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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid

Published on: August 8, 2017

Humans, shrublands and fires are affecting an endangered wolf population.

Dário Hipólito^1,2, Ana M Figueiredo³, Eduardo Ferreira³

¹CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. dhipolito@ua.pt.

Scientific Reports

|February 20, 2026

Summary

Human activity, particularly the Human Footprint Index (HFI) and fires, significantly impacts Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) occurrence in Portugal. Conservation efforts must address these anthropogenic factors for species survival and human-wolf coexistence.

Keywords:

Canis lupus signatus Carnivore ecology Human disturbance Human-dominated landscapes Wildfires Wolf conservation

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Last Updated: Feb 22, 2026

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Area of Science:

Conservation Biology
Wildlife Ecology
Human-Wildlife Interactions

Background:

The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) faces extinction risk in Portugal due to global changes, human activities, and persecution.
Understanding environmental and anthropogenic drivers is crucial for conserving Iberian wolf populations in human-dominated landscapes.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the influence of landscape features, anthropogenic factors, and food availability on Iberian wolf occurrence in central Portugal.
To identify key variables affecting wolf distribution for effective conservation strategies.

Main Methods:

Utilized a long-term database (2011-2021) from monthly wolf scat surveys in central Portugal.
Applied a generalized linear mixed model to analyze wolf occurrence in 2x2 km grid cells.
Selected the best model using AICc and determined variable importance via R2 and beta weights.

Main Results:

Anthropogenic factors, especially the Human Footprint Index (HFI) and cumulative burned area, significantly negatively influenced wolf occurrence.
Landscape characteristics showed some effect, with wolves preferring hilltops and avoiding agricultural land, though not statistically significant.
Food resource availability did not significantly influence wolf occurrence.

Conclusions:

Anthropogenic pressures are the primary drivers of Iberian wolf distribution, highlighting significant human-wolf conflict.
Reducing human impact, such as fires, could enhance wild ungulate populations, increase food availability, and reduce livestock depredation.
Implementing conservation strategies that mitigate human-wolf conflict is essential for promoting species recovery and coexistence.