Data from: Logging-induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf-caribou-moose system ...

• Main Authors: Courbin, Nicolas, Fortin, Daniel, Dussault, Christian, Courtois, R.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2014
• Subjects: Caribou rangifer tarandus; Alces alces; spatial game; Canis lupus; Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h65f4; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.h65f4

Habitat connectivity influences the distribution dynamics of animals. Connectivity can therefore shape trophic interactions, but little empirical evidence is available, especially for large mammals. In forest ecosystems, logging alters functional connectivity among habitat patches, and such activities can affect the spatial game between large herbivores and their predators. We used graph theory to evaluate how harvesting-induced changes in habitat connectivity influence patch choice and residency time of GPS-collared caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and moose (Alces alces) in winter in the boreal forest. We then investigated the predator–prey game by assessing how GPS-collared wolves (Canis lupus) adjusted their movements to changes in landscape properties and in the networks of their prey species. We built prey habitat networks using minimum planar graphs organized around species-specific, highly selected habitat patches (i.e., network nodes). We found that spatial dynamics of large herbivores were ... : Data for compositional analysis of caribouData used to characterize the land cover type of node of network for caribou. Used proportions of various land cover types are estimated based on the observed GPS locations. Available proportions of various land cover types are calculated based on the 100% minimum convex polygon.Compositional_Analysis_Caribou.xlsxData for compositional analysis of mooseData used to characterize the land cover type of node of network for moose. Used proportions of various land cover types are estimated based on the observed GPS locations. Available proportions of various land cover types are calculated based on the 100% minimum convex polygon.Compositional_Analysis_Moose.xlsxGraph biological relevanceData used to model the exponential relationship between the percentage of links in a given network and the percentage of observed inter-patch movements of caribou and moose that occurred between connected nodes for that individual, in a given year (2005-2009) (Figure ...