10.5061/DRYAD.3VC108B
Gantchoff, Mariela
Queens College, CUNY
State University of New York
Wang, Guiming
Mississippi State University
Beyer, Dean
State University of New York
Belant, Jerrold
Queens College, CUNY
State University of New York
Data from: Scale-dependent home range optimality for a solitary omnivore
Dryad
dataset
2019
Space use
ursid
carnivore
Holocene
2019-01-04T22:06:23Z
2019-01-04T22:06:23Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4690
44490 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity are fundamental mechanisms structuring
home ranges. Under optimality, an individual should structure their space
use economically to maximize fitness. We evaluated support for three
hypotheses related to range optimality in American black bears (Ursus
americanus), predicting (1) range location on a landscape will correspond
with high vegetation productivity, (2) increasing forest fragmentation
will result in larger ranges, and (3) increasing proportion of forest
and/or mean vegetation productivity will result in smaller ranges. We used
black bear radio telemetry data from Michigan (2009-2015), Missouri
(2010-2016) and Mississippi (2008-2017), USA. Annual space use excluded
winter, and we separated seasonal space use into spring, summer, and fall.
We collected data from 143 bears (80 females, 63 males), resulting in 97
annual and 538 seasonal ranges. We used generalized linear mixed models to
evaluate productivity (estimated through Normalized Difference Vegetation
Index, NDVI) selection, and range size (km2) variation between
individuals. At the annual scale, black bears consistently selected areas
with greater vegetation productivity than the surrounding landscape; yet
selection weakened and was more variable seasonally. Opposite to our
prediction, we found that increasing fragmentation consistently resulted
in smaller ranges; non-forested land covers and forest edges might provide
greater abundance or more diverse foods for bears. Ranges with a greater
proportion of forest were smaller, likely reflecting an increase in food
and cover which could reduce movements, yet there was no support for more
productive ranges also being smaller as expected from an area minimizing
strategy. Black bears displayed a scale-dependent space use strategy: at
larger spatial and temporal scales, productivity acted as the strongest
limiting factor and energy maximizing was the dominant strategy, while an
area minimizing strategy was exhibited seasonally. We revealed consistent,
scale-dependent responses by black bears to environmental conditions,
demonstrating the intrinsic plasticity of this adaptable omnivore.
Black bear home range datasetHome range data from black bears in MI, MO,
and MS (USA) from 2008-2017. Data includes bear ID, range area, state,
season, year, and other environmental variables. For details about the
variables please refer to the manuscript. If more info needed contact M.
Gantchoff.final submission.zip
Mississippi
United States of America
Missouri
North America
Michigan