How do forest management and wolf space-use affect diet composition of the wolf’s main prey, the red deer versus a non-prey species, the European bison?

We analyzed the effect of forest management and wolf (Canis lupus) space-use on diet composition red deer (Cervus elaphus) European bison (Bison bonasus) in Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF), Poland. The is main prey species for wolf, whereas rarely preyed upon. As both behave as intermediate feeders BPF, we expected a large overlap their composition. perceives risk predation; thus, hypothesized that its would change relation to intensity space-use, bison’s not. compared between two contrasting regimes: national park managed protected area (no hunting, no forestry activities, restricted tourism), an adjacent production timber growth extraction, where hunting ungulates (but not wolves) does occur. collected dung pellets along transects low high wolf-use areas (with distance settlements proxy space-use) types using DNA-metabarcoding. In had higher proportions broadleaved tree (bison 39%, 42%) than 26%, 28%). contained proportion shrubs, specifically Rubus (shrubs 29%, 31%), 21%, 8%). Only park, ate relatively more (51%) fewer forbs (23%) (33% trees versus 37% forbs). Bison showed qualitatively similar shift deer, but was significant also much smaller extent. Our results indicate shapes ungulate species. addition, larger shifts areas. This suggests addition habitat differences, predation plays role shaping diet. While earlier studies BPF illustrated wolves affect fine-scale foraging behavior, this study could potentially lead changes present alternative explanations these urge others look further into possible driver dietary deer.