Multilevel habitat preferences of Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomys glareolus in an intensively cultivated agricultural landscape

AbstractThe range sizes and habitat preferences of nine adult European grass snakes (Natrix natrix) were determined from radio-tracking data obtained within a landscape of mixed deciduous woodland and pastoral fields in southern England. These data were analysed using RANGES7v0.81 software. Concave polygons resulted in overall individual range size estimates that varied between 0.18-9.41 ha. However, for individuals that were radio-tracked for more than one season, annual range size estimates ranged between 1.29 ha and 3.56 ha and some snakes shifted their range between seasons. Grass snakes showed a strong preference for habitat boundaries and interfaces and an avoidance of woodland, and fields that were used for grazing. The attributes common to habitats that snakes preferred were a combination of basking site availability and a close proximity to relatively dense vegetation that offered potential protection from predators. The attributes common to habitats that snakes avoided were a lack of basking sites in woodland, and cover, in fields. Grass snakes selected banks as hibernation sites, the majority of which were within woodland.

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The small mammal fauna in an agricultural landscape in southern Sweden, with special reference to the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mamm.1991.55.1.91 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

J. LOMAN

Keyword(s):

Special Reference ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Wood Mouse ◽

Apodemus Sylvaticus ◽

Southern Sweden ◽

Mammal Fauna

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The importance of non-forest tree stand features for protection of the Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus in agricultural landscape: a case study from South-Eastern Poland

Agroforestry Systems ◽

10.1007/s10457-020-00498-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 94 (5) ◽

pp. 1825-1835

Author(s):

Jerzy Michalczuk

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Forest Tree ◽

Health Condition ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

South Eastern ◽

Dendrocopos Syriacus

Abstract Non-forest tree stands are important habitats for many species of birds in the agricultural landscape. They are also the main habitat of the Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus, whose numbers have been decreasing in recent years in some parts of Europe. Recognition of the habitat requirements of this species may help better planning of its protection in the context of the treed agricultural landscapes. During this study, the habitat preferences of the Syrian Woodpecker were determined in the agricultural landscape of South-Eastern Poland. A set of 12 habitat parameters of tree stands located in the breeding territories of the Syrian Woodpecker (n = 122) and in randomly chosen control areas (n = 122) located outside the range of the breeding territories of this species were characterized. The number and species diversity of trees was significantly higher in stands located in Syrian Woodpecker territories than in the random control areas. Stands occupied by breeding pairs also had trees of worse health condition and a larger proportion of fruit trees. The model best explaining the probability of the occurrence of the species indicates that the Syrian Woodpecker requires mainly the presence of tree stands with a greater species diversity of trees, as well as tree stands in worse health condition. When planning the protection of this species’ habitats in the agricultural landscape, the characteristics of non-forest tree stands noted above should be taken into account.

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