Fear of large carnivores amplifies human-caused mortality for mesopredators

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Prugh, Laura R.; Cunningham, Calum X.; Windell, Rebecca M.; Kertson, Brian N.; Ganz, Taylor R.; Walker, Savanah L.; Wirsing, Aaron J.
• 署名单位: University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle; Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-13728
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adf2472
• 发表日期: 2023-05-19
• 页码: 754-758
• 关键词: predators; impacts

摘要

The challenge that large carnivores face in coexisting with humans calls into question their ability to carry out critical ecosystem functions such as mesopredator suppression outside protected areas. In this study, we examined the movements and fates of mesopredators and large carnivores across rural landscapes characterized by substantial human influences. Mesopredators shifted their movements toward areas with twofold-greater human influence in regions occupied by large carnivores, indicating that they perceived humans to be less of a threat. However, rather than shielding mesopredators, human-caused mortality was more than three times higher than large carnivore-caused mortality. Mesopredator suppression by apex predators may thus be amplified, rather than dampened, outside protected areas, because fear of large carnivores drives mesopredators into areas of even greater risk from human super predators.