Functional response of wolves to human development across boreal North America.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

The influence of humans on large carnivores, including wolves, is a worldwide conservation concern. In addition, human-caused changes in carnivore density and distribution might have impacts on prey and, indirectly, on vegetation. We therefore tested wolf responses to infrastructure related to natural resource development (i.e., human footprint).

Location

Our study provides one of the most extensive assessments of how predators like wolves select habitat in response to various degrees of footprint across boreal ecosystems encompassing over a million square kilometers of Canada.

Methods

We deployed GPS-collars on 172 wolves, monitored movements and used a generalized functional response (GFR) model of resource selection. A functional response in habitat selection o

SUBMITTER: Muhly TB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6787805 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature