Behavioral responses of wolves to roads: scale-dependent ambivalence

摘要: Throughout their recent recovery in several industrialized countries, large carnivores have had to cope with a changed landscape dominated by human infrastructure. Population growth depends on the ability of individuals adapt these changes making use new habitat features and at same time avoid increased risks mortality associated We analyzed summer movements 19 GPS-collared resident wolves (Canis lupus L.) from 14 territories Scandinavia relation roads. used resource step selection functions, including >12000 field-checked GPS-positions 315 kill sites. Wolves displayed ambivalent responses roads depending spatial scale, road type, day, behavioral state, reproductive status. At site scale (approximately 0.1 km2), they selected for when traveling, nearly doubling travel speed. Breeding moved fastest. patch (10 house density rather than was significant negative predictor wolf selection. home range 1000 breeding gravel increasing availability, although lower rate expected. adapted ease travel, but developed cryptic behavior encounters. This plasticity may been important allowing successful populations countries. However, we emphasize role as potential cause human-caused mortality.