Wolves, people, and brown bears influence the expansion of the recolonizing wolf population in Scandinavia

摘要: Interspecific competition can influence the distribution and abundance of species structure ecological communities entire ecosystems. Interactions between apex predators have cascading effects through natural community, which supports broadening scope conservation from single to a much wider ecosystem perspective. However, wild large carnivores hardly be measured experimentally. In this study, we analyzed expansion Scandinavian wolf (Canis lupus) population during its recovery early 1990s. We took into account wolf-, habitat-, human- brown bear (Ursus arctos)-related factors, because occurred within an area partially sympatric with bears. Wolf pair establishment was positively related previous presence negatively road density, distance other territories, density. These findings suggest that both human-related habitat modification interspecific been influential factors modulating population. potential affect overall biodiversity. Therefore, conservation-oriented management such should consider interactions, rather than focusing only on target populations species. Long-term monitoring data across areas also help quantify predict biotic interactions assemblages distributions elsewhere. This is important interactive processes essential in regulation, stability, resilience communities.