Multi-level functional responses for wildlife conservation: the case of threatened caribou in managed boreal forests

摘要: Summary 1. The selection for particular habitat patches can vary as a function of local and regional levels anthropogenic disturbance. Although such functional responses better reveal loss species precarious status faced with dwindling resources, they remain rarely used in conservation planning. We show that occur at multiple levels, even nested hierarchies, explain the plasticity observed threatened forest-dwelling caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou, within among home-ranges. 2. Twenty-seven were followed global positioning system collars between 2005 2010. Generalized linear mixed models served basis from which we built multi-level characterizing how alter their closed-canopy conifer forests, depending upon availability these forests amount cutovers roads. 3. Caribou increased areas home-range comprised high proportion recent during calving summer winter. Also, established highly disturbed displayed an overall stronger forests. These individuals further adjusted home-ranges largely cutovers. This concurrent response to disturbances provides evidence nested-hierarchical responses. 4. Synthesis applications. Reliable characterization disturbance effects on animals is necessary Multi-level accurately describe animal distribution, provided framework modelling Our indicate fixing requirements based patterns average be misleading because it overlooks heterogeneity. For example, by generally became increasing levels. Anthropogenic thus could not only lead residual habitat, but also increase ‘relative value’ patches. study tool more thorough assessments spatial variation attractiveness resource and, presumably, fitness benefits.