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The role of human-related risk in breeding site selection by wolves

2016; Elsevier BV; Volume: 201; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.biocon.2016.06.022

1873-2917

Víctor Sazatornil, Alejandro Rodrı́guez, Michael Klaczek, Mohsen Ahmadi, Francisco Álvares, Stephen M. Arthur, Juan Carlos Blanco, Bridget L. Borg, H. Dean Cluff, Yolanda Cortés, Emilio José García, Eli Geffen, Bilal Habib, Yorgos Iliopoulos, Mohammad Kaboli, Miha Krofel, Luís Llaneza, Francesca Marucco, John K. Oakleaf, David K. Person, Hubert Potočnik, Nina Ražen, Helena Rio‐Maior, Håkan Sand, David E. Unger, Petter Wabakken, José Vicente López‐Bao,

Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Large carnivores can be found in different scenarios of cohabitation with humans. Behavioral adaptations to minimize risk from humans are expected to be exacerbated where large carnivores are most vulnerable, such as at breeding sites. Using wolves as a model species, along with data from 26 study areas across the species' worldwide range, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the role of humans in breeding site selection by a large carnivore. Some of the patterns previously observed at the local scale become extrapolatable to the entire species range provided that important sources of variation are taken into account. Generally, wolves minimised the risk of exposure at breeding sites by avoiding human-made structures, selecting shelter from vegetation and avoiding agricultural lands. Our results suggest a scaled hierarchical habitat selection process across selection orders by which wolves compensate higher exposure risk to humans within their territories via a stronger selection at breeding sites. Dissimilar patterns between continents suggest that adaptations to cope with human-associated risks are modulated by the history of coexistence and persecution. Although many large carnivores persisting in human-dominated landscapes do not require large-scale habitat preservation, habitat selection at levels below occupancy and territory should be regarded in management and conservation strategies aiming to preserve these species in such contexts. In this case, we recommend providing shelter from human interference at least in small portions of land in order to fulfill the requirements of the species to locate their breeding sites.