We are so excited to share this paper investigating how human disturbance is affecting predator-prey relationships in Alberta’s boreal forest. We were able to use previously collected camera trap data to assess behavioural responses of prey species, moose (Alces alces), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in areas with differing levels of industrial disturbance and predation risk. We found that the prey species were more risk-averse in the more disturbed landscape with higher predation risk. This is an important finding given that the caribou in this area area increasingly threatened by disturbance and predation.
This paper was truly a lab effort. It was started at the first WildCo Lab retreat in February of 2020, and involved now past and current undergrad, masters and PhD students, and post-doc researchers from the lab, with our PI Cole Burton leading the charge. We are so happy to have it out in the world and to showcase yet another use of camera trap data!
Where we started:
Where we ended up:
Check out the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9108