Reducing anthropogenic subsidies can curb density of overabundant predators in protected areas

摘要: Abstract Protected areas safeguard biodiversity and provide opportunities for human recreation. However, abundant anthropogenic food subsidies associated with activities in protected can lead to high densities of generalist predators, posing a threat rare species at broad spatial scales. Reducing could curb populations overabundant yet the effectiveness this strategy is unclear. We characterized changes foraging ecology, body condition, demography predator, Steller's jay, three years after implementation multi-faceted management program reduce area California. Stable isotope analysis revealed that proportional contribution foods jay diets declined from 88% 47% response management. Overlap between home ranges decreased began, while range size, individual fecundity remained stable. Adult density subsidized markedly 4.33 (SE: ±0.91) 0.65 (±0.20) jays/ha initiation management, whereas unsubsidized were not expected be affected by stable (0.70 ± 0.22 pre-management, 0.58 ± 0.38 post-management). Thus, jays was density-dependent such reduced facilitated maintenance condition fecundity. Importantly, though, population size collective reproductive output substantially. Our study provides evidence limiting successfully predator part increase compatibility protection recreation within areas.