Towards a habitat model for the New Holland Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae in Tasmania ? population vegetation associations and an investigation into individual habitat use.

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.T, Lazenby ◽  
T. Pye ◽  
A. Richardson ◽  
S.A. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Historic Sites ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Study Sites

Sixteen study sites across the known north-south range of Pseudomys novaehollandiae in Tasmania were live trapped, and measures of floristic presence and abundance were recorded at each site. Multivariate analysis was used to quantify similarities and differences in plant assemblages at each of the study sites; these included historic sites (sites where P. novaehollandiae had been confirmed to be present 12 years previously) and sites supporting vegetation known to have supported the mouse elsewhere in its range, but from which it had not been recorded. A strong association between P. novaehollandiae capture sites and the occurrence and abundance of the plants Aotus ericoides, Hypolaena fastigiata, Lepidosperma concavum and Xanthorrhoea spp. was found. Nine individual P. novaehollandiae were radio-tracked on one study area to investigate whether the apparent habitat preferences of P. novaehollandiae observed at the population/site level were reflected by individual habitat use. Two individuals were on occasion radio-located in a She-oak stand, a habitat type not typically associated with populations of P. novaehollandiae. Burrow sharing and overlap of home ranges were recorded. Results are interpreted with a view to developing an effective predictive habitat model for P. novaehollandiae in Tasmania.

Habitat use by female western roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): influence of resource availability on habitat selection in two contrasting years

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 1052-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pellerin ◽  
C. Calenge ◽  
S. Saïd ◽  
J.- M. Gaillard ◽  
H. Fritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Distribution Of Resources ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

In most previous studies of habitat selection, the use of a given habitat type is assumed to be directly proportional to its availability. However, the use and (or) the selection of a given habitat may be conditional on the availability of that habitat. We aim here to (i) identify the environmental variables involved in habitat selection, (ii) identify classes of individuals with similar patterns of habitat selection, and (iii) assess whether habitat use changes with changing availability of habitat types, within monthly home ranges of female western roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)). We found that some females adjust their habitat use according to the distribution of resources within habitats. Females with similar home ranges in terms of resource quantity and quality showed similar patterns of habitat selection. Differences in habitat use between 2 years with contrasting resource availability showed that temporal changes of environmental conditions influenced the pattern of habitat selection by female roe deer. Habitat selection also differed between periods of the life cycle likely because of contrasted energy requirements. This study shows that the relationship between habitat use by herbivores and habitat availability is nonproportional, and that the availability of resources influences use mostly at intermediate values.

Habitat use by sympatric female mallards and American black ducks breeding in a forested environment

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 1538-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris P. Dwyer ◽  
Guy A. Baldassarre
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Black Duck ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
American Black ◽  
The Difference

There has been much speculation regarding whether breeding mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and American black ducks (A. rubripes) use similar habitat types in forested areas, which could lead to increased interspecific contact. To study this issue, we used radiotelemetry during 1990–1991 on sympatric female mallards and black ducks breeding in the western Adirondack Mountains of New York. Mallard and black duck pairs occupied the general area at a density of 0.7 and 0.6/km2, respectively. Black duck home ranges tended to be larger than those of mallards, although the difference was not significant. Habitat composition within the home ranges of mallards and black ducks was similar, upland forest being the dominant habitat type, followed by wetlands, disturbed areas, and active residential sites. Within home ranges, mallards and black ducks were similar in their use of four major wetland habitat types. Our data suggest that undisturbed forest and habitat use within such areas may not serve as an isolating mechanism between breeding mallards and black ducks.

scholarly journals Behaviour-specific habitat selection patterns of breeding barn owls

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Séchaud ◽  
Kim Schalcher ◽  
Ana Paula Machado ◽  
Bettina Almasi ◽  
Carolina Massa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Barn Owl ◽  
Path Selection ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Barn Owls

Abstract Background The intensification of agricultural practices over the twentieth century led to a cascade of detrimental effects on ecosystems. In Europe, agri-environment schemes (AES) have since been adopted to counter the decrease in farmland biodiversity, with the promotion of extensive habitats such as wildflower strips and extensive meadows. Despite having beneficial effects documented for multiple taxa, their profitability for top farmland predators, like raptors, is still debated. Such species with high movement capabilities have large home ranges with fluctuation in habitat use depending on specific needs. Methods Using GPS devices, we recorded positions for 134 barn owls (Tyto alba) breeding in Swiss farmland and distinguished three main behavioural modes with the Expectation-Maximization binary Clustering (EMbC) method: perching, hunting and commuting. We described barn owl habitat use at different levels during the breeding season by combining step and path selection functions. In particular, we examined the association between behavioural modes and habitat type, with special consideration for AES habitat structures. Results Despite a preference for the most common habitats at the home range level, behaviour-specific analyses revealed more specific habitat use depending on the behavioural mode. During the day, owls roosted almost exclusively in buildings, while pastures, meadows and forest edges were preferred as nocturnal perching sites. For hunting, barn owls preferentially used AES habitat structures though without neglecting more intensively exploited areas. For commuting, open habitats were preferred over wooded areas. Conclusions The behaviour-specific approach used here provides a comprehensive breakdown of barn owl habitat selection during the reproductive season and highlights its importance to understand complex animal habitat preferences. Our results highlight the importance of AES in restoring and maintaining functional trophic chains in farmland.

Home range, habitat use and movements by the little raven (Corvus mellori) in a coastal peri-urban landscape

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desley A. Whisson ◽  
Michael A. Weston ◽  
Kelly Shannon
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Coastal Wetland ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Natural Habitats

Context In peri-urban environments, high availability of anthropogenic resources may result in relatively high abundances of some species, with potentially negative implications for other native biota. Effective management of such impacts requires understanding of the spatial ecology of problem species. However, home range and habitat use have not been described for the little raven (Corvus mellori), a superabundant native predator that occurs in urban and natural habitats, including those where threatened shorebirds breed. Aims The aim of this study was to provide basic information on little raven home range, habitat use and movements in a coastal peri-urban landscape. Methods Between October 2011 and January 2012 we radio-tracked 20 little ravens captured in a coastal wetland (near Melbourne, Australia). Key results Little ravens were highly mobile, moving up to 9.9 km in an hour (median = 2 km), and had large ranges: Minimum Convex Polygons were 1664–9989 ha (median = 3362 ha). Although most birds used both anthropogenic and natural habitats, some birds strongly selected for coastal wetland habitat. Birds used multiple roosts during the study period, most of which occurred in grassland (58.7%) or urban (22.3%) areas. Movement of up to 8.3 km (median = 2.2 km) between roosts during the night was also detected. Conclusions Ravens were highly mobile and used large home ranges and a variety of habitats, with habitat preferences varying between birds. Implications Considering the large home ranges and inter-individual variation in habitat preferences of little raven populations, localised management to reduce their impacts on breeding shorebirds is unlikely to be successful.

scholarly journals Big Cypress fox squirrel ( Sciurus niger avicennia ) ecology and habitat use in a cypress dome swamp-pine forest mosaic

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
John O. Kellam ◽  
Deborah K. Jansen ◽  
Annette T. Johnson ◽  
Ralph W. Arwood ◽  
Melissa J. Merrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Sciurus Niger ◽  
Forest Mosaic ◽  
Cypress Domes ◽  
Wet Forests

AbstractForested wetlands are in decline, as are many species that are obligate residents. Big Cypress fox squirrels (BCFS; Sciurus niger avicennia ) are a threatened endemic to wet pine and cypress forests in southwestern Florida. The region is characterized by development resulting in habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and hydrological change that influence the quality of these wet forests. Through radiotelemetry and field observations, we examined the ecology and habitat use of BCFS in a natural cypress dome-pine forest mosaic. BCFS selected cypress domes for food and nests throughout the year. Cypress dome habitats were the only habitat type to be used more than available; however, the availability of nearby pine forest was also important. Home ranges were large relative to other tree squirrels, with male home ranges exceeding female ranges. Males overlapped more females than males, while sharing similar food preferences and use patterns with females, suggesting that the sexual dimorphism in home range size is related to mate searching. Roads and oil extraction pads were used less frequently than expected and were incorporated into home ranges less than randomly generated features. The importance of cypress domes within the wet forests and grasslands of Big Cypress National Preserve demonstrates the value of maintaining this delicate mosaic.

scholarly journals Annual Variation in Habitat Use by White-footed Mice, Peromyscus leucopus: The Effects of Forest Patch Size, Edge and Surrounding Vegetation Type

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine S. Anderson ◽  
Douglas B. Meikle ◽  
Alan B. Cady ◽  
Robert L. Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Forest Patch

White-footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were trapped for two years in the exterior matrix, edge, and interior forest habitat sections of six forests patches in a fragmented agricultural landscape. We used data on the capture locations of P. leucopus individuals from the two years, which differed in rainfall (i.e., summer of 2000 with 50% more rain than summer of 1999), to assess how patch size, edge habitat, and surrounding habitat type influence habitat use and movements in populations of this forest habitat generalist. We found that the proportion of individuals subsequently captured in the forest edge from the exterior was 16 times greater in the wet year than in the dry year and approximately twice as many P. leucopus were not subsequently recaptured from the exterior matrix in the dry year compared to the wet year. For each year, captures between habitats did not differ in relation to patch size, edge forest habitat, or exterior matrix type. These results illustrate the generalist habitat preferences of P. leucopus, but emphasize annual variation in their behavior and distribution.

Distribution and habitat preference of protected reindeer lichen species (Cladonia arbuscula, C. mitis and C. rangiferina) in the Balaton Uplands (Hungary)

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-282
Author(s):  
Mónika Sinigla ◽  
Erzsébet Szurdoki ◽  
László Lőkös ◽  
Dénes Bartha ◽  
István Galambos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Cladonia Rangiferina

AbstractThe maintenance of protected lichen species and their biodiversity in general depends on good management practices based on their distribution and habitat preferences. To date, 10 of the 17 protected lichen species of Hungary have been recorded in the Bakony Mts including the Balaton Uplands region. Habitat preferences of three protected Cladonia species (C. arbuscula, C. mitis and C. rangiferina) growing on underlying rocks of red sandstone, basalt, Pannonian sandstone and gravel were investigated by detailed sampling. We recorded aspect, underlying rock type, soil depth, pH and CaCO3 content, habitat type (as defined by the General National Habitat Classification System Á-NÉR), all species of lichen, bryophyte and vascular plants as well as percentage cover of exposed rock, total bryophytes, lichens, vascular plants and canopy, degree of disturbance and animal impacts. Sporadic populations of these species mostly exist at the top of hills and mountains in open acidofrequent oak forests, but they may occur in other habitats, such as closed acidofrequent oak forests, slope steppes on stony soils, siliceous open rocky grasslands, open sand steppes, wet and mesic pioneer scrub and dry Calluna heaths. Cladonia rangiferina was found to grow beneath higher canopy cover than either C. arbuscula or C. mitis in the Balaton Uplands. Furthermore, there were significant differences in canopy cover between occupied and unoccupied quadrats in the case of all three species. Cladonia rangiferina is a good indicator species of natural habitats in Hungary due to its restricted distribution and low ecological tolerance. These results may lead to the adoption of effective conservation methods (e.g. game exclusion, artificial dispersal) in the future.

The spatial dynamics of White-browed Babbler groups in a fragmented agricultural landscape

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter G. Cale
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Group Movements

White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus groups occupying linear strips of vegetation had breeding territories that were smaller in area and had longer linear dimensions than those occupying patches. A group's non-breeding home range was larger than its breeding territory. Groups occupying linear/patch home ranges expanded the linear extent and area of their home ranges more than those within other home range configurations. Some groups moved during the non-breeding season and this was more likely to occur if the group occupied a remnant with a low abundance of invertebrates during summer. Some groups that moved returned prior to the next breeding season, but the majority were never seen again. New groups moved into the study sites and established in vacant home ranges. This suggests that those groups that left the study sites may have established new home ranges elsewhere. Breeding site fidelity was lower in groups that had failed in previous breeding attempts. Therefore, group movements were influenced by the feeding and breeding quality of the habitat. However, the configuration of the local population also influenced group movements with those groups on the edge of a local population being more likely to move than those in the interior. New groups were formed by two processes; group dispersal, where groups generally filled a vacant home range, and group budding, which involved the splitting of a large group. Group dispersal maintained group densities while group budding increased the density of groups in a local population. These two processes were common, producing localized fluctuations in the density of groups. Since babbler groups contain only one breeding pair, changes in group density represent changes in effective population size. Therefore, group dynamics may be important to the persistence of local populations of White-browed Babblers, especially in landscapes that have suffered from habitat loss and fragmentation.

The ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia?

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Koenig ◽  
Richard Shine ◽  
Glenn Shea
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Avoided Crossing ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Gravid Females

Although most species of large reptiles in the Sydney region are now restricted to remnant bushland, the blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) remains abundant. How has this large, slow-moving reptile managed to persist in the suburbs? We implanted radio-transmitters into 17 adult blue-tongued lizards and tracked them for six months (October 1998 to March 1999). Radio-tracked animals utilised 5–17 suburban backyards, but each lizard spent most of its time in a few ‘core’ areas near 2–7 shelter sites. Males had larger home ranges than females (mean of 12700 v. 5100 m 2 ) and moved further between shelter sites. Gravid females (mean home range 1000 m 2 ) were more sedentary. Lizards used corridors of dense vegetation to move between retreat sites, and actively avoided crossing roads. In sunny weather, lizards typically basked close to their overnight shelter for 1–4 h each morning until they obtained body temperatures of approximately 32°C. They maintained high body temperatures while moving about in the afternoon. In combination, the following ecological factors may facilitate persistence of blue-tongued lizards at our suburban study sites. (i) The most important subgroup of the population in terms of conservation are gravid females, which are highly sedentary and, thus, less likely to encounter the dangers of suburbia. (ii) The more ‘expendable’ males move about much more, but mostly in times and places that involve minimal risk from humans and their domestic pets. (iii) Lizards show strong site fidelity, spending up to 70% of their time in ‘safe’ locations; importantly, they avoid roads. (iv) Blue-tongued lizards readily utilise ‘artificial’ shelter sites and the commensal prey species (e.g. snails) found in most gardens. (v) These lizards can grow rapidly, mature early, and produce large litters. Because blue-tongued lizards have a long life span (over 30 years in captivity), populations of adults may persist for many years in the absence of recruitment.

Summer stream habitat preferences of Nunavik anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) fry and parr

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Dubos ◽  
André St-Hilaire ◽  
Normand E Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Salvelinus Alpinus ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Arctic Char ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Stream Habitat ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Slow Velocity

Arctic char is a fish species known to occupy diverse habitats within the Arctic region. However, summer habitat use during the juvenile stage of the anadromous form is largely unknown. The present study aims to characterize fry and parr summer habitat preferences. Surveys were conducted by electrofishing, associated with physical habitat characterization on several rivers of the Ungava Bay, Nunavik, Canada. At the microhabitat and station scales, fry showed significant habitat preferences for shallow water and slow velocity. At the mesohabitat scale, fry showed a significant habitat selectivity for riffles. This habitat selectivity implies that habitat models can be built to evaluate the potential of habitat suitability for Arctic char fry. However, no significant habitat selectivity was found for parr. Parr size was nonetheless positively correlated with velocity, which was found to be a limitative factor for juvenile habitat use. This first attempt at modeling juvenile anadromous Arctic char habitat in rivers emphasizes the importance of selecting an appropriate spatial scale and reiterates the fact that parr showed relatively high plasticity in stream habitat selection.

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