Conclusion
Fear driven by both real or perceived predation risks influences the use
of habitat across a landscape for a wide array of prey species, which
can have important consequential effects on the quality of habitat
available. The concept of a “landscape of fear” provides an insight
into the habitat preferences of an individual across the landscape and
can reveal important aspects of the ecology of a species, with
potentially important consequences for conservation.
The ecology of fear plays a dual role in prey habitat selection. The
presence of a predator directly impacts the movement of a prey
individual as they alter their behaviour to reduce the chance of
predation, However, even in the absence of any predators, a prey
individual/population may begin to avoid an area over time if they have
encountered a predator there previously. This indirect influence on
habitat and movement ecology can be equally as impactful as direct
predator presence.
Historically, studies have used LOF models to understand the concept of
GUDs and quitting harvest rate within a certain landscape. Today, LOF
models are advanced and incorporate the vigilance behaviours that
mammalian and non-mammalian prey species elicit in response to the
perceived presence of predators. However, the use of audible or chemical
cues to determine the change in prey harvest rate and feeding time is
still vastly understudied. Whilst LOF models often understand the
cause-effect scenario in order to identify and minimize the predation
risk, they are so far unable to sense the neurological and/or chemical
trigger of the vigilance behaviour and the source of fear. In this
review we have laid out the conventional use of chemicals through
pheromone and animal communication studies. For instance, many predators
use pheromones and scent marking in territorial behaviours, profiling
his/her age, health status, social status but how this induces a fear
driven response in prey species is not conclusive. Recent studies of LOF
models include three-dimensional (scatterplot) contour maps,
encompassing spatial statistics in current ecology. However, future
studies should test four-dimensional or five-dimensional models to cover
altitude, time, weight, windspeed, waterflow and other ecological
phenomena. Lastly, studies on the ecology of fear are extremely
effective at signifying population trends and, thus, can be implemented
within conservation strategies for species of conservation concern.
Ecological implications of a fear-mediated response not only provide an
insight into interspecific interactions and movement ecology but, also,
aid conservation agencies and citizen scientists in the protection of
indigenous, charismatic, and keystone species.