Abstract
In northern Eurasia, large carnivores overlap with semi-domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and moose (Alces alces). In Scandinavia, previous studies have quantified brown bear (Ursus arctos) spring predation on neonates of reindeer (mostly in May) and moose (mostly in June). We explored if habitat selection by brown bears changed following resource pulses and whether these changes are more pronounced on those individuals characterised by higher predatory behaviour. Fifteen brown bears in northern Sweden (2010–2012) were fitted with GPS proximity collars, and 2585 female reindeers were collared with UHF transmitters. Clusters of bear positions were visited to investigate moose and reindeer predation. Bear kill rates and home ranges were calculated to examine bear movements and predatory behaviour. Bear habitat selection was modelled using resource selection functions over four periods (pre-calving, reindeer calving, moose calving, and post-calving). Coefficients of selection for areas closer to different land cover classes across periods were compared, examining the interactions between different degrees of predatory behaviour (i.e., high and low). Bear habitat selection differed throughout the periods and between low and high predatory bears. Differences among individuals’ predatory behaviour are reflected in the selection of habitat types, providing empirical evidence that different levels of specialization in foraging behaviour helps to explain individual variation in bear habitat selection.
Highlights
We have explored if brown bear habitat selection changes following pulses of resources
Bear habitat selection varied throughout the different periods of their annual active season and between low and high predatory bears (Supplementary materials; Figure S1)
Differentiating habitat selection by high and low predatory bears pointed out subtle, seasonal differences
Summary
Large carnivores are partially recovering former ranges across multiple continents [1,2]. The return of large carnivores can provide ecological benefits for many ecosystems, including strengthening ecological functionality [3]. Large carnivore recovery brings along a range of management implications and undesired effects, e.g., depredation of livestock is a major source of human–wildlife conflict [4]. In northern Europe, natural range expansion is ongoing for the grey wolf (Canis lupus), the brown bear (Ursus arctos), the wolverine (Gulo gulo), and the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) [5]. Across a vast area that includes Fennoscandia and the northern latitudes of Russia, large carnivores overlap with the domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus).
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