Habitat thresholds for successful predation under landscape change

Abstract Context Habitat loss and alteration affect wildlife populations worldwide. Bush encroachment alters landscapes threatens arid semi-arid grasslands, but its effects on predator–prey relationships carnivore community ecology are not well understood. Predation strategies of large predators, for example high-speed pursuits versus ambush from short distances, likely to be affected differently by bush encroachment. Objectives We assessed how affects overall predation success cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ) leopards Panthera pardus in a savanna landscape under variable fractional woody cover (FWC). tested if remained relatively unchanged across gradient FWC, whether cheetah was most successful at low intermediate varied seasonally. Methods Belly scores predators were measured camera-trap images collected over 7 years north-central Namibia used index success. derived predicted belly score probabilities as function which using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)-derived satellite data layer. Results Predicted leopard highest 0.27–0.34 FWC the dry season, potentially due lower prey density highly covered areas decreased catchability cover. 0.24–0.28 wet increased openness, high availability habitat margins visualising stalking prey, kleptoparasitism leopards. These results highlight optimal thresholds that favour than leopard. Conclusions The findings indicate heterogeneity is important leopards, suggesting management should focus control efforts maintain levels