Intra- and Interspecific Spatial Temporal Interactions Drive Habitat Selection of Three Sympatric Top Predators

Abstract

The population distribution and habitat selection of top predators are critically important for species conservation and habitat management. While previous studies have identified environmental characteristics and food resources as factors influencing animal habitat selection, the roles of potential intra- and interspecific competition have often been overlooked. Utilizing 6 years (2014–2019) of continuous infrared camera trap data from the Hunchun region of China, this study investigated the population density changes of sympatric Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), Amur leopards (P. pardus orientalis), and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus). Furthermore, Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were employed to characterize the habitat selection patterns of these three species. The results of the study indicated a significant increase in the population density of Amur tigers (p = 0.05) and Amur leopards (p = 0.035), but no significant change for Asiatic black bears (p = 0.86) during this period. Notably, the presence of the three top predators exerted different impacts on the distribution patterns of other species during the population recovery process. Moreover, the results indicate that top predator habitat selection arises from the combined effects of intra- and interspecific interactions, environmental characteristics, and prey availability. Specifically, the densities of Amur tigers and leopards influenced their own habitat use, while tiger and leopard densities also affected the habitat selection of Asiatic black bears. Consequently, conservation paradigms should shift from mere prey restoration to the holistic fulfillment of carnivores' fundamental habitat needs and the management of spatial competition, including targeted migration induction efforts for key species to achieve sustainable population growth.