Data from: Logging-induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf-caribou-moose system

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Description:
Habitat connectivity influences the distribution dynamics of animals. Connectivity can therefore shape trophic interactions, but little empirical evidence is available, especially for large mammals. In forest ecosystems, logging alters functional connectivity among habitat patches, and such activities can affect the spatial game between large herbivores and their predators. We used graph theory to evaluate how harvesting-induced changes in habitat connectivity influence patch choice and residency time of GPS-collared caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and moose (Alces alces) in winter in the boreal forest. We then investigated the predator–prey game by assessing how GPS-collared wolves (Canis lupus) adjusted their movements to changes in landscape properties and in the networks of their prey species. We built prey habitat networks using minimum planar graphs organized around species-specific, highly selected habitat patches (i.e., network nodes). We found that spatial dynamics of large herbivores were influenced not only by the intrinsic quality of habitat patches, but also by the connectivity of those network nodes. Caribou and moose selected nodes that were connected by a high number of links, and moose also spent relatively more time in those nodes. By limiting node accessibility, human disturbances influenced travel decisions. Caribou and moose avoided nodes that were surrounded by a high proportion of cuts and roads, but once within these nodes, moose stayed longer than in other nodes. Caribou selectively moved among nodes with low distance costs, and their residency time increased with distance costs required to reach the nodes. Wolves selected their prey's nodes, where vegetation consumed by caribou and moose was highly abundant. Furthermore, wolves discriminated among those nodes by selecting the most connected ones. In fact, selection by wolves was stronger for their prey's nodes than for the prey's utilization distribution per se, a difference that increased with the level of human disturbance. Considering the difficulty of keeping track of highly mobile prey, predators may benefit by targeting not only their prey's resource patches, but also the most highly connected patches. Matrix quality and connectivity are therefore key elements shaping the predator–prey spatial game in human-altered landscapes because of their impact on the spatial dynamics of the interacting species.

Usage Notes:

Data for compositional analysis of caribou

Data used to characterize the land cover type of node of network for caribou. Used proportions of various land cover types are estimated based on the observed GPS locations. Available proportions of various land cover types are calculated based on the 100% minimum convex polygon.
Compositional_Analysis_Caribou.xlsx

Data for compositional analysis of moose

Data used to characterize the land cover type of node of network for moose. Used proportions of various land cover types are estimated based on the observed GPS locations. Available proportions of various land cover types are calculated based on the 100% minimum convex polygon.
Compositional_Analysis_Moose.xlsx

Graph biological relevance

Data used to model the exponential relationship between the percentage of links in a given network and the percentage of observed inter-patch movements of caribou and moose that occurred between connected nodes for that individual, in a given year (2005-2009) (Figure 3).
Graph_biological_relevance.xls

Data for conditional logistic regression for caribou

Data used to model the relative probability of used an inter-patch movement for caribou in winter as a function of network connectivity and landscape features (Tables 2 and 3). Covariates are provided at observed inter-patch movement and at available inter-patch movement.
Interpatch_Caribou.xls

Data for conditional logistic regression for moose

Data used to model the relative probability of used an inter-patch movement for moose in winter as a function of network connectivity and landscape features (Tables 2 and 3). Covariates are provided at observed inter-patch movement and at available inter-patch movement.
Interpatch_Moose.xls

Data for mixed-effects Cox model for caribou

Data used to model the risk of patch departure for caribou in winter as a function of network connectivity and landscape features (Table 4).
ResidenceTime_Caribou.xls

Data for mixed-effects Cox model for moose

Data used to model the risk of patch departure for moose in winter as a function of network connectivity and landscape features (Table 4).
ResidenceTime_Moose.xlsx

Data for RSF analysis of caribou

Data used to model the relative probability of occurrence of caribou in winter as a function of landscape features (Table 1). Landscape features (various land cover types and variation of elevation within a 50-m radius buffer) are provided at observed GPS locations and at random locations.
RSF_Caribou.xls

Data for RSF analysis of moose

Data used to model the relative probability of occurrence of moose in winter as a function of landscape features (Table 1). Landscape features (various land cover types and variation of elevation within a 50-m radius buffer) are provided at observed GPS locations and at random locations.
RSF_Moose.xls

Data for RSF analysis of wolf

Data used to model the relative probability of occurrence of wolf in winter as a function of features of the networks of its prey (Tables 5 and 6). Network features are provided at observed GPS locations and at random locations.
RSF_Wolf.xls

Data for SSF analysis of wolf

Data used to model the relative probability of making steps for wolf in winter as a function of step length and features of the networks of its prey (Table 7). Covariates are provided at observed steps and at random steps.
SSF_Wolf.xls
Author(s):
Courbin, Nicolas

Courbin, Nicolas

Université Laval
, Fortin, Daniel

Fortin, Daniel

Université Laval
, Dussault, Christian

Dussault, Christian

Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife
, and Courtois, R.

Courtois, R.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife
Source Repository:
Dryad
Publisher(s):
Dryad
Access:
Public
URL:
http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.h65f4
Publication date:
2014-12-09
Keywords:
Alces alces, Canis lupus, spatial game, and Caribou rangifer tarandus
Identifier:
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h65f4

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Citation

APA Citation:
Courbin, N., Fortin, D., Dussault, C., & Courtois, R. (2014). Data from: Logging-induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf-caribou-moose system [Data set]. Dryad. http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.h65f4
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