The Role of Wolf Predation in Limiting a Moose Population

1983 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 977 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Bergerud ◽  
W. Wyett ◽  
B. Snider
Keyword(s):  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Moose Population

scholarly journals Experimental moose reduction lowers wolf density and stops decline of endangered caribou

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Serrouya ◽  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
Harry van Oort ◽  
Garth Mowat ◽  
Stan Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Population Stability ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Reference Area ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Moose Population

The expansion of moose into southern British Columbia caused the decline and extirpation of woodland caribou due to their shared predators, a process commonly referred to as apparent competition. Using an adaptive management experiment, we tested the hypothesis that reducing moose to historic levels would reduce apparent competition and therefor recover caribou populations. Nested within this broad hypothesis were three specific hypotheses: 1) sport hunting could be used to substantially reduce moose numbers to an ecological target; 2) wolves in this ecosystem were primarily limited by moose abundance; and 3) caribou were limited by wolf predation. These hypotheses were evaluated with a before-after control-impact (BACI) design that included response metrics such as population trends and vital rates of caribou, moose, and wolves. Three caribou subpopulations were subject to the moose reduction treatment and two were in a reference area where moose were not reduced. When the moose harvest was increased, the moose population declined substantially in the treatment area (by 70%) but not the reference area, suggesting that the policy had the desired effect and was not caused by a broader climatic process. Wolf numbers subsequently declined in the treatment area, with wolf dispersal rates 2.5 × greater, meaning that dispersal was the likely mechanism behind the wolf numerical response, though reduced recruitment and starvation was also documented in the treatment area. Caribou adult survival increased from 0.78 to 0.88 in the treatment area, but declined in the reference. Caribou recruitment was unaffected by the treatment. The largest caribou subpopulation stabilized in the treatment area, but declined in the reference area. The observed population stability is comparable to other studies that used intensive wolf control, but is insufficient to achieve recovery, suggesting that multiple limiting factors and corresponding management tools must be addressed simultaneously to achieve population growth.

scholarly journals Experimental moose reduction lowers wolf density and stops decline of endangered caribou

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Serrouya ◽  
Bruce N. McLellan ◽  
Harry van Oort ◽  
Garth Mowat ◽  
Stan Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Population Stability ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Reference Area ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Moose Population

The expansion of moose into southern British Columbia caused the decline and extirpation of woodland caribou due to their shared predators, a process commonly referred to as apparent competition. Using an adaptive management experiment, we tested the hypothesis that reducing moose to historic levels would reduce apparent competition and therefor recover caribou populations. Nested within this broad hypothesis were three specific hypotheses: (1) sport hunting could be used to substantially reduce moose numbers to an ecological target; (2) wolves in this ecosystem were primarily limited by moose abundance; and (3) caribou were limited by wolf predation. These hypotheses were evaluated with a before-after control-impact (BACI) design that included response metrics such as population trends and vital rates of caribou, moose, and wolves. Three caribou subpopulations were subject to the moose reduction treatment and two were in a reference area where moose were not reduced. When the moose harvest was increased, the moose population declined substantially in the treatment area (by 70%) but not the reference area, suggesting that the policy had the desired effect and was not caused by a broader climatic process. Wolf numbers subsequently declined in the treatment area, with wolf dispersal rates 2.5× greater, meaning that dispersal was the likely mechanism behind the wolf numerical response, though reduced recruitment and starvation was also documented in the treatment area. Caribou adult survival increased from 0.78 to 0.88 in the treatment area, but declined in the reference. Caribou recruitment was unaffected by the treatment. The largest caribou subpopulation stabilized in the treatment area, but declined in the reference area. The observed population stability is comparable to other studies that used intensive wolf control, but is insufficient to achieve recovery, suggesting that multiple limiting factors and corresponding management tools must be addressed simultaneously to achieve population growth.

Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda: Taeniidae) infections and moose – wolf population dynamics in southwestern Quebec

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 216-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Messier ◽  
Manfred E. Rau ◽  
Marilyn A. McNeill
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Echinococcus Granulosus ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Regulatory Effect ◽  
Wolf Population ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Aggregated Distribution ◽  
Moose Population

The prevalence, mean number, and mean total weight of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in the lungs of moose increased with moose density in southwestern Quebec. Such responses in the level of infection were documented in areas of 0.17, 0.23, and 0.37 moose/km2. The increase of E. granulosus infection in moose was attributed to higher densities of wolves, the definitive host of this parasite, as well as an accompanying increase in the rate of wolf predation upon moose. The aggregated distribution of this parasite within the moose population is considered to reflect the highly heterogeneous use of space by wolves and the consequent aggregated distribution of parasite eggs within the environment. A possible regulatory effect of E. granulosus infections on moose numbers is discussed.

scholarly journals Linking forest management to moose population trends: The role of the nutritional landscape

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. e0219128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas V. Schrempp ◽  
Janet L. Rachlow ◽  
Timothy R. Johnson ◽  
Lisa A. Shipley ◽  
Ryan A. Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Moose Population

Wolf functional response and regulation of moose in the Yukon

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
R D Hayes ◽  
A S Harestad
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Response Curve ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Prey Switching ◽  
East Central ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Moose Population

We studied kill rates by wolves (Canis lupus) on a rapidly growing moose population in the east-central Yukon. We added these data to the cumulative functional response curve obtained in other North American wolf studies. Our kill rates are higher than those predicted at low moose densities. The kill rate increases rapidly, reaching 2.4 moose per wolf per 100 days at 0.26 moose/km2 and remains constant at this level. No data are available below 0.2 moose/km2 to indicate the shape of the ascending curve. Based on moose distribution and the low prey-switching ability of wolves, we suggest that the functional response curve is of type II. Our wolf predation rate model predicts that moose are held to a low density equilibrium between 0.07 and 0.12/km2, slightly below densities observed in interior Alaska and the Yukon.

scholarly journals Wolf predation in the Burwash caribou herd, southwest Yukon

Rangifer ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Gauthier ◽  
John B. Theberge
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Mortality Factor ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Mortality Factors ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Annual Mortality

The role of wolf predation as a proximate mortality factor influencing caribou herd growth was assessed in the Burwash herd (400 animals) in the southwest Yukon between 1980 - 1982. Ten to 14 wolves in two packs preyed primarily on caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and moose (Alces alces) with disproportionate consumption of caribou (relative to available biomass) in the rut and winter periods. Wolf predation was responsible for 72% of total annual mortality in 1980 - 1981 and 46% in 1981 - 1982. Losses due to human harvest varied between 7 to 13%. Additional limited data on climatic factors and winter forage indicated forage-climate were not major proximate mortality factors in 1980 - 1981, but that early-calving climate may have been a factor in increased calf mortality in 1982.

scholarly journals Experimental moose reduction lowers wolf density and stops decline of endangered caribou

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Serrouya ◽  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
Harry van Oort ◽  
Garth Mowat ◽  
Stan Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Population Stability ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Reference Area ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Moose Population

The expansion of moose into southern British Columbia caused the decline and extirpation of woodland caribou due to their shared predators, a process commonly referred to as apparent competition. Using an adaptive management experiment, we tested the hypothesis that reducing moose to historic levels would reduce apparent competition and therefor recover caribou populations. Nested within this broad hypothesis were three specific hypotheses: 1) sport hunting could be used to substantially reduce moose numbers to an ecological target; 2) wolves in this ecosystem were primarily limited by moose abundance; and 3) caribou were limited by wolf predation. These hypotheses were evaluated with a before-after control-impact (BACI) design that included response metrics such as population trends and vital rates of caribou, moose, and wolves. Three caribou subpopulations were subject to the moose reduction treatment and two were in a reference area where moose were not reduced. When the moose harvest was increased, the moose population declined substantially in the treatment area (by 70%) but not the reference area, suggesting that the policy had the desired effect and was not caused by a broader climatic process. Wolf numbers subsequently declined in the treatment area, with wolf dispersal rates 2.5 × greater, meaning that dispersal was the likely mechanism behind the wolf numerical response, though reduced recruitment and starvation was also documented in the treatment area. Caribou adult survival increased from 0.78 to 0.88 in the treatment area, but declined in the reference. Caribou recruitment was unaffected by the treatment. The largest caribou subpopulation stabilized in the treatment area, but declined in the reference area. The observed population stability is comparable to other studies that used intensive wolf control, but is insufficient to achieve recovery, suggesting that multiple limiting factors and corresponding management tools must be addressed simultaneously to achieve population growth.

scholarly journals Wolves make roadways safer, generating large economic returns to predator conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (22) ◽  
pp. e2023251118
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Raynor ◽  
Corbett A. Grainger ◽  
Dominic P. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Response ◽  
Economic Benefit ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Ecological Research ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Landscape Of Fear ◽  
Vehicle Collisions ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Deer Population

Recent studies uncover cascading ecological effects resulting from removing and reintroducing predators into a landscape, but little is known about effects on human lives and property. We quantify the effects of restoring wolf populations by evaluating their influence on deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs) in Wisconsin. We show that, for the average county, wolf entry reduced DVCs by 24%, yielding an economic benefit that is 63 times greater than the costs of verified wolf predation on livestock. Most of the reduction is due to a behavioral response of deer to wolves rather than through a deer population decline from wolf predation. This finding supports ecological research emphasizing the role of predators in creating a “landscape of fear.” It suggests wolves control economic damages from overabundant deer in ways that human deer hunters cannot.

scholarly journals Status of endangered and threatened caribou on Canada's arctic islands

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Gunn ◽  
Frank L. Miller ◽  
John Nishi
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Ice Conditions ◽  
Victoria Island

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) on the Canadian Arctic Islands occur as several populations which are nationally classified as either endangered or threatened. On the western High Arctic (Queen Elizabeth) Islands, Peary caribou (R. t. pearyi) declined to an estimated 1100 caribou in 1997. This is the lowest recorded abundance since the first aerial survey in 1961 when a high of ca. 24 363 caribou was estimated on those islands. Peary caribou abundance on the eastern Queen Elizabeth Islands is almost unknown. On the southern Arctic Islands, three caribou populations declined by 95-98% between 1973 and 1994 but our information is unclear about the numerical trends for the two other populations. Diagnosis of factors driving the declines is complicated by incomplete information but also because the agents driving the declines vary among the Arctic's different climatic regions. The available evidence indicates that severe winters caused Peary caribou die-offs on the western Queen Elizabeth Islands. On Banks Island, harvesting together with unfavourable snow/ice conditions in some years accelerated the decline. On northwestern Victoria Island, harvesting apparently explains the decline. The role of wolf predation is unknown on Banks and notthwest Victoria islands, although wolf sightings increased during the catibou declines. Reasons for the virtual disappearance of arctic-island caribou on Prince of Wales and Somerset islands are uncertain. Recovery actions have started with Inuit and Inuvialuit reducing their harvesting but it is too soon to evaluate the effect of those changes. Recovery of Peary caribou on the western Queen Elizabeth Islands is uncertain if the current trends toward warmer temperatures and higher snowfall persist.

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