Background:Non-native wild pigs(Sus scrofa)threaten sensitive flora and fauna,cost billions of dollars in economic damage,and pose a significant human–wildlife conflict risk.Despite growing interest in wild pig resea...Background:Non-native wild pigs(Sus scrofa)threaten sensitive flora and fauna,cost billions of dollars in economic damage,and pose a significant human–wildlife conflict risk.Despite growing interest in wild pig research,basic life history information is often lacking throughout their introduced range and particularly in tropical environments.Similar to other large terrestrial mammals,pigs possess the ability to shift their range based on local climatic conditions or resource availability,further complicating management decisions.The objectives of this study were to(i)model the distribution and abundance of wild pigs across two seasons within a single calendar year;(ii)determine the most important environmental variables driving changes in pig distribution and abundance;and(iii)highlight key differences between seasonal models and their potential management implications.These study objectives were achieved using zero-inflated models constructed from abundance data obtained from extensive field surveys and remotely sensed environmental variables.Results:Our models demonstrate a considerable change in distribution and abundance of wild pigs throughout a single calendar year.Rainfall and vegetation height were among the most influential variables for pig distribution during the spring,and distance to adjacent forest and vegetation density were among the most significant for the fall.Further,our seasonal models show that areas of high conservation value may be more vulnerable to threats from wild pigs at certain times throughout the year,which was not captured by more traditional modeling approaches using aggregated data.Conclusions:Our results suggest that(i)wild pigs can considerably shift their range throughout the calendar year,even in tropical environments;(ii)pigs prefer dense forested areas in the presence of either hunting pressure or an abundance of frugivorous plants,but may shift to adjacent areas in the absence of either of these conditions;and(iii)seasonal models provide valuable biological information that would otherwise be missed by common modeling approaches that use aggregated data over many years.These findings highlight the importance of considering biologically relevant time scales that provide key information to better inform management strategies,particularly for species whose ranges include both temperate and tropical environments and thrive in both large continental and small island ecosystems.展开更多
2017年1月—2017年12月在弄岗国家级自然保护区布设119台红外相机,通过对红外相机拍摄的野猪(Sus scrofa)的行为活动进行分析,并采用核密度估计(kernel density estimation)、重叠指数(coefficient of overlap)和相对活动强度指数(relat...2017年1月—2017年12月在弄岗国家级自然保护区布设119台红外相机,通过对红外相机拍摄的野猪(Sus scrofa)的行为活动进行分析,并采用核密度估计(kernel density estimation)、重叠指数(coefficient of overlap)和相对活动强度指数(relative activity intensity index)研究野猪的活动模式和时间分配,以探讨其对喀斯特生境的适应策略。结果表明:野猪的日活动模式呈单峰型,活动峰值出现在16:00—18:00,属于典型的昼行性动物。旱雨季间野猪的日活动重叠指数存在极显著差异(Δ=0.82,P<0.01),旱季上午的活动峰值比雨季提前1 h出现。野猪的日活动主要以觅食(64.6%)和移动(25.1%)为主。不同月份间野猪的相对活动强度指数存在极显著差异(t=9.626,df=11,P<0.01),但旱、雨季间不存在显著差异(Z=-0.321,P=0.748)。旱季野猪的活动时间(17.89±1.70 s)略长于雨季(17.12±1.95 s)。本研究初步掌握了弄岗保护区内的野猪活动模式和时间分配,为后期进一步研究其栖息地选择、种群保护及环境变化对其行为的影响等提供基础数据参考。展开更多
基金supported with a grant from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife(Grant/Award Number:C01290)。
文摘Background:Non-native wild pigs(Sus scrofa)threaten sensitive flora and fauna,cost billions of dollars in economic damage,and pose a significant human–wildlife conflict risk.Despite growing interest in wild pig research,basic life history information is often lacking throughout their introduced range and particularly in tropical environments.Similar to other large terrestrial mammals,pigs possess the ability to shift their range based on local climatic conditions or resource availability,further complicating management decisions.The objectives of this study were to(i)model the distribution and abundance of wild pigs across two seasons within a single calendar year;(ii)determine the most important environmental variables driving changes in pig distribution and abundance;and(iii)highlight key differences between seasonal models and their potential management implications.These study objectives were achieved using zero-inflated models constructed from abundance data obtained from extensive field surveys and remotely sensed environmental variables.Results:Our models demonstrate a considerable change in distribution and abundance of wild pigs throughout a single calendar year.Rainfall and vegetation height were among the most influential variables for pig distribution during the spring,and distance to adjacent forest and vegetation density were among the most significant for the fall.Further,our seasonal models show that areas of high conservation value may be more vulnerable to threats from wild pigs at certain times throughout the year,which was not captured by more traditional modeling approaches using aggregated data.Conclusions:Our results suggest that(i)wild pigs can considerably shift their range throughout the calendar year,even in tropical environments;(ii)pigs prefer dense forested areas in the presence of either hunting pressure or an abundance of frugivorous plants,but may shift to adjacent areas in the absence of either of these conditions;and(iii)seasonal models provide valuable biological information that would otherwise be missed by common modeling approaches that use aggregated data over many years.These findings highlight the importance of considering biologically relevant time scales that provide key information to better inform management strategies,particularly for species whose ranges include both temperate and tropical environments and thrive in both large continental and small island ecosystems.
