Conservation behavior is a relatively new interdisciplinary field aimed at investigating how proximate and ultimate aspects of animal can be value in preventing the loss biodiversity. This discipline's usefulness promoting practical conservation-matters subject to debate, with some scientists arguing that importance conservation practice overemphasized. Here, we propose conceptual model identifies key linkages between biology. The simply structured, hierarchical, parsimonious framework will...

The trade-off between the need to obtain new knowledge and use that improve performance is one of most basic trade-offs in nature, optimal usually requires some balance exploratory exploitative behaviors. Researchers many disciplines have been searching for solution this dilemma. Here we present a novel model which exploration strategy itself dynamic varies with time order optimize definite goal, such as acquisition energy, money, or prestige. Our produced four very distinct phases:...

The movement paths of individuals over landscapes are basically represented by sequences points ( x i , y ) occurring at times t . Theoretically, these can be viewed as being generated stochastic processes that in the simplest cases Gaussian random walks on featureless landscapes. Generalizations have been made take place with features, ii correlated distributions velocity and direction each time interval, iii Lévy which distance or waiting-time (time-between steps) infinite moments, iv...

The role of behavioral ecology in improving wildlife conservation and management has been the subject much recent debate. We sought to answer 2 foundational questions about current use knowledge conservation: To what extent is used management, how does animal behavior differ among fields both frequency types use? searched literature for intersections between key created a systematic heat map (i.e., graphical representation data where values are represented as colors) visualize relative...

Summary 1. Carnivore overabundance that results from exploitation of human derived resources can have numerous detrimental effects on local populations and ecological communities. Experimental studies the responses overabundant carnivores to reductions such are necessary understand effectiveness impacts resource reduction. 2. We conducted controlled experiments in two villages which we drastically reduced availability anthropogenic food sources half each village. Spatial numerical...

Abstract Despite their importance to conservation, reintroductions are still a risky endeavor and tend fail, highlighting the need for more efficient post-release monitoring techniques. Reintroduced animals released into unfamiliar novel environments must explore surroundings gain knowledge in order survive. According theory, should be followed by subsequent changes animal’s movement behavior, making behavior an excellent indicator of reintroduction progress. We aim conceptually describe...

We examined the foraging strategies of dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas) at different spatial scales. When in sand dunes Negev desert Israel, fed on a single plant species, madonna lily (Pancratium sickenbergeri). In summer, when all live material is subterranean, dug holes to remove stem and bulb. After winter rains, only tips leaves that had emerged above ground were eaten. search patterns patch choice large scale using both null hypotheses generated by random walk model “rules thumb” may...

Reintroduction is the release of animals into an area where they were extirpated or have significantly declined. Little known about factors that determine success failure ungulate reintroduction. We studied dynamics a reintroduced Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus) population for 10 yr (1983‐1993) following first successful wild. A total 14 adult females and males released nature reserve in Negev Desert southern Israel. Over this 10‐yr span female has grown to only 16 adults. Reproductive was...

Abstract. Question: Bush encroachment (i.e. an increase in density of woody plants often unpalatable to domestic livestock) is a serious problem many savannas and threatens the livelihood pastoralists. Can we derive better understanding factors causing bush by investigating scale dependency patterns processes savannas? Location: An arid savanna Khomas Hochland, Namibia. Methods: Patterns bush, grass, soil nutrient distribution were surveyed on several scales along rainfall gradient, with...

Abstract. Question: Bush encroachment (i.e. an increase in density of woody plants often unpalatable to domestic livestock) is a serious problem many savannas and threatens the livelihood pastoralists. Can we derive better understanding factors causing bush by investigating scale dependency patterns processes savannas? Location: An arid savanna Khomas Hochland, Namibia. Methods: Patterns bush, grass, soil nutrient distribution were surveyed on several scales along rainfall gradient, with...

Abstract Although water availability is known to affect landscape‐scale patterns of wildlife diversity and distribution in arid environments, little about the microhabitat characteristics that shape local‐scale desert bats. We examined relative importance pond for conservation bats, hypothesized bat community composition relate size its hydroperiod (the number months a holds water), term we use distinguish between permanent, semi‐permanent temporary ponds. combined acoustic monitoring with...

Abstract: Anthropogenic habitat perturbation is a major cause of population decline. A standard practice managers use to protect populations leave portions natural intact. We describe case study in which, despite the this practice, critically endangered lizard Acanthodactylus beershebensis was locally extirpated from both manipulated and patches within mosaic landscape an afforestation project. hypothesized that increased structural complexity planted favors avian predator activity makes...

Anthropogenically induced fragmentation constitutes a major threat to biodiversity. Presently, conservation research and actions focus predominantly on caused directly by physical transformation of the landscape (e.g. deforestation, agriculture, urbanization, roads, etc.). While there is no doubt that features play key role in fragmenting populations or enhancing connectivity, may also come about processes other than which not be readily visible. Such landscape-independent (LIF) usually...

In social ungulates, the proportion of time devoted to vigilance is a function group size (known as effect). We studied how varying levels human disturbance influence this in mountain gazelle ( Gazella gazella ) along southern coastal plain Israel. Based on current theory, we predicted that changes slope should be associated with average size. heavily disturbed areas, individual increased bigger groups, causing vs. curve flatten, i.e., was high all sizes. Consequently, and accordance found...

Abstract: Because most reintroduced species are rare, data on their dynamics scarce. Consequently, reintroduction programs often rely from other or captive populations to project the performance of population in wild. We compared reproductive success and survival a Persian fallow deer ( Dama mesopotamica ) Israel over first 5 years with reproduction parameters estimated while planning reintroduction. In addition, we actual growth wild originally projected by computer model original program....