity to urban areas while caracals in the urban-dominated region selected for close proximity to urban areas. Selection responses for vegetative cover, freshwater, vineyards, the coast, and burned areas was dependent on age class, diel period, and whether individuals were in close proximity to urban areas. Large home ranges demonstrated habitat selection results were not a result of limited landscape use. Caracals did not shift their temporal activity to avoid humans, but selected for closer proximity to urban areas at night, suggesting they seek spatial refugia during the day. Behavioral plasticity whereby individuals seek out spatial refugia promotes the coexistence of this carnivore in a human-dominated landscape. These data are essential to our understanding of what is viable wildlife habitat to a generalist mesocarnivore and provide opportunities to guide land acquisition and conservation by local management agencies.

scholarly journals Fencing affects African wild dog movement patterns and population dynamics

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Helen M. K. O'Neill ◽  
Sarah M. Durant ◽  
Stefanie Strebel ◽  
Rosie Woodroffe
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Wrong Side ◽  
African Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs

Abstract Wildlife fences are often considered an important tool in conservation. Fences are used in attempts to prevent human–wildlife conflict and reduce poaching, despite known negative impacts on landscape connectivity and animal movement patterns. Such impacts are likely to be particularly important for wide-ranging species, such as the African wild dog Lycaon pictus, which requires large areas of continuous habitat to fulfil its resource requirements. Laikipia County in northern Kenya is an important area for wild dogs but new wildlife fences are increasingly being built in this ecosystem. Using a long-term dataset from the area's free-ranging wild dog population, we evaluated the effect of wildlife fence structure on the ability of wild dogs to cross them. The extent to which fences impeded wild dog movement differed between fence designs, although individuals crossed fences of all types. Purpose-built fence gaps increased passage through relatively impermeable fences. Nevertheless, low fence permeability can lead to packs, or parts of packs, becoming trapped on the wrong side of a fence, with consequences for population dynamics. Careful evaluation should be given to the necessity of erecting fences; ecological impact assessments should incorporate evaluation of impacts on animal movement patterns and should be undertaken for all large-scale fencing interventions. Where fencing is unavoidable, projects should use the most permeable fencing structures possible, both in the design of the fence and including as many purpose-built gaps as possible, to minimize impacts on wide-ranging wildlife.

Habitat selection by female American black bears in northern Wisconsin

Ursus ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie H. Sadeghpour ◽  
Tim F. Ginnett
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
American Black ◽  
American Black Bears

Determinants of birth-intervals in Algeria: a semi-Markov model analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatih Chellai
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Population Policy ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Birth Intervals ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors

Abstract Objectives Analyzing the dynamics and patterns of birth intervals in the Algerian population is an important issue in developing an effective population policy. In this study, we attempted to estimate the effects of socioeconomic and demographic factors on the birth spacing process. Methods Semi-Markov models were used, based on data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), where the birth histories of 13,453 infants nested within a sample of 6,958 married women were analyzed. Results The findings stated that the birth intervals depend on: (i) mothers’ educational level, whereas wider intervals have been found for highly educated women, (ii) the wealth index, as women from poor families have short birth intervals, and (iii) there was no clear difference between rural and urban areas. Conclusions Policymakers can act through these axes to develop more efficient strategies for family planning.

Contextual Density and US Automotive CO2 Emissions across the Rural–Urban Continuum

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 590-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Perumal ◽  
David Timmons
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Household Travel ◽  
Vehicle Fuel Efficiency ◽  
National Household Travel Survey

Using data from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey, we quantify the effects of settlement patterns on individual driving habits and the resulting automotive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. We employ CO2 emissions to capture this impact accurately, as it reflects both vehicle miles traveled and any spatial differences in vehicle fuel efficiency choices. While previous studies have compared automotive travel in urban and suburban areas, our approach characterizes emissions across the entire US rural–urban gradient, focusing on the effects of population density. Rather than using categorical measures of contextual density (city, suburb, town, etc.), we use a geographical information system to calculate continuous measures of contextual density, that is, density at different proximities to households. These measures of contextual density allow us to model travel effects induced by the gravitational pull of the population densities of urban cores. Further, our methodological approach frames location choice as an endogenous treatment effect; that is, residential locations are not randomly assigned across our sample and significantly alter driving behavior. We find that individuals living in urban cores generate the lowest per capita automotive CO2 emissions, due to close proximities of population concentrations. Rather than attracting individuals who would likely have low CO2 emissions anyway, urban location apparently mitigates the emissions of people who would otherwise tend to have high automotive CO2 emissions. We find larger elasticities with respect to density than previous studies and also find that the attractive forces of population densities affect driving patterns at distances up to sixty-one kilometers outside of urban areas.

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