Response to human-modified landscape of an apex consumer: Sex- and season-related variations in road selection and movement pattern

• DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02603
• Publication Date: 2023-08-12T21:00:27Z
• Authors: Seung-Yun Baek; Aya Shimazaki; Andreas Zedrosser; Tomoko Naganuma; Koji Yamazaki; Shinsuke Koike
• Keywords: Apex (geometry)

The recovery of apex consumers increases the need for coexistence efforts, and it is important to understand how respond human-modified landscapes. Roads can restrict movement gene flow as well increase mortality risk, however, also provide attractive food resources along roadside enhance efficiency consumer. To investigate selectivity (preference/avoidance) patterns an consumer in relation roads, we carried our intergrated step selection analysis GPS data from Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) Ashio-Nikko Mountains, Japan. During reproductive season, adult males preferred areas near all types but further roads during day compared night. Also, displayed slower movements avoided less dense vegetation main faster minor roads. In comparison, females addition, hyperphagia neither sex exhibited any general, farther day. Our results suggest that not only generally perceive a risk may use or travel routes depending on sex, human activity level. minimize bear-human encounters propose management focuses creating habitats with high visibility plant species unattractive bears.