New insights on the rarity of the vulnerable Cinereous Warbling-finch (Aves, Emberizidae) based on density, home range, and habitat selection

The Cinereous Warbling-finch Poospiza cinerea (Emberizidae) is a Neotropical grassland bird considered rare, with population declining due to habitat loss and classified as vulnerable. However, the species conspicuously remains in several degraded areas, suggesting that it may be favored by these environments. Studies which focus on this species were inexistent until 2012, making questionable any statement about its threaten status. Here we analyzed population density, home range, and habitat selection of two groups of P. cinerea at independent sites that differ in human impact levels. Density was estimated by counting and mapping birds. Kernel density and minimum convex polygon were used to estimate home ranges. Habitat selection was inferred from use and availability of every habitat identified within the home range boundaries. One group positively selected urban tree vegetation, despite the availability of natural habitats in its home range. Based on a review on the literature and our findings, we assume that it is unlikely that P. cinerea is rare owing to habitat degradation, as previously thought. Nevertheless, this species was always recorded around native Cerrado vegetation and thus habitat modification may still threaten this species at some level. It is suggested that this species might be a woodland edge species, but future studies are necessary to confirm this assumption.

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Home Range Attributes and Habitat Selection of Barred Owls and Spotted Owls in an Area of Sympatry

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/109.4.750 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 109 (4) ◽

pp. 750-768 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas E. Hamer ◽

Eric D. Forsman ◽

Elizabeth M. Glenn

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Home Range ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Negative Slope ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Strix Varia ◽

Spotted Owls ◽

Barred Owls ◽

Selection Of

Abstract We compared home range areas and habitat selection of radio-marked Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis) and Barred Owls (Strix varia) in an area of sympatry in the northern Cascade Range of Washington in 1986–1989. On average, home ranges of Spotted Owls were 3–4 times larger than ranges of Barred Owls, and there was little overlap of home ranges during the breeding season. Ranges of both species tended to expand during winter. Home range size of both species was negatively correlated with the amount of old forest, but the negative slope of the regression was much steeper for Spotted Owls than for Barred Owls. For both species, home ranges of individual owls typically had high overlap among seasons and years, indicating high site fidelity. Barred Owls generally occupied home ranges at lower elevations than Spotted Owls (mean = 386 ± 27 m vs. 750 ± 68 m). Both species tended to use old forests more than expected, but Spotted Owls tended to use other cover types less than expected, whereas Barred Owls used most other cover types in proportion to their availability. We suggest that Spotted Owls may use larger ranges than Barred Owls because they prey selectively on a few species of nocturnal mammals, whereas Barred Owls forage more evenly across a broad range of prey types, including diurnal and aquatic species. The low overlap of Barred Owl and Spotted Owl home ranges suggests that territorial Barred Owls exclude Spotted Owls from their territories, at least during the breeding season, thus reducing the amount of habitat available to Spotted Owls.

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Home Range and Habitat Selection of Female Mountain Nyalas (Tragelaphus Buxtoni) in the Human-Dominated Landscape of the Ethiopian Highlands

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21274/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Anagaw Atickem ◽

Matthias Klapproth ◽

Martha Fischer ◽

Dietmar Zinner ◽

Leif Egil Loe

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Home Range ◽

National Park ◽

Resource Selection ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Human Settlement ◽

Night Time ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Background: Human settlement and agricultural activities restrict increasingly the range of large mammals in many cases contributing to declining numbers of ungulates. Here, we studied home range size and habitat selection of female mountain nyalas in the northern end of the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) (31 km2) surrounded by human settlement. We collected data on space use of seven adult female mountain nyalas equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars. Home range size was estimated using fixed kernel density and habitat selection was determined by resource selection functions.Results: We found that female mountain nyalas have much smaller (5.7 km2) home ranges than the 19 km2 home range size predicted for a 170 kg, group-living species living in mixed habitats. Home ranges were 30% larger in night time than daytime. We suggest that the night time extension beyond the park boundaries were caused by both push and pull effects. The presumably high livestock and other ungulates grazing pressure within the protected area may cause forage-driven excursions out of the park, in particular during agricultural crop seasons. In addition, mountain nyalas are probably attracted by humans as shields against hyena predation. Resource selection index indicates bush land and forest habitat are the most preferred habitat types while agriculture and human settlements are least preferred habitats.Conclusions: Given that mountain nyalas are found in high density (24 individuals/km2) and the size of the northern part of the Bale Mountain National Park, which is currently under protection by the park authorities for the mountain nyala conservation, is too small for the predicted home range size of large ungulates, we suggest protecting additional area may be needed for the long-term conservation of the endangered mountain nyala.

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Habitat selection by parturient elk (Cervus elaphus) in agricultural and forested landscapes

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z10-061 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 88 (10) ◽

pp. 968-976 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Ryan K. Brook

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Home Range ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Protected Area ◽

Deciduous Forest ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Resource Managers

I examined the home range and habitat selection of 146 radio-collared female elk ( Cervus elaphus L., 1758) from 2002 to 2005 during the calving period (15 May to 24 June). I determined the proportion of home ranges of parturient cow elk during the calving period and the proportion of birthing sites of elk that were in either forested protected areas or the adjacent fragmented agriculture-dominated matrix in southwestern Manitoba, Canada. Overall, 73% of the minimum convex polygon home ranges were entirely within a protected area, 6% were only on farmland, and 21% included both. Home ranges including farmland and protected area (mean = 17.9 km2) were 3.8 times larger than those entirely inside a protected area (mean = 4.7 km2) or only on farmland (mean = 4.5 km2) (U = –2.79, P = 0.005). Female elk remaining solely in protected areas selected deciduous and mixedwood forest, marsh and fen, and water at the scale of the home range. Elk exclusively on farmland selected forage crops only. At the scale of the birthing site, females on farmland and those in protected areas selected only deciduous forest, and both types avoided agricultural cropland and marsh and fen. Identification of calving habitat will allow resource managers to manage bovine tuberculosis in the population more effectively.

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Wolverine, Gulo gulo, Home Range Size and Denning Habitat in Lowland Boreal Forest in Ontario

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v124i2.1052 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 124 (2) ◽

pp. 139 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

F. Neil Dawson ◽

Audrey J. Magoun ◽

Jeff Bowman ◽

Justina C. Ray

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Boreal Forest ◽

Boreal Forests ◽

Radio Telemetry ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Northwestern Ontario ◽

Selection Of

We conducted the first radio-telemetry study of Wolverines in northwestern Ontario during the winter of 2003-2004 to determine whether home ranges and movements of Wolverines in lowland boreal forest were typical of this species in other ecosystems and to describe reproductive den sites in this habitat type. Seven Wolverines (3 M, 4 F) were radio-tagged and monitored for 31 to 269 (Mean ± SE = 153 ± 35) days using a combination of remotely monitored Argos satellite and conventional aerial telemetry. Male and female 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges (±SE) during December to October were 2,563 (796) km2 and 428 (118) km2, respectively, for combined VHF and Argos locations. A lactating female had a 95% MCP home range of 262 km2. The den site for this female included large boulders and downed trees, similar to dens described for this species in montane ecosystems. Boulder complexes and downed trees may be critical features of wolverine dens in lowland boreal forests. Mean road densities (± SE) within 95% MCP and 50% MCP home ranges were 0.43 (0.13) and 0.33 (0.23) km/km2, respectively, and our results suggest that road densities may affect selection of home ranges by Wolverines. The Wolverine population was a resident, reproductive population. Erratum for table included.

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Habitat selection and nest success of the Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) in Ivvavik National Park, Yukon, Canada

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v128i4.1627 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 128 (4) ◽

pp. 341 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Valerie Miller ◽

Erica Nol ◽

Linh P. Nguyen ◽

Devin M. Turner

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Home Range ◽

National Park ◽

Nest Success ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Grassland Species ◽

Nest Sites ◽

Tree Encroachment ◽

Nesting Sites ◽

Selection Of

The Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) is a grassland shorebird species associated primarily with prairie habitats in central North America. A disjunct and poorly studied population also occurs in Yukon, Canada, and Alaska, United States. We studied habitat selection of nesting Upland Sandpipers in Ivvavik National Park, Yukon, at the scales of microhabitat (1-m radius around nest) and putative home range (11.3-m radius plots at nests and within 50 m of nest). At the microhabitat scale, the Upland Sandpiper selected nest sites with lower visibility from above than that of their home range (median 91.5%, range 70–98% versus median 99.0%, range 85–100%) and less-variable composition of vegetation than at random sites within the home range. Vegetation adjacent to the nest in the eastern quadrat was significantly shorter (mean ± standard error: 10.6 ± 1.55 cm) than that in other directions around the nest (> 13 cm); nest sites and microsites within home ranges were more often hummocky than random sites in the park. At the mesohabitat scale, Upland Sandpipers selected sites within home ranges with fewer trees than random sites within the park (10.3 ± 3.0 trees per 11.3-m-radius plot around nest versus 32.9 ± 5.9 trees per 11.3-m-radius plot in the park) and greater herbaceous cover (70.7% ± 3.0% versus 56.2% ± 3.7%). Despite the disproportionate use of sites with fewer trees, more herbaceous cover, and lower vertical visibility, these factors did not relate to nest success in our sample. Of the 24 nests found in 2010 and 2011, 22 contained four eggs and 2 contained three eggs. Upland Sandpipers at this high latitude site had a nesting success rate of 0.85 ± 0.01 and 0.56 ± 0.01 in 2010 and 2011, respectively, for a 21-day incubation period. Further assessment of the selected characteristics of nesting sites will improve our ability to predict the effects of northward shrub and tree encroachment on this grassland species.

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Coping with human disturbance: spatial and temporal tactics of the brown bear (Ursus arctos)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z10-053 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 88 (9) ◽

pp. 875-883 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

Jodie Martin ◽

Mathieu Basille ◽

Bram Van Moorter ◽

Jonas Kindberg ◽

Dominique Allainé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Home Range ◽

Human Disturbance ◽

Ursus Arctos ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Brown Bear ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Fine Scale ◽

Brown Bears ◽

Selection Of

In human-dominated landscapes, species with large spatial requirements, such as large carnivores, have to deal with human infrastructure and activities within their home ranges. This is the case for the brown bear ( Ursus arctos L., 1758) in Scandinavia, which is colonizing more human-dominated landscapes, leading inevitably to an overlap between their home ranges and anthropogenic structures. In this study, we investigated fine-scale habitat selection by brown bears to examine how they deal with this potential disturbance. Using Global Positioning System (GPS) data, we studied (i) habitat selection of female brown bears within their home range and (ii) the influence of diurnal variation in human disturbance on fine-scale habitat use. As expected, females selected habitats within their home range that provided abundant food resources and minimized human-caused disturbance. In addition, our temporal analysis of habitat selection revealed an avoidance of disturbed areas and a selection of slopes by bears during periods of highest human activities, i.e., during daylight hours. We clearly demonstrate the importance of considering the fluctuations in human activity when studying habitat selection, especially at fine spatial scales. Failing to do so may considerably reduce the power to detect important fine-scale habitat-selection behaviors.

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AKDEC home range size and habitat selection of Sumatran elephants

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr16069 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 (7) ◽

pp. 566 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Alexander Markus Moßbrucker ◽

Christen H. Fleming ◽

Muhammad Ali Imron ◽

Satyawan Pudyatmoko ◽

Sumardi

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Home Range ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Special Focus ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Specific Information ◽

Forest Protection ◽

Conventional Methods ◽

Selection Of

Context Understanding ranging behaviour and habitat selection of threatened species is crucial for the development of conservation strategies and the design of conservation areas. Our understanding of the actual needs of the critically endangered Sumatran elephant in this context is insufficient. Aims Provide reliable subspecies-specific information on home range size and habitat selection of Sumatran elephants. Methods Using both the new area-corrected autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDEC) and two commonly applied conventional methods, the home range sizes of nine Sumatran elephants were estimated. Elephant habitat selection was studied using Manly’s selection ratios. Key results AKDEC home ranges of adults ranged from 275 km2 to 1352 km2. Estimates obtained using conventional KDE and minimum convex polygon (MCP) ranged between 156 km2 and 997 km2. Overall habitat selection was significant for both slope and land-cover type, whereas individual preferences varied to some extent. On the basis of global selection ratios, we found natural forest, pulpwood plantations and gentle slopes (≤4°) to be significantly selected, whereas most areas affected by human activities and steeper slopes were avoided by the majority of animals included in the study. Conclusions As expected, AKDEC estimates were much larger than those obtained using conventional methods because conventional methods have a tendency to underestimate home range size when confronted with autocorrelated movement data and produce estimates that refer to the limited study period only, whereas AKDEC estimates include the predicted animal’s long-term space use. The extremely large AKDEC estimate obtained for a subadult male most likely represents a combination of population dispersal range and temporary home range rather than its final adult home range. Regardless, it appears that Sumatran elephants roam over much larger areas than previously assumed. Natural forests and relatively flat areas are of great importance for Sumatran elephants. The observed intensive use of pulpwood plantations by one individual is likely because of limited availability of alternative suitable habitats. Implications A landscape-wide approach to elephant conservation that takes large home ranges into account, is required, and should include forest protection and restoration and elephant friendly management of existing pulpwood concessions, with special focus on areas with relatively gentle slopes.

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Ecological Correlates of Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites in Female Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrococercus urophasianus)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2020-0258 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jordan Clark Rabon ◽

Cassandra M. V. Nuñez ◽

Peter Coates ◽

Mark Ricca ◽

Tracey N. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Remotely Sensed Data ◽

Sage Grouse ◽

Ecological Conditions ◽

Annual Grasses

Measurement of physiological responses can reveal effects of ecological conditions on an animal and correlate with demographic parameters. Ecological conditions for many animal species have deteriorated as a function of invasive plants and habitat fragmentation. Expansion of juniper (Juniperus spp.) trees and invasion of annual grasses into sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems have contributed to habitat degradation for Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrococercus urophasianus (Bonaparte, 1827); hereafter, “Sage-Grouse”), a species of conservation concern throughout its range. We evaluated relationships between habitat use in a landscape modified by juniper expansion and annual grasses and corticosterone metabolite levels (stress responses) in feces (FCORTm) of female Sage-Grouse. We used remotely sensed data to estimate vegetation cover within hens’ home ranges and accounted for factors that influence FCORTm in other vertebrates, such as age and weather. We collected 36 fecal samples from 22 radio-collared hens during the brood-rearing season (24 May–26 July) in southwestern Idaho 2017–18. Concentrations of corticosterone increased with home range size but decreased with reproductive effort and temperature. The importance of home range size suggests that maintaining or improving habitats that promote smaller home ranges would likely facilitate a lower stress response by hens, which should benefit Sage-Grouse survival and reproduction.

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Investigating Home Range, Movement Pattern, and Habitat Selection of Bar-headed Geese during Breeding Season at Qinghai Lake, China

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani8100182 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 182 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ruobing Zheng ◽

Lacy Smith ◽

Diann Prosser ◽

John Takekawa ◽

Scott Newman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Home Range ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Movement Ecology ◽

Movement Pattern ◽

Qinghai Lake ◽

Important Species ◽

Central Asian ◽

Anser Indicus ◽

Selection Of

The Bar-headed Goose is the only true goose species or Anserinae to migrate solely within the Central Asian Flyway, and thus, it is an ideal species for observing the effects of both land use and climate change throughout the flyway. In this paper, we investigate the home range, movement pattern, and habitat selection of Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) during the breeding season at Qinghai Lake, which is one of their largest breeding areas and a major migration staging area in the flyway. We identified several areas used by the geese during the breeding season along the shoreline of Qinghai Lake and found that most geese had more than one core use area and daily movements that provided insight into their breeding activity. We also observed the intensive use of specific wetlands and habitats near Qinghai Lake. These data provide interesting insights into the movement ecology of this important species and also provide critical information for managers seeking to understand and respond to conservation concerns threatening Bar-headed Geese, such as landscape and habitat changes.

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