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This project examined the hypothesis that some of the now dominant and problematic non-native invasive annuals are able to spread into the areas between the shrubs by employing population strategies that sharply contrast with those of native species. This greatly increases the fuel load in the matrix, which has historically produced a natural firebreak between shrubs. Our particular aims were to: (1) gain an understanding of the landscape-scale population dynamics of fire promoting and fire retarding plant species; (2) test the hypothesis that once fire becomes important, naturally formed islands of fertility will break down and a negative feedback will enhance fire even further; (3) apply the results to aid management practices that will help restore the original environmental pattern of islands of fertility in a low-nutrient matrix and therefore prevent future wildfires; and (4) understand the effects of non-native invasive plant species on fire regimes. The results derived from this project s experimental and simulation modeling approaches facilitate a better understanding of the association between annual plants and desert shrubs with respect to key interactions and the development of spatial pattern that may influence fire risk. It also provides insights into the different role the exotic species Schismus arabicus plays in fire spread within the Mojave and Sonora Desert sites. This understanding is a first step in characterizing the interaction of fire and soil disturbance in changing the likelihood of future fire occurrences through the direct influence on the creosote shrub plant community.

This project examined the hypothesis that some of the now dominant and problematic non-native invasive annuals are able to spread into the areas between the shrubs by employing population strategies that sharply contrast with those of native species. This greatly increases the fuel load in the matrix, which has historically produced a natural firebreak between shrubs. Our particular aims were to: (1) gain an understanding of the landscape-scale population dynamics of fire promoting and fire retarding plant species; (2) test the hypothesis that once fire becomes important, naturally formed islands of fertility will break down and a negative feedback will enhance fire even further; (3) apply the results to aid management practices that will help restore the original environmental pattern of islands of fertility in a low-nutrient matrix and therefore prevent future wildfires; and (4) understand the effects of non-native invasive plant species on fire regimes. The results derived from this project s experimental and simulation modeling approaches facilitate a better understanding of the association between annual plants and desert shrubs with respect to key interactions and the development of spatial pattern that may influence fire risk. It also provides insights into the different role the exotic species Schismus arabicus plays in fire spread within the Mojave and Sonora Desert sites. This understanding is a first step in characterizing the interaction of fire and soil disturbance in changing the likelihood of future fire occurrences through the direct influence on the creosote shrub plant community.

This project examined the hypothesis that some of the now dominant and problematic non-native invasive annuals are able to spread into the areas between the shrubs by employing population strategies that sharply contrast with those of native species. This greatly increases the fuel load in the matrix, which has historically produced a natural firebreak between shrubs. Our particular aims were to: (1) gain an understanding of the landscape-scale population dynamics of fire promoting and fire retarding plant species; (2) test the hypothesis that once fire becomes important, naturally formed islands of fertility will break down and a negative feedback will enhance fire even further; (3) apply the results to aid management practices that will help restore the original environmental pattern of islands of fertility in a low-nutrient matrix and therefore prevent future wildfires; and (4) understand the effects of non-native invasive plant species on fire regimes. The results derived from this project s experimental and simulation modeling approaches facilitate a better understanding of the association between annual plants and desert shrubs with respect to key interactions and the development of spatial pattern that may influence fire risk. It also provides insights into the different role the exotic species Schismus arabicus plays in fire spread within the Mojave and Sonora Desert sites. This understanding is a first step in characterizing the interaction of fire and soil disturbance in changing the likelihood of future fire occurrences through the direct influence on the creosote shrub plant community.

This project examined the hypothesis that some of the now dominant and problematic non-native invasive annuals are able to spread into the areas between the shrubs by employing population strategies that sharply contrast with those of native species. This greatly increases the fuel load in the matrix, which has historically produced a natural firebreak between shrubs. Our particular aims were to: (1) gain an understanding of the landscape-scale population dynamics of fire promoting and fire retarding plant species; (2) test the hypothesis that once fire becomes important, naturally formed islands of fertility will break down and a negative feedback will enhance fire even further; (3) apply the results to aid management practices that will help restore the original environmental pattern of islands of fertility in a low-nutrient matrix and therefore prevent future wildfires; and (4) understand the effects of non-native invasive plant species on fire regimes. The results derived from this project s experimental and simulation modeling approaches facilitate a better understanding of the association between annual plants and desert shrubs with respect to key interactions and the development of spatial pattern that may influence fire risk. It also provides insights into the different role the exotic species Schismus arabicus plays in fire spread within the Mojave and Sonora Desert sites. This understanding is a first step in characterizing the interaction of fire and soil disturbance in changing the likelihood of future fire occurrences through the direct influence on the creosote shrub plant community.

This project examined the hypothesis that some of the now dominant and problematic non-native invasive annuals are able to spread into the areas between the shrubs by employing population strategies that sharply contrast with those of native species. This greatly increases the fuel load in the matrix, which has historically produced a natural firebreak between shrubs. Our particular aims were to: (1) gain an understanding of the landscape-scale population dynamics of fire promoting and fire retarding plant species; (2) test the hypothesis that once fire becomes important, naturally formed islands of fertility will break down and a negative feedback will enhance fire even further; (3) apply the results to aid management practices that will help restore the original environmental pattern of islands of fertility in a low-nutrient matrix and therefore prevent future wildfires; and (4) understand the effects of non-native invasive plant species on fire regimes. The results derived from this project s experimental and simulation modeling approaches facilitate a better understanding of the association between annual plants and desert shrubs with respect to key interactions and the development of spatial pattern that may influence fire risk. It also provides insights into the different role the exotic species Schismus arabicus plays in fire spread within the Mojave and Sonora Desert sites. This understanding is a first step in characterizing the interaction of fire and soil disturbance in changing the likelihood of future fire occurrences through the direct influence on the creosote shrub plant community.

This project examined the hypothesis that some of the now dominant and problematic non-native invasive annuals are able to spread into the areas between the shrubs by employing population strategies that sharply contrast with those of native species. This greatly increases the fuel load in the matrix, which has historically produced a natural firebreak between shrubs. Our particular aims were to: (1) gain an understanding of the landscape-scale population dynamics of fire promoting and fire retarding plant species; (2) test the hypothesis that once fire becomes important, naturally formed islands of fertility will break down and a negative feedback will enhance fire even further; (3) apply the results to aid management practices that will help restore the original environmental pattern of islands of fertility in a low-nutrient matrix and therefore prevent future wildfires; and (4) understand the effects of non-native invasive plant species on fire regimes. The results derived from this project s experimental and simulation modeling approaches facilitate a better understanding of the association between annual plants and desert shrubs with respect to key interactions and the development of spatial pattern that may influence fire risk. It also provides insights into the different role the exotic species Schismus arabicus plays in fire spread within the Mojave and Sonora Desert sites. This understanding is a first step in characterizing the interaction of fire and soil disturbance in changing the likelihood of future fire occurrences through the direct influence on the creosote shrub plant community.

Essentials of Landscape Ecology 1st Edition Kimberly A. With

This article is from Parasites & Vectors , volume 7 . Abstract Background: In this paper, the hazard and exposure concepts from risk assessment are applied in an innovative approach to understand zoonotic disease risk. Hazard is here related to the landscape ecology determining where the hosts, vectors and pathogens are and, exposure is defined as the attractiveness and accessibility to hazardous areas. Tick-borne encephalitis in Sweden was used as a case study. Methods: Three boosted regression tree models are compared: a hazard model, an exposure model and a global model which combines the two approaches. Results: The global model offers the best predictive power and the most accurate modelling. The highest probabilities were found in easy-to-reach places with high landscape diversity, holiday houses, waterbodies and, well-connected forests of oak, birch or pine, with open-area in their ecotones, a complex shape, numerous clear-cuts and, a variation in tree height. Conclusion: While conditions for access and use of hazardous areas are quite specific to Scandinavia, this study offers promising perspectives to improve our understanding of the distribution of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases in diverse contexts.

This article is from Parasites & Vectors , volume 7 . Abstract Background: In this paper, the hazard and exposure concepts from risk assessment are applied in an innovative approach to understand zoonotic disease risk. Hazard is here related to the landscape ecology determining where the hosts, vectors and pathogens are and, exposure is defined as the attractiveness and accessibility to hazardous areas. Tick-borne encephalitis in Sweden was used as a case study. Methods: Three boosted regression tree models are compared: a hazard model, an exposure model and a global model which combines the two approaches. Results: The global model offers the best predictive power and the most accurate modelling. The highest probabilities were found in easy-to-reach places with high landscape diversity, holiday houses, waterbodies and, well-connected forests of oak, birch or pine, with open-area in their ecotones, a complex shape, numerous clear-cuts and, a variation in tree height. Conclusion: While conditions for access and use of hazardous areas are quite specific to Scandinavia, this study offers promising perspectives to improve our understanding of the distribution of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases in diverse contexts.

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 03 of 18: Cultural Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/02-CUL1.PDF

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 03 of 18: Cultural Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/02-CUL1.PDF

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 03 of 18: Cultural Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/02-CUL1.PDF

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 03 of 18: Cultural Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/02-CUL1.PDF

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 03 of 18: Cultural Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/02-CUL1.PDF

This article is from PeerJ , volume 2 . Abstract Pollinator decline has been linked to landscape change, through both habitat fragmentation and the loss of habitat suitable for the pollinators to live within. One method for exploring why landscape change should affect pollinator populations is to combine individual-level behavioural ecological techniques with larger-scale landscape ecology. A modelling framework is described that uses spatially-explicit individual-based models to explore the effects of individual behavioural rules within a landscape. The technique described gives a simple method for exploring the effects of the removal of wild corridors, and the creation of wild set-aside fields: interventions that are common to many national agricultural policies. The effects of these manipulations on central-place nesting pollinators are varied, and depend upon the behavioural rules that the pollinators are using to move through the environment. The value of this modelling framework is discussed, and future directions for exploration are identified.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Understanding the Landscape Episode 03 of 18: Cultural Ecology Study Guide for This Episode View Other Episodes: Episode 01 | Episode 02 | Episode 03 | Episode 04 | Episode 05 | Episode 06 | Episode 07 | Episode 08 | Episode 09 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17 | Episode 18 |

This article is from Evolutionary Applications , volume 6 . Abstract Cancer is now understood to be a process that follows Darwinian evolution. Heterogeneous populations of cancerous cells that make up the tumor inhabit the tissue ‘microenvironment’, where ecological interactions analogous to predation and competition for resources drive the somatic evolution of cancer. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the tumor genesis, development, and metastasis processes, as it creates the microenvironmental selection forces that ultimately determine the cellular characteristics that result in the greatest fitness. Here, we explore and offer new insights into the spatial aspects of tumor–microenvironment interactions through the application of landscape ecology theory to tumor growth and metastasis within the tissue microhabitat. We argue that small tissue microhabitats in combination with the spatial distribution of resources within these habitats could be important selective forces driving tumor invasiveness. We also contend that the compositional and configurational heterogeneity of components in the tissue microhabitat do not only influence resource availability and functional connectivity but also play a crucial role in facilitating metastasis and may serve to explain, at least in part, tissue tropism in certain cancers. This novel work provides a compelling argument for the necessity of taking into account the structure of the tissue microhabitat when investigating tumor progression.

This article is from Evolutionary Applications , volume 6 . Abstract Cancer is now understood to be a process that follows Darwinian evolution. Heterogeneous populations of cancerous cells that make up the tumor inhabit the tissue ‘microenvironment’, where ecological interactions analogous to predation and competition for resources drive the somatic evolution of cancer. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the tumor genesis, development, and metastasis processes, as it creates the microenvironmental selection forces that ultimately determine the cellular characteristics that result in the greatest fitness. Here, we explore and offer new insights into the spatial aspects of tumor–microenvironment interactions through the application of landscape ecology theory to tumor growth and metastasis within the tissue microhabitat. We argue that small tissue microhabitats in combination with the spatial distribution of resources within these habitats could be important selective forces driving tumor invasiveness. We also contend that the compositional and configurational heterogeneity of components in the tissue microhabitat do not only influence resource availability and functional connectivity but also play a crucial role in facilitating metastasis and may serve to explain, at least in part, tissue tropism in certain cancers. This novel work provides a compelling argument for the necessity of taking into account the structure of the tissue microhabitat when investigating tumor progression.

This article is from Evolutionary Applications , volume 6 . Abstract Cancer is now understood to be a process that follows Darwinian evolution. Heterogeneous populations of cancerous cells that make up the tumor inhabit the tissue ‘microenvironment’, where ecological interactions analogous to predation and competition for resources drive the somatic evolution of cancer. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the tumor genesis, development, and metastasis processes, as it creates the microenvironmental selection forces that ultimately determine the cellular characteristics that result in the greatest fitness. Here, we explore and offer new insights into the spatial aspects of tumor–microenvironment interactions through the application of landscape ecology theory to tumor growth and metastasis within the tissue microhabitat. We argue that small tissue microhabitats in combination with the spatial distribution of resources within these habitats could be important selective forces driving tumor invasiveness. We also contend that the compositional and configurational heterogeneity of components in the tissue microhabitat do not only influence resource availability and functional connectivity but also play a crucial role in facilitating metastasis and may serve to explain, at least in part, tissue tropism in certain cancers. This novel work provides a compelling argument for the necessity of taking into account the structure of the tissue microhabitat when investigating tumor progression.

This article is from Evolutionary Applications , volume 6 . Abstract Cancer is now understood to be a process that follows Darwinian evolution. Heterogeneous populations of cancerous cells that make up the tumor inhabit the tissue ‘microenvironment’, where ecological interactions analogous to predation and competition for resources drive the somatic evolution of cancer. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the tumor genesis, development, and metastasis processes, as it creates the microenvironmental selection forces that ultimately determine the cellular characteristics that result in the greatest fitness. Here, we explore and offer new insights into the spatial aspects of tumor–microenvironment interactions through the application of landscape ecology theory to tumor growth and metastasis within the tissue microhabitat. We argue that small tissue microhabitats in combination with the spatial distribution of resources within these habitats could be important selective forces driving tumor invasiveness. We also contend that the compositional and configurational heterogeneity of components in the tissue microhabitat do not only influence resource availability and functional connectivity but also play a crucial role in facilitating metastasis and may serve to explain, at least in part, tissue tropism in certain cancers. This novel work provides a compelling argument for the necessity of taking into account the structure of the tissue microhabitat when investigating tumor progression.

This article is from Evolutionary Applications , volume 6 . Abstract Cancer is now understood to be a process that follows Darwinian evolution. Heterogeneous populations of cancerous cells that make up the tumor inhabit the tissue ‘microenvironment’, where ecological interactions analogous to predation and competition for resources drive the somatic evolution of cancer. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the tumor genesis, development, and metastasis processes, as it creates the microenvironmental selection forces that ultimately determine the cellular characteristics that result in the greatest fitness. Here, we explore and offer new insights into the spatial aspects of tumor–microenvironment interactions through the application of landscape ecology theory to tumor growth and metastasis within the tissue microhabitat. We argue that small tissue microhabitats in combination with the spatial distribution of resources within these habitats could be important selective forces driving tumor invasiveness. We also contend that the compositional and configurational heterogeneity of components in the tissue microhabitat do not only influence resource availability and functional connectivity but also play a crucial role in facilitating metastasis and may serve to explain, at least in part, tissue tropism in certain cancers. This novel work provides a compelling argument for the necessity of taking into account the structure of the tissue microhabitat when investigating tumor progression.

The objectives of this study are to investigate for shrubland birds: 1) habitat associations on the wintering grounds, 2) climate influences on wintering distributions, and 3) breeding-wintering ground connectivity using stable isotopes. The Annual Report is a summary of the data collected during the first field season of winter 2005/06 and therefore, all results reported in this document should be viewed as preliminary. This study was conducted on eight DoD installations: Barry M. Goldwater Range - East, Edwards Air Force Base, Fort Bliss, Fort Irwin, Fort Huachuca, Naval Weapons Center China Lake - North Range, White Sands Missile Range, and Yuma Proving Grounds. We delineated the study boundary according to wintering shrubland species distributions, derived from long-term Christmas Bird Count data (delivered to DoD Legacy in 2005), which overlapped with five TNC ecoregions (Fig. 1).

The objectives of this study are to investigate for shrubland birds: 1) habitat associations on the wintering grounds, 2) climate influences on wintering distributions, and 3) breeding-wintering ground connectivity using stable isotopes. The Annual Report is a summary of the data collected during the first field season of winter 2005/06 and therefore, all results reported in this document should be viewed as preliminary. This study was conducted on eight DoD installations: Barry M. Goldwater Range - East, Edwards Air Force Base, Fort Bliss, Fort Irwin, Fort Huachuca, Naval Weapons Center China Lake - North Range, White Sands Missile Range, and Yuma Proving Grounds. We delineated the study boundary according to wintering shrubland species distributions, derived from long-term Christmas Bird Count data (delivered to DoD Legacy in 2005), which overlapped with five TNC ecoregions (Fig. 1).

The objectives of this study are to investigate for shrubland birds: 1) habitat associations on the wintering grounds, 2) climate influences on wintering distributions, and 3) breeding-wintering ground connectivity using stable isotopes. The Annual Report is a summary of the data collected during the first field season of winter 2005/06 and therefore, all results reported in this document should be viewed as preliminary. This study was conducted on eight DoD installations: Barry M. Goldwater Range - East, Edwards Air Force Base, Fort Bliss, Fort Irwin, Fort Huachuca, Naval Weapons Center China Lake - North Range, White Sands Missile Range, and Yuma Proving Grounds. We delineated the study boundary according to wintering shrubland species distributions, derived from long-term Christmas Bird Count data (delivered to DoD Legacy in 2005), which overlapped with five TNC ecoregions (Fig. 1).

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/12-DIS1.PDF

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/12-DIS1.PDF

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/12-DIS1.PDF

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Understanding Landscape, Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology - Study Guide: http://www.archive.org/download/gov.usda.nrcs.landscape.pdfdocs/12-DIS1.PDF

Produced by the Guilford Conservation Commission.

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Presented by Washington State University professor of wildlife ecology and Large Carnivore Lab director Dr. Rob Wielgus at the 2012 International Conference of the Wildlife Society. "This presentation offers 15 years of research in 15 minutes," says Dr. Wielgus.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract The landscape ecology of predation is well studied and known to be influenced by habitat heterogeneity. Little attention has been given to how the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the landscape ecology of predation might be modulated by life history dynamics of prey in mammalian systems. We demonstrate how life history dynamics of moose (Alces alces) contribute to landscape patterns in predation by wolves (Canis lupus) in Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, USA. We use pattern analysis and kernel density estimates of moose kill sites to demonstrate that moose in senescent condition and moose in prime condition tend to be wolf-killed in different regions of Isle Royale in winter. Predation on senescent moose was clustered in one kill zone in the northeast portion of the island, whereas predation on prime moose was clustered in 13 separate kill zones distributed throughout the full extent of the island. Moreover, the probability of kill occurrence for senescent moose, in comparison to prime moose, increased in high elevation habitat with patches of dense coniferous trees. These differences can be attributed, at least in part, to senescent moose being more vulnerable to predation and making different risk-sensitive habitat decisions than prime moose. Landscape patterns emerging from prey life history dynamics and habitat heterogeneity have been observed in the predation ecology of fish and insects, but this is the first mammalian system for which such observations have been made.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract The landscape ecology of predation is well studied and known to be influenced by habitat heterogeneity. Little attention has been given to how the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the landscape ecology of predation might be modulated by life history dynamics of prey in mammalian systems. We demonstrate how life history dynamics of moose (Alces alces) contribute to landscape patterns in predation by wolves (Canis lupus) in Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, USA. We use pattern analysis and kernel density estimates of moose kill sites to demonstrate that moose in senescent condition and moose in prime condition tend to be wolf-killed in different regions of Isle Royale in winter. Predation on senescent moose was clustered in one kill zone in the northeast portion of the island, whereas predation on prime moose was clustered in 13 separate kill zones distributed throughout the full extent of the island. Moreover, the probability of kill occurrence for senescent moose, in comparison to prime moose, increased in high elevation habitat with patches of dense coniferous trees. These differences can be attributed, at least in part, to senescent moose being more vulnerable to predation and making different risk-sensitive habitat decisions than prime moose. Landscape patterns emerging from prey life history dynamics and habitat heterogeneity have been observed in the predation ecology of fish and insects, but this is the first mammalian system for which such observations have been made.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract The landscape ecology of predation is well studied and known to be influenced by habitat heterogeneity. Little attention has been given to how the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the landscape ecology of predation might be modulated by life history dynamics of prey in mammalian systems. We demonstrate how life history dynamics of moose (Alces alces) contribute to landscape patterns in predation by wolves (Canis lupus) in Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, USA. We use pattern analysis and kernel density estimates of moose kill sites to demonstrate that moose in senescent condition and moose in prime condition tend to be wolf-killed in different regions of Isle Royale in winter. Predation on senescent moose was clustered in one kill zone in the northeast portion of the island, whereas predation on prime moose was clustered in 13 separate kill zones distributed throughout the full extent of the island. Moreover, the probability of kill occurrence for senescent moose, in comparison to prime moose, increased in high elevation habitat with patches of dense coniferous trees. These differences can be attributed, at least in part, to senescent moose being more vulnerable to predation and making different risk-sensitive habitat decisions than prime moose. Landscape patterns emerging from prey life history dynamics and habitat heterogeneity have been observed in the predation ecology of fish and insects, but this is the first mammalian system for which such observations have been made.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract The landscape ecology of predation is well studied and known to be influenced by habitat heterogeneity. Little attention has been given to how the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the landscape ecology of predation might be modulated by life history dynamics of prey in mammalian systems. We demonstrate how life history dynamics of moose (Alces alces) contribute to landscape patterns in predation by wolves (Canis lupus) in Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, USA. We use pattern analysis and kernel density estimates of moose kill sites to demonstrate that moose in senescent condition and moose in prime condition tend to be wolf-killed in different regions of Isle Royale in winter. Predation on senescent moose was clustered in one kill zone in the northeast portion of the island, whereas predation on prime moose was clustered in 13 separate kill zones distributed throughout the full extent of the island. Moreover, the probability of kill occurrence for senescent moose, in comparison to prime moose, increased in high elevation habitat with patches of dense coniferous trees. These differences can be attributed, at least in part, to senescent moose being more vulnerable to predation and making different risk-sensitive habitat decisions than prime moose. Landscape patterns emerging from prey life history dynamics and habitat heterogeneity have been observed in the predation ecology of fish and insects, but this is the first mammalian system for which such observations have been made.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract The landscape ecology of predation is well studied and known to be influenced by habitat heterogeneity. Little attention has been given to how the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the landscape ecology of predation might be modulated by life history dynamics of prey in mammalian systems. We demonstrate how life history dynamics of moose (Alces alces) contribute to landscape patterns in predation by wolves (Canis lupus) in Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, USA. We use pattern analysis and kernel density estimates of moose kill sites to demonstrate that moose in senescent condition and moose in prime condition tend to be wolf-killed in different regions of Isle Royale in winter. Predation on senescent moose was clustered in one kill zone in the northeast portion of the island, whereas predation on prime moose was clustered in 13 separate kill zones distributed throughout the full extent of the island. Moreover, the probability of kill occurrence for senescent moose, in comparison to prime moose, increased in high elevation habitat with patches of dense coniferous trees. These differences can be attributed, at least in part, to senescent moose being more vulnerable to predation and making different risk-sensitive habitat decisions than prime moose. Landscape patterns emerging from prey life history dynamics and habitat heterogeneity have been observed in the predation ecology of fish and insects, but this is the first mammalian system for which such observations have been made.

This article is from PLoS ONE , volume 9 . Abstract The landscape ecology of predation is well studied and known to be influenced by habitat heterogeneity. Little attention has been given to how the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the landscape ecology of predation might be modulated by life history dynamics of prey in mammalian systems. We demonstrate how life history dynamics of moose (Alces alces) contribute to landscape patterns in predation by wolves (Canis lupus) in Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, USA. We use pattern analysis and kernel density estimates of moose kill sites to demonstrate that moose in senescent condition and moose in prime condition tend to be wolf-killed in different regions of Isle Royale in winter. Predation on senescent moose was clustered in one kill zone in the northeast portion of the island, whereas predation on prime moose was clustered in 13 separate kill zones distributed throughout the full extent of the island. Moreover, the probability of kill occurrence for senescent moose, in comparison to prime moose, increased in high elevation habitat with patches of dense coniferous trees. These differences can be attributed, at least in part, to senescent moose being more vulnerable to predation and making different risk-sensitive habitat decisions than prime moose. Landscape patterns emerging from prey life history dynamics and habitat heterogeneity have been observed in the predation ecology of fish and insects, but this is the first mammalian system for which such observations have been made.

Landscape ecology method and theory

Landscape ecology method and theory

Landscape ecology method and theory

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Understanding the Landscape Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology Study Guide for This Episode View Other Episodes: Episode 01 | Episode 02 | Episode 03 | Episode 04 | Episode 05 | Episode 06 | Episode 07 | Episode 08 | Episode 09 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17 | Episode 18 |

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Understanding the Landscape Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology Study Guide for This Episode View Other Episodes: Episode 01 | Episode 02 | Episode 03 | Episode 04 | Episode 05 | Episode 06 | Episode 07 | Episode 08 | Episode 09 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17 | Episode 18 |

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Understanding the Landscape Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology Study Guide for This Episode View Other Episodes: Episode 01 | Episode 02 | Episode 03 | Episode 04 | Episode 05 | Episode 06 | Episode 07 | Episode 08 | Episode 09 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17 | Episode 18 |

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Understanding the Landscape Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology Study Guide for This Episode View Other Episodes: Episode 01 | Episode 02 | Episode 03 | Episode 04 | Episode 05 | Episode 06 | Episode 07 | Episode 08 | Episode 09 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17 | Episode 18 |

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Understanding the Landscape Episode 13 of 18: Disturbance Ecology Study Guide for This Episode View Other Episodes: Episode 01 | Episode 02 | Episode 03 | Episode 04 | Episode 05 | Episode 06 | Episode 07 | Episode 08 | Episode 09 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17 | Episode 18 |