Movement ecology

White-tailed deer movement and disease ecology in Southern Ontario

Under construction Team members involed in this project Grace Bullington Joe Northrup

Forecasting Ecological Genomics: High-Tech Animal Instrumentation Meets High-Throughput Sequencing

In this essay we describe the similarities between the development of the fields of high-throughput genetic sequencing and high-tech animal instrumentation. We discuss the exciting possibilties that exist for better understanding the eovlution and ecology of animals by combining these two fields.

Environmental dynamics and anthropogenic development alter philopatry and space-use in a North American cervid

Using a movement-derived home range estimator, we documented incredibly high spatial fidelity to seasonal ranges in mule deer. Natural gas development reduced this fidelity in some case.

Quantifying spatial habitat loss from hydrocarbon development through assessing habitat selection patterns of mule deer

Extraction of oil and natural gas (hydrocarbons) from shale is increasing rapidly in North America, with documented impacts to native species and ecosystems. With shale oil and gas resources on nearly every continent, this development is set to …

Effects of helicopter capture and handling on movement behavior of mule deer

Research on wildlife movement, physiology, and reproductive biology often requires capture and handling of animals. Such invasive treatment can alter behavior, which may bias results or invalidate assumptions regarding representative behaviors. To …

Linking genotype, ecotype, and phenotype in an intensively managed large carnivore

Numerous factors influence fitness of free‐ranging animals, yet often these are uncharacterized. We integrated GPS habitat use data and genetic profiling to determine their influence on fitness proxies (mass, length, and body condition) in a …

Practical guidance on characterizing availability in resource selection functions under a use–availability design

Habitat selection is a fundamental aspect of animal ecology, the understanding of which is critical to management and conservation. Global positioning system data from animals allow fine‐scale assessments of habitat selection and typically are …

Effects of Humans on Behaviour of Wildlife Exceed Those of Natural Predators in a Landscape of Fear

Background Human disturbance can influence wildlife behaviour, which can have implications for wildlife populations. For example, wildlife may be more vigilant near human disturbance, resulting in decreased forage intake and reduced reproductive …

Vehicle traffic shapes grizzly bear behaviour on a multiple‐use landscape

Roads cause functional habitat loss, alter movement patterns and can become ecological traps for wildlife. Many of the negative effects of roads are likely to be a function of the human use of roads, not the road itself. However, few studies have …

Habitat selection predicts genetic relatedness in an alpine ungulate

Landscape heterogeneity plays an integral role in shaping ecological and evolutionary processes. Despite links between the two disciplines, ecologists and population geneticists have taken different approaches to evaluating habitat selection, animal …