2025
Willems, Joshua S; Moll, Remington J; Yamasaki, Mariko; Costello, Christine; Ducey, Mark J; Rowe, Rebecca J
Drivers of small mammal population dynamics in hardwood forests of northeastern USA Journal Article
In: Journal of Mammalogy, pp. gyae152, 2025, ISSN: 0022-2372.
@article{10.1093/jmammal/gyae152,
title = {Drivers of small mammal population dynamics in hardwood forests of northeastern USA},
author = {Joshua S Willems and Remington J Moll and Mariko Yamasaki and Christine Costello and Mark J Ducey and Rebecca J Rowe},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae152},
doi = {10.1093/jmammal/gyae152},
issn = {0022-2372},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Mammalogy},
pages = {gyae152},
abstract = {Many small mammal populations exhibit dramatic annual fluctuations, with abundance sometimes varying by orders of magnitude across years. However, there remains much debate about the factors that drive changes in abundance. Long-term datasets provide important opportunities to further investigate these phenomena. Using 30 yr of data from a study at Bartlett Experimental Forest in north-central New Hampshire, USA, we compare the relative effects of pulsed food resources (beech mast), forest structure, and weather on the population dynamics of 5 rodents and 4 shrew species. We estimated detection-corrected abundances using Bayesian N-mixture models. Mast, forest structure, and weather all influenced abundance; however, responses varied among species, and no single variable proved to be broadly influential across all species. More generally, our results suggest that for most species analyzed, mast availability and weather patterns have a greater influence on abundance fluctuations than forest structure. However, our results suggest that species are not responding to changes in the environment in the same way. Given that small mammals are ubiquitous and serve key ecological roles, a better understanding of the drivers of small mammal population fluctuations could have broad-reaching implications for forest ecology and management.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Many small mammal populations exhibit dramatic annual fluctuations, with abundance sometimes varying by orders of magnitude across years. However, there remains much debate about the factors that drive changes in abundance. Long-term datasets provide important opportunities to further investigate these phenomena. Using 30 yr of data from a study at Bartlett Experimental Forest in north-central New Hampshire, USA, we compare the relative effects of pulsed food resources (beech mast), forest structure, and weather on the population dynamics of 5 rodents and 4 shrew species. We estimated detection-corrected abundances using Bayesian N-mixture models. Mast, forest structure, and weather all influenced abundance; however, responses varied among species, and no single variable proved to be broadly influential across all species. More generally, our results suggest that for most species analyzed, mast availability and weather patterns have a greater influence on abundance fluctuations than forest structure. However, our results suggest that species are not responding to changes in the environment in the same way. Given that small mammals are ubiquitous and serve key ecological roles, a better understanding of the drivers of small mammal population fluctuations could have broad-reaching implications for forest ecology and management.
Moll, Remington J; Green, Austin M; Allen, Maximilian L; Kays, Roland
People or predators? Comparing habitat-dependent effects of hunting and large carnivores on the abundance of North America's top mesocarnivore Journal Article
In: Ecography, vol. 2025, no. 1, pp. e07390, 2025.
@article{moll2025people,
title = {People or predators? Comparing habitat-dependent effects of hunting and large carnivores on the abundance of North America's top mesocarnivore},
author = {Remington J Moll and Austin M Green and Maximilian L Allen and Roland Kays},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.07390},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Ecography},
volume = {2025},
number = {1},
pages = {e07390},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {Variation in animal abundance is shaped by scale-dependent habitat, competition, and anthropogenic influences. Coyotes Canis latrans have dramatically increased in abundance while expanding their range over the past 100 years. Management goals typically seek to lower coyote populations to reduce their threats to humans, pets, livestock and sensitive prey. Despite their outsized ecological and social roles in the Americas, the factors affecting coyote abundance across their range remain unclear. We fit Royle–Nichols abundance models at two spatial scales in a Bayesian hierarchical framework to three years of data from 4587 camera trap sites arranged in 254 arrays across the contiguous USA to assess how habitat, large carnivores, anthropogenic development and hunting regulations affect coyote abundance. Coyote abundance was highest in southwestern USA and lowest in the northeast. Abundance responded to some factors as expected, including positive (soft mast, agriculture, grass/shrub habitat, urban–natural edge) and negative (latitude and forest cover) relationships. Colonization date had a negative relationship, suggesting coyote populations have not reached carrying capacity in recently colonized regions. Several relationships were scale-dependent, including urban development, which was negative at local (100-m) scales but positive at larger (5-km) scales. Large carnivore effects were habitat-dependent, with sometimes opposing relationships manifesting across variation in forest cover and urban development. Coyote abundance was higher where human hunting was permitted, and this relationship was strongest at local scales. These results, including a national map of coyote abundance, update ecological understanding of coyotes and can inform coyote management at local and landscape scales. These findings expand results from local studies suggesting that directly hunting coyotes does not decrease their abundance and may actually increase it. Ongoing large carnivore recoveries globally will likely affect subordinate carnivore abundance, but not in universally negative ways, and our work demonstrates how such effects can be habitat and scale dependent.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Variation in animal abundance is shaped by scale-dependent habitat, competition, and anthropogenic influences. Coyotes Canis latrans have dramatically increased in abundance while expanding their range over the past 100 years. Management goals typically seek to lower coyote populations to reduce their threats to humans, pets, livestock and sensitive prey. Despite their outsized ecological and social roles in the Americas, the factors affecting coyote abundance across their range remain unclear. We fit Royle–Nichols abundance models at two spatial scales in a Bayesian hierarchical framework to three years of data from 4587 camera trap sites arranged in 254 arrays across the contiguous USA to assess how habitat, large carnivores, anthropogenic development and hunting regulations affect coyote abundance. Coyote abundance was highest in southwestern USA and lowest in the northeast. Abundance responded to some factors as expected, including positive (soft mast, agriculture, grass/shrub habitat, urban–natural edge) and negative (latitude and forest cover) relationships. Colonization date had a negative relationship, suggesting coyote populations have not reached carrying capacity in recently colonized regions. Several relationships were scale-dependent, including urban development, which was negative at local (100-m) scales but positive at larger (5-km) scales. Large carnivore effects were habitat-dependent, with sometimes opposing relationships manifesting across variation in forest cover and urban development. Coyote abundance was higher where human hunting was permitted, and this relationship was strongest at local scales. These results, including a national map of coyote abundance, update ecological understanding of coyotes and can inform coyote management at local and landscape scales. These findings expand results from local studies suggesting that directly hunting coyotes does not decrease their abundance and may actually increase it. Ongoing large carnivore recoveries globally will likely affect subordinate carnivore abundance, but not in universally negative ways, and our work demonstrates how such effects can be habitat and scale dependent.
Readyhough, Taylor S; Cepek, Jonathon D; Shaffer, Erik E; Dennis, Patricia M; Byer, Nathan W; Hausman, Constance E; Montgomery, Robert A; Moll, Remington J
Unveiling drivers of fecundity in an urban white-tailed deer population over 20 years of active management Journal Article
In: Urban Ecosystems, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 1–15, 2025.
@article{readyhough2025unveiling,
title = {Unveiling drivers of fecundity in an urban white-tailed deer population over 20 years of active management},
author = {Taylor S Readyhough and Jonathon D Cepek and Erik E Shaffer and Patricia M Dennis and Nathan W Byer and Constance E Hausman and Robert A Montgomery and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01633-y},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Urban Ecosystems},
volume = {28},
number = {1},
pages = {1–15},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter “deer”) are keystone herbivores that exert considerable ecosystem impacts. Quantifying drivers of urban deer demography, including fecundity (number of fetuses/doe), is paramount for understanding deer ecology and making management decisions, but this information is lacking for urban deer populations. In non-urban areas, doe age, population density, winter severity, and plant primary productivity influence fecundity. Increased forage availability in urban areas may dampen climatic effects on deer reproduction, but other threats and stressors might mitigate the positive effects of anthropogenic resources. We investigated how management, habitat, winter severity, and forage availability influenced deer pregnancy and fecundity using structural equation models fit to 20 years of data from a deer management program in a large urban park system. The proportion of pregnant fawns, yearlings, and adults were 0.16, 0.95, and 0.97, respectively, while fecundity (fetuses/doe) was 0.17, 1.59, and 1.88. Low fawn pregnancy rates and stable adult fecundity rates indicated a robust deer population. Age and body condition were the strongest predictors of fecundity. Unexpectedly, management, habitat (including urbanization), winter severity, and forage availability did not directly affect fecundity. Winter severity had a counterintuitive positive effect on adult deer body mass. Management affected yearling body masses: higher deer removal in the previous year was associated with increased current year removal and lower yearling body masses. Together, these results indicate that the environmental factors that commonly affect rural populations do not drive fecundity in this system, potentially reflecting unique characteristics of managed urban deer populations.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter “deer”) are keystone herbivores that exert considerable ecosystem impacts. Quantifying drivers of urban deer demography, including fecundity (number of fetuses/doe), is paramount for understanding deer ecology and making management decisions, but this information is lacking for urban deer populations. In non-urban areas, doe age, population density, winter severity, and plant primary productivity influence fecundity. Increased forage availability in urban areas may dampen climatic effects on deer reproduction, but other threats and stressors might mitigate the positive effects of anthropogenic resources. We investigated how management, habitat, winter severity, and forage availability influenced deer pregnancy and fecundity using structural equation models fit to 20 years of data from a deer management program in a large urban park system. The proportion of pregnant fawns, yearlings, and adults were 0.16, 0.95, and 0.97, respectively, while fecundity (fetuses/doe) was 0.17, 1.59, and 1.88. Low fawn pregnancy rates and stable adult fecundity rates indicated a robust deer population. Age and body condition were the strongest predictors of fecundity. Unexpectedly, management, habitat (including urbanization), winter severity, and forage availability did not directly affect fecundity. Winter severity had a counterintuitive positive effect on adult deer body mass. Management affected yearling body masses: higher deer removal in the previous year was associated with increased current year removal and lower yearling body masses. Together, these results indicate that the environmental factors that commonly affect rural populations do not drive fecundity in this system, potentially reflecting unique characteristics of managed urban deer populations.
Byer, Nathan W; Moll, Remington J; Krynak, Timothy J; Shaffer, Erik E; Brumfield, Jen L; Reinier, John E; Eysenbach, Sarah R; Cepek, Jonathon D; Hausman, Constance E
Breeding bird sensitivity to urban habitat quality is multi-scale and strongly dependent on migratory behavior Journal Article
In: Ecological applications: a publication of the Ecological Society of America, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. e3087, 2025.
@article{byer2025breeding,
title = {Breeding bird sensitivity to urban habitat quality is multi-scale and strongly dependent on migratory behavior},
author = {Nathan W Byer and Remington J Moll and Timothy J Krynak and Erik E Shaffer and Jen L Brumfield and John E Reinier and Sarah R Eysenbach and Jonathon D Cepek and Constance E Hausman},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.3087},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Ecological applications: a publication of the Ecological Society of America},
volume = {35},
number = {1},
pages = {e3087},
abstract = {Human-caused conversion of natural habitat areas to developed land cover represents a major driver of habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to reorganization of biological communities. Although protected areas and urban greenspaces can preserve natural systems in fragmented landscapes, their efficacy has been stymied by the complexity and scale-dependency underlying biological communities. While migratory bird communities are easy to-study and particularly responsive to anthropogenic habitat alterations, prior studies have documented substantial variation in habitat sensitivity across species and migratory groups. This may make approaches that explicitly consider the hierarchical nature of ecological organization useful for planning and decision-making, particularly in developed landscapes. Herein, we leverage regional vegetation and breeding bird monitoring efforts to investigate the influences of spatial scale, urbanization, and migratory habit on breeding bird occupancy across Cleveland Metroparks, a large urban park system in Ohio. Using multispecies occupancy models, we found that fine-scale vegetation covariates were more predictive of bird community dynamics than landscape-level covariates, suggesting positive benefits of vegetation management activities for breeding bird communities. We also found that short-distance migrants were positively associated with plants that have broad ecological tolerances and that tropical migrants were more negatively associated with human development than other migratory groups. While local vegetation management may be effective for protecting sensitive breeding bird communities, many tropical migrants required intact forests with low human development and may require targeted habitat management for continued breeding-season occupancy. More broadly, this study emphasizes how avian management strategies in developed landscapes should consider features at multiple spatial scales—as well as species-specific migratory behaviors.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Human-caused conversion of natural habitat areas to developed land cover represents a major driver of habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to reorganization of biological communities. Although protected areas and urban greenspaces can preserve natural systems in fragmented landscapes, their efficacy has been stymied by the complexity and scale-dependency underlying biological communities. While migratory bird communities are easy to-study and particularly responsive to anthropogenic habitat alterations, prior studies have documented substantial variation in habitat sensitivity across species and migratory groups. This may make approaches that explicitly consider the hierarchical nature of ecological organization useful for planning and decision-making, particularly in developed landscapes. Herein, we leverage regional vegetation and breeding bird monitoring efforts to investigate the influences of spatial scale, urbanization, and migratory habit on breeding bird occupancy across Cleveland Metroparks, a large urban park system in Ohio. Using multispecies occupancy models, we found that fine-scale vegetation covariates were more predictive of bird community dynamics than landscape-level covariates, suggesting positive benefits of vegetation management activities for breeding bird communities. We also found that short-distance migrants were positively associated with plants that have broad ecological tolerances and that tropical migrants were more negatively associated with human development than other migratory groups. While local vegetation management may be effective for protecting sensitive breeding bird communities, many tropical migrants required intact forests with low human development and may require targeted habitat management for continued breeding-season occupancy. More broadly, this study emphasizes how avian management strategies in developed landscapes should consider features at multiple spatial scales—as well as species-specific migratory behaviors.
Rooney, Brigit; Kays, Roland; Cove, Michael V; Jensen, Alex; Goldstein, Benjamin R; Pate, Christopher; Castiblanco, Paula; Abell, Maggie E; Adley, Jessie; Agenbroad, Briana; others,
SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023: The First Five Years of Data From a Coordinated Camera Trap Survey of the United States Journal Article
In: Global Ecology and Biogeography, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. e13941, 2025.
@article{rooney2025snapshot,
title = {SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023: The First Five Years of Data From a Coordinated Camera Trap Survey of the United States},
author = {Brigit Rooney and Roland Kays and Michael V Cove and Alex Jensen and Benjamin R Goldstein and Christopher Pate and Paula Castiblanco and Maggie E Abell and Jessie Adley and Briana Agenbroad and others},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13941},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Global Ecology and Biogeography},
volume = {34},
number = {1},
pages = {e13941},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {Motivation
SNAPSHOT USA is an annual, multicontributor camera trap survey of mammals across the United States. The growing SNAPSHOT USA dataset is intended for tracking the spatial and temporal responses of mammal populations to changes in land use, land cover and climate. These data will be useful for exploring the drivers of spatial and temporal changes in relative abundance and distribution, as well as the impacts of species interactions on daily activity patterns.
Main Types of Variables Contained
SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023 contains 987,979 records of camera trap image sequence data and 9694 records of camera trap deployment metadata.
Spatial Location and Grain
Data were collected across the United States of America in all 50 states, 12 ecoregions and many ecosystems.
Time Period and Grain
Data were collected between 1st August and 29th December each year from 2019 to 2023.
Major Taxa and Level of Measurement
The dataset includes a wide range of taxa but is primarily focused on medium to large mammals.
Software Format
SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023 comprises two .csv files. The original data can be found within the SNAPSHOT USA Initiative in the Wildlife Insights platform.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Motivation
SNAPSHOT USA is an annual, multicontributor camera trap survey of mammals across the United States. The growing SNAPSHOT USA dataset is intended for tracking the spatial and temporal responses of mammal populations to changes in land use, land cover and climate. These data will be useful for exploring the drivers of spatial and temporal changes in relative abundance and distribution, as well as the impacts of species interactions on daily activity patterns.
Main Types of Variables Contained
SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023 contains 987,979 records of camera trap image sequence data and 9694 records of camera trap deployment metadata.
Spatial Location and Grain
Data were collected across the United States of America in all 50 states, 12 ecoregions and many ecosystems.
Time Period and Grain
Data were collected between 1st August and 29th December each year from 2019 to 2023.
Major Taxa and Level of Measurement
The dataset includes a wide range of taxa but is primarily focused on medium to large mammals.
Software Format
SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023 comprises two .csv files. The original data can be found within the SNAPSHOT USA Initiative in the Wildlife Insights platform.
SNAPSHOT USA is an annual, multicontributor camera trap survey of mammals across the United States. The growing SNAPSHOT USA dataset is intended for tracking the spatial and temporal responses of mammal populations to changes in land use, land cover and climate. These data will be useful for exploring the drivers of spatial and temporal changes in relative abundance and distribution, as well as the impacts of species interactions on daily activity patterns.
Main Types of Variables Contained
SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023 contains 987,979 records of camera trap image sequence data and 9694 records of camera trap deployment metadata.
Spatial Location and Grain
Data were collected across the United States of America in all 50 states, 12 ecoregions and many ecosystems.
Time Period and Grain
Data were collected between 1st August and 29th December each year from 2019 to 2023.
Major Taxa and Level of Measurement
The dataset includes a wide range of taxa but is primarily focused on medium to large mammals.
Software Format
SNAPSHOT USA 2019–2023 comprises two .csv files. The original data can be found within the SNAPSHOT USA Initiative in the Wildlife Insights platform.
2024
Stephens, Ryan B.; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; McRoberts, Jon T.; Heit, David R.; Wiskirchen, Kevyn H.; Sumners, Jason A.; Isabelle, Jason L.; Moll, Remington J.
Scale-dependent habitat selection is shaped by landscape context in dispersing white-tailed deer Journal Article
In: Landscape Ecology, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 84, 2024, ISSN: 1572-9761.
@article{stephens_scale-dependent_2024,
title = {Scale-dependent habitat selection is shaped by landscape context in dispersing white-tailed deer},
author = {Ryan B. Stephens and Joshua J. Millspaugh and Jon T. McRoberts and David R. Heit and Kevyn H. Wiskirchen and Jason A. Sumners and Jason L. Isabelle and Remington J. Moll},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10980-024-01879-z},
doi = {10.1007/s10980-024-01879-z},
issn = {1572-9761},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-03-01},
urldate = {2024-04-09},
journal = {Landscape Ecology},
volume = {39},
number = {4},
pages = {84},
abstract = {Abstract
Context
Identifying how animals select habitat while navigating landscapes is important for understanding behavioral ecology and guiding management and conservation decisions. However, habitat selection may be spatially and temporally plastic, making it challenging to quantify how species use resources across space and time.
Objectives
We investigated how landscape context and dispersal shape habitat selection at multiple spatial scales in white-tailed deer (
Odocoileus virginianus
).
Methods
Using step-selection functions, we quantified habitat selection of landcover and topographic covariates at three spatial scales for juvenile males during three movement periods (before, during, after dispersal) in two regions of Missouri, USA—a fragmented, low forest cover region with rolling hills, and a forested, topographically variable region.
Results
Although selection for forest cover increased after dispersal in both regions, deer selected forest cover at smaller spatial scales in the fragmented, low forest cover region. This result indicates scale of selection was dependent on forest availability and configuration with deer likely perceiving landscapes differently across their distribution. Functional responses to topography differed in magnitude and direction between regions with deer avoiding roads and selecting valleys in the rolling hills region (especially during dispersal) while showing no response to roads and selecting for ridgelines (during dispersal) in the topographically variable region. This result suggests movement behavior is strongly dependent on topography.
Conclusions
Although deer may select similar habitats among regions, landscape context and movement period shape the scale, strength, and direction of selection. This result has important implications for how animals use landscapes across different regional contexts.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Context
Identifying how animals select habitat while navigating landscapes is important for understanding behavioral ecology and guiding management and conservation decisions. However, habitat selection may be spatially and temporally plastic, making it challenging to quantify how species use resources across space and time.
Objectives
We investigated how landscape context and dispersal shape habitat selection at multiple spatial scales in white-tailed deer (
Odocoileus virginianus
).
Methods
Using step-selection functions, we quantified habitat selection of landcover and topographic covariates at three spatial scales for juvenile males during three movement periods (before, during, after dispersal) in two regions of Missouri, USA—a fragmented, low forest cover region with rolling hills, and a forested, topographically variable region.
Results
Although selection for forest cover increased after dispersal in both regions, deer selected forest cover at smaller spatial scales in the fragmented, low forest cover region. This result indicates scale of selection was dependent on forest availability and configuration with deer likely perceiving landscapes differently across their distribution. Functional responses to topography differed in magnitude and direction between regions with deer avoiding roads and selecting valleys in the rolling hills region (especially during dispersal) while showing no response to roads and selecting for ridgelines (during dispersal) in the topographically variable region. This result suggests movement behavior is strongly dependent on topography.
Conclusions
Although deer may select similar habitats among regions, landscape context and movement period shape the scale, strength, and direction of selection. This result has important implications for how animals use landscapes across different regional contexts.
Context
Identifying how animals select habitat while navigating landscapes is important for understanding behavioral ecology and guiding management and conservation decisions. However, habitat selection may be spatially and temporally plastic, making it challenging to quantify how species use resources across space and time.
Objectives
We investigated how landscape context and dispersal shape habitat selection at multiple spatial scales in white-tailed deer (
Odocoileus virginianus
).
Methods
Using step-selection functions, we quantified habitat selection of landcover and topographic covariates at three spatial scales for juvenile males during three movement periods (before, during, after dispersal) in two regions of Missouri, USA—a fragmented, low forest cover region with rolling hills, and a forested, topographically variable region.
Results
Although selection for forest cover increased after dispersal in both regions, deer selected forest cover at smaller spatial scales in the fragmented, low forest cover region. This result indicates scale of selection was dependent on forest availability and configuration with deer likely perceiving landscapes differently across their distribution. Functional responses to topography differed in magnitude and direction between regions with deer avoiding roads and selecting valleys in the rolling hills region (especially during dispersal) while showing no response to roads and selecting for ridgelines (during dispersal) in the topographically variable region. This result suggests movement behavior is strongly dependent on topography.
Conclusions
Although deer may select similar habitats among regions, landscape context and movement period shape the scale, strength, and direction of selection. This result has important implications for how animals use landscapes across different regional contexts.
Zager, Alex; Ahlberg, Sonja; Boyan, Olivia; Brierley, Jocelyn; Eddington, Valerie; Moll, Remington J; Kloepper, Laura N
Characteristics of wild moose (Alces alces) vocalizations Journal Article
In: JASA Express Letters, vol. 4, no. 4, 2024.
@article{zager2024characteristics,
title = {Characteristics of wild moose (Alces alces) vocalizations},
author = {Alex Zager and Sonja Ahlberg and Olivia Boyan and Jocelyn Brierley and Valerie Eddington and Remington J Moll and Laura N Kloepper},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0025465
},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {JASA Express Letters},
volume = {4},
number = {4},
publisher = {AIP Publishing},
abstract = {Moose are a popular species with recreationists but understudied acoustically. We used publicly available videos to characterize and quantify the vocalizations of moose in New Hampshire separated by age/sex class. We found significant differences in peak frequency, center frequency, bandwidth, and duration across the groups. Our results provide quantification of wild moose vocalizations across age/sex classes, which is a key step for passive acoustic detection of this species and highlights public videos as a potential resource for bioacoustics research of hard-to-capture and understudied species.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Moose are a popular species with recreationists but understudied acoustically. We used publicly available videos to characterize and quantify the vocalizations of moose in New Hampshire separated by age/sex class. We found significant differences in peak frequency, center frequency, bandwidth, and duration across the groups. Our results provide quantification of wild moose vocalizations across age/sex classes, which is a key step for passive acoustic detection of this species and highlights public videos as a potential resource for bioacoustics research of hard-to-capture and understudied species.
Shamon, Hila; Maor, Roi; Cove, Michael V; Kays, Roland; Adley, Jessie; Alexander, Peter D; Allen, David N; Allen, Maximilian L; Appel, Cara L; Barr, Evan; others,
SNAPSHOT USA 2021: A third coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States Journal Article
In: Ecology, vol. 105, no. 6, pp. e4318, 2024.
@article{shamon2024snapshot,
title = {SNAPSHOT USA 2021: A third coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States},
author = {Hila Shamon and Roi Maor and Michael V Cove and Roland Kays and Jessie Adley and Peter D Alexander and David N Allen and Maximilian L Allen and Cara L Appel and Evan Barr and others},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4318},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Ecology},
volume = {105},
number = {6},
pages = {e4318},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {
SNAPSHOT USA is a multicontributor, long-term camera trap survey designed to survey mammals across the United States. Participants are recruited through community networks and directly through a website application (https://www.snapshot-usa.org/). The growing Snapshot dataset is useful, for example, for tracking wildlife population responses to land use, land cover, and climate changes across spatial and temporal scales. Here we present the SNAPSHOT USA 2021 dataset, the third national camera trap survey across the US. Data were collected across 109 camera trap arrays and included 1711 camera sites. The total effort equaled 71,519 camera trap nights and resulted in 172,507 sequences of animal observations. Sampling effort varied among camera trap arrays, with a minimum of 126 camera trap nights, a maximum of 3355 nights, a median 546 nights, and a mean 656 ± 431 nights. This third dataset comprises 51 camera trap arrays that were surveyed during 2019, 2020, and 2021, along with 71 camera trap arrays that were surveyed in 2020 and 2021. All raw data and accompanying metadata are stored on Wildlife Insights (https://www.wildlifeinsights.org/), and are publicly available upon acceptance of the data papers. SNAPSHOT USA aims to sample multiple ecoregions in the United States with adequate representation of each ecoregion according to its relative size. Currently, the relative density of camera trap arrays varies by an order of magnitude for the various ecoregions (0.22–5.9 arrays per 100,000 km2), emphasizing the need to increase sampling effort by further recruiting and retaining contributors. There are no copyright restrictions on these data. We request that authors cite this paper when using these data, or a subset of these data, for publication. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
SNAPSHOT USA is a multicontributor, long-term camera trap survey designed to survey mammals across the United States. Participants are recruited through community networks and directly through a website application (https://www.snapshot-usa.org/). The growing Snapshot dataset is useful, for example, for tracking wildlife population responses to land use, land cover, and climate changes across spatial and temporal scales. Here we present the SNAPSHOT USA 2021 dataset, the third national camera trap survey across the US. Data were collected across 109 camera trap arrays and included 1711 camera sites. The total effort equaled 71,519 camera trap nights and resulted in 172,507 sequences of animal observations. Sampling effort varied among camera trap arrays, with a minimum of 126 camera trap nights, a maximum of 3355 nights, a median 546 nights, and a mean 656 ± 431 nights. This third dataset comprises 51 camera trap arrays that were surveyed during 2019, 2020, and 2021, along with 71 camera trap arrays that were surveyed in 2020 and 2021. All raw data and accompanying metadata are stored on Wildlife Insights (https://www.wildlifeinsights.org/), and are publicly available upon acceptance of the data papers. SNAPSHOT USA aims to sample multiple ecoregions in the United States with adequate representation of each ecoregion according to its relative size. Currently, the relative density of camera trap arrays varies by an order of magnitude for the various ecoregions (0.22–5.9 arrays per 100,000 km2), emphasizing the need to increase sampling effort by further recruiting and retaining contributors. There are no copyright restrictions on these data. We request that authors cite this paper when using these data, or a subset of these data, for publication. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.
Heit, David R; Ortiz-Calo, Waldemar; Poisson, Mairi KP; Butler, Andrew R; Moll, Remington J
Generalized nonlinearity in animal ecology: Research, review, and recommendations Journal Article
In: Ecology and Evolution, vol. 14, no. 7, pp. e11387, 2024.
@article{heit2024generalized,
title = {Generalized nonlinearity in animal ecology: Research, review, and recommendations},
author = {David R Heit and Waldemar Ortiz-Calo and Mairi KP Poisson and Andrew R Butler and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11387},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {e11387},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {
Generalized linear models (GLMs) are an integral tool in ecology. Like general linear models, GLMs assume linearity, which entails a linear relationship between independent and dependent variables. However, because this assumption acts on the link rather than the natural scale in GLMs, it is more easily overlooked. We reviewed recent ecological literature to quantify the use of linearity. We then used two case studies to confront the linearity assumption via two GLMs fit to empirical data. In the first case study we compared GLMs to generalized additive models (GAMs) fit to mammal relative abundance data. In the second case study we tested for linearity in occupancy models using passerine point-count data. We reviewed 162 studies published in the last 5 years in five leading ecology journals and found less than 15% reported testing for linearity. These studies used transformations and GAMs more often than they reported a linearity test. In the first case study, GAMs strongly out-performed GLMs as measured by AIC in modeling relative abundance, and GAMs helped uncover nonlinear responses of carnivore species to landscape development. In the second case study, 14% of species-specific models failed a formal statistical test for linearity. We also found that differences between linear and nonlinear (i.e., those with a transformed independent variable) model predictions were similar for some species but not for others, with implications for inference and conservation decision-making. Our review suggests that reporting tests for linearity are rare in recent studies employing GLMs. Our case studies show how formally comparing models that allow for nonlinear relationships between the dependent and independent variables has the potential to impact inference, generate new hypotheses, and alter conservation implications. We conclude by suggesting that ecological studies report tests for linearity and use formal methods to address linearity assumption violations in GLMs.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Generalized linear models (GLMs) are an integral tool in ecology. Like general linear models, GLMs assume linearity, which entails a linear relationship between independent and dependent variables. However, because this assumption acts on the link rather than the natural scale in GLMs, it is more easily overlooked. We reviewed recent ecological literature to quantify the use of linearity. We then used two case studies to confront the linearity assumption via two GLMs fit to empirical data. In the first case study we compared GLMs to generalized additive models (GAMs) fit to mammal relative abundance data. In the second case study we tested for linearity in occupancy models using passerine point-count data. We reviewed 162 studies published in the last 5 years in five leading ecology journals and found less than 15% reported testing for linearity. These studies used transformations and GAMs more often than they reported a linearity test. In the first case study, GAMs strongly out-performed GLMs as measured by AIC in modeling relative abundance, and GAMs helped uncover nonlinear responses of carnivore species to landscape development. In the second case study, 14% of species-specific models failed a formal statistical test for linearity. We also found that differences between linear and nonlinear (i.e., those with a transformed independent variable) model predictions were similar for some species but not for others, with implications for inference and conservation decision-making. Our review suggests that reporting tests for linearity are rare in recent studies employing GLMs. Our case studies show how formally comparing models that allow for nonlinear relationships between the dependent and independent variables has the potential to impact inference, generate new hypotheses, and alter conservation implications. We conclude by suggesting that ecological studies report tests for linearity and use formal methods to address linearity assumption violations in GLMs.
Poisson, Mairi KP; Gebresenbet, Fikirte; Butler, Andrew R; Tate, Patrick; Bergeron, Daniel H; Moll, Remington J
The way “urbanization” is defined has strong implications for its effects on mammal abundance Journal Article
In: Urban Ecosystems, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 2367–2380, 2024.
@article{poisson2024way,
title = {The way “urbanization” is defined has strong implications for its effects on mammal abundance},
author = {Mairi KP Poisson and Fikirte Gebresenbet and Andrew R Butler and Patrick Tate and Daniel H Bergeron and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01598-y},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Urban Ecosystems},
volume = {27},
number = {6},
pages = {2367–2380},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {It is now well-recognized that urbanization strongly impacts wildlife communities and populations. However, we typically do not know which feature(s) affect individual species most strongly, and this lack of understanding impedes theory development and effective planning for conservation and management goals. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated how the abundance of ten mammal species responded to six different features of urbanization quantified at five spatial scales using data from 112 camera traps deployed for two years across a gradient of urbanization in New Hampshire, USA. We fit Bayesian abundance models to measure response to each feature and scale. There was no singular urban feature or spatial scale in the best model for all species. Rather, species responded uniquely to features across scales, and the scale of urban features in the best model also varied. Within a species, the magnitude and direction of response varied across features and scales, with only black bear (Ursus americanus), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) exhibiting a consistently significant unidirectional relationship with a single feature across all scales. Our results emphasize that species respond to specific urban features, thus a failure to include certain features can cause misleading inference about wildlife response to “urbanization”. Therefore, researchers must carefully justify the choice of urban feature and spatial scale at which it is represented for each species of interest. An expanded inclusion of multiple urban features in wildlife research will inform management decisions and help attain conservation goals for species impacted by urbanization.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
It is now well-recognized that urbanization strongly impacts wildlife communities and populations. However, we typically do not know which feature(s) affect individual species most strongly, and this lack of understanding impedes theory development and effective planning for conservation and management goals. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated how the abundance of ten mammal species responded to six different features of urbanization quantified at five spatial scales using data from 112 camera traps deployed for two years across a gradient of urbanization in New Hampshire, USA. We fit Bayesian abundance models to measure response to each feature and scale. There was no singular urban feature or spatial scale in the best model for all species. Rather, species responded uniquely to features across scales, and the scale of urban features in the best model also varied. Within a species, the magnitude and direction of response varied across features and scales, with only black bear (Ursus americanus), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) exhibiting a consistently significant unidirectional relationship with a single feature across all scales. Our results emphasize that species respond to specific urban features, thus a failure to include certain features can cause misleading inference about wildlife response to “urbanization”. Therefore, researchers must carefully justify the choice of urban feature and spatial scale at which it is represented for each species of interest. An expanded inclusion of multiple urban features in wildlife research will inform management decisions and help attain conservation goals for species impacted by urbanization.
Montgomery, Robert A.; Moll, Remington J.
The Habitat Selection of Animals Book Section
In: Scheiner, Samuel M. (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Biodiversity (Third Edition), pp. 36-50, Academic Press, Oxford, 2024, ISBN: 978-0-323-98434-8.
@incollection{MONTGOMERY202436,
title = {The Habitat Selection of Animals},
author = {Robert A. Montgomery and Remington J. Moll},
editor = {Samuel M. Scheiner},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128225622001201},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822562-2.00120-1},
isbn = {978-0-323-98434-8},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Biodiversity (Third Edition)},
pages = {36-50},
publisher = {Academic Press},
address = {Oxford},
edition = {Third Edition},
abstract = {HABITAT SELECTION research seeks to understand how organisms make use of their environment. This research has moved beyond mere documentation of habitat that organisms use, by striving to understand why an organism selects a particular habitat and to determine the mechanisms that drive populations of organisms to inhabit certain areas. There are limitations on inference that result from issues such as definitions of habitat selection and availability, scale, spatial and temporal autocorrelation, and locational imprecision. Nevertheless, habitat selection is an incredibly powerful area of research that has the potential to inform ecology and conservation through analysis of organism associations with their environment.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
HABITAT SELECTION research seeks to understand how organisms make use of their environment. This research has moved beyond mere documentation of habitat that organisms use, by striving to understand why an organism selects a particular habitat and to determine the mechanisms that drive populations of organisms to inhabit certain areas. There are limitations on inference that result from issues such as definitions of habitat selection and availability, scale, spatial and temporal autocorrelation, and locational imprecision. Nevertheless, habitat selection is an incredibly powerful area of research that has the potential to inform ecology and conservation through analysis of organism associations with their environment.
2023
Heit, David R; Millspaugh, Joshua J; McRoberts, Jon T; Wiskirchen, Kevyn H; Sumners, Jason A; Isabelle, Jason L; Keller, Barbara J; Hildreth, Aaron M; Montgomery, Robert A; Moll, Remington J
The spatial scaling and individuality of habitat selection in a widespread ungulate Journal Article
In: Landscape Ecology, pp. 1–15, 2023.
@article{heit2023spatial,
title = {The spatial scaling and individuality of habitat selection in a widespread ungulate},
author = {David R Heit and Joshua J Millspaugh and Jon T McRoberts and Kevyn H Wiskirchen and Jason A Sumners and Jason L Isabelle and Barbara J Keller and Aaron M Hildreth and Robert A Montgomery and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-023-01631-z},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Landscape Ecology},
pages = {1–15},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {Context
Animal-habitat relationships tend to manifest at specific spatial scales. Accurately identifying these scales and accounting for the variance in habitat selection across them is crucial for linking habitat selection patterns to the ecological processes giving rise to them. Although this fundamental issue has long been recognized, it has been seldom addressed empirically in habitat selection studies.
Objectives
In this study, we investigated how spatial scale influences the outputs of habitat selection analyses. Furthermore, we examined whether the effect of spatial scale varies among individual animals and whether these effects could be predicted via intrinsic or extrinsic factors.
Methods
We used a dataset collected from 485 GPS-collared white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) across three study sites in Missouri, USA to model habitat selection at 65 spatial scales from 900 m2 to 15 km2 using integrated step selection functions. To investigate potential drivers of spatial scaling we used multiple linear regression to model how scale of effect, defined as the spatial scale at which model AIC was minimized, could be predicted by intrinsic (age, sex, and home range size) and extrinsic factors (study site, season, mean percentage forest in home range, mean distance to nearest road in home range).
Results
Scale of effect varied substantially among individuals, and individual variation in scale of effect was predicted by home range size, study site, and proportion of forest within a home range. In contrast, other intrinsic and extrinsic factors had little to no relationship with scale of effect. Parameter coefficients for forest cover and distance to nearest road varied strongly with opposing directionality of responses across spatial scales, revealing that spatial scale may bias habitat selection analyses. Coefficients were both positive and negative at different scales for an average of 63.2%individuals, and no single spatial scale resulted in the scale of effect more than 9.0% of the time.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates that spatial scale can strongly influence model parameter coefficients, thereby raising questions about the conventional interpretation of habitat selection analyses. We discuss outstanding issues regarding the comparability of results across study sites and the future of multi-scale habitat selection analyses.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Context
Animal-habitat relationships tend to manifest at specific spatial scales. Accurately identifying these scales and accounting for the variance in habitat selection across them is crucial for linking habitat selection patterns to the ecological processes giving rise to them. Although this fundamental issue has long been recognized, it has been seldom addressed empirically in habitat selection studies.
Objectives
In this study, we investigated how spatial scale influences the outputs of habitat selection analyses. Furthermore, we examined whether the effect of spatial scale varies among individual animals and whether these effects could be predicted via intrinsic or extrinsic factors.
Methods
We used a dataset collected from 485 GPS-collared white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) across three study sites in Missouri, USA to model habitat selection at 65 spatial scales from 900 m2 to 15 km2 using integrated step selection functions. To investigate potential drivers of spatial scaling we used multiple linear regression to model how scale of effect, defined as the spatial scale at which model AIC was minimized, could be predicted by intrinsic (age, sex, and home range size) and extrinsic factors (study site, season, mean percentage forest in home range, mean distance to nearest road in home range).
Results
Scale of effect varied substantially among individuals, and individual variation in scale of effect was predicted by home range size, study site, and proportion of forest within a home range. In contrast, other intrinsic and extrinsic factors had little to no relationship with scale of effect. Parameter coefficients for forest cover and distance to nearest road varied strongly with opposing directionality of responses across spatial scales, revealing that spatial scale may bias habitat selection analyses. Coefficients were both positive and negative at different scales for an average of 63.2%individuals, and no single spatial scale resulted in the scale of effect more than 9.0% of the time.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates that spatial scale can strongly influence model parameter coefficients, thereby raising questions about the conventional interpretation of habitat selection analyses. We discuss outstanding issues regarding the comparability of results across study sites and the future of multi-scale habitat selection analyses.
Animal-habitat relationships tend to manifest at specific spatial scales. Accurately identifying these scales and accounting for the variance in habitat selection across them is crucial for linking habitat selection patterns to the ecological processes giving rise to them. Although this fundamental issue has long been recognized, it has been seldom addressed empirically in habitat selection studies.
Objectives
In this study, we investigated how spatial scale influences the outputs of habitat selection analyses. Furthermore, we examined whether the effect of spatial scale varies among individual animals and whether these effects could be predicted via intrinsic or extrinsic factors.
Methods
We used a dataset collected from 485 GPS-collared white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) across three study sites in Missouri, USA to model habitat selection at 65 spatial scales from 900 m2 to 15 km2 using integrated step selection functions. To investigate potential drivers of spatial scaling we used multiple linear regression to model how scale of effect, defined as the spatial scale at which model AIC was minimized, could be predicted by intrinsic (age, sex, and home range size) and extrinsic factors (study site, season, mean percentage forest in home range, mean distance to nearest road in home range).
Results
Scale of effect varied substantially among individuals, and individual variation in scale of effect was predicted by home range size, study site, and proportion of forest within a home range. In contrast, other intrinsic and extrinsic factors had little to no relationship with scale of effect. Parameter coefficients for forest cover and distance to nearest road varied strongly with opposing directionality of responses across spatial scales, revealing that spatial scale may bias habitat selection analyses. Coefficients were both positive and negative at different scales for an average of 63.2%individuals, and no single spatial scale resulted in the scale of effect more than 9.0% of the time.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates that spatial scale can strongly influence model parameter coefficients, thereby raising questions about the conventional interpretation of habitat selection analyses. We discuss outstanding issues regarding the comparability of results across study sites and the future of multi-scale habitat selection analyses.
Stephens, Ryan B; Shipley, Oliver N; Moll, Remington J
Meta-analysis and critical review of trophic discrimination factors (Δ13C and Δ15N): Importance of tissue, trophic level and diet source Journal Article
In: Functional Ecology, vol. 37, no. 9, pp. 2535–2548, 2023.
@article{stephens2023meta,
title = {Meta-analysis and critical review of trophic discrimination factors (Δ13C and Δ15N): Importance of tissue, trophic level and diet source},
author = {Ryan B Stephens and Oliver N Shipley and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14403},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Functional Ecology},
volume = {37},
number = {9},
pages = {2535–2548},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {1. Robustly quantifying dietary resource use and trophic position using stable isotopes requires accurate trophic discrimination factors (TDF; Δ13C and Δ15N for carbon and nitrogen, respectively), defined as the isotopic difference between consumer and diet. Early TDF studies converged on values of around 1.0‰ for Δ13C and 3.4‰ for Δ15N but more recent work indicates that TDF values may be more nuanced, depending on taxa, tissues, trophic level and diets. Yet, the relative importance of these factors remains unclear.
2. Focusing on vertebrates (birds, fish, herptiles and mammals), we conducted a literature review of 279 studies that estimated TDF values and used a Bayesian framework to determine how tissue type, trophic level and diet source influence variation in Δ13C and Δ15N. Additionally, we reviewed 358 trophic ecology studies to determine if studies accounted for these factors during their TDF selection process.
3. For Δ13C, vertebrates showed consistent patterns among tissue types (likely influenced by amino acid composition) and between trophic levels and diet sources (likely a result of dietary protein content and metabolic routing). Comparatively, for Δ15N, vertebrates showed considerable variation among tissue types and trophic levels, likely due to differences in tissue synthesis and physiological capabilities. Overall, Δ13C ranged from −5.1‰ to 9.1‰ and Δ15N from −3.3‰ to 9.7‰, underscoring that 1.0‰ for Δ13C and 3.4‰ for Δ15N are not universally appropriate. Moreover, both Δ13C and Δ15N varied by more than 9‰ within a single species and tissue type, demonstrating that using TDF values from the same, or similar, species may not be appropriate if diet and trophic level are not considered.
4. Despite the importance of diet source on TDF values, most trophic ecology studies did not account for it. Further, most fish studies relied on literature review values that failed to account for tissue type, trophic level and diet source. To aid ecologists in diet and trophic assessments of vertebrates, we used our meta-analysis to model taxon-specific TDF estimates (mean ± SD) for each tissue type, trophic level and diet source combination. These more refined TDF values should improve ecological assessments that use stable isotopes.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
1. Robustly quantifying dietary resource use and trophic position using stable isotopes requires accurate trophic discrimination factors (TDF; Δ13C and Δ15N for carbon and nitrogen, respectively), defined as the isotopic difference between consumer and diet. Early TDF studies converged on values of around 1.0‰ for Δ13C and 3.4‰ for Δ15N but more recent work indicates that TDF values may be more nuanced, depending on taxa, tissues, trophic level and diets. Yet, the relative importance of these factors remains unclear.
2. Focusing on vertebrates (birds, fish, herptiles and mammals), we conducted a literature review of 279 studies that estimated TDF values and used a Bayesian framework to determine how tissue type, trophic level and diet source influence variation in Δ13C and Δ15N. Additionally, we reviewed 358 trophic ecology studies to determine if studies accounted for these factors during their TDF selection process.
3. For Δ13C, vertebrates showed consistent patterns among tissue types (likely influenced by amino acid composition) and between trophic levels and diet sources (likely a result of dietary protein content and metabolic routing). Comparatively, for Δ15N, vertebrates showed considerable variation among tissue types and trophic levels, likely due to differences in tissue synthesis and physiological capabilities. Overall, Δ13C ranged from −5.1‰ to 9.1‰ and Δ15N from −3.3‰ to 9.7‰, underscoring that 1.0‰ for Δ13C and 3.4‰ for Δ15N are not universally appropriate. Moreover, both Δ13C and Δ15N varied by more than 9‰ within a single species and tissue type, demonstrating that using TDF values from the same, or similar, species may not be appropriate if diet and trophic level are not considered.
4. Despite the importance of diet source on TDF values, most trophic ecology studies did not account for it. Further, most fish studies relied on literature review values that failed to account for tissue type, trophic level and diet source. To aid ecologists in diet and trophic assessments of vertebrates, we used our meta-analysis to model taxon-specific TDF estimates (mean ± SD) for each tissue type, trophic level and diet source combination. These more refined TDF values should improve ecological assessments that use stable isotopes.
2. Focusing on vertebrates (birds, fish, herptiles and mammals), we conducted a literature review of 279 studies that estimated TDF values and used a Bayesian framework to determine how tissue type, trophic level and diet source influence variation in Δ13C and Δ15N. Additionally, we reviewed 358 trophic ecology studies to determine if studies accounted for these factors during their TDF selection process.
3. For Δ13C, vertebrates showed consistent patterns among tissue types (likely influenced by amino acid composition) and between trophic levels and diet sources (likely a result of dietary protein content and metabolic routing). Comparatively, for Δ15N, vertebrates showed considerable variation among tissue types and trophic levels, likely due to differences in tissue synthesis and physiological capabilities. Overall, Δ13C ranged from −5.1‰ to 9.1‰ and Δ15N from −3.3‰ to 9.7‰, underscoring that 1.0‰ for Δ13C and 3.4‰ for Δ15N are not universally appropriate. Moreover, both Δ13C and Δ15N varied by more than 9‰ within a single species and tissue type, demonstrating that using TDF values from the same, or similar, species may not be appropriate if diet and trophic level are not considered.
4. Despite the importance of diet source on TDF values, most trophic ecology studies did not account for it. Further, most fish studies relied on literature review values that failed to account for tissue type, trophic level and diet source. To aid ecologists in diet and trophic assessments of vertebrates, we used our meta-analysis to model taxon-specific TDF estimates (mean ± SD) for each tissue type, trophic level and diet source combination. These more refined TDF values should improve ecological assessments that use stable isotopes.
Moll, Remington J; Butler, Andrew R; Poisson, Mairi KP; Tate, Patrick; Bergeron, Daniel H; Ellingwood, Mark R
Monitoring mesocarnivores with tracks and technology using multi-method modeling Journal Article
In: The Journal of Wildlife Management, pp. e22382, 2023.
@article{moll2023monitoring,
title = {Monitoring mesocarnivores with tracks and technology using multi-method modeling},
author = {Remington J Moll and Andrew R Butler and Mairi KP Poisson and Patrick Tate and Daniel H Bergeron and Mark R Ellingwood},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22382},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {The Journal of Wildlife Management},
pages = {e22382},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {Mesocarnivores play important ecological roles and are valued by diverse stakeholders. These species are often the focus of conservation efforts or are managed for sustainable harvest. Management actions require accurate population monitoring, but such monitoring is challenging because mesocarnivores are elusive and persist at low densities. We addressed this challenge by evaluating 2 monitoring methods (scent stations and motion-sensitive cameras) using multi-method modeling. We estimated occurrence probabilities and habitat relationships for 8 mesocarnivore species by fitting occupancy models to data collected at 75 sites from October to December 2021 across a 3,200-km2 system in New Hampshire, USA. We assessed the relative estimated precision of the methodological approaches and their costs. We also evaluated tradeoffs in occurrence estimation and uncertainty among study designs by analyzing simulations run across various numbers of study sites and 2 study durations. Cameras cost roughly 10 times more than scent stations but strongly outperformed them in terms of species' detectability and parameter estimate precision. Multi-method models yielded the most precise estimates of occurrence probability and habitat relationships. Parameter estimates were on average twice as precise for camera and multi-method models compared to scent stations. Additionally, the estimated precision and direction (positive or negative) of habitat relationships varied with the method employed. Longer camera deployments, additional study sites, and multi-method approaches nearly always reduced uncertainty, but these reductions were species-specific and generally most pronounced for more rarely detected species. Overall, our results demonstrate the utility of motion-sensitive cameras traps for monitoring mesocarnivores while revealing the additional benefits of multi-method modeling. Our results also provide guidance for designing monitoring programs for mesocarnivores while navigating tradeoffs between study design, cost, and uncertainty. Despite its benefits, multi-method modeling remains uncommon as a general monitoring approach. We suggest managers consider this approach in light of existing datasets and design monitoring programs that integrate traditional methods with emergent technologies.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Mesocarnivores play important ecological roles and are valued by diverse stakeholders. These species are often the focus of conservation efforts or are managed for sustainable harvest. Management actions require accurate population monitoring, but such monitoring is challenging because mesocarnivores are elusive and persist at low densities. We addressed this challenge by evaluating 2 monitoring methods (scent stations and motion-sensitive cameras) using multi-method modeling. We estimated occurrence probabilities and habitat relationships for 8 mesocarnivore species by fitting occupancy models to data collected at 75 sites from October to December 2021 across a 3,200-km2 system in New Hampshire, USA. We assessed the relative estimated precision of the methodological approaches and their costs. We also evaluated tradeoffs in occurrence estimation and uncertainty among study designs by analyzing simulations run across various numbers of study sites and 2 study durations. Cameras cost roughly 10 times more than scent stations but strongly outperformed them in terms of species' detectability and parameter estimate precision. Multi-method models yielded the most precise estimates of occurrence probability and habitat relationships. Parameter estimates were on average twice as precise for camera and multi-method models compared to scent stations. Additionally, the estimated precision and direction (positive or negative) of habitat relationships varied with the method employed. Longer camera deployments, additional study sites, and multi-method approaches nearly always reduced uncertainty, but these reductions were species-specific and generally most pronounced for more rarely detected species. Overall, our results demonstrate the utility of motion-sensitive cameras traps for monitoring mesocarnivores while revealing the additional benefits of multi-method modeling. Our results also provide guidance for designing monitoring programs for mesocarnivores while navigating tradeoffs between study design, cost, and uncertainty. Despite its benefits, multi-method modeling remains uncommon as a general monitoring approach. We suggest managers consider this approach in light of existing datasets and design monitoring programs that integrate traditional methods with emergent technologies.
Poisson, Mairi KP; Butler, Andrew R; Tate, Patrick; Bergeron, Daniel H; Moll, Remington J
Species-specific responses of mammal activity to exurbanization in New Hampshire, USA Journal Article
In: Journal of Urban Ecology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. juad010, 2023.
@article{poisson2023species,
title = {Species-specific responses of mammal activity to exurbanization in New Hampshire, USA},
author = {Mairi KP Poisson and Andrew R Butler and Patrick Tate and Daniel H Bergeron and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juad010},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Urban Ecology},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {juad010},
publisher = {Oxford University Press},
abstract = {Urbanization and habitat fragmentation can disrupt wildlife behavior and cause declines in biodiversity and ecosystem function. Most urban wildlife research has compared highly urbanized regions with rural areas. However, human development is also rapidly occurring in exurban areas, which consist of a matrix of lower-density housing and natural patches. Thus, although such “exurbanization” is intensifying, little research has examined how mammals respond to exurban development. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated the activity of 12 species using 104 camera traps in exurban and rural areas across southeastern New Hampshire, USA, during summer 2021 and winter 2021–2. We quantified species’ activity levels (overall portion of daily activity) and patterns (variation of diel activity period) to test hypotheses regarding how species’ space requirements and nocturnality modulated their responses to exurban development. We found mixed support for our hypotheses. Two species with large space requirements (bobcats Lynx rufus and white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus) reduced activity levels in exurban areas, following hypothesized predictions, while other species (e.g., coyote Canis latrans) did not. As predicted, nocturnal species were less likely to shift activity patterns, but this varied across species and seasons. We also found evidence for a coupled predator–prey response among bobcats and lagomorphs in summer, with similarly altered activity in exurban areas. These results suggest that wildlife modify activity in response to exurban development with substantial species and season-specific variation within the mammal community, highlighting the complex ways wildlife adapt to urbanization and the potential consequences thereof for mammal communities.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Urbanization and habitat fragmentation can disrupt wildlife behavior and cause declines in biodiversity and ecosystem function. Most urban wildlife research has compared highly urbanized regions with rural areas. However, human development is also rapidly occurring in exurban areas, which consist of a matrix of lower-density housing and natural patches. Thus, although such “exurbanization” is intensifying, little research has examined how mammals respond to exurban development. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated the activity of 12 species using 104 camera traps in exurban and rural areas across southeastern New Hampshire, USA, during summer 2021 and winter 2021–2. We quantified species’ activity levels (overall portion of daily activity) and patterns (variation of diel activity period) to test hypotheses regarding how species’ space requirements and nocturnality modulated their responses to exurban development. We found mixed support for our hypotheses. Two species with large space requirements (bobcats Lynx rufus and white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus) reduced activity levels in exurban areas, following hypothesized predictions, while other species (e.g., coyote Canis latrans) did not. As predicted, nocturnal species were less likely to shift activity patterns, but this varied across species and seasons. We also found evidence for a coupled predator–prey response among bobcats and lagomorphs in summer, with similarly altered activity in exurban areas. These results suggest that wildlife modify activity in response to exurban development with substantial species and season-specific variation within the mammal community, highlighting the complex ways wildlife adapt to urbanization and the potential consequences thereof for mammal communities.
Butler, Andrew R; Evans, Bryn E; Mortelliti, Alessio; Moll, Remington J
Forest and snow rather than food or foe limit the distribution of a generalist mesocarnivore in winter Journal Article
In: Ecosphere, vol. 14, no. 11, pp. e4706, 2023.
@article{butler2023forest,
title = {Forest and snow rather than food or foe limit the distribution of a generalist mesocarnivore in winter},
author = {Andrew R Butler and Bryn E Evans and Alessio Mortelliti and Remington J Moll},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4706},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Ecosphere},
volume = {14},
number = {11},
pages = {e4706},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {
Investigating species responses to trophic interactions and abiotic factors is crucial to better understanding their ecology and creating effective management strategies. In carnivore communities, smaller species are often regulated by larger ones via top-down interference competition. Smaller subordinate carnivores can also be regulated by bottom-up and abiotic factors, such as the availability of important prey, habitat features, and climatic conditions. However, substantial ambiguity remains regarding the relative roles these complex factors play in shaping subordinate carnivore populations, especially during winter. To investigate this issue, we conducted a large-scale camera-trapping study (n = 197 sites distributed across a ~60,000 km2 landscape) using a balanced study design that sampled a gradient of forest disturbance and climatic conditions. We used dynamic occupancy modeling to examine the influences of top-down (interference competition), bottom-up (prey and habitat), and abiotic (climate) factors on a widespread, generalist subordinate carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), in Maine, USA. Across three winters, we collected 107 red fox and 185 coyote (Canis latrans) daily detections, and 3875 snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) detections. We found evidence for the top-down effects of coyotes on red fox detection probability and site colonization. However, contrary to theoretical expectations, the association between coyotes and red foxes was positive rather than negative. Snowshoe hares had a positive association with local extinction by red foxes, which also contrasts with prevailing theory given that snowshoe hares are an important winter prey of red foxes in this ecosystem. The intensity of forest disturbance and the proportion of conifer forest had negative effects on red fox occurrence and detection probability, while snow depth had a strong negative effect on site colonization. Together, these results suggest red foxes are limited more by abiotic and bottom-up factors related to habitat than by the top-down interference competition or primary prey availability in winter. Our study supports recent findings that bottom-up factors may shape carnivore distributions during less productive times of year. Our work also highlights how caution is needed when extrapolating previous results from summer studies to winter, as the role of top-down and bottom-up factors may change seasonally.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Investigating species responses to trophic interactions and abiotic factors is crucial to better understanding their ecology and creating effective management strategies. In carnivore communities, smaller species are often regulated by larger ones via top-down interference competition. Smaller subordinate carnivores can also be regulated by bottom-up and abiotic factors, such as the availability of important prey, habitat features, and climatic conditions. However, substantial ambiguity remains regarding the relative roles these complex factors play in shaping subordinate carnivore populations, especially during winter. To investigate this issue, we conducted a large-scale camera-trapping study (n = 197 sites distributed across a ~60,000 km2 landscape) using a balanced study design that sampled a gradient of forest disturbance and climatic conditions. We used dynamic occupancy modeling to examine the influences of top-down (interference competition), bottom-up (prey and habitat), and abiotic (climate) factors on a widespread, generalist subordinate carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), in Maine, USA. Across three winters, we collected 107 red fox and 185 coyote (Canis latrans) daily detections, and 3875 snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) detections. We found evidence for the top-down effects of coyotes on red fox detection probability and site colonization. However, contrary to theoretical expectations, the association between coyotes and red foxes was positive rather than negative. Snowshoe hares had a positive association with local extinction by red foxes, which also contrasts with prevailing theory given that snowshoe hares are an important winter prey of red foxes in this ecosystem. The intensity of forest disturbance and the proportion of conifer forest had negative effects on red fox occurrence and detection probability, while snow depth had a strong negative effect on site colonization. Together, these results suggest red foxes are limited more by abiotic and bottom-up factors related to habitat than by the top-down interference competition or primary prey availability in winter. Our study supports recent findings that bottom-up factors may shape carnivore distributions during less productive times of year. Our work also highlights how caution is needed when extrapolating previous results from summer studies to winter, as the role of top-down and bottom-up factors may change seasonally.
Allen, Maximilian L; Moll, Remington J
Prey Dynamics Before, During, and After Red Foxes Den on an Urban University Campus Journal Article
In: Urban Naturalist, vol. 66, pp. 1-8, 2023.
@article{nokey,
title = {Prey Dynamics Before, During, and After Red Foxes Den on an Urban University Campus},
author = {Maximilian L Allen and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://www.eaglehill.us/urna-pdfs-regular/urna-066-Allen.pdf},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Urban Naturalist},
volume = {66},
pages = {1-8},
abstract = {Many mammals use dens seasonally to protect neonatal young from weather and predators. Carnivores often become central place foragers during denning, which can influence the local abundance of prey. We began monitoring a site with camera traps on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana, Illinois in February 2021, which a pair of Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus (Red Fox) started using for a den in March 2022. This provided a natural study to determine how the relative abundance of prey changed in relation to Red Foxes denning. Red Fox use of the camera trap site
sharply increased when they began denning, with a peak of 17.2 visits/day in April 2022 compared to an average of 0.7 visits/day during non-denning months. Sylvilagus floridanus Allen (Eastern Cottontail) relative abundance was relatively steady from July 2021 through March 2022 (average of 0.9 visits/day), when their relative abundance decreased to no visits during April and May 2022 as Red Fox relative abundance peaked. Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin (Eastern Gray Squirrel) exhibited a similar pattern, with high abundance from September 2021 through March 2022 (average of 6.9 visits/day) before a substantial decrease to the minimum of 0.4 visits/day in May 2022 when Red Foxes were denning. Thus, Red Fox denning coincided with strong decreases in the relative abundance of Eastern Gray Squirrels and Eastern Cottontails – both key prey species of Red Foxes in the Midwestern USA. The pattern of prey dynamics at the den site resembled that at two nearby reference sites, but the fluctuations were stronger, especially for Eastern Gray Squirrels which exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) reduction at the den site but not at reference sites. Our study supports previous studies indicating that when animals shift their habits to become central place foragers, they can change the activity patterns of other wildlife species in the vicinity. Our results also suggest that denning activity could act as a localized pulse of predation risk that modifies prey
dynamics in urban systems.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Many mammals use dens seasonally to protect neonatal young from weather and predators. Carnivores often become central place foragers during denning, which can influence the local abundance of prey. We began monitoring a site with camera traps on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana, Illinois in February 2021, which a pair of Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus (Red Fox) started using for a den in March 2022. This provided a natural study to determine how the relative abundance of prey changed in relation to Red Foxes denning. Red Fox use of the camera trap site
sharply increased when they began denning, with a peak of 17.2 visits/day in April 2022 compared to an average of 0.7 visits/day during non-denning months. Sylvilagus floridanus Allen (Eastern Cottontail) relative abundance was relatively steady from July 2021 through March 2022 (average of 0.9 visits/day), when their relative abundance decreased to no visits during April and May 2022 as Red Fox relative abundance peaked. Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin (Eastern Gray Squirrel) exhibited a similar pattern, with high abundance from September 2021 through March 2022 (average of 6.9 visits/day) before a substantial decrease to the minimum of 0.4 visits/day in May 2022 when Red Foxes were denning. Thus, Red Fox denning coincided with strong decreases in the relative abundance of Eastern Gray Squirrels and Eastern Cottontails – both key prey species of Red Foxes in the Midwestern USA. The pattern of prey dynamics at the den site resembled that at two nearby reference sites, but the fluctuations were stronger, especially for Eastern Gray Squirrels which exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) reduction at the den site but not at reference sites. Our study supports previous studies indicating that when animals shift their habits to become central place foragers, they can change the activity patterns of other wildlife species in the vicinity. Our results also suggest that denning activity could act as a localized pulse of predation risk that modifies prey
dynamics in urban systems.
sharply increased when they began denning, with a peak of 17.2 visits/day in April 2022 compared to an average of 0.7 visits/day during non-denning months. Sylvilagus floridanus Allen (Eastern Cottontail) relative abundance was relatively steady from July 2021 through March 2022 (average of 0.9 visits/day), when their relative abundance decreased to no visits during April and May 2022 as Red Fox relative abundance peaked. Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin (Eastern Gray Squirrel) exhibited a similar pattern, with high abundance from September 2021 through March 2022 (average of 6.9 visits/day) before a substantial decrease to the minimum of 0.4 visits/day in May 2022 when Red Foxes were denning. Thus, Red Fox denning coincided with strong decreases in the relative abundance of Eastern Gray Squirrels and Eastern Cottontails – both key prey species of Red Foxes in the Midwestern USA. The pattern of prey dynamics at the den site resembled that at two nearby reference sites, but the fluctuations were stronger, especially for Eastern Gray Squirrels which exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) reduction at the den site but not at reference sites. Our study supports previous studies indicating that when animals shift their habits to become central place foragers, they can change the activity patterns of other wildlife species in the vicinity. Our results also suggest that denning activity could act as a localized pulse of predation risk that modifies prey
dynamics in urban systems.
2022
Allen, Maximilian L; Green, Austin M; Moll, Remington J
Habitat productivity and anthropogenic development drive rangewide variation in striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) abundance Journal Article
In: Global Ecology and Conservation, vol. 39, no. May, pp. e02300, 2022, ISSN: 2351-9894.
@article{Allen2022,
title = {Habitat productivity and anthropogenic development drive rangewide variation in striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) abundance},
author = {Maximilian L Allen and Austin M Green and Remington J Moll},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02300},
doi = {10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02300},
issn = {2351-9894},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Global Ecology and Conservation},
volume = {39},
number = {May},
pages = {e02300},
publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Costa-Pereira, Raul; Moll, Remington J.; Jesmer, Brett R.; Jetz, Walter
Animal tracking moves community ecology: Opportunities and challenges Journal Article
In: Journal of Animal Ecology, no. November 2021, pp. 1334–1344, 2022, ISSN: 13652656.
@article{Costa-Pereira2022,
title = {Animal tracking moves community ecology: Opportunities and challenges},
author = {Raul Costa-Pereira and Remington J. Moll and Brett R. Jesmer and Walter Jetz},
doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.13698},
issn = {13652656},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
number = {November 2021},
pages = {1334–1344},
abstract = {Individual decisions regarding how, why and when organisms interact with one another and with their environment scale up to shape patterns and processes in communities. Recent evidence has firmly established the prevalence of intraspecific variation in nature and its relevance in community ecology, yet challenges associated with collecting data on large numbers of individual conspecifics and heterospecifics have hampered integration of individual variation into community ecology. Nevertheless, recent technological and statistical advances in GPS-tracking, remote sensing and behavioural ecology offer a toolbox for integrating intraspecific variation into community processes. More than simply describing where organisms go, movement data provide unique information about interactions and environmental associations from which a true individual-to-community framework can be built. By linking the movement paths of both conspecifics and heterospecifics with environmental data, ecologists can now simultaneously quantify intraspecific and interspecific variation regarding the Eltonian (biotic interactions) and Grinnellian (environmental conditions) factors underpinning community assemblage and dynamics, yet substantial logistical and analytical challenges must be addressed for these approaches to realize their full potential. Across communities, empirical integration of Eltonian and Grinnellian factors can support conservation applications and reveal metacommunity dynamics via tracking-based dispersal data. As the logistical and analytical challenges associated with multi-species tracking are surmounted, we envision a future where individual movements and their ecological and environmental signatures will bring resolution to many enduring issues in community ecology.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Individual decisions regarding how, why and when organisms interact with one another and with their environment scale up to shape patterns and processes in communities. Recent evidence has firmly established the prevalence of intraspecific variation in nature and its relevance in community ecology, yet challenges associated with collecting data on large numbers of individual conspecifics and heterospecifics have hampered integration of individual variation into community ecology. Nevertheless, recent technological and statistical advances in GPS-tracking, remote sensing and behavioural ecology offer a toolbox for integrating intraspecific variation into community processes. More than simply describing where organisms go, movement data provide unique information about interactions and environmental associations from which a true individual-to-community framework can be built. By linking the movement paths of both conspecifics and heterospecifics with environmental data, ecologists can now simultaneously quantify intraspecific and interspecific variation regarding the Eltonian (biotic interactions) and Grinnellian (environmental conditions) factors underpinning community assemblage and dynamics, yet substantial logistical and analytical challenges must be addressed for these approaches to realize their full potential. Across communities, empirical integration of Eltonian and Grinnellian factors can support conservation applications and reveal metacommunity dynamics via tracking-based dispersal data. As the logistical and analytical challenges associated with multi-species tracking are surmounted, we envision a future where individual movements and their ecological and environmental signatures will bring resolution to many enduring issues in community ecology.
Allen, Maximilian L.; Green, Austin M.; Moll, Remington J.
Modelling the distribution and intraguild associations of an understudied mesocarnivore across the contiguous United States Journal Article
In: Diversity and Distributions, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 1022–1033, 2022, ISSN: 14724642.
@article{Allen2022b,
title = {Modelling the distribution and intraguild associations of an understudied mesocarnivore across the contiguous United States},
author = {Maximilian L. Allen and Austin M. Green and Remington J. Moll},
doi = {10.1111/ddi.13502},
issn = {14724642},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Diversity and Distributions},
volume = {28},
number = {5},
pages = {1022–1033},
abstract = {Aim: Understanding the range-wide distribution and abundance of species is critical for their conservation and management. Grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are an understudied, low-density mesocarnivore with a broad geographic range. However, the factors that underlie this broad distribution are poorly understood and large-scale analyses of this species’ range and ecological niche are lacking. Location: We modelled the probability and intensity of site use for grey foxes at two spatial scales using a coordinated survey of 1485 camera traps across the contiguous United States in 2019. Methods: We used Bayesian occupancy modelling and post hoc species interaction comparisons to evaluate factors hypothesized to affect grey fox site use, including habitat, anthropogenic effects, and intraguild interactions. Results: Our results showed that the presence of bobcats (Lynx rufus) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), as well as forest variables, had positive associations with grey fox site use. Surprisingly, we found no support for negative effects on grey fox space use from dominant competitors (coyotes, Canis latrans, or pumas, Puma concolor), and a complete lack of effects from urbanization metrics and gross primary productivity. We did, however, find a consistent negative association with red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which is the most ecologically and morphologically similar competitor of grey foxes. Main conclusions: Taken together, these results imply that grey fox distribution is not limited by dominant carnivores or anthropogenic pressure. Rather, this species seems to occupy a unique niche across its broad range by exploiting diverse forest habitats shared with less ecologically similar competitors (striped skunks and raccoons, Procyon lotor), while being somewhat limited by a competitor occupying a similar ecological niche (red foxes). Our study highlights the value of broad-scale approaches for evaluating factors influencing the distribution and abundance of understudied species, as local dynamics might fail to manifest across geographic ranges.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Aim: Understanding the range-wide distribution and abundance of species is critical for their conservation and management. Grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are an understudied, low-density mesocarnivore with a broad geographic range. However, the factors that underlie this broad distribution are poorly understood and large-scale analyses of this species’ range and ecological niche are lacking. Location: We modelled the probability and intensity of site use for grey foxes at two spatial scales using a coordinated survey of 1485 camera traps across the contiguous United States in 2019. Methods: We used Bayesian occupancy modelling and post hoc species interaction comparisons to evaluate factors hypothesized to affect grey fox site use, including habitat, anthropogenic effects, and intraguild interactions. Results: Our results showed that the presence of bobcats (Lynx rufus) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), as well as forest variables, had positive associations with grey fox site use. Surprisingly, we found no support for negative effects on grey fox space use from dominant competitors (coyotes, Canis latrans, or pumas, Puma concolor), and a complete lack of effects from urbanization metrics and gross primary productivity. We did, however, find a consistent negative association with red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which is the most ecologically and morphologically similar competitor of grey foxes. Main conclusions: Taken together, these results imply that grey fox distribution is not limited by dominant carnivores or anthropogenic pressure. Rather, this species seems to occupy a unique niche across its broad range by exploiting diverse forest habitats shared with less ecologically similar competitors (striped skunks and raccoons, Procyon lotor), while being somewhat limited by a competitor occupying a similar ecological niche (red foxes). Our study highlights the value of broad-scale approaches for evaluating factors influencing the distribution and abundance of understudied species, as local dynamics might fail to manifest across geographic ranges.
Kasozi, Herbert; Moll, Remington J; Kityo, Robert M; Montgomery, Robert A
Phylogeny is a stronger predictor of activity than allometry in an African mammal community Journal Article
In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. 135, no. 3, pp. 599-609, 2022, ISSN: 0024-4066.
@article{10.1093/biolinnean/blab162,
title = {Phylogeny is a stronger predictor of activity than allometry in an African mammal community},
author = {Herbert Kasozi and Remington J Moll and Robert M Kityo and Robert A Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blab162},
doi = {10.1093/biolinnean/blab162},
issn = {0024-4066},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnean Society},
volume = {135},
number = {3},
pages = {599-609},
abstract = {In promoting coexistence, sympatric species often partition shared resources along spatio-temporal domains. Similarly sized and phylogenetically close species, for instance, partition the times of day in which they are active to limit interference competition. Given that variation in species body mass has evolutionary underpinnings, species activity levels (time spent active in a 24-h daily cycle) within animal communities might be structured by phylogeny. However, few studies have tested this hypothesis across animal communities, and none among medium-sized to large mammals. We quantified the relative contributions of phylogeny and body mass in predicting activity levels in a community of 22 sympatric mammal species in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. We show that phylogeny is a stronger predictor of species activity levels than body mass. Our findings provide empirical evidence for the phylogenetic structuring of mammal activity in diverse communities. More broadly, our results suggest that evolutionary relationships mask allometry in predicting species traits in diverse animal communities.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In promoting coexistence, sympatric species often partition shared resources along spatio-temporal domains. Similarly sized and phylogenetically close species, for instance, partition the times of day in which they are active to limit interference competition. Given that variation in species body mass has evolutionary underpinnings, species activity levels (time spent active in a 24-h daily cycle) within animal communities might be structured by phylogeny. However, few studies have tested this hypothesis across animal communities, and none among medium-sized to large mammals. We quantified the relative contributions of phylogeny and body mass in predicting activity levels in a community of 22 sympatric mammal species in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. We show that phylogeny is a stronger predictor of species activity levels than body mass. Our findings provide empirical evidence for the phylogenetic structuring of mammal activity in diverse communities. More broadly, our results suggest that evolutionary relationships mask allometry in predicting species traits in diverse animal communities.
Hayward, Matt W.; Meyer, Ninon F. V.; Balkenhol, Niko; Beranek, Chad T.; Bugir, Cassandra K.; Bushell, Kathleen V.; Callen, Alex; Dickman, Amy J.; Griffin, Andrea S.; Haswell, Peter M.; Howell, Lachlan G.; Jordan, Christopher A.; Klop-Toker, Kaya; Moll, Remington J.; Montgomery, Robert A.; Mudumba, Tutilo; Osipova, Liudmila; Périquet, Stéphanie; Reyna-Hurtado, Rafael; Ripple, William J.; Sales, Lilian P.; Weise, Florian J.; Witt, Ryan R.; Lindsey, Peter A.
Intergenerational Inequity: Stealing the Joy and Benefits of Nature From Our Children Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, vol. 10, 2022, ISSN: 2296-701X.
@article{10.3389/fevo.2022.830830,
title = {Intergenerational Inequity: Stealing the Joy and Benefits of Nature From Our Children},
author = {Matt W. Hayward and Ninon F. V. Meyer and Niko Balkenhol and Chad T. Beranek and Cassandra K. Bugir and Kathleen V. Bushell and Alex Callen and Amy J. Dickman and Andrea S. Griffin and Peter M. Haswell and Lachlan G. Howell and Christopher A. Jordan and Kaya Klop-Toker and Remington J. Moll and Robert A. Montgomery and Tutilo Mudumba and Liudmila Osipova and Stéphanie Périquet and Rafael Reyna-Hurtado and William J. Ripple and Lilian P. Sales and Florian J. Weise and Ryan R. Witt and Peter A. Lindsey},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fevo.2022.830830},
doi = {10.3389/fevo.2022.830830},
issn = {2296-701X},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution},
volume = {10},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Mudumba, Tutilo; Moll, Remington J; Jingo, Sophia; Riley, Shawn; Macdonald, David W; Astaras, Christos; Montgomery, Robert A
Influence of social status and industrial development on poaching acceptability Journal Article
In: Global Ecology and Conservation, vol. 38, pp. e02271, 2022.
@article{mudumba2022influence,
title = {Influence of social status and industrial development on poaching acceptability},
author = {Tutilo Mudumba and Remington J Moll and Sophia Jingo and Shawn Riley and David W Macdonald and Christos Astaras and Robert A Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02271},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Global Ecology and Conservation},
volume = {38},
pages = {e02271},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {Subsistence poaching threatens the persistence of wildlife populations worldwide and the well-being of people who participate in poaching. We conducted interviews around Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda to assess the acceptability of poaching. Conflict with wildlife was the most important factor determining attitudes towards poaching and the tools of the trade. More than 80 % of the respondents living within 5 km of the park boundary had never been inside the park. Additionally, the provision of goats as incentives to people did not influence attitudes but increased human-wildlife conflict. This implies that acceptability of poaching among people living in close proximity to wildlife is influenced by the nature of the interaction between people and protected areas, but more importantly, limiting positive interaction can create negative consequences. Our results emphasize the importance of providing remedies compatible with local livelihoods and conditions and show that negative experience with wildlife builds intolerance.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Subsistence poaching threatens the persistence of wildlife populations worldwide and the well-being of people who participate in poaching. We conducted interviews around Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda to assess the acceptability of poaching. Conflict with wildlife was the most important factor determining attitudes towards poaching and the tools of the trade. More than 80 % of the respondents living within 5 km of the park boundary had never been inside the park. Additionally, the provision of goats as incentives to people did not influence attitudes but increased human-wildlife conflict. This implies that acceptability of poaching among people living in close proximity to wildlife is influenced by the nature of the interaction between people and protected areas, but more importantly, limiting positive interaction can create negative consequences. Our results emphasize the importance of providing remedies compatible with local livelihoods and conditions and show that negative experience with wildlife builds intolerance.
Moll, Remington J; Poisson, Mairi KP; Heit, David R; Jones, Henry; Pekins, Peter J; Kantar, Lee
A review of methods to estimate and monitor moose density and abundance Journal Article
In: Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose, vol. 58, pp. 31–49, 2022.
@article{moll2022review,
title = {A review of methods to estimate and monitor moose density and abundance},
author = {Remington J Moll and Mairi KP Poisson and David R Heit and Henry Jones and Peter J Pekins and Lee Kantar},
url = {https://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1881},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose},
volume = {58},
pages = {31–49},
abstract = {Acquiring accurate and precise population parameters is fundamental to the ecological understanding and management and conservation of moose (Alces alces). Moose density is challenging to measure and often estimated using winter aerial surveys; however, numerous alternative approaches exist including harvest analysis, public observation, unpiloted aerial system (UAS) surveys, and camera trapping. Given recent developments in a number of field and analytical techniques, there is value in reviewing and synthesizing the strengths and limitations of monitoring methods to best evaluate their respective tradeoffs in management scenarios. We reviewed 89 studies that included 131 estimates or indices of moose density. As expected, aerial surveys were the most common method of obtaining a moose density estimate (58%) followed by use of public data (e.g., harvest records = 27%); more recent studies employed novel methods including UAS. Most estimates (64%) failed to account for imperfect detection of moose (i.e., “sightability”) and this tendency has not improved over time. Density estimates ranged from <0.1 to 10.6 moose/km2 (average = 0.7) and population precision, as measured by the 90% confidence interval, ranged from 6.5 to 120.0% of the density estimate (average = 37.4%). Correlations among estimates obtained for the same populations varied widely, with R2 values ranging from 0.02 to 0.99 (average = 0.58). Our review indicates that: 1) methods to estimate moose density have been dominated by aerial surveys but are diversifying, 2) precision of density estimates has been highly variable and on average lower than broadly accepted target benchmarks, and 3) many methods did not account for sightability and presumably underestimated moose density. We reflect on these trends and discuss how emerging methods, including camera trapping, UAS surveys, and integrated population modeling (IPM) can complement and improve traditional approaches. We suggest that no single “best” method exists, but rather the best method is one that accounts for sightability bias and yields target precision at reasonable cost, which vary by jurisdiction and goal.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Acquiring accurate and precise population parameters is fundamental to the ecological understanding and management and conservation of moose (Alces alces). Moose density is challenging to measure and often estimated using winter aerial surveys; however, numerous alternative approaches exist including harvest analysis, public observation, unpiloted aerial system (UAS) surveys, and camera trapping. Given recent developments in a number of field and analytical techniques, there is value in reviewing and synthesizing the strengths and limitations of monitoring methods to best evaluate their respective tradeoffs in management scenarios. We reviewed 89 studies that included 131 estimates or indices of moose density. As expected, aerial surveys were the most common method of obtaining a moose density estimate (58%) followed by use of public data (e.g., harvest records = 27%); more recent studies employed novel methods including UAS. Most estimates (64%) failed to account for imperfect detection of moose (i.e., “sightability”) and this tendency has not improved over time. Density estimates ranged from <0.1 to 10.6 moose/km2 (average = 0.7) and population precision, as measured by the 90% confidence interval, ranged from 6.5 to 120.0% of the density estimate (average = 37.4%). Correlations among estimates obtained for the same populations varied widely, with R2 values ranging from 0.02 to 0.99 (average = 0.58). Our review indicates that: 1) methods to estimate moose density have been dominated by aerial surveys but are diversifying, 2) precision of density estimates has been highly variable and on average lower than broadly accepted target benchmarks, and 3) many methods did not account for sightability and presumably underestimated moose density. We reflect on these trends and discuss how emerging methods, including camera trapping, UAS surveys, and integrated population modeling (IPM) can complement and improve traditional approaches. We suggest that no single “best” method exists, but rather the best method is one that accounts for sightability bias and yields target precision at reasonable cost, which vary by jurisdiction and goal.
2021
Mohammadi, Alireza; Lunnon, Christopher; Moll, Remington J; Kai, Cedric; Tan, Wei; Hobeali, Kaveh; Behnoud, Pouyan; Moghadas, Peyman
Contrasting responses of large carnivores to land use management across an Asian montane landscape in Iran Journal Article
In: Biodiversity and Conservation, no. 0123456789, 2021, ISSN: 1572-9710.
@article{Mohammadi2021,
title = {Contrasting responses of large carnivores to land use management across an Asian montane landscape in Iran},
author = {Alireza Mohammadi and Christopher Lunnon and Remington J Moll and Cedric Kai and Wei Tan and Kaveh Hobeali and Pouyan Behnoud and Peyman Moghadas},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02290-9},
doi = {10.1007/s10531-021-02290-9},
issn = {1572-9710},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Biodiversity and Conservation},
number = {0123456789},
publisher = {Springer Netherlands},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Moll, Remington J.; Jackson, Patrick J.; Wakeling, Brian F.; Lackey, Carl W.; Beckmann, Jon P.; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Montgomery, Robert A.
An apex carnivore’s life history mediates a predator cascade Journal Article
In: Oecologia, vol. 196, no. 1, pp. 223–234, 2021, ISSN: 14321939.
@article{Moll2021a,
title = {An apex carnivore’s life history mediates a predator cascade},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Patrick J. Jackson and Brian F. Wakeling and Carl W. Lackey and Jon P. Beckmann and Joshua J. Millspaugh and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-021-04927-6},
doi = {10.1007/s00442-021-04927-6},
issn = {14321939},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Oecologia},
volume = {196},
number = {1},
pages = {223–234},
publisher = {Springer Berlin Heidelberg},
abstract = {Apex predators can shape communities via cascading top–down effects, but the degree to which such effects depend on predator life history traits is largely unknown. Within carnivore guilds, complex hierarchies of dominance facilitate coexistence, whereby subordinate species avoid dominant counterparts by partitioning space, time, or both. We investigated whether a major life history trait (hibernation) in an apex carnivore (black bears Ursus americanus) mediated its top–down effects on the spatio-temporal dynamics of three sympatric mesocarnivore species (coyotes Canis latrans, bobcats Lynx rufus, and gray foxes Urocyon cinereoargenteus) across a 15,000~km2 landscape in the western USA. We compared top–down, bottom–up, and environmental effects on these mesocarnivores using an integrated modeling approach. Black bears exerted top–down effects that varied as a function of hibernation and were stronger than bottom–up or environmental impacts. High black bear activity in summer and fall appeared to buffer the most subordinate mesocarnivore (gray foxes) from competition with dominant mesocarnivores (coyotes and bobcats), which were in turn released by black bear hibernation in winter and early spring. The mesocarnivore responses occurred in space (i.e., altered occupancy and site visitation intensity) rather than time (i.e., diel activity patterns unaffected). These results suggest that the spatio-temporal dynamics of mesocarnivores in this system were principally shaped by a spatial predator cascade of interference competition mediated by black bear hibernation. Thus, certain life history traits of apex predators might facilitate coexistence among competing species over broad time scales, with complex implications for lower trophic levels.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Apex predators can shape communities via cascading top–down effects, but the degree to which such effects depend on predator life history traits is largely unknown. Within carnivore guilds, complex hierarchies of dominance facilitate coexistence, whereby subordinate species avoid dominant counterparts by partitioning space, time, or both. We investigated whether a major life history trait (hibernation) in an apex carnivore (black bears Ursus americanus) mediated its top–down effects on the spatio-temporal dynamics of three sympatric mesocarnivore species (coyotes Canis latrans, bobcats Lynx rufus, and gray foxes Urocyon cinereoargenteus) across a 15,000~km2 landscape in the western USA. We compared top–down, bottom–up, and environmental effects on these mesocarnivores using an integrated modeling approach. Black bears exerted top–down effects that varied as a function of hibernation and were stronger than bottom–up or environmental impacts. High black bear activity in summer and fall appeared to buffer the most subordinate mesocarnivore (gray foxes) from competition with dominant mesocarnivores (coyotes and bobcats), which were in turn released by black bear hibernation in winter and early spring. The mesocarnivore responses occurred in space (i.e., altered occupancy and site visitation intensity) rather than time (i.e., diel activity patterns unaffected). These results suggest that the spatio-temporal dynamics of mesocarnivores in this system were principally shaped by a spatial predator cascade of interference competition mediated by black bear hibernation. Thus, certain life history traits of apex predators might facilitate coexistence among competing species over broad time scales, with complex implications for lower trophic levels.
Beck, Jacalyn M.; Moll, Remington J.; Kissui, Bernard M.; Montgomery, Robert A.
Do pastoralist cattle fear African lions? Journal Article
In: Oikos, vol. 130, pp. 422–430, 2021.
@article{Beck2021,
title = {Do pastoralist cattle fear African lions?},
author = {Jacalyn M. Beck and Remington J. Moll and Bernard M. Kissui and Robert A. Montgomery},
doi = {doi: 10.1111/oik.07965 Subject},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Oikos},
volume = {130},
pages = {422–430},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Moll, Remington J; Killion, Alexander K; Hayward, Matt W; Montgomery, Robert A
A Framework for the Eltonian Niche of Humans Journal Article
In: BioScience, vol. XX, no. X, pp. 1–14, 2021, ISSN: 0006-3568.
@article{Moll2021,
title = {A Framework for the Eltonian Niche of Humans},
author = {Remington J Moll and Alexander K Killion and Matt W Hayward and Robert A Montgomery},
doi = {10.1093/biosci/biab055},
issn = {0006-3568},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {BioScience},
volume = {XX},
number = {X},
pages = {1–14},
abstract = {Recent research has highlighted several influential roles that humans play in ecosystems, including that of a superpredator, hyperkeystone species, and niche constructor. This work has begun to describe the Eltonian niche of humans, which encompasses humanity’s cumulative ecological and evolutionary roles in trophic systems. However, we lack a unifying framework that brings together these strands of research, links them to ecoevolutionary and sociocultural theory, and identifies current research needs. In this article, we present such a framework in hope of facilitating a more holistic approach to operationalizing human roles in trophic systems across an increasingly anthropogenic biosphere. The framework underscores how humans play numerous nuanced roles in trophic systems, from top-down to bottom-up, that entail not only pernicious effects but also benefits for many nonhuman species. Such a nuanced view of the Eltonian niche of humans is important for understanding complex social–ecological system functioning and enacting effective policies and conservation measures.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Recent research has highlighted several influential roles that humans play in ecosystems, including that of a superpredator, hyperkeystone species, and niche constructor. This work has begun to describe the Eltonian niche of humans, which encompasses humanity’s cumulative ecological and evolutionary roles in trophic systems. However, we lack a unifying framework that brings together these strands of research, links them to ecoevolutionary and sociocultural theory, and identifies current research needs. In this article, we present such a framework in hope of facilitating a more holistic approach to operationalizing human roles in trophic systems across an increasingly anthropogenic biosphere. The framework underscores how humans play numerous nuanced roles in trophic systems, from top-down to bottom-up, that entail not only pernicious effects but also benefits for many nonhuman species. Such a nuanced view of the Eltonian niche of humans is important for understanding complex social–ecological system functioning and enacting effective policies and conservation measures.
Masiaine, Symon; Pilfold, Nicholas; Moll, Remington J.; O’connor, David; Larpei, Lexson; Stacy-Dawes, Jenna; Ruppert, Kirstie; Glikman, Jenny A.; Roloff, Gary; Montgomery, Robert A.
Landscape-level changes to large mammal space use in response to a pastoralist incursion Journal Article
In: Ecological Indicators, vol. 121, pp. 107091, 2021, ISSN: 1470160X.
@article{Masiaine2021,
title = {Landscape-level changes to large mammal space use in response to a pastoralist incursion},
author = {Symon Masiaine and Nicholas Pilfold and Remington J. Moll and David O’connor and Lexson Larpei and Jenna Stacy-Dawes and Kirstie Ruppert and Jenny A. Glikman and Gary Roloff and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107091},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107091},
issn = {1470160X},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Ecological Indicators},
volume = {121},
pages = {107091},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {Pastoralists and their livestock have long competed with wildlife over access to grazing on shared rangelands. In the dynamic 21st century however, the configuration and quality of these rangelands is changing rapidly. Climate change processes, human range expansion, and the fragmentation and degradation of rangeland habitat have increased competition between pastoralist livestock and wildlife. Interactions of this type are particularly apparent in East Africa, and perhaps most obvious in northern Kenya. In 2017, following months of intense drought, a pastoralist incursion of a protected area (Loisaba Conservancy) occurred in Laikipia County, Kenya. An estimated 40,000 livestock were herded onto the conservancy by armed pastoralists where the cattle were grazed for approximately three months. Using 53 camera trap sites across the 226 km2 conservancy, we quantified spatial patterns in site visitation rates (via spatially-explicit, temporally-dynamic Bayesian models) for seven species of large mammalian herbivores in the three-month period directly before, during, and after the incursion. We detected significant changes in space use of all large mammalian herbivores during the incursion. Furthermore, these patterns did not return to their pre-incursion state in the three-month period after the pastoralists and their livestock left the conservancy. Thus, in addition to reduced site vitiation rates for these large mammalian herbivores, we also detected considerable displacement in response to the livestock incursion. Our results illustrate that pastoralist incursions can cause large-scale disruptions of wildlife space use, supporting the notion that livestock can competitively exclude large mammalian herbivores from grazing access. We discuss the implications of this research for applied management decisions designed to alleviate competition among wildlife and pastoralist livestock for the benefit of wildlife conservation and pastoralist well-being.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Pastoralists and their livestock have long competed with wildlife over access to grazing on shared rangelands. In the dynamic 21st century however, the configuration and quality of these rangelands is changing rapidly. Climate change processes, human range expansion, and the fragmentation and degradation of rangeland habitat have increased competition between pastoralist livestock and wildlife. Interactions of this type are particularly apparent in East Africa, and perhaps most obvious in northern Kenya. In 2017, following months of intense drought, a pastoralist incursion of a protected area (Loisaba Conservancy) occurred in Laikipia County, Kenya. An estimated 40,000 livestock were herded onto the conservancy by armed pastoralists where the cattle were grazed for approximately three months. Using 53 camera trap sites across the 226 km2 conservancy, we quantified spatial patterns in site visitation rates (via spatially-explicit, temporally-dynamic Bayesian models) for seven species of large mammalian herbivores in the three-month period directly before, during, and after the incursion. We detected significant changes in space use of all large mammalian herbivores during the incursion. Furthermore, these patterns did not return to their pre-incursion state in the three-month period after the pastoralists and their livestock left the conservancy. Thus, in addition to reduced site vitiation rates for these large mammalian herbivores, we also detected considerable displacement in response to the livestock incursion. Our results illustrate that pastoralist incursions can cause large-scale disruptions of wildlife space use, supporting the notion that livestock can competitively exclude large mammalian herbivores from grazing access. We discuss the implications of this research for applied management decisions designed to alleviate competition among wildlife and pastoralist livestock for the benefit of wildlife conservation and pastoralist well-being.
Moll, R. J.; McRoberts, Jon T.; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Wiskirchen, Kevyn H.; Sumners, Jason A.; Isabelle, Jason L.; Keller, Barbara J.; Montgomery, Robert A.
A rare 300 kilometer dispersal by an adult white-tailed deer Journal Article
In: Ecology and Evolution, no. February, pp. 1–11, 2021.
@article{Moll2021c,
title = {A rare 300 kilometer dispersal by an adult white-tailed deer},
author = {R. J. Moll and Jon T. McRoberts and Joshua J. Millspaugh and Kevyn H. Wiskirchen and Jason A. Sumners and Jason L. Isabelle and Barbara J. Keller and Robert A. Montgomery},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.7354},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
number = {February},
pages = {1–11},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2020
Abade, L.; Cusack, J.; Moll, R. J.; Strampelli, P.; Dickman, A. J.; Macdonald, D. W.; Montgomery, R. A.
In: Journal of Zoology, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 135–144, 2020, ISSN: 0952-8369.
@article{Abade2019,
title = {The relative effects of prey availability, anthropogenic pressure and environmental variables on lion (Panthera leo) site use in Tanzania’s Ruaha landscape during the dry season},
author = {L. Abade and J. Cusack and R. J. Moll and P. Strampelli and A. J. Dickman and D. W. Macdonald and R. A. Montgomery},
doi = {10.1111/jzo.12731},
issn = {0952-8369},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Zoology},
volume = {30},
number = {2},
pages = {135–144},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Moll, Remington J.; Cepek, Jonathon D.; Lorch, Patrick D.; Dennis, Patricia M.; Robinson, T.; Montgomery, Robert A.
At what spatial scale(s) do mammals respond to urbanization? Journal Article
In: Ecography, vol. 43, pp. 171–183, 2020.
@article{Moll2020,
title = {At what spatial scale(s) do mammals respond to urbanization?},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Jonathon D. Cepek and Patrick D. Lorch and Patricia M. Dennis and T. Robinson and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.04762},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Ecography},
volume = {43},
pages = {171–183},
abstract = {Spatial scale is fundamental in understanding species–landscape relationships because species’ responses to landscape characteristics typically vary across scales. Nonetheless, such scales are often unidentified or unreliably predicted by theory. Many landscapes worldwide are urbanizing, yet the spatial scaling of species’ responses to urbanization is poorly understood. We investigated the spatial scaling of urbanization effects on a community of 15 mammal species using ~60 000 wildlife detections collected from a constellation of 207 camera traps across an extensive urban park system. We embedded a bivariate Gaussian kernel in hierarchical multi-species models to determine two scales of effect (a scale of maximal effect and a broader scale of cumulative landscape effect) for two biological responses (occupancy and site visit frequency) across two seasons (winter and summer) for each species. We then assessed whether scales of effect varied according to theoretical predictions associated with biological responses and species traits (body size and mobility). Scales of effect ranged from < 50 m to > 9000 m and varied among species, but not as predicted by theory. Species’ occupancy generally showed a weak response to urbanization and the scale of this effect was both highly uncertain and consistent across species. We did not detect any relationship between scales of effect and species’ body size or mobility, nor was there any evident pattern of scaling across biological response or seasons. These results imply that 1) urbanization effects on mammals manifest across a very broad spectrum of spatial scales, and 2) current theories that a priori predict the scale at which urbanization affects mammals may be of limited use within a given system. Overall, this study suggests that developing general theory regarding the scaling of species–landscape relationships requires additional empirical work conducted across multiple species, systems and timescales.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Spatial scale is fundamental in understanding species–landscape relationships because species’ responses to landscape characteristics typically vary across scales. Nonetheless, such scales are often unidentified or unreliably predicted by theory. Many landscapes worldwide are urbanizing, yet the spatial scaling of species’ responses to urbanization is poorly understood. We investigated the spatial scaling of urbanization effects on a community of 15 mammal species using ~60 000 wildlife detections collected from a constellation of 207 camera traps across an extensive urban park system. We embedded a bivariate Gaussian kernel in hierarchical multi-species models to determine two scales of effect (a scale of maximal effect and a broader scale of cumulative landscape effect) for two biological responses (occupancy and site visit frequency) across two seasons (winter and summer) for each species. We then assessed whether scales of effect varied according to theoretical predictions associated with biological responses and species traits (body size and mobility). Scales of effect ranged from < 50 m to > 9000 m and varied among species, but not as predicted by theory. Species’ occupancy generally showed a weak response to urbanization and the scale of this effect was both highly uncertain and consistent across species. We did not detect any relationship between scales of effect and species’ body size or mobility, nor was there any evident pattern of scaling across biological response or seasons. These results imply that 1) urbanization effects on mammals manifest across a very broad spectrum of spatial scales, and 2) current theories that a priori predict the scale at which urbanization affects mammals may be of limited use within a given system. Overall, this study suggests that developing general theory regarding the scaling of species–landscape relationships requires additional empirical work conducted across multiple species, systems and timescales.
Moll, Remington J.; Eaton, J. T.; Cepek, Jonathon D.; Lorch, Patrick D.; Dennis, Patricia M.; Robinson, T.; Tsao, J.; Montgomery, Robert A.
Dynamic rodent behavioral response to predation risk: Implications for disease ecology Journal Article
In: Oecologia, vol. 19, pp. 67–78, 2020.
@article{Moll2020b,
title = {Dynamic rodent behavioral response to predation risk: Implications for disease ecology},
author = {Remington J. Moll and J. T. Eaton and Jonathon D. Cepek and Patrick D. Lorch and Patricia M. Dennis and T. Robinson and J. Tsao and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-019-04565-z},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Oecologia},
volume = {19},
pages = {67–78},
abstract = {Prey modify their behavior in response to variation in predation risk, and such modifications can affect trophic processes such as disease transmission. However, variation in predation risk is complex, arising from direct risk from the predator itself and indirect risk due to the environment. Moreover, direct risk typically stems from multiple predators and varies over timescales (e.g., a predator nearby vs. its seasonal activities). We implemented a field-based experiment to disentangle these sources of risk and relate them to antipredator behavior in rodents. We modeled rodent occurrence and activity as a function of short- and long-term risk from a primary predator, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), long-term risk from a second predator, coyotes (Canis latrans), and environmental variables. We found that long-term red fox activity strongly reduced rodent occurrence and that cues of nearby red fox presence decreased rodent activity by > 50%. In addition, this activity reduction was dynamic in that varied according to the background level of long-term red fox activity. Importantly, rodents did not respond to environmental variables (moonlight, temperature, and habitat) or long-term coyote activity. These results bear upon recent work that suggests predators can alter tick-borne disease dynamics via induced antipredator behavior of rodents, which are hosts for pathogens and ticks. Specifically, our study corroborates the hypothesis that red foxes act as important proximal agents in regulating tick-borne diseases by reducing rodent activity. More generally, this study highlights the need to consider the dynamic nature of prey antipredator response across landscapes with variable long-term predation risk.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Prey modify their behavior in response to variation in predation risk, and such modifications can affect trophic processes such as disease transmission. However, variation in predation risk is complex, arising from direct risk from the predator itself and indirect risk due to the environment. Moreover, direct risk typically stems from multiple predators and varies over timescales (e.g., a predator nearby vs. its seasonal activities). We implemented a field-based experiment to disentangle these sources of risk and relate them to antipredator behavior in rodents. We modeled rodent occurrence and activity as a function of short- and long-term risk from a primary predator, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), long-term risk from a second predator, coyotes (Canis latrans), and environmental variables. We found that long-term red fox activity strongly reduced rodent occurrence and that cues of nearby red fox presence decreased rodent activity by > 50%. In addition, this activity reduction was dynamic in that varied according to the background level of long-term red fox activity. Importantly, rodents did not respond to environmental variables (moonlight, temperature, and habitat) or long-term coyote activity. These results bear upon recent work that suggests predators can alter tick-borne disease dynamics via induced antipredator behavior of rodents, which are hosts for pathogens and ticks. Specifically, our study corroborates the hypothesis that red foxes act as important proximal agents in regulating tick-borne diseases by reducing rodent activity. More generally, this study highlights the need to consider the dynamic nature of prey antipredator response across landscapes with variable long-term predation risk.
Moll, Remington J.; Ortiz-Calo, Waldemar; Cepek, Jonathon D.; Lorch, Patrick D.; Dennis, Patricia M.; Robison, Terry; Montgomery, Robert A.
The effect of camera-trap viewshed obstruction on wildlife detection: Implications for inference Journal Article
In: Wildlife Research, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 158–165, 2020, ISSN: 10353712.
@article{Moll2020a,
title = {The effect of camera-trap viewshed obstruction on wildlife detection: Implications for inference},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Waldemar Ortiz-Calo and Jonathon D. Cepek and Patrick D. Lorch and Patricia M. Dennis and Terry Robison and Robert A. Montgomery},
doi = {10.1071/WR19004},
issn = {10353712},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Wildlife Research},
volume = {47},
number = {2},
pages = {158–165},
abstract = {Context: Camera traps are one of the most popular tools used to study wildlife worldwide. Numerous recent studies have evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of camera traps as a research tool. Nonetheless, important aspects of camera-trap methodology remain in need of critical investigation. One such issue relates to camera-trap viewshed visibility, which is often compromised in the field by physical obstructions (e.g. trees) or topography (e.g. steep slopes). The loss of visibility due to these obstructions could affect wildlife detection rates, with associated implications for study inference and management application. Aims: We aimed to determine the effect of camera-trap viewshed obstruction on wildlife detection rates for a suite of eight North American species that vary in terms of ecology, commonness and body size. Methods: We deployed camera traps at 204 sites throughout an extensive semi-urban park system in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, from June to September 2016. At each site, we quantified camera-trap viewshed obstruction by using a cover-board design. We then modelled the effects of obstruction on wildlife detection rates for the eight focal species. Key results: We found that detection rates significantly decreased with an increasing viewshed obstruction for five of the eight species, including both larger and smaller mammal species (white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, and squirrels, Sciurus sp., respectively). The number of detections per week per camera decreased two-to three-fold as visibility at a camera site decreased from completely free of obstruction to mostly obstructed. Conclusions: These results imply that wildlife detection rates are influenced by site-level viewshed obstruction for a variety of species, and sometimes considerably so. Implications: Researchers using camera traps should address the potential for this effect to ensure robust inference from wildlife image data. Accounting for viewshed obstruction is critical when interpreting detection rates as indices of abundance or habitat use because variation in detection rate could be an artefact of site-level viewshed obstruction rather than due to underlying ecological processes.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Context: Camera traps are one of the most popular tools used to study wildlife worldwide. Numerous recent studies have evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of camera traps as a research tool. Nonetheless, important aspects of camera-trap methodology remain in need of critical investigation. One such issue relates to camera-trap viewshed visibility, which is often compromised in the field by physical obstructions (e.g. trees) or topography (e.g. steep slopes). The loss of visibility due to these obstructions could affect wildlife detection rates, with associated implications for study inference and management application. Aims: We aimed to determine the effect of camera-trap viewshed obstruction on wildlife detection rates for a suite of eight North American species that vary in terms of ecology, commonness and body size. Methods: We deployed camera traps at 204 sites throughout an extensive semi-urban park system in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, from June to September 2016. At each site, we quantified camera-trap viewshed obstruction by using a cover-board design. We then modelled the effects of obstruction on wildlife detection rates for the eight focal species. Key results: We found that detection rates significantly decreased with an increasing viewshed obstruction for five of the eight species, including both larger and smaller mammal species (white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, and squirrels, Sciurus sp., respectively). The number of detections per week per camera decreased two-to three-fold as visibility at a camera site decreased from completely free of obstruction to mostly obstructed. Conclusions: These results imply that wildlife detection rates are influenced by site-level viewshed obstruction for a variety of species, and sometimes considerably so. Implications: Researchers using camera traps should address the potential for this effect to ensure robust inference from wildlife image data. Accounting for viewshed obstruction is critical when interpreting detection rates as indices of abundance or habitat use because variation in detection rate could be an artefact of site-level viewshed obstruction rather than due to underlying ecological processes.
2019
Lepard, C. C.; Moll, Remington J.; Cepek, Jonathon D.; Lorch, Patrick D.; Dennis, Patricia M.; Robison, Terry; Montgomery, Robert A.
The influence of the delay-period setting on camera-trap data storage, wildlife detections and occupancy models Journal Article
In: Wildlife Research, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 37–53, 2019.
@article{Lepard2019,
title = {The influence of the delay-period setting on camera-trap data storage, wildlife detections and occupancy models},
author = {C. C. Lepard and Remington J. Moll and Jonathon D. Cepek and Patrick D. Lorch and Patricia M. Dennis and Terry Robison and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17181},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
urldate = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Wildlife Research},
volume = {46},
number = {1},
pages = {37–53},
abstract = {Context: The use of camera traps in ecological research has grown exponentially over the past decade, but questions remain about the effect of camera-trap settings on ecological inference. The delay-period setting controls the amount of time that a camera trap is idle between motion-activated triggers. Longer delay periods may potentially extend battery life, reduce data-storage requirements, and shorten data-analysis time. However, they might result in lost data (i.e. missed wildlife detections), which could bias ecological inference and compromise research objectives.
Aims: We aimed to examine the effect of the delay period on (1) the number of camera-trap triggers, (2) detection and site-occupancy probabilities for eight mammalian species that varied in size, movement rate and commonness and (3) parameter estimates of habitat-based covariates from the occupancy models for these species.
Methods: We deployed 104 camera traps for 4 months throughout an extensive urban park system in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, using a spatially random design. Using the resultant data, we simulated delay periods ranging from 10 s to 60 min. For each of these delay periods and for each of our eight focal species, we calculated the number of camera-trap triggers and the parameter estimates of hierarchical Bayesian occupancy models.
Key results: A simulated increase in the delay period from 10 s to 10 min decreased the number of triggers by 79.6%, and decreased detection probability and occupancy probability across all species by 1.6% and 4.4% respectively. Further increases in the delay period (i.e. from 10 to 60 min) resulted in modest additional reductions in the number of triggers and detection and occupancy probabilities. Variation in the delay period had negligible effects on the qualitative interpretations of habitat-based occupancy models for all eight species.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that delay-period settings ranging from 5 to 10 min can drastically reduce data-storage needs and analysis time without compromising inference resulting from occupancy modelling for a diversity of mammalian species.
Implications: Broadly, we provide guidance on designing camera-trap studies that optimally trade-off research effort and potential bias, thereby increasing the utility of camera traps as ecological research tools.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Context: The use of camera traps in ecological research has grown exponentially over the past decade, but questions remain about the effect of camera-trap settings on ecological inference. The delay-period setting controls the amount of time that a camera trap is idle between motion-activated triggers. Longer delay periods may potentially extend battery life, reduce data-storage requirements, and shorten data-analysis time. However, they might result in lost data (i.e. missed wildlife detections), which could bias ecological inference and compromise research objectives.
Aims: We aimed to examine the effect of the delay period on (1) the number of camera-trap triggers, (2) detection and site-occupancy probabilities for eight mammalian species that varied in size, movement rate and commonness and (3) parameter estimates of habitat-based covariates from the occupancy models for these species.
Methods: We deployed 104 camera traps for 4 months throughout an extensive urban park system in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, using a spatially random design. Using the resultant data, we simulated delay periods ranging from 10 s to 60 min. For each of these delay periods and for each of our eight focal species, we calculated the number of camera-trap triggers and the parameter estimates of hierarchical Bayesian occupancy models.
Key results: A simulated increase in the delay period from 10 s to 10 min decreased the number of triggers by 79.6%, and decreased detection probability and occupancy probability across all species by 1.6% and 4.4% respectively. Further increases in the delay period (i.e. from 10 to 60 min) resulted in modest additional reductions in the number of triggers and detection and occupancy probabilities. Variation in the delay period had negligible effects on the qualitative interpretations of habitat-based occupancy models for all eight species.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that delay-period settings ranging from 5 to 10 min can drastically reduce data-storage needs and analysis time without compromising inference resulting from occupancy modelling for a diversity of mammalian species.
Implications: Broadly, we provide guidance on designing camera-trap studies that optimally trade-off research effort and potential bias, thereby increasing the utility of camera traps as ecological research tools.
Aims: We aimed to examine the effect of the delay period on (1) the number of camera-trap triggers, (2) detection and site-occupancy probabilities for eight mammalian species that varied in size, movement rate and commonness and (3) parameter estimates of habitat-based covariates from the occupancy models for these species.
Methods: We deployed 104 camera traps for 4 months throughout an extensive urban park system in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, using a spatially random design. Using the resultant data, we simulated delay periods ranging from 10 s to 60 min. For each of these delay periods and for each of our eight focal species, we calculated the number of camera-trap triggers and the parameter estimates of hierarchical Bayesian occupancy models.
Key results: A simulated increase in the delay period from 10 s to 10 min decreased the number of triggers by 79.6%, and decreased detection probability and occupancy probability across all species by 1.6% and 4.4% respectively. Further increases in the delay period (i.e. from 10 to 60 min) resulted in modest additional reductions in the number of triggers and detection and occupancy probabilities. Variation in the delay period had negligible effects on the qualitative interpretations of habitat-based occupancy models for all eight species.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that delay-period settings ranging from 5 to 10 min can drastically reduce data-storage needs and analysis time without compromising inference resulting from occupancy modelling for a diversity of mammalian species.
Implications: Broadly, we provide guidance on designing camera-trap studies that optimally trade-off research effort and potential bias, thereby increasing the utility of camera traps as ecological research tools.
Montgomery, Robert A.; Moll, Remington J.; Say-Sallaz, Elise; Valeix, Marion; Prugh, Laura R.
A tendency to simplify complex systems Journal Article
In: Biological Conservation, vol. 233, pp. 1–11, 2019, ISSN: 00063207.
@article{Montgomery2019,
title = {A tendency to simplify complex systems},
author = {Robert A. Montgomery and Remington J. Moll and Elise Say-Sallaz and Marion Valeix and Laura R. Prugh},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.02.001},
doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2019.02.001},
issn = {00063207},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Biological Conservation},
volume = {233},
pages = {1–11},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {Predation is a fundamental force exerting strong selective pressure on prey populations. Predators not only kill prey, triggering lethal effects, but also hunt prey which can induce risk effects. Foundational research has documented the importance of risk effects in predator-prey systems of arthropods, fish, birds, and rodents, among others. Risk effects research in carnivore-ungulate systems has expanded in the last 20 years. Presently, the degree to which this research mirrors the complexity of carnivore-ungulate trophic systems has been questioned. We synthesized this literature to quantify the tendency of risk effects research in carnivore-ungulate systems to be multispecies in design. Among the 170 studies that we reviewed, we found that on average just 1.26 (range = 1 to 5) carnivore species and 1.60 (range = 1 to 11) ungulate species were considered per study. Furthermore, 63% (n = 107 of 170) of the studies featured single predator - single prey research designs. These results contrast with the fact that all but one of the 82 carnivore-ungulate systems used this literature had multiple species of carnivores and/or ungulates. Thus, we detected a tendency to simplify complex systems. We relate these observations to the role of simplicity as: i) an underlying value of science (i.e., Occam’s razor), ii) a cornerstone of predator-prey theory (e.g., Lotka-Volterra equations), and iii) part of the origins of risk effects research (i.e., experimental systems). Finally, we ground our discussion in the implications of this research for the conservation of carnivores and ungulates in the dynamic 21st century.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Predation is a fundamental force exerting strong selective pressure on prey populations. Predators not only kill prey, triggering lethal effects, but also hunt prey which can induce risk effects. Foundational research has documented the importance of risk effects in predator-prey systems of arthropods, fish, birds, and rodents, among others. Risk effects research in carnivore-ungulate systems has expanded in the last 20 years. Presently, the degree to which this research mirrors the complexity of carnivore-ungulate trophic systems has been questioned. We synthesized this literature to quantify the tendency of risk effects research in carnivore-ungulate systems to be multispecies in design. Among the 170 studies that we reviewed, we found that on average just 1.26 (range = 1 to 5) carnivore species and 1.60 (range = 1 to 11) ungulate species were considered per study. Furthermore, 63% (n = 107 of 170) of the studies featured single predator - single prey research designs. These results contrast with the fact that all but one of the 82 carnivore-ungulate systems used this literature had multiple species of carnivores and/or ungulates. Thus, we detected a tendency to simplify complex systems. We relate these observations to the role of simplicity as: i) an underlying value of science (i.e., Occam’s razor), ii) a cornerstone of predator-prey theory (e.g., Lotka-Volterra equations), and iii) part of the origins of risk effects research (i.e., experimental systems). Finally, we ground our discussion in the implications of this research for the conservation of carnivores and ungulates in the dynamic 21st century.
Moll, Remington J.; Cepek, Jonathon D.; Lorch, Patrick D.; Dennis, Patricia M.; Tans, Eric; Robison, Terry; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Montgomery, Robert A.
What does urbanization actually mean? A review and framework for urban metrics in wildlife research Journal Article
In: Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 56, pp. 1289–1300, 2019.
@article{Moll2019,
title = {What does urbanization actually mean? A review and framework for urban metrics in wildlife research},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Jonathon D. Cepek and Patrick D. Lorch and Patricia M. Dennis and Eric Tans and Terry Robison and Joshua J. Millspaugh and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13358},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
urldate = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology},
volume = {56},
pages = {1289–1300},
abstract = {1. Extensive research has demonstrated that urbanization strongly alters ecological processes, often perniciously. However, quantifying the magnitude of urban effects and determining how generalized they can be across systems depends on the ways in which urbanization is measured and modelled.
2. We coupled a formal literature survey with a novel conceptual framework to document and synthesize the myriad of metrics used to quantify urbanization. The framework enables clear cataloguing of urban metrics by identifying (a) the urban component measured, (b) the method of measurement, (c) the metric's spatial scale and (d) the metric's temporal nature. Thus, the framework comprehensively captures the what, how, where and when of urban metrics.
3. We documented striking variability in urban metrics with respect to which urban components were measured as well as how, where and when they were quantified. Overall, our survey revealed that they tended to be: (a) structurally focused, (b) methodologically simplistic, (c) spatially variable and (d) temporally static.
4. Synthesis and applications. Many metrics are used to quantify urbanization or ‘urban-ness'. The variation in urban metrics complicates the development of theory, comparisons of findings across studies, and the implementation of management and conservation actions. To pave a clear path forward for more efficient and policy-relevant urban research, we systematically organized urban metrics using a simple, flexible and comprehensive framework. The framework clarifies what urbanization actually means in empirical practice and identifies several crucial areas for future research, including: (a) systematic assessments of urban metrics across multiple scales, (b) an increased and judicious use of more complex urban metrics aimed at evaluating both mechanistic and broad-scale correlative ecological hypotheses, and (c) an increased emphasis on the socio-economic aspects of urban effects.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
1. Extensive research has demonstrated that urbanization strongly alters ecological processes, often perniciously. However, quantifying the magnitude of urban effects and determining how generalized they can be across systems depends on the ways in which urbanization is measured and modelled.
2. We coupled a formal literature survey with a novel conceptual framework to document and synthesize the myriad of metrics used to quantify urbanization. The framework enables clear cataloguing of urban metrics by identifying (a) the urban component measured, (b) the method of measurement, (c) the metric's spatial scale and (d) the metric's temporal nature. Thus, the framework comprehensively captures the what, how, where and when of urban metrics.
3. We documented striking variability in urban metrics with respect to which urban components were measured as well as how, where and when they were quantified. Overall, our survey revealed that they tended to be: (a) structurally focused, (b) methodologically simplistic, (c) spatially variable and (d) temporally static.
4. Synthesis and applications. Many metrics are used to quantify urbanization or ‘urban-ness'. The variation in urban metrics complicates the development of theory, comparisons of findings across studies, and the implementation of management and conservation actions. To pave a clear path forward for more efficient and policy-relevant urban research, we systematically organized urban metrics using a simple, flexible and comprehensive framework. The framework clarifies what urbanization actually means in empirical practice and identifies several crucial areas for future research, including: (a) systematic assessments of urban metrics across multiple scales, (b) an increased and judicious use of more complex urban metrics aimed at evaluating both mechanistic and broad-scale correlative ecological hypotheses, and (c) an increased emphasis on the socio-economic aspects of urban effects.
2. We coupled a formal literature survey with a novel conceptual framework to document and synthesize the myriad of metrics used to quantify urbanization. The framework enables clear cataloguing of urban metrics by identifying (a) the urban component measured, (b) the method of measurement, (c) the metric's spatial scale and (d) the metric's temporal nature. Thus, the framework comprehensively captures the what, how, where and when of urban metrics.
3. We documented striking variability in urban metrics with respect to which urban components were measured as well as how, where and when they were quantified. Overall, our survey revealed that they tended to be: (a) structurally focused, (b) methodologically simplistic, (c) spatially variable and (d) temporally static.
4. Synthesis and applications. Many metrics are used to quantify urbanization or ‘urban-ness'. The variation in urban metrics complicates the development of theory, comparisons of findings across studies, and the implementation of management and conservation actions. To pave a clear path forward for more efficient and policy-relevant urban research, we systematically organized urban metrics using a simple, flexible and comprehensive framework. The framework clarifies what urbanization actually means in empirical practice and identifies several crucial areas for future research, including: (a) systematic assessments of urban metrics across multiple scales, (b) an increased and judicious use of more complex urban metrics aimed at evaluating both mechanistic and broad-scale correlative ecological hypotheses, and (c) an increased emphasis on the socio-economic aspects of urban effects.
2018
Farhadinia, Mohammad S.; Moll, Remington J.; Montgomery, Robert A.; Ashrafi, Sohrab; Johnson, Paul J.; Hunter, Luke T. B.; Macdonald, David W.
Citizen science data facilitate monitoring of rare large carnivores in remote montane landscapes Journal Article
In: Ecological Indicators, vol. 94, no. April, pp. 283–291, 2018, ISSN: 1470160X.
@article{Farhadinia2018,
title = {Citizen science data facilitate monitoring of rare large carnivores in remote montane landscapes},
author = {Mohammad S. Farhadinia and Remington J. Moll and Robert A. Montgomery and Sohrab Ashrafi and Paul J. Johnson and Luke T. B. Hunter and David W. Macdonald},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.06.064},
issn = {1470160X},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Ecological Indicators},
volume = {94},
number = {April},
pages = {283–291},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2017
Moll, Remington J.; Redilla, Kyle M.; Mudumba, Tutilo; Muneza, Arthur B.; Gray, Steven M.; Abade, L.; Hayward, Matt W.; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Montgomery, Robert A.
The many faces of fear: A synthesis of methodological variation in characterizing predation risk Journal Article
In: Journal of Animal Ecology, vol. 86, pp. 749–765, 2017.
@article{Moll2017,
title = {The many faces of fear: A synthesis of methodological variation in characterizing predation risk},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Kyle M. Redilla and Tutilo Mudumba and Arthur B. Muneza and Steven M. Gray and L. Abade and Matt W. Hayward and Joshua J. Millspaugh and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12680},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
urldate = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
volume = {86},
pages = {749–765},
abstract = {1. Predators affect prey by killing them directly (lethal effects) and by inducing costly antipredator behaviours in living prey (risk effects). Risk effects can strongly influence prey populations and cascade through trophic systems. A prerequisite for assessing risk effects is characterizing the spatiotemporal variation in predation risk.
2. Risk effects research has experienced rapid growth in the last several decades. However, preliminary assessments of the resultant literature suggest that researchers characterize predation risk using a variety of techniques. The implications of this methodological variation for inference and comparability among studies have not been well recognized or formally synthesized.
3. We couple a literature survey with a hierarchical framework, developed from established theory, to quantify the methodological variation in characterizing risk using carnivore–ungulate systems as a case study. Via this process, we documented 244 metrics of risk from 141 studies falling into at least 13 distinct subcategories within three broader categories.
4. Both empirical and theoretical work suggest risk and its effects on prey constitute a complex, multi-dimensional process with expressions varying by spatiotemporal scale. Our survey suggests this multi-scale complexity is reflected in the literature as a whole but often underappreciated in any given study, which complicates comparability among studies and leads to an overemphasis on documenting the presence of risk effects rather than their mechanisms or scale of influence.
5. We suggest risk metrics be placed in a more concrete conceptual framework to clarify inference surrounding risk effects and their cascading effects throughout ecosystems. We recommend studies (i) take a multi-scale approach to characterizing risk; (ii) explicitly consider ‘true’ predation risk (probability of predation per unit time); and (iii) use risk metrics that facilitate comparison among studies and the evaluation of multiple competing hypotheses. Addressing the pressing questions in risk effects research, including how, to what extent and on what scale they occur, requires leveraging the advantages of the many methods available to characterize risk while minimizing the confusion caused by variability in their application.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
1. Predators affect prey by killing them directly (lethal effects) and by inducing costly antipredator behaviours in living prey (risk effects). Risk effects can strongly influence prey populations and cascade through trophic systems. A prerequisite for assessing risk effects is characterizing the spatiotemporal variation in predation risk.
2. Risk effects research has experienced rapid growth in the last several decades. However, preliminary assessments of the resultant literature suggest that researchers characterize predation risk using a variety of techniques. The implications of this methodological variation for inference and comparability among studies have not been well recognized or formally synthesized.
3. We couple a literature survey with a hierarchical framework, developed from established theory, to quantify the methodological variation in characterizing risk using carnivore–ungulate systems as a case study. Via this process, we documented 244 metrics of risk from 141 studies falling into at least 13 distinct subcategories within three broader categories.
4. Both empirical and theoretical work suggest risk and its effects on prey constitute a complex, multi-dimensional process with expressions varying by spatiotemporal scale. Our survey suggests this multi-scale complexity is reflected in the literature as a whole but often underappreciated in any given study, which complicates comparability among studies and leads to an overemphasis on documenting the presence of risk effects rather than their mechanisms or scale of influence.
5. We suggest risk metrics be placed in a more concrete conceptual framework to clarify inference surrounding risk effects and their cascading effects throughout ecosystems. We recommend studies (i) take a multi-scale approach to characterizing risk; (ii) explicitly consider ‘true’ predation risk (probability of predation per unit time); and (iii) use risk metrics that facilitate comparison among studies and the evaluation of multiple competing hypotheses. Addressing the pressing questions in risk effects research, including how, to what extent and on what scale they occur, requires leveraging the advantages of the many methods available to characterize risk while minimizing the confusion caused by variability in their application.
2. Risk effects research has experienced rapid growth in the last several decades. However, preliminary assessments of the resultant literature suggest that researchers characterize predation risk using a variety of techniques. The implications of this methodological variation for inference and comparability among studies have not been well recognized or formally synthesized.
3. We couple a literature survey with a hierarchical framework, developed from established theory, to quantify the methodological variation in characterizing risk using carnivore–ungulate systems as a case study. Via this process, we documented 244 metrics of risk from 141 studies falling into at least 13 distinct subcategories within three broader categories.
4. Both empirical and theoretical work suggest risk and its effects on prey constitute a complex, multi-dimensional process with expressions varying by spatiotemporal scale. Our survey suggests this multi-scale complexity is reflected in the literature as a whole but often underappreciated in any given study, which complicates comparability among studies and leads to an overemphasis on documenting the presence of risk effects rather than their mechanisms or scale of influence.
5. We suggest risk metrics be placed in a more concrete conceptual framework to clarify inference surrounding risk effects and their cascading effects throughout ecosystems. We recommend studies (i) take a multi-scale approach to characterizing risk; (ii) explicitly consider ‘true’ predation risk (probability of predation per unit time); and (iii) use risk metrics that facilitate comparison among studies and the evaluation of multiple competing hypotheses. Addressing the pressing questions in risk effects research, including how, to what extent and on what scale they occur, requires leveraging the advantages of the many methods available to characterize risk while minimizing the confusion caused by variability in their application.
2016
Killion AK Moll RJ, Montgomery RA
Hebblewhite., Corresponding Editor: M. (Ed.): 2016.
@online{nokey,
title = {Spatial patterns of African ungulate aggregation reveal complex but limited risk effects from reintroduced carnivores.},
author = {Moll RJ, Killion AK, Montgomery RA, Tambling CJ, Hayward MW.},
editor = {Corresponding Editor: M. Hebblewhite.},
url = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/15-0707.1},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1890/15-0707.1},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-05-09},
abstract = {he 'landscape of fear' model, recently advanced in research on the non-lethal effects of carnivores on ungulates, predicts that prey will exhibit detectable antipredator behavior not only during risky times (i.e., predators in close proximity) but also in risky places (i.e., habitat where predators kill prey or tend to occur). Aggregation is an important antipredator response in numerous ungulate species, making it a useful metric to evaluate the strength and scope of the landscape of fear in a multi-carnivore, multi-ungulate system. We conducted ungulate surveys over a two-year period in South Africa to test the influence of three broad-scale sources of variation in the landscape on spatial patterns in aggregation: 1) habitat structure, 2) where carnivores tended to occur (i.e., population-level utilization distributions) and 3) where carnivores tended to kill ungulate prey (i.e., probabilistic kill site maps). We analyzed spatial variation in aggregation for six ungulate species exposed to predation from recently reintroduced lion (Panthera leo) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Although we did detect larger aggregations of ungulates in 'risky places', these effects existed primarily for smaller-bodied (<150kg) ungulates and were relatively moderate (change of less than or equal to 4 individuals across all habitats). In comparison, ungulate aggregations tended to increase at a slightly lower rate in habitat that was more open. Lion, an ambush (stalking) carnivore, had stronger influence on ungulate aggregation than hyena, an active (coursing) carnivore. In addition, places where lions tended to kill prey more strongly affected ungulate aggregation than places where lions tended to occur, but an opposing pattern existed for hyena. Our study reveals heterogeneity in the landscape of fear and suggests broad-scale risk effects following carnivore reintroduction only moderately influence ungulate aggregation size and vary considerably by predator hunting mode, type of predation risk, and prey species. Read More: http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/15-0707.1
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {online}
}
he 'landscape of fear' model, recently advanced in research on the non-lethal effects of carnivores on ungulates, predicts that prey will exhibit detectable antipredator behavior not only during risky times (i.e., predators in close proximity) but also in risky places (i.e., habitat where predators kill prey or tend to occur). Aggregation is an important antipredator response in numerous ungulate species, making it a useful metric to evaluate the strength and scope of the landscape of fear in a multi-carnivore, multi-ungulate system. We conducted ungulate surveys over a two-year period in South Africa to test the influence of three broad-scale sources of variation in the landscape on spatial patterns in aggregation: 1) habitat structure, 2) where carnivores tended to occur (i.e., population-level utilization distributions) and 3) where carnivores tended to kill ungulate prey (i.e., probabilistic kill site maps). We analyzed spatial variation in aggregation for six ungulate species exposed to predation from recently reintroduced lion (Panthera leo) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Although we did detect larger aggregations of ungulates in 'risky places', these effects existed primarily for smaller-bodied (<150kg) ungulates and were relatively moderate (change of less than or equal to 4 individuals across all habitats). In comparison, ungulate aggregations tended to increase at a slightly lower rate in habitat that was more open. Lion, an ambush (stalking) carnivore, had stronger influence on ungulate aggregation than hyena, an active (coursing) carnivore. In addition, places where lions tended to kill prey more strongly affected ungulate aggregation than places where lions tended to occur, but an opposing pattern existed for hyena. Our study reveals heterogeneity in the landscape of fear and suggests broad-scale risk effects following carnivore reintroduction only moderately influence ungulate aggregation size and vary considerably by predator hunting mode, type of predation risk, and prey species. Read More: http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/15-0707.1
Moll, Remington J.; Steel, Daniel; Montgomery, Robert A.
AIC and the challenge of complexity: A case study from ecology Journal Article
In: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, vol. 60, pp. 35–43, 2016, ISSN: 13698486.
@article{Moll2016b,
title = {AIC and the challenge of complexity: A case study from ecology},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Daniel Steel and Robert A. Montgomery},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2016.09.007},
doi = {10.1016/j.shpsc.2016.09.007},
issn = {13698486},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
urldate = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences},
volume = {60},
pages = {35–43},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {Philosophers and scientists alike have suggested Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), and other similar model selection methods, show predictive accuracy justifies a preference for simplicity in model selection. This epistemic justification of simplicity is limited by an assumption of AIC which requires that the same probability distribution must generate the data used to fit the model and the data about which predictions are made. This limitation has been previously noted but appears to often go unnoticed by philosophers and scientists and has not been analyzed in relation to complexity. If predictions are about future observations, we argue that this assumption is unlikely to hold for models of complex phenomena. That in turn creates a practical limitation for simplicity's AIC-based justification because scientists modeling such phenomena are often interested in predicting the future. We support our argument with an ecological case study concerning the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A. We suggest that AIC might still lend epistemic support for simplicity by leading to better explanations of complex phenomena.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Philosophers and scientists alike have suggested Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), and other similar model selection methods, show predictive accuracy justifies a preference for simplicity in model selection. This epistemic justification of simplicity is limited by an assumption of AIC which requires that the same probability distribution must generate the data used to fit the model and the data about which predictions are made. This limitation has been previously noted but appears to often go unnoticed by philosophers and scientists and has not been analyzed in relation to complexity. If predictions are about future observations, we argue that this assumption is unlikely to hold for models of complex phenomena. That in turn creates a practical limitation for simplicity's AIC-based justification because scientists modeling such phenomena are often interested in predicting the future. We support our argument with an ecological case study concerning the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A. We suggest that AIC might still lend epistemic support for simplicity by leading to better explanations of complex phenomena.
Moll, R. J.; Kilshaw, K.; Montgomery, R. A.; Abade, L.; Campbell, R. D.; Harrington, L. A.; Millspaugh, J. J.; Birks, J. D S; Macdonald, D. W.
Clarifying habitat niche width using broad-scale, hierarchical occupancy models: A case study with a recovering mesocarnivore Journal Article
In: Journal of Zoology, vol. 300, no. 3, pp. 177–185, 2016, ISSN: 14697998.
@article{Moll2016,
title = {Clarifying habitat niche width using broad-scale, hierarchical occupancy models: A case study with a recovering mesocarnivore},
author = {R. J. Moll and K. Kilshaw and R. A. Montgomery and L. Abade and R. D. Campbell and L. A. Harrington and J. J. Millspaugh and J. D S Birks and D. W. Macdonald},
doi = {10.1111/jzo.12369},
issn = {14697998},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Zoology},
volume = {300},
number = {3},
pages = {177–185},
abstract = {A species’ habitat niche width informs its position on the generalist–specialist continuum, which is central to life-history theory and crucial to conservation planning. However, assessments of niche width are often based on local-scale studies or qualitative descriptions rather than broad, quantitative assessments conducted in heterogeneous landscapes. Here, we show how broad-scale, hierarchical occupancy models can clarify a species’ niche width and degree of habitat specialism by evaluating the woodland-specialist classification of the European pine marten Martes martes. We deployed 526 camera-trap stations at 27 sites throughout a vast extent ($sim$50 000 km2) in Scotland and modeled pine marten occupancy as a function of habitat characteristics using a hierarchical Bayesian analysis. Our model was flexible to trap happiness due to baiting at camera traps and accounted for spatial autocorrelation among and imperfect detection at camera-trap stations. We detected a positive association between pine marten occupancy probability and wooded habitats. However, pine marten occupancy probability was also high in numerous non-wooded habitats, including agricultural land, heather and heather grassland, semi-natural grassland and areas near anthropogenic structures. Our study is the first to record high pine marten occupancy in open habitats at broad spatial scales and thereby corroborates recent smaller scale indications that pine martens are more of a habitat generalist than previously thought. Our results guide ongoing conservation efforts by identifying that pine martens are not strict woodland specialists, but rather inhabit a mosaic of habitat types in the landscape. More broadly, our case study exemplifies how coupling hierarchical occupancy models with large-scale experimental designs can clarify a species’ niche width and associated position on the generalist–specialist continuum.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A species’ habitat niche width informs its position on the generalist–specialist continuum, which is central to life-history theory and crucial to conservation planning. However, assessments of niche width are often based on local-scale studies or qualitative descriptions rather than broad, quantitative assessments conducted in heterogeneous landscapes. Here, we show how broad-scale, hierarchical occupancy models can clarify a species’ niche width and degree of habitat specialism by evaluating the woodland-specialist classification of the European pine marten Martes martes. We deployed 526 camera-trap stations at 27 sites throughout a vast extent ($sim$50 000 km2) in Scotland and modeled pine marten occupancy as a function of habitat characteristics using a hierarchical Bayesian analysis. Our model was flexible to trap happiness due to baiting at camera traps and accounted for spatial autocorrelation among and imperfect detection at camera-trap stations. We detected a positive association between pine marten occupancy probability and wooded habitats. However, pine marten occupancy probability was also high in numerous non-wooded habitats, including agricultural land, heather and heather grassland, semi-natural grassland and areas near anthropogenic structures. Our study is the first to record high pine marten occupancy in open habitats at broad spatial scales and thereby corroborates recent smaller scale indications that pine martens are more of a habitat generalist than previously thought. Our results guide ongoing conservation efforts by identifying that pine martens are not strict woodland specialists, but rather inhabit a mosaic of habitat types in the landscape. More broadly, our case study exemplifies how coupling hierarchical occupancy models with large-scale experimental designs can clarify a species’ niche width and associated position on the generalist–specialist continuum.
2009
Moll, Remington J.; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Beringer, Jeff; Sartwell, Joel; Woods, Rami J.; Vercauteren, Kurt C.
Physiological stress response of captive white-tailed deer to video collars Journal Article
In: Journal of Wildlife Management, vol. 73, no. 4, pp. 609–614, 2009, ISSN: 0022-541X.
@article{Moll2009a,
title = {Physiological stress response of captive white-tailed deer to video collars},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Joshua J. Millspaugh and Jeff Beringer and Joel Sartwell and Rami J. Woods and Kurt C. Vercauteren},
url = {http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2193/2008-266},
doi = {10.2193/2008-266},
issn = {0022-541X},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-05-01},
urldate = {2009-05-01},
journal = {Journal of Wildlife Management},
volume = {73},
number = {4},
pages = {609–614},
abstract = {
Animal-borne video and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs) are an advanced form of biotelemetry that combines video with other sensors. As a proxy for physiological stress, we assessed fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) excretion in 7 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fitted with AVED dummy collars; 9 additional deer served as controls. We collected fecal samples over 3 2-week periods: pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment periods. There were no differences in FGMs across time periods (F2,218 = 1.94, P = 0.147) and no difference between FGMs of control and treatment individuals (F1,14 = 0.72, P = 0.411). Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite excretion in AVED-collared deer was indistinguishable from uncollared animals and within the normal, baseline range for this species. Absence of an adrenal response to collaring suggested that AVED collaring does not induce physiological stress in deer.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Animal-borne video and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs) are an advanced form of biotelemetry that combines video with other sensors. As a proxy for physiological stress, we assessed fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) excretion in 7 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fitted with AVED dummy collars; 9 additional deer served as controls. We collected fecal samples over 3 2-week periods: pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment periods. There were no differences in FGMs across time periods (F2,218 = 1.94, P = 0.147) and no difference between FGMs of control and treatment individuals (F1,14 = 0.72, P = 0.411). Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite excretion in AVED-collared deer was indistinguishable from uncollared animals and within the normal, baseline range for this species. Absence of an adrenal response to collaring suggested that AVED collaring does not induce physiological stress in deer.
Moll, Remington J.; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Beringer, Jeff; Sartwell, Joel; He, Zhihai; Eggert, Jay A.; Zhao, Xiwen
A terrestrial animal-borne video system for large mammals Journal Article
In: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, vol. 66, no. 2, pp. 133–139, 2009, ISSN: 01681699.
@article{Moll2009,
title = {A terrestrial animal-borne video system for large mammals},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Joshua J. Millspaugh and Jeff Beringer and Joel Sartwell and Zhihai He and Jay A. Eggert and Xiwen Zhao},
doi = {10.1016/j.compag.2009.01.001},
issn = {01681699},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-05-01},
urldate = {2009-05-01},
journal = {Computers and Electronics in Agriculture},
volume = {66},
number = {2},
pages = {133–139},
abstract = {Animal-borne video and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs) are integrated sensor systems that collect video from the animal's perspective and combine it with data from other sensors, including audio, location, temperature, acceleration, and other data. By placing sensor data within the context of video, AVEDs provide a unique perspective not offered by other methods and facilitate research into animal behavior and foraging tactics, animal energetics, wildlife damage issues, and inter- and intra-specific interactions. Marine AVEDs have outpaced their terrestrial counterparts in technological sophistication and store all data onboard. Terrestrial systems have been transmission-based and thus have been deployed on species that are easily tracked or habituated to humans. We present the first terrestrial, store-onboard AVED developed for large mammals and demonstrate the utility of our AVEDs by quantifying and describing contacts among white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Our system was largely developed from commercially available equipment and included a camera, microcomputer, and a sensor board attached to a neck collar with affixed battery packs. We deployed the system on 2 semi-wild and 2 free-ranging deer. We collected 12.2, 12.3, 30.3, and 41.6 h of video during our deployments; the 2 lowest recording durations were the result of blown fuses in the battery packs. We observed 11 contacts among white-tailed deer during 4 deployments. Contacts comprised a total of 22.8 min (, SE = 0.7). Our AVEDs revealed several behaviors during contacts between individual white-tailed deer, including inspection, avoidance, and grooming. These data are not captured by other techniques (e.g., radio telemetry) and demonstrate the utility of continuous video and other sensors from the animal's perspective. Although AVEDs are a powerful new tool for wildlife research and management, their use should be preceded by careful formulation of research and management objectives.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Animal-borne video and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs) are integrated sensor systems that collect video from the animal's perspective and combine it with data from other sensors, including audio, location, temperature, acceleration, and other data. By placing sensor data within the context of video, AVEDs provide a unique perspective not offered by other methods and facilitate research into animal behavior and foraging tactics, animal energetics, wildlife damage issues, and inter- and intra-specific interactions. Marine AVEDs have outpaced their terrestrial counterparts in technological sophistication and store all data onboard. Terrestrial systems have been transmission-based and thus have been deployed on species that are easily tracked or habituated to humans. We present the first terrestrial, store-onboard AVED developed for large mammals and demonstrate the utility of our AVEDs by quantifying and describing contacts among white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Our system was largely developed from commercially available equipment and included a camera, microcomputer, and a sensor board attached to a neck collar with affixed battery packs. We deployed the system on 2 semi-wild and 2 free-ranging deer. We collected 12.2, 12.3, 30.3, and 41.6 h of video during our deployments; the 2 lowest recording durations were the result of blown fuses in the battery packs. We observed 11 contacts among white-tailed deer during 4 deployments. Contacts comprised a total of 22.8 min (, SE = 0.7). Our AVEDs revealed several behaviors during contacts between individual white-tailed deer, including inspection, avoidance, and grooming. These data are not captured by other techniques (e.g., radio telemetry) and demonstrate the utility of continuous video and other sensors from the animal's perspective. Although AVEDs are a powerful new tool for wildlife research and management, their use should be preceded by careful formulation of research and management objectives.
2008
Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Sartwell, J.; Gitzen, Robert A.; Moll, Remington J.; Beringer, Jeff
A pragmatic view of animal-borne video technology Journal Article
In: Trends in ecology & evolution, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 294–295, 2008, ISSN: 0169-5347.
@article{Millspaugh2008,
title = {A pragmatic view of animal-borne video technology},
author = {Joshua J. Millspaugh and J. Sartwell and Robert A. Gitzen and Remington J. Moll and Jeff Beringer},
url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18440090},
doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2008.01.011},
issn = {0169-5347},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-06-01},
journal = {Trends in ecology & evolution},
volume = {23},
number = {6},
pages = {294–295},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
He, Zhihai; Eggert, Jay; Cheng, Wenye; Zhao, Xiwen; Millspaugh, Joshua; Moll, Remington; Beringer, Jeff; Sartwell, Joel
Energy-aware portable video communication system design for wildlife activity monitoring Journal Article
In: IEEE Circuits and Systems Magazine, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 25–37, 2008.
@article{He2008,
title = {Energy-aware portable video communication system design for wildlife activity monitoring},
author = {Zhihai He and Jay Eggert and Wenye Cheng and Xiwen Zhao and Joshua Millspaugh and Remington Moll and Jeff Beringer and Joel Sartwell},
doi = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4531767},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-01-01},
urldate = {2008-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Circuits and Systems Magazine},
volume = {8},
number = {2},
pages = {25–37},
abstract = {In this paper, we introduce our recent research and development effort on energy-efficient portable video communication system design for wildlife activity monitoring. The capability of seeing what an animal sees in the field is very important for wildlife activity monitoring and research. We design an integrated video and sensor system, called DeerCam and mount it on animals so as to collect important video and sensor data about their activities in the field. From the video and sensor data collected by DeerCam, wildlife researchers will be able to extract a wealth of scientific data for studying the behavior patterns of wildlife species and understanding the dynamic of wildlife systems. We present the system architecture of DeerCam, explain our system design goals, and discuss major design issues. One of the central challenges in DeerCam system design is energy minimization. We present a new approach for energy minimization of portable video devices: power-rate-distortion (P-R-D) analysis and optimization. We discuss various approaches to minimizing the energy consumption of DeerCam, which can be also applied to other portable video devices. Results demonstrate that, by incorporating the third dimension of power consumption into conventional rate-distortion (R-D) analysis, P-R-D analysis gives us one extra dimension of flexibility in resource allocation and energy minimization and allows us to significantly reduce energy consumption.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this paper, we introduce our recent research and development effort on energy-efficient portable video communication system design for wildlife activity monitoring. The capability of seeing what an animal sees in the field is very important for wildlife activity monitoring and research. We design an integrated video and sensor system, called DeerCam and mount it on animals so as to collect important video and sensor data about their activities in the field. From the video and sensor data collected by DeerCam, wildlife researchers will be able to extract a wealth of scientific data for studying the behavior patterns of wildlife species and understanding the dynamic of wildlife systems. We present the system architecture of DeerCam, explain our system design goals, and discuss major design issues. One of the central challenges in DeerCam system design is energy minimization. We present a new approach for energy minimization of portable video devices: power-rate-distortion (P-R-D) analysis and optimization. We discuss various approaches to minimizing the energy consumption of DeerCam, which can be also applied to other portable video devices. Results demonstrate that, by incorporating the third dimension of power consumption into conventional rate-distortion (R-D) analysis, P-R-D analysis gives us one extra dimension of flexibility in resource allocation and energy minimization and allows us to significantly reduce energy consumption.
2007
Moll, Remington J.; Millspaugh, Joshua J; Beringer, Jeff; Sartwell, Joel; He, Zhihai
A new ’view’ of ecology and conservation through animal-borne video systems. Journal Article
In: Trends in Ecology & Evolution, vol. 22, no. 12, pp. 660–8, 2007, ISSN: 0169-5347.
@article{Moll2007,
title = {A new ’view’ of ecology and conservation through animal-borne video systems.},
author = {Remington J. Moll and Joshua J Millspaugh and Jeff Beringer and Joel Sartwell and Zhihai He},
doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2007.09.007},
issn = {0169-5347},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-01-01},
journal = {Trends in Ecology & Evolution},
volume = {22},
number = {12},
pages = {660–8},
abstract = {Over the past three decades, technological advances for monitoring wild animals have expanded the ability of ecologists to study animal behavior and space use. Currently, researchers are deploying animal-borne video and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs), which enable researchers to see what the animal sees in the field. AVEDs record fine-scale movements as well as features of the surrounding environment and thus provide essential context for understanding animal decisions and interactions with other individuals. These fine-scale data are often crucial for understanding potential conservation threats to species of concern. Here, we discuss the development and research potential offered by AVEDs. The benefits of AVEDs are greatest in hypothesis-driven studies that require a fine-scale perspective that other technologies cannot offer.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Over the past three decades, technological advances for monitoring wild animals have expanded the ability of ecologists to study animal behavior and space use. Currently, researchers are deploying animal-borne video and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs), which enable researchers to see what the animal sees in the field. AVEDs record fine-scale movements as well as features of the surrounding environment and thus provide essential context for understanding animal decisions and interactions with other individuals. These fine-scale data are often crucial for understanding potential conservation threats to species of concern. Here, we discuss the development and research potential offered by AVEDs. The benefits of AVEDs are greatest in hypothesis-driven studies that require a fine-scale perspective that other technologies cannot offer.