scholarly journals First records on habitat use of semi-feral cattle in southern forests: topography reveals more than vegetation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolás Seoane
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Selection Probability ◽  
Southern Beech

While the presence of cattle in forests is quite common, how they use this habitat is often overlooked. When this is examined, most studies focus on measurements of the vegetation variables influencing habitat selection. This current report provides a suitable model to study habitat use by livestock in forested areas by means of GPS tracking on selected individuals. The model was applied to data from semi-feral cattle in order to obtain the first description of their habitat use in southern forests. Furthermore, the model accounted for individual variability, and hinted at population patterns of habitat use. The positions of 15 individual cows with GPS collars were recorded covering twelve months in a Nothofagus (southern beech) forest in Patagonia (Argentina). By projecting these GPS location data into a geographical information system (GIS), a resource selection probability function (RSPF) that considers topographic and vegetation variables was built. The habitat selection by semi-feral cattle in southern beech forests showed a large interindividual variability, but also some similar characteristics which enable a proper description of habitat-use patterns. It was found that habitat selection by cattle was mainly affected by topographic variables such as altitude and the combination of slope and aspect. In both cases the variables were selected below average relative to availability, suggesting a preferred habitat range. Livestock also tended to avoid areas of closed shrublands and showed a slight preference for meadows. Cattle give significant importance to topographic variables to define their habitat selection in this type of mountainous forests. This might be because of an ecological adaptation to the major features of these types of forests due to ferality. Furthermore, these results are the basis for management applications such as predictive maps of use by semi-feral livestock in forested landscapes.

scholarly journals First records on habitat use of semi-feral cattle in southern forests: topography reveals more than vegetation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolás Seoane
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Selection Probability ◽  
Southern Beech

While the presence of cattle in forests is quite common, how they use this habitat is often overlooked. When this is examined, most studies focus on measurements of the vegetation variables influencing habitat selection. This current report provides a suitable model to study habitat use by livestock in forested areas by means of GPS tracking on selected individuals. The model was applied to data from semi-feral cattle in order to obtain the first description of their habitat use in southern forests. Furthermore, the model accounted for individual variability, and hinted at population patterns of habitat use. The positions of 15 individual cows with GPS collars were recorded covering twelve months in a Nothofagus (southern beech) forest in Patagonia (Argentina). By projecting these GPS location data into a geographical information system (GIS), a resource selection probability function (RSPF) that considers topographic and vegetation variables was built. The habitat selection by semi-feral cattle in southern beech forests showed a large interindividual variability, but also some similar characteristics which enable a proper description of habitat-use patterns. It was found that habitat selection by cattle was mainly affected by topographic variables such as altitude and the combination of slope and aspect. In both cases the variables were selected below average relative to availability, suggesting a preferred habitat range. Livestock also tended to avoid areas of closed shrublands and showed a slight preference for meadows. Cattle give significant importance to topographic variables to define their habitat selection in this type of mountainous forests. This might be because of an ecological adaptation to the major features of these types of forests due to ferality. Furthermore, these results are the basis for management applications such as predictive maps of use by semi-feral livestock in forested landscapes.

Wildlife habitat selection on landscapes with industrial disturbance

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
BOGDAN CRISTESCU ◽  
GORDON B. STENHOUSE ◽  
MARC SYMBALUK ◽  
SCOTT E. NIELSEN ◽  
MARK S. BOYCE
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Surface Mining ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Animal Populations

SUMMARYTechnological advancements in remote sensing and telemetry provide opportunities for assessing the effects of expanding extractive industries on animal populations. Here, we illustrate the applicability of resource selection functions (RSFs) for modelling wildlife habitat selection on industrially-disturbed landscapes. We used grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) from a threatened population in Canada and surface mining as a case study. RSF predictions based on GPS radiocollared bears (nduring mining = 7; npost mining = 9) showed that males and solitary females selected areas primarily outside mineral surface leases (MSLs) during active mining, and conversely inside MSLs after mine closure. However, females with cubs selected areas within compared to outside MSLs irrespective of mining activity. Individual variability was pronounced, although some environmental- and human-related variables were consistent across reproductive classes. For males and solitary females, regional-scale RSFs yielded comparable results to site-specific models, whereas for females with cubs, modelling the two scales produced divergent results. While mine reclamation may afford opportunities for bear persistence, managing public access will likely decrease the risk of human-caused bear mortality. RSFs are powerful tools that merit widespread use in quantitative and visual investigations of wildlife habitat selection on industrially-modified landscapes, using Geographic Information System layers that precisely characterize site-specific conditions.

scholarly journals Resource selection by the Endangered Arabian tahr: identifying critical habitats for conservation and climate change adaptation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ross ◽  
H. Rawahi ◽  
M.H. Jahdhami
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Thermal Refuge

AbstractThe Arabian tahr is an Endangered mountain ungulate endemic to the Hajar Mountains of Arabia. The Arabian tahr population is in decline and threats to tahr habitat are intensifying, in addition new potential challenges from climate change are emerging. Fundamental to future conservation planning is understanding tahr habitat selection patterns, so we can prioritise habitat protection, and understand how habitat may be used to provide thermal refuge and allow adaptation to climate change impacts. We used GPS collars and resource selection functions to characterise Arabian tahr habitat preferences in Wadi Sareen Nature Reserve, Oman. We found tahr habitat selection was dependent on scale, sex and season. Vegetation resources were only selected at the smallest scales of selection and avoided at other scales. Habitat providing low heat load and thermal refuge were intensely selected at small and medium scales, by both sexes and in both seasons, suggesting the importance of thermal refuges in facilitating thermoregulation. Higher elevations, steep slopes and rugged habitats were selected across all scales tested here, and in previous landscape-scale studies, indicating the fundamental importance of these habitats in supporting Arabian tahr populations. Our results identified critical habitats required to sustain Arabian tahr, and demonstrated the importance of thermal refuges to species living in the hot climates such as the Arabian Peninsula. Given the accessibility of habitat layers, and ease in which the identified habitats can be mapped using a geographical information system, understanding the habitat selection of tahr and other species is a crucial step to increasing conservation management capacity of threatened species. Given our uncertainty of how to conserve wildlife under future climate change, understanding the availability and distribution of wildlife habitat is an important baseline from where we can plan, connect and preserve the resources necessary for wildlife conservation.

scholarly journals Estimating a resource selection function with line transect sampling

2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan F. J. Manly
Keyword(s):  
Resource Selection ◽  
Probability Function ◽  
Resource Selection Function ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Line Transect Sampling ◽  
Selection Probability ◽  
Transect Sampling ◽  
Conditional Maximum ◽  
Habitat Variables

A resource selection probability function is a function that gives the prob- ability that a resource unit (e.g., a plot of land) that is described by a set of habitat variables X1 to Xp will be used by an animal or group of animals in a certain period of time. The estimation of a resource selection function is usually based on the comparison of a sample of resource units used by an animal with a sample of the resource units that were available for use, with both samples being assumed to be effectively randomly selected from the relevant populations. In this paper the possibility of using a modified sampling scheme is examined, with the used units obtained by line transect sampling. A logistic regression type of model is proposed, with estimation by conditional maximum likelihood. A simulation study indicates that the proposed method should be useful in practice.

scholarly journals Human-induced changes in habitat preference by capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and their potential effect on zoonotic disease transmission

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago C. Dias ◽  
Jared A. Stabach ◽  
Qiongyu Huang ◽  
Marcelo B. Labruna ◽  
Peter Leimgruber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Zoonotic Disease ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Selection Strategies ◽  
Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris ◽  
Natural Landscapes

AbstractHuman activities are changing landscape structure and function globally, affecting wildlife space use, and ultimately increasing human-wildlife conflicts and zoonotic disease spread. Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a conflict species that has been implicated in the spread and amplification of the most lethal tick-borne disease in the world, the Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). Even though essential to understand the link between capybaras, ticks and the BSF, many knowledge gaps still exist regarding the effects of human disturbance in capybara space use. Here, we analyzed diurnal and nocturnal habitat selection strategies of capybaras across natural and human-modified landscapes using resource selection functions (RSF). Selection for forested habitats was high across human- modified landscapes, mainly during day- periods. Across natural landscapes, capybaras avoided forests during both day- and night periods. Water was consistently selected across both landscapes, during day- and nighttime. This variable was also the most important in predicting capybara habitat selection across natural landscapes. Capybaras showed slightly higher preferences for areas near grasses/shrubs across natural landscapes, and this variable was the most important in predicting capybara habitat selection across human-modified landscapes. Our results demonstrate human-driven variation in habitat selection strategies by capybaras. This behavioral adjustment across human-modified landscapes may be related to BSF epidemiology.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study on Home Range and Habitat Use of Chinese Goral (Naemorhedus Griseus): Exploring GPS Tracking Data in Cliff Landscape by Three Estimation Methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
yang teng ◽  
Shupei TANG ◽  
lai heda meng ◽  
Liji Wu ◽  
Zhiqing HAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Tracking Data ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Range Estimation ◽  
Lower Altitude ◽  
Effective Conservation

Abstract Home range size estimation is a crucial basis for developing effective conservation strategies and provides important insights into animal behavior and ecology. This study aimed at analyzing the home range variations, the influence of altitude in habitat selection, and comparing three methods in home range estimation of Chinese gorals (Naemorhedus griseus) living at a cliff landscape. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the annual home range sizes of individual animals but there was no difference in their seasonal home range sizes based on GPS tracking data of five female Chinese gorals from February 2015 to September 2018. The monthly home ranges decreased dramatically in May, June and July due to birth-giving. Notable seasonal variations were found in the micro-habitats of the Chinese gorals, as reflected by the altitude they inhabit, with higher altitude habitats used in spring and lower altitude habitats used in winter. Additionally, the altitude of monthly habitats was lowest in January, which may indicate an adaptation to low air temperature. We also found differences between estimation methods, namely minimum convex polygon (MCP), kernel density estimation (KDE) and α-local convex hull (α-LoCoH), with seasonal home range sizes derived from α-LoCoH being substantially smaller than those derived from MCP and KDE. In conclusion, our findings filled the gaps in home range study for this endangered species and contributed to effective conservation strategies. Considerations shall have to be given to the variations in home range estimation caused by different methods when dealing with rugged habitats, so as to make sure that any interpretation concerning the habitat use of the targeted species made on basis of such results would be meaningful and valid.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study on Home Range and Habitat Use of Chinese Goral (Naemorhedus Griseus): Exploring GPS Tracking Data in Cliff Landscape by Three Estimation Methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Teng ◽  
Shupei TANG ◽  
Dalai Menghe ◽  
Liji Wu ◽  
Zhiqing HAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Tracking Data ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Range Estimation ◽  
Lower Altitude ◽  
Effective Conservation

Abstract Home range size estimation is a crucial basis for developing effective conservation strategies and provides important insights into animal behavior and ecology. This study aimed at analyzing the home range variations, the influence of altitude in habitat selection, and comparing three methods in home range estimation of Chinese gorals (Naemorhedus griseus) living at a cliff landscape. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the annual home range sizes of individual animals but there was no difference in their seasonal home range sizes based on GPS tracking data of five female Chinese gorals from February 2015 to September 2018. The monthly home ranges decreased dramatically in May, June and July due to birth-giving. Notable seasonal variations were found in the micro-habitats of the Chinese gorals, as reflected by the altitude they inhabit, with higher altitude habitats used in spring and lower altitude habitats used in winter. Additionally, the altitude of monthly habitats was lowest in January, which may indicate an adaptation to low air temperature. We also found differences between estimation methods, namely minimum convex polygon (MCP), kernel density estimation (KDE) and α-local convex hull (α-LoCoH), with seasonal home range sizes derived from α-LoCoH being substantially smaller than those derived from MCP and KDE. In conclusion, our findings filled the gaps in home range study for this endangered species and contributed to effective conservation strategies. Considerations shall have to be given to the variations in home range estimation caused by different methods when dealing with rugged habitats, so as to make sure that any interpretation concerning the habitat use of the targeted species made on basis of such results would be meaningful and valid.

scholarly journals Territorial landscapes: incorporating density-dependence into wolf habitat selection studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 190282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn T. O'Neil ◽  
Dean E. Beyer ◽  
Joseph K. Bump
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Density Dependence ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Habitat Availability ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Selection Probability ◽  
Density Dependent

Habitat selection is a process that spans space, time and individual life histories. Ecological analyses of animal distributions and preferences are most accurate when they account for inherent dynamics of the habitat selection process. Strong territoriality can constrain perception of habitat availability by individual animals or groups attempting to colonize or establish new territory. Because habitat selection is a function of habitat availability, broad-scale changes in habitat availability or occupancy can drive density-dependent habitat functional responses. We investigated density-dependent habitat selection over a 19-year period of grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) recovery in Michigan, USA, using a generalized linear mixed model framework to develop a resource selection probability function (RSPF) with habitat coefficients conditioned on random effects for wolf packs and random year intercepts. In addition, we allowed habitat coefficients to vary as interactions with increasing wolf density over space and time. Results indicated that pack presence was driven by factors representing topography, human development, winter prey availability, forest structure, roads, streams and snow. Importantly, responses to many of these predictors were density-dependent. Spatio-temporal dynamics and population changes can cause considerable variation in wildlife–habitat relationships, possibly confounding interpretation of conventional habitat selection models. By incorporating territoriality into an RSPF analysis, we determined that wolves' habitat use in Michigan shifted over time, for example, exhibiting declining responses to winter prey indices and switching from positive to negative responses with respect to stream densities. We consider this an important example of a habitat functional response in wolves, driven by colonization, density-dependence and changes in occupancy during a time period of range expansion and population increase.

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