A growing body of literature has documented myriad effects of human
activities on animal behavior, yet the ultimate ecological consequences
of these behavioral shifts remain largely uninvestigated. While it is
understood that, in the absence of humans, variation in animal behavior
can have cascading effects on species interactions, community structure,
and ecosystem function, we know little about whether the type or
magnitude of human-induced behavioral shifts translate into meaningful
ecological change. Here we synthesize empirical literature and theory to
create a novel framework for examining the range of behaviorally
mediated pathways through which human activities may affect different
ecosystem functions. We highlight the few empirical studies that show
the potential realization of some of these pathways, but also identify
numerous factors that can dampen or prevent ultimate ecosystem
consequences. Without a deeper understanding of these pathways, we risk
wasting valuable resources on mitigating behavioral effects with little
ecological relevance, or conversely mismanaging situations in which
behavioral effects do drive ecosystem change. The framework presented
here can be used to anticipate the nature and likelihood of ecological
outcomes and prioritize management among widespread human-induced
behavioral shifts, while also suggesting key priorities for future
research linking humans, animal behavior, and ecology.