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Mesopredator release and avifaunal extinctions in a fragmented system

Author

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  • Kevin R. Crooks

    (University of California)

  • Michael E. Soulé

    (The Wildlands Project)

Abstract

Mammalian carnivores are particularly vulnerable to extinction in fragmented landscapes1, and their disappearance may lead to increased numbers of smaller carnivores that are principle predators of birds and other small vertebrates. Such ‘mesopredator release’2 has been implicated in the decline and extinction of prey species2,3,4,5,6. Because experimental manipulation of carnivores is logistically, financially and ethically problematic6,7, however, few studies have evaluated how trophic cascades generated by the decline of dominant predators combine with other fragmentation effects to influence species diversity in terrestrial systems. Although the mesopredator release hypothesis has received only limited critical evaluation8 and remains controversial9, it has become the basis for conservation programmes justifying the protection of carnivores6. Here we describe a study that exploits spatial and temporal variation in the distribution and abundance of an apex predator, the coyote, in a landscape fragmented by development. It appears that the decline and disappearance of the coyote, in conjunction with the effects of habitat fragmentation, affect the distribution and abundance of smaller carnivores and the persistence of their avian prey.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin R. Crooks & Michael E. Soulé, 1999. "Mesopredator release and avifaunal extinctions in a fragmented system," Nature, Nature, vol. 400(6744), pages 563-566, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:400:y:1999:i:6744:d:10.1038_23028
    DOI: 10.1038/23028
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    Cited by:

    1. Chunming Li & Jianshe Chen & Xiaolin Liao & Aaron P. Ramus & Christine Angelini & Lingli Liu & Brian R. Silliman & Mark D. Bertness & Qiang He, 2023. "Shorebirds-driven trophic cascade helps restore coastal wetland multifunctionality," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Jordán, Ferenc, 2022. "The network perspective: Vertical connections linking organizational levels," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 473(C).
    3. Youwei Xu & Xiaojie Dai & Zirong Huang & Mingshuai Sun & Zuozhi Chen & Kui Zhang, 2022. "Stock Assessment of Four Dominant Shark Bycatch Species in Bottom Trawl Fisheries in the Northern South China Sea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-11, March.
    4. Andrew Gregory & Emma Spence & Paul Beier & Emily Garding, 2021. "Toward Best Management Practices for Ecological Corridors," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-25, February.
    5. Melia G. Nafus & Jennifer M. Germano & Jeanette A. Perry & Brian D. Todd & Allyson Walsh & Ronald R. Swaisgood, 2015. "Hiding in plain sight: a study on camouflage and habitat selection in a slow-moving desert herbivore," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(5), pages 1389-1394.
    6. Sean Burkholder, 2012. "The New Ecology of Vacancy: Rethinking Land Use in Shrinking Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(6), pages 1-19, June.

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