Large mammal telomere length variation across ecoregions

Background Telomere length provides a physiological proxy for accumulated stress in animals. While there is a growing consensus over how telomere dynamics and their patterns are linked to life history variation and individual experience, knowledge on the impact of exposure to different stressors at a large spatial scale on telomere length is still lacking. How exposure to different stressors at a regional scale interacts with individual differences in life history is also poorly understood. To better understand large-scale regional influences, we investigated telomere length variation in moose (Alces alces) distributed across three ecoregions. We analyzed 153 samples of 106 moose representing moose of both sexes and range of ages to measure relative telomere lengths (RTL) in white blood cells. Results We found that average RTL was significantly shorter in a northern (montane) and southern (sarmatic) ecoregion where moose experience chronic stress related to severe summer and winter temperatures as well as high anthropogenic land-use compared to the boreal region. Our study suggests that animals in the northern boreal forests, with relatively homogenous land use, are less disturbed by environmental and anthropogenic stressors. In contrast, animals in areas experiencing a higher rate of anthropogenic and environmental change experience increased stress. Conclusion Although animals can often adapt to predictable stressors, our data suggest that some environmental conditions, even though predictable and ubiquitous, can generate population level differences of long-term stress. By measuring RTL in moose for the first time, we provide valuable insights towards our current understanding of telomere biology in free-ranging wildlife in human-modified ecosystems

Macro-nutritional balancing in a circumpolar boreal ruminant under winter conditions

1. Differences in botanical diet compositions among a large number of moose faecal samples collected during winter correlated with the nutritional differences identified in the same samples (Mantel r = 0.89, p = 0.001), but the nutritional differences were significantly smaller (p 0).3. Available protein (AP) and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) were significantly correlated in observed diets but not in hypothetical diets based on food availability.4. The level of Acetoacetate in moose serum (i.e. "starvation') was weakly negatively associated with digestibility of diets (p = 0.08) and unrelated to increasing AP:TNC and AP:NDF ratios in diets (p > 0.1).5. Our study is the first to demonstrate complementary feeding in free-ranging moose to attain a nutritional target that has previously been suggested in a feeding trial with captive moose. Our results add support to the hypothesis of nutritional balancing as a driver in the nutritional strategy of moose with implications for both the management of moose and food resources

Macro-nutritional balancing in a circumpolar boreal ruminant under winter conditions

Differences in botanical diet compositions among a large number of moose faecal samples collected during winter correlated with the nutritional differences identified in the same samples (Mantel-r = 0.89, p = 0.001), but the nutritional differences were significantly smaller (p  Nutritional geometry revealed that moose mixed Scots pine Pinus sylvestris and Vaccinium spp. as nutritionally complementary foods to reach a nutritional target resembling Salix spp. twigs, and selected for Salix spp. browse (Jacob's D > 0). Available protein (AP) and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) were significantly correlated in observed diets but not in hypothetical diets based on food availability. The level of Acetoacetate in moose serum (i.e. ‘starvation’) was weakly negatively associated with digestibility of diets (p = 0.08) and unrelated to increasing AP:TNC and AP:NDF ratios in diets (p > 0.1). Our study is the first to demonstrate complementary feeding in free-ranging moose to attain a nutritional target that has previously been suggested in a feeding trial with captive moose. Our results add support to the hypothesis of nutritional balancing as a driver in the nutritional strategy of moose with implications for both the management of moose and food resources. </ol

Adaptations of mobile ungulates in a changing North

The combined effects of global warming and land use changes experienced by animals at high latitudes, are poorly understood. Social and eco-physiological perspectives are therefore necessary to elucidate where and when animals and the ecosystems they represent are most vulnerable to environmental change. This requires integration of multiple disciplines, application of novel and established methods as well as data, to achieve a holistic understanding of accumulating impacts of global change. In this work I investigate the impact of anthropogenic activities and shifting temperatures on keystone ungulates. I studied semi-domesticated reindeer Rangifer t. tarandus at the scale of their annual and seasonal pastures and moose Alces alces across a large biogeographical gradient across Sweden. Along with herder’s knowledge on land use and reindeer herding practices, I utilise an array of biomolecular approaches and sensors that characterise the eco-physiological state of moose. I found that both species are ecologically and physiologically impacted by land use and warming temperatures. Reindeer have lost pastures to the cascading effects of mining, with consequences on herder’s livelihood. Moose had higher metabolic expenditure in areas where they encounter increased anthropogenic and thermal stressors, reflected in starvation responses, shortened telomeres and modified behaviour. Overall, this work provides many novel insights into ongoing adaptations of ungulates under global change. My findings are crucial for aiding species and habitat protection across the northern hemisphere

Space-time characterization of Przewalski's horse movement in the Great Gobi B SPA in SW Mongolia

Diese Studie verfolgt einen explorative Ansatz, um die Nutzungsverteilung von Przewalski-Pferden, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Zeitnutzungsparametern in der Great Gobi B SPA im SW der Mongolei, zu enthüllen. Drei Individuen aus drei verschiedenen sozialen Gruppen wurden im Juni 2013 mit einer neuen Generation von GPS-Iridium Halsbändern ausgestattet. Über einen Zeitraum von zwei Jahren wurden GPS-Positionen in stündlichen Intervallen erfasst. T-LoCoH (Time-Local Convex Hull), ein neues Verfahren zur empirische Kalkulation von Raumnutzungsverhalten, wurde ausgewählt um am besten Habitat- und Ressourcenauswahl besendeter Tiere unter Hinzuname einer zeitliche Dimension in Nächster-Nachbar „convex-hull“-Konstruktion, zu beschreiben. Dies ist die erste Anwendung dieses neuen Verfahrens an einer Spezies von derart großem Naturschutzinteresse. Genaue Definition und Differenzierung wertvoller Ressourcen wurde durch räumlich-zeitliche Überlappung Nahrungsaufnahme- und Trinkverhalten beeinträchtigt. Bedeutende direktionale Bewegungsmuster zwischen wertvollen Ressourcen und um anspruchsvolle topografische Züge konnten nachgewiesen werden. Verschiebungen der Raumnutzung konnten in einigen Fällen festgestellt werden; deren Bezug zu saisonalen Ressourcen war nicht ersichtlich. Oasen und Wasserstellen konnten als zentrale Komponenten im Nutzungsverhalten der Pferde nachgewiesen werden, indem sie auch die produktivsten bzw. am stärksten genutzten Vegetationsgemeinschaften enthalten. Die Nutzung von beschränktem Raum wurde mit hoher Präzision durch mehrere Werkzeuge des Algorithmus dargestellt. Mit Ausnahme der Tag-Nacht-Variation der durchschnittlichen Geschwindigkeit konnten keine 24-Stunden-Muster ermittelt werden. T-LoCoH erweist sich als wertvolles Tool um die räumlich-zeitlichen Bewegungsmuster von Przewalski-Pferden zu charakterisieren. Je nach Fragestellung arbeitet das Toolset dieses Algorithmus umso besser in Kombination mit anderen Metriken und Tools.Three Przewalskis horses from three different social groups were equipped with a new generation of GPS-Iridium collars in June 2013 and have been collecting regular GPS locations at hourly intervals for almost two years allowing for a new analysis approach. This study pursues an explorative approach to elucidate Przewalskis horses utilization distribution with special regard on time-use metrics in the Great Gobi B Special Protected Area of SW Mongolia. T-LoCoH (Time-Local Convex Hull), a novel method of empirical home range estimation was selected to best describe ranging behaviour, habitat selection and resource selection of collared animals by means of adding a temporal dimension to nearest-neighbour convex-hull construction. This is the first application of this novel method to a species of such a major conservation concern. Precise definitions and differentiation of important resources was hampered by spatiotemporal overlap of foraging and drinking behaviour. However, important directional movement (e.g. corridors) between valuable resources and around demanding topographical features could be detected. Range shifts could be visualized in some cases, but their relatedness to seasonal resource could not be confirmed. Oasis and water points were identified to be central regarding utilization distributions and their importance as habitat constituting most productive vegetation communities could be confirmed. Utilization of confined space-use was illustrated with high precision by multiple tools of the algorithm. Except for day-night variation regarding average speed, no 24-hour patterns could be detected from time-use metrics. T-LoCoH proofs to be a valuable implement to elucidate and characterize spatiotemporal movement of Przewalskis horse in the Great Gobi B SPA. Depending on the research question, the toolset of this algorithm works all the better in combination with other metrics and home range estimating tools, rather than simply by itself.submitted by: Christian FohringerUniversität für Bodenkultur Wien, Masterarbeit, 2016(VLID)193577

Reindeer husbandry in peril?—How extractive industries exert multiple pressures on an Arctic pastoral ecosystem

Environmental changes and their consequences on biodiversity are known to have far-reaching effects on the resilience of animal populations and associated livelihoods around the world. To counteract negative demographic and economic effects on pastoralism, knowledge about the historical and current status of the environment is essential. In this study, we show how extractive industries, especially large-scale mining, induced a cascade of land conversions which are affecting animal populations and pastoralists’ adaptive responses in northern Sweden. We examine social–ecological vulnerability in Arctic reindeer husbandry by integrating herders’ knowledge, population statistics for semi-domesticated reindeer Rangifer t. tarandus, public data on socio-economic variables and geospatial tools. We determine that approximately 34% of Laevas reindeer herding community's grazing grounds are functionally unavailable to reindeer at present due to the accumulation of multiple competing land use pressures. Reindeer numbers currently only remain stable due to increased management efforts. Moreover, we identified current hotspots of high cumulative impact and mineral exploration as the spatially dominating land use factor in this area. Our approach and results provide new insights for scientifically robust cumulative impact assessments of anthropogenic stressors by creating a baseline of current developments via a combination of reindeer herder's knowledge with historical data of trends and extents of human activity over the last century

Small shrubs with large importance? Smaller deer may increase the moose-forestry conflict through feeding competition over Vaccinium shrubs in the field layer

The moose (Alces alces) is a dominant large mammalian herbivore in the world's boreal zones. Moose exert significant browsing impacts on forest vegetation and are therefore often at the centre of wildlife-forestry conflicts. Consequently, understanding the drivers of their foraging behaviour is crucial for mitigating such conflicts. Management of moose in large parts of its range currently largely ignores the fact that moose foraging is influenced by increasing populations of sympatric deer species. In such multispecies systems, resource partitioning may be driven by foraging height and bite size. Feeding competition with smaller species might replace larger species from the field layer and drive them towards higher foraging strata offering larger bites. This bite size hypothesis has been well documented for African ungulate communities. Based on a large diet DNA metabarcoding dataset we suggest that feeding competition from three smaller deer species (red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama, and roe deer Capreolus capreolus) over Vaccinium shrubs in the forest field layer might drive moose towards increasing consumption of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Sweden. We found that in areas of high deer density, moose diets consistently contained less Vaccinium and higher proportions of pine over three spring periods. Utilization of these food items by the smaller deer species was either unaffected by deer density or, for Vaccinium showed the opposite pattern to moose, i.e., increases of proportions in the diet of roe and red deer with increasing deer density. Availability of pine and Vaccinium, measured as proportion of available bites, did not explain the observed patterns. Our results suggest that managing key food items like Vaccinium and the populations of smaller deer may play an important role in controlling browsing impacts of moose on pine