摘要: AbstractTemminck's pangolin, Smutsia temminckii (Smuts, 1832), faces conservation threats of poaching and trafficking in Zimbabwe. Using a mixed‐method approach we assessed the ecology, status, and distribution of Temminck's pangolin in Hwange National Park (HNP) over May–December 2021. Seven pangolins were recorded through direct sightings, although camera traps deployed did not detect pangolins. Biotic and abiotic factors including rainfall, air temperature, waterholes, digital elevation model, anthills, and Miombo vegetation influence pangolin distribution. The low pangolin numbers recorded in the study either indicate its shy nature or simply reflect its low densities in HNP. Short‐term surveys are inconclusive for determining key factors influencing the population, ecology, and distribution of shy species such as Temminck's pangolin. Long‐term future monitoring initiatives integrating ground surveys, citizen science data, and scientific methods like environmental DNA metabarcoding will enhance accurate assessment of pangolin population trends and presence inside and outside of protected areas such as HNP.

摘要: AbstractCorcovado National Park (CNP) in Costa Rica is an important destination for ecotourism. However, the effects of increasing human visitation on wildlife needed evaluation and the global COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown provided a scenario to test the effects of tourist activity on wildlife presence and activity. We performed a camera trap survey initiated during the COVID‐19 lockdown and continuing when tourism resumed (Oct 2020–May 2021). We deployed camera traps on walking trails, including those that remained closed to tourists at all times (control) and those open to tourists after the lockdown was lifted (experimental). With an effort of 2312 trap nights, we assessed the photo rates and diel activity patterns of humans, 11 other species of mammals, and two species of birds. Our results suggest that wildlife species were already habituated to tourists in this area, and thus their behavior and activity did not change after the lockdown was lifted.

摘要: AbstractFeral foxes Vulpes vulpes are a major threat to Australian wildlife and assessing the success of control programs requires comparison of abundance before and after control. While camera traps are often used to assess fox activity, estimating abundance is difficult due to the inability to distinguish individuals requiring an “unmarked” methodology. We tested the “simultaneous count method” which requires samples to be independent during the sampling period, that is, 24 h, while allowing lack of independence between sampling periods. This enables repeat detections of animals to estimate abundance. We tested the method on camera data collected over 5 years at Oolambeyan National Park, New South Wales, during a fox control program and conclude that the method has merit. We were able to statistically measure an effect of change in abundance from a median of 57 to 2, however, estimation of detectability was erratic.

摘要: Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) poses a significant threat to both human livelihoods and conservation, particularly for large, potentially dangerous species such as big cats. Here, we provide an overview of community camera trapping (CCT) and the expanded community camera‐trapping plus (CCT+) programs, which are innovative, inclusive approaches that can help reduce conflict and improve coexistence. We illustrate how CCT, through a combination of participatory monitoring and tangible benefits directly linked to wildlife presence, helps create initial changes in attitude and tolerance towards big cats and other wildlife. CCT+ builds on this by introducing additional incentives and disincentives that promote conservation‐friendly behavior change, leading to tangible improvements in coexistence. We explain the approaches, highlight key aspects for practitioners to consider, and discuss the potential to scale these approaches to strengthen human–wildlife coexistence across diverse contexts.

摘要: AbstractOptimal egg size theory predicts females must balance investment per offspring to maximize fitness based on environmental quality. In wetlands, environmental quality can be duration of water and predator presence. Ectotherms using habitats that dry or contain predators are likely under selection to optimize offspring production. We measured reproductive output of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in 30 wetlands in Subarctic Canada, where rapid climate changes are accelerating wetland drying. We predicted wetlands with short hydroperiods would have larger ova, smaller clutch sizes, and larger ovum‐to‐clutch‐sizes than wetlands with long hydroperiods or with fish predators. We found partial support for predictions with larger ova in habitats with short hydroperiods and no fish but no evidence of larger clutch sizes in wetlands with fish. Our study implicates changes to wetland hydroperiod as a source of plasticity affecting one aspect of reproductive effort (ovum size) in an ectotherm but not another (clutch size).

摘要: ABSTRACTUrban development and resulting habitat fragmentation affect species populations and inter‐specific relationships. While urban ecology research often focuses on species distribution and abundance in habitat fragments, less is known about how urban environments affect reproductive success. Here, we show that factors driving songbird nest success in small urban forest patches vary with landscape‐specific edge effects and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) derived vegetation structure. Nest success declined within 30 meters of patch edge, but only in more developed urban landscapes. In addition, nest success increased along two fundamental axes of vegetation structure in urban fragments: overstory density and number of ground‐to‐canopy gaps. Hence, results indicate that forest fragmentation can generate sufficient variation in ecological conditions to create heterogeneity in edge effects and vegetation structure even across the limited urban development gradient. These findings expand to our understanding of fragmentation effects beyond the traditional rural‐developed paradigm.

摘要: AbstractSouthern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) occupy and destroy the nests of the endangered red‐cockaded woodpecker (RCW; Dryobates borealis), yet few studies have assessed habitat use within and outside of forest partitions managed for RCW cavities (“cluster partition”). We estimated flying squirrel densities of 0.23 squirrels/ha (95% CI: 0.21–0.26). Little to no evidence of differences was found between flying squirrel home range sizes nor the relative importance value of mast trees within home ranges (P > 0.05) despite vegetation differences between areas inside and outside of cluster partitions (P ≤ 0.01). The lack of evidence may be due to large nightly movements allowing home ranges to overlap cluster partitions and surrounding hardwood habitats. Future management efforts to reduce flying squirrel and RCW interactions should consider multiple strategies including hardwood reduction near cluster partitions and cavity supplementation.

摘要: ABSTRACTCommunity perceptions influence wildlife‐related management and policy efforts. However, there remains limited research into population‐level social and psychological aspects driving engagement with wildlife and how this shapes support for broader wildlife management approaches. Here we draw on Australian national data to develop a typology of community engagement with wildlife based on cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors, and how they shape support for wildlife management policies. We identified seven groups reflecting different patterns of engagement with wildlife, ranging from Champions to Disengaged. Importantly, respondents who were members of more engaged groups were also more likely to exhibit polarized views toward wildlife management strategies that involve culling or translocating wildlife. Our results suggest that wildlife managers and decision‐makers should not assume that support for wildlife always translates into support for wildlife management or conservation policies. We discuss approaches to communications and conflict management for diverse social groups.

摘要: AbstractBaits are often used to increase wildlife capture rates; however, there has been little work exploring the effect of varying environmental conditions on bait effectiveness. Here we show that environmental food availability influences wildlife detection probability when using food baits. We sampled small mammals in Borneo with live traps baited with fruit before, during and after the rainforest experienced a mast fruiting event, which drastically altered environmental food availability. Compared to sampling before the mast, community‐wide trap success plummeted by 94% during the mast when fruit resources were abundant then increased back 10‐fold the month following peak masting. We conclude that environmental food availability can strongly influence bait effectiveness and thus detectability. Therefore, researchers using food baits should control for background food conditions when sampling. Alternatively, population models need to account for these variations in detection probability. These methodological insights are especially important in ecosystems where resources strongly fluctuate.

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