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Fear of large carnivores amplifies human-caused mortality for mesopredators.
- Source :
-
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2023 May 19; Vol. 380 (6646), pp. 754-758. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 May 18. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- The challenge that large carnivores face in coexisting with humans calls into question their ability to carry out critical ecosystem functions such as mesopredator suppression outside protected areas. In this study, we examined the movements and fates of mesopredators and large carnivores across rural landscapes characterized by substantial human influences. Mesopredators shifted their movements toward areas with twofold-greater human influence in regions occupied by large carnivores, indicating that they perceived humans to be less of a threat. However, rather than shielding mesopredators, human-caused mortality was more than three times higher than large carnivore-caused mortality. Mesopredator suppression by apex predators may thus be amplified, rather than dampened, outside protected areas, because fear of large carnivores drives mesopredators into areas of even greater risk from human super predators.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1095-9203
- Volume :
- 380
- Issue :
- 6646
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Science (New York, N.Y.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37200434
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adf2472