scholarly journals Energy selection functions: modelling the energetic drivers of animal movement and habitat use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha J. Klappstein ◽  
Jonathan Potts ◽  
Théo Michelot ◽  
Luca Börger ◽  
Nicholas Pilfold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Cost Minimization ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Landscape Resistance ◽  
Modelling Framework

1. Energetics are a key driver of animal decision-making, as survival depends on the balance between foraging benefits and movement costs. This fundamental perspective is often missing from habitat selection studies, which mainly describe correlations between space use and environmental features, rather than the mechanisms behind these correlations. To address this gap, we present a new modelling framework, the energy selection function (ESF), to assess how moving animals choose habitat based on energetic considerations. 2. The ESF considers that the likelihood of an animal selecting a movement step depends directly on the corresponding energetic gains and costs. The parameters of the ESF measure selection for energetic gains and against energetic costs; when estimated jointly, these provide inferences about foraging and movement strategies. The ESF can be implemented easily with standard conditional logistic regression software, allowing for fast inference. We outline a workflow, from data-gathering to statistical analysis, and use a case study of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) as an illustrative example. 3. We show how defining gains and costs at the scale of the movement step allows us to include detailed information about resource distribution, landscape resistance, and movement patterns. We demonstrate this in the polar bear case study, in which the results show how cost-minimization may arise in species that inhabit environments with an unpredictable distribution of energetic gains. 4. The ESF combines the energetic consequences of both movement and resource selection, thus incorporating a key aspect of evolutionary behaviour into habitat selection analysis. Because of its close links to existing habitat selection models, the ESF is widely applicable to any study system where energetic gains and costs can be derived, and has immense potential for methodological extensions.

scholarly journals Energy selection functions: modelling the energetic drivers of animal movement and habitat use

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha J. Klappstein ◽  
Jonathan Potts ◽  
Théo Michelot ◽  
Luca Börger ◽  
Nicholas Pilfold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Cost Minimization ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Environmental Features ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Immense Potential

Energetics are a key driver of animal decision-making, as survival depends on the balance between foraging benefits and movement costs. This fundamental perspective is often missing from habitat selection studies, which mainly describe simple correlations between space use and environmental features. To address this gap, we present a new model, the energy selection function (ESF), to assess how moving animals choose habitat based on energetic considerations, thus incorporating a key aspect of evolutionary behaviour into habitat selection analysis. We outline a workflow, from data-gathering to statistical analysis, and demonstrate the model’s utility with a case study of polar bears. Our findings show how cost-minimization may arise in species that inhabit environments with an unpredictable distribution of energetic gains. Because of its close links to existing habitat selection models, the ESF is widely applicable to any study system where energetics can be derived, and has immense potential for methodological extensions.

scholarly journals Correlation and studies of habitat selection: problem, red herring or opportunity?

2010 ◽  
Vol 365 (1550) ◽  
pp. 2233-2244 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Fieberg ◽  
Jason Matthiopoulos ◽  
Mark Hebblewhite ◽  
Mark S. Boyce ◽  
Jacqueline L. Frair
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Correlated Data ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Post Hoc

With the advent of new technologies, animal locations are being collected at ever finer spatio-temporal scales. We review analytical methods for dealing with correlated data in the context of resource selection, including post hoc variance inflation techniques, ‘two-stage’ approaches based on models fit to each individual, generalized estimating equations and hierarchical mixed-effects models. These methods are applicable to a wide range of correlated data problems, but can be difficult to apply and remain especially challenging for use–availability sampling designs because the correlation structure for combinations of used and available points are not likely to follow common parametric forms. We also review emerging approaches to studying habitat selection that use fine-scale temporal data to arrive at biologically based definitions of available habitat, while naturally accounting for autocorrelation by modelling animal movement between telemetry locations. Sophisticated analyses that explicitly model correlation rather than consider it a nuisance, like mixed effects and state-space models, offer potentially novel insights into the process of resource selection, but additional work is needed to make them more generally applicable to large datasets based on the use–availability designs. Until then, variance inflation techniques and two-stage approaches should offer pragmatic and flexible approaches to modelling correlated data.

Landscape context matters when American Woodcock select singing grounds: Results from a reciprocal transplant experiment

The Condor ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J Brenner ◽  
Bill Buffum ◽  
Brian C Tefft ◽  
Scott R McWilliams
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Reciprocal Transplant ◽  
Transplant Experiment ◽  
High Likelihood ◽  
Reciprocal Transplant Experiment ◽  
American Woodcock

Abstract The multiscale nature of habitat selection during the breeding season for migratory birds means that core-use areas (e.g., breeding territories) are selected based on their local habitat features, but these may also be influenced in some way by features within a larger-scale landscape. We conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment to test the hypothesis that habitat selection and movements of male American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) in core-use areas during the breeding season depend on the perceived quality of the surrounding landscape. We captured second-year male woodcocks (n = 19) at high- or low-likelihood of use landscapes in Rhode Island, USA, affixed each with a radio transmitter, relocated them to the opposite type of landscape, and then determined if they returned to their original site of capture or remained in the landscape to which they were relocated. Birds captured in high-likelihood landscapes and moved to low-likelihood landscapes generally returned to their original high-likelihood landscape (5/7, 71%), but birds captured in low-likelihood landscapes and moved to high-likelihood landscapes rarely returned to their original low-likelihood landscape (1/12, 8%). These results support the hypothesis that woodcock assess their surroundings relatively rapidly and subsequently make critical settlement decisions based on landscape composition. Given that woodcock choice is predicted by the woodcock-specific resource selection function, these results also provide support for the use of this tool to guide forest management for woodcock.

scholarly journals Microhabitat selection of the poorly known lizard Tropidurus lagunablanca (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in the Pantanal, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. e20216118
Author(s):  
Ronildo Alves Benício ◽  
Daniel Cunha Passos ◽  
Abraham Mencía ◽  
Zaida Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Resource Selection ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Microhabitat Selection ◽  
Probability Of Presence ◽  
Substrate Temperatures ◽  
Selection Of

Understanding how different environmental factors influence species occurrence is a key issue to address the study of natural populations. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how local traits influence the microhabitat use of tropical arboreal lizards. Here, we investigated the microhabitat selection of the poorly known lizard Tropidurus lagunablanca (Squamata: Tropiduridae) and evaluated how environmental microhabitat features influence animal’s presence. We used a Resource Selection Function approach, in a case/control design where we analyzed the effect of substrate temperature and tree’s diameter at breast height (DBH) in the probability of presence of lizards using mixed Conditional Logistic Regression. We found that T. lagunablanca uses trees with DBH from 0.40 m to 4 m and substrate temperatures ranging from 25.9℃ to 42℃. Moreover, we showed that thickness of the trees and substrate temperatures significantly increased the probability of presence of T. lagunablanca individuals, being the probability of presence higher than 50% for trees up to 1.5 m DBH and temperature of substrate up to 37.5℃. Our study probed that T. lagunablanca individuals choose trees non-randomly, selecting thicker and warmer tree trunks. This information advances the knowledge of the spatial ecology of Neotropical arboreal lizards and is relevant for conservation, putting an emphasis on preserving native vegetation in the Pantanal.

scholarly journals Analysis of local habitat selection and large-scale attraction/avoidance based on animal tracking data: is there a single best method?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Mercker ◽  
Philipp Schwemmer ◽  
Verena Peschko ◽  
Leonie Enners ◽  
Stefan Garthe
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Computation Time ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Tracking Data ◽  
Predictive Capacity ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Animal Tracking

Abstract Background: New wildlife telemetry and tracking technologies have become available in the last decade, leading to a large increase in the volume and resolution of animal tracking data. These technical developments have been accompanied by various statistical tools aimed at analysing the data obtained by these methods. Methods: We used simulated habitat and tracking data to compare some of the different statistical methods frequently used to infer local resource selection and large-scale attraction/avoidance from tracking data. Notably, we compared the performances of spatial logistic regression models (SLRMs), point process models (PPMs), and integrated step selection models ((i)SSMs) and their interplays with habitat, tracking-device, and animal movement properties. Results: We demonstrated that SLRMs were inappropriate for large-scale attraction studies and prone to bias when inferring habitat selection. In contrast, PPMs and (i)SSMs showed comparable (unbiased) performances for both habitat selection and large-scale effect studies. However, (i)SSMs had several advantages over PPMs with respect to robustness, user-friendly implementation, and computation time. Conclusions: We recommend the use of (i)SSMs to infer habitat selection or large-scale attraction/avoidance from animal tracking data. This method has several practical advantages over PPMs and additionally extends SSMs, thus increasing its predictive capacity and allowing the derivation of mechanistic movement models.

scholarly journals Perch selection of three species of kingfishers at the Pantanal wetland, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C. Peinado ◽  
Zaida Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Ecology ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Habitat Alterations ◽  
Human Habitat ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACTAnimal movement and behavior depend on the distribution of resources on the habitat. Therefore, individual animals are constantly making decisions on resource selection based on different attributes of the resource or its associated environmental variables. For fish-eating birds as kingfishers, selecting a suitable perch can report many benefits, as improving fishing success or reducing predation risk. Nowadays, not only natural structures, as branches, are available for birds to perch but also artificial ones, as electric lines. Thus, we aimed to understand which variables drive kingfishers’ perch selection, including the potential effect of its anthropic origin. We studied perch selection of three species of kingfishers inhabiting the Pantanal of Miranda of Brazil: Megaceryle torquata, Chloroceryle amazona and Chloroceryle americana. They feed in temporary ponds that are rich in trophic resources, where they have both natural and artificial potential perches. We hypothesized that artificial perches could be strongly selected, as they are more stable than natural ones and go through the ponds, providing a long surface to select optimal conditions. We assessed how kingfishers are selecting perches based on four ecologically relevant traits: (1) being artificial or natural, perch height, (3) distance to the water, and (4) plant cover. We used a resource selection function (RSF) approach to quantify the effect of these variables in the probability of presence of kingfishers. The artificial origin of a perch was independent of the probability of selection for the three species. Furthermore, birds acted randomly to the other studied variables, except for individuals of C. amazona, which select higher perches, above 3.20 m. We discuss the implications of these results for understanding the behavioral ecology and use of space of neotropical kingfishers, and how this affects their vulnerability to human habitat alterations.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Overcoming Challenges of International Migration Research: A Case Study Approach in Southern Mexico

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-143
Author(s):  
Julie Boyles
Keyword(s):  
International Migration ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Ethnographic Case Study ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Migration Research

An ethnographic case study approach to understanding women’s actions and reactions to husbands’ emigration—or potential emigration—offers a distinct set of challenges to a U.S.-based researcher.  International migration research in a foreign context likely offers challenges in language, culture, lifestyle, as well as potential gender norm impediments. A mixed methods approach contributed to successfully overcoming barriers through an array of research methods, strategies, and tactics, as well as practicing flexibility in data gathering methods. Even this researcher’s influence on the research was minimized and alleviated, to a degree, through ascertaining common ground with many of the women. Research with the women of San Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca, Mexico offered numerous and constant challenges, each overcome with ensuing rewards.

scholarly journals Rapid, remote and responsive research during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 205979912110085
Author(s):  
Jane Richardson ◽  
Barry Godfrey ◽  
Sandra Walklate
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Recommendations

In March 2020, the UK Research and Innovation announced an emergency call for research to inform policy and practice responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This call implicitly and explicitly required researchers to work rapidly, remotely and responsively. In this article, we briefly review how rapid response methods developed in health research can be used in other social science fields. After outlining the literature in this area, we use the early stages of our applied research into criminal justice responses to domestic abuse during COVID-19 as a case study to illustrate some of the practical challenges we faced in responding to this rapid funding call. We review our use of and experience with remote research methods and describe how we used and adapted these methods in our research, from data gathering through to transcription and analysis. We reflect on our experiences to date of what it means to be responsive in fast-changing research situations. Finally, we make some practical recommendations for conducting applied research in a ‘nimble’ way to meet the demands of working rapidly, remotely, responsively and, most importantly, responsibly.

scholarly journals The DWQ-EMR Embedded Tool to Enhance the Family Physician-Caregiver Connection: A Pilot Case Study

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Kristina Marie Kokorelias ◽  
Einat Danieli ◽  
Sheila Dunn ◽  
Sid Feldman ◽  
David Patrick Ryan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Efficient Manner ◽  
Efficient Access ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
To Receive

The number of family caregivers to individuals with dementia is increasing. Family physicians are often the first point of access to the health care system for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Caregivers are at an increased risk of developing negative physical, cognitive and affective health problems themselves. Caregivers also describe having unmet needs to help them sustain care in the community. Family physicians are in a unique position to help support caregivers and individuals with dementia, but often struggle with keeping up with best practice dementia service knowledge. The Dementia Wellness Questionnaire was designed to serve as a starting point for discussions between caregivers and family physicians by empowering caregivers to communicate their needs and concerns and to enhance family physicians’ access to specific dementia support information. The DWQ aims to alert physicians of caregiver and patient needs. This pilot study aimed to explore the experiences of physicians and caregivers of people using the Questionnaire in two family medicine clinics in Ontario, Canada. Interviews with physicians and caregivers collected data on their experiences using the DWQ following a 10-month data gathering period. Data was analyzed using content analysis. Results indicated that family physicians may have an improved efficacy in managing dementia by having dementia care case specific guidelines integrated within electronic medical records. By having time-efficient access to tailored supports, family physicians can better address the needs of the caregiver–patient dyad and help support family caregivers in their caregiving role. Caregivers expressed that the Questionnaire helped them remember concerns to bring up with physicians, in order to receive help in a more efficient manner.

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