Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator

S. L. Schooler,N. J. Svoboda,N. L. Fowler,J. L. Belant,S. P. Finnegan

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y

Abstract

Within optimality theory, an animal’s home range can be considered a fitness-driven attempt to obtain resources for survival and reproduction while minimizing costs. We assessed whether brown bears (Ursus arctos) in two island populations maximized resource patches within home ranges (Resource Dispersion Hypothesis [RDH]) or occupied only areas necessary to meet their biological requirements (Temporal Resource Variability Hypothesis [TRVH]) at annual and seasonal scales. We further examined how intrinsic factors (age, reproductive status) affected optimal choices. We found dynamic patterns of space use between populations, with support for RDH and TRVH at both scales. The RDH was likely supported seasonally as a result of bears maximizing space use to obtain a mix of nutritional resources for weight gain. Annually, support for RDH likely reflected changing abundances and distributions of foods within different timber stand classes. TRVH was supported at both scales, with bears minimizing space use when food resources were temporally concentrated. Range sizes and optimal strategies varied among sex and reproductive classes, with males occupying larger ranges, supporting mate seeking behavior and increased metabolic demands of larger body sizes. This work emphasizes the importance of scale when examining animal movement ecology, as optimal behavioral decisions are scale dependent.

Highlights

Within optimality theory, an animal’s home range can be considered a fitness-driven attempt to obtain resources for survival and reproduction while minimizing costs
As neonate ungulates can be an important food for brown bears[52], and bears may scavenge elk carcass remains during hunting seasons, we examined whether utilization distributions (UD) size was affected by seasonal occurrence of female elk using a resource selection function (RSF)[53]
Annual brown bear range sizes were influenced by the temporal availability of resources and their spatial distribution

Summary

Introduction

An animal’s home range can be considered a fitness-driven attempt to obtain resources for survival and reproduction while minimizing costs. We assessed whether brown bears (Ursus arctos) in two island populations maximized resource patches within home ranges (Resource Dispersion Hypothesis [RDH]) or occupied only areas necessary to meet their biological requirements (Temporal Resource Variability Hypothesis [TRVH]) at annual and seasonal scales. The establishment of a home range can be considered a fitness-motivated attempt to obtain the resources necessary for survival and reproduction, while minimizing c osts[5] This behavior falls under the theory of optimality, wherein animals maximize resources within their range (resource maximization) or use the minimum area necessary to meet their energetic requirements (area minimization)[6]. Animal movements and home range sizes decrease during seasons of increased nutritional availability[15] Under both hypotheses, animals may gain advantages by employing an area minimizing strategy when resources are concentrated, or a resource maximization strategy when resources are more widely d istributed[1]

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Conclusion