Might macronutrient requirements influence grizzly bear–human conflict? Insights from nutritional geometry

摘要: Knowledge of carnivore nutritional requirements offers a potentially powerful aid for conservation and management strategies, yet has received little attention. We discuss how ecology, geometry, the concept macronutrient (protein, lipid, carbohydrate) balance can be used to further our understanding behavioral regulatory mechanisms that may influence food-related human–wildlife conflict, focusing on North American grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). propose preferences omnivorous are strong driver their conflict with humans due nutrient-specific foraging behavior, which we predict will particularly noticeable during periods in “key” natural foods high lipid or carbohydrate limiting. demonstrate geometry investigate nutrient by integrating recent research selection bear estimates consumed anthropogenic foods. Our geometric analysis utilizing right-angled mixture triangles suggested offer nonprotein energy sources allow them optimize intake. This macronutrient-focused approach gives rise fundamentally different predictions (and strategies) than conventional food energy-focused approaches. article also provides insight into among other species, human–carnivore more generally, outlining nutritionally explicit predictive framework volatile interface between environments behavior wild animals.