scholarly journals Habitat association in the critically endangered Mangshan pit viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis), a species endemic to China

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9439
Author(s):  
Bing Zhang ◽  
Bingxian Wu ◽  
Daode Yang ◽  
Xiaqiu Tao ◽  
Mu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Habitat Association ◽  
Snake Species ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Habitat Variables ◽  
Natural Reserves

Habitat directly affects the population size and geographical distribution of wildlife species, including the Mangshan pit viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis), a critically endangered snake species endemic to China. We searched for Mangshan pit viper using randomly arranged transects in their area of distribution and assessed their habitat association using plots, with the goals of gaining a better understanding of the habitat features associated with P. mangshanensis detection and determining if the association with these features varies across season. We conducted transect surveys, found 48 individual snakes, and measured 11 habitat variables seasonally in used and random plots in Hunan Mangshan National Nature Reserve over a period of 5 years (2012–2016). The important habitat variables for predicting Mangshan pit viper detection were fallen log density, shrub density, leaf litter cover, herb cover and distance to water. In spring, summer and autumn, Mangshan pit viper detection was always positively associated with fallen log density. In summer, Mangshan pit viper detection was related to such habitats with high canopy cover, high shrub density and high herb cover. In autumn, snakes generally occurred in habitats near water in areas with high fallen log density and tall shrubs height. Our study is the first to demonstrate the relationship between Mangshan pit viper detection and specific habitat components. Mangshan pit viper detection was associated with habitat features such as with a relatively high fallen log density and shrub density, moderately high leaf litter cover, sites near stream, and with lower herb cover. The pattern of the relationship between snakes and habitats was not consistent across the seasons. Identifying the habitat features associated with Mangshan pit viper detection can better inform the forestry department on managing natural reserves to meet the habitat requirements for this critically endangered snake species.

scholarly journals Edge-habitat Use by Northwestern Gartersnakes (Thamnophis ordinoides) in Saanich, British Columbia

2017 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Graham P. Dixon-MacCallum ◽  
Katie A.H. Bell ◽  
Patrick T. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Edge Habitat ◽  
Initial Assumption ◽  
Important Habitat ◽  
Habitat Variables

Understanding habitat requirements of species is fundamental for their conservation and urban parks can provide key habitat for species in otherwise disturbed settings. Northwestern Gartersnakes (Thamnophis ordinoides) are common in parks in Saanich, British Columbia, but their specific habitat requirements are poorly understood. Based on previous studies and thermoregulatory needs of snakes, we predicted that edges, particularly field margins, would be heavily used by active snakes. We therefore used surveys that focused on edges to find snakes and measured edge-habitat use by comparing habitat variables at locations where snakes were found to the same variables at nearby random locations. Habitat variables included composition and structure of vegetation, substrate temperature, aspect, and slope. Overall, litter depth, canopy cover, a lack of bare ground and woody vegetation were the most important habitat variables for determining where snakes were found. our results provide a preliminary assessment to improve our understanding of habitat use for this species. The abundance of snakes found while surveying edges supports our initial assumption that edges are important habitat features but more work is required using multiple survey methods to further test this hypothesis.

scholarly journals The Influence of Prey Availability and Vegetation Characteristics on Scent Station Visitation Rates of Coyotes, Canis latrans, in a Heterogeneous Environment

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynda A. Randa ◽  
John A. Yunger
Keyword(s):  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Heterogeneous Environment ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Foliage Density ◽  
Grassland Habitats ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Habitat Variables

We investigated the effects of local prey fluctuations and habitat variables on the scent station visitation rates of the Coyote (Canis latrans) in northern Illinois within a heterogeneous environment. Availability of small mammalian prey was assessed by monthly mark-recapture sampling and visual counts conducted along three, 192-m transects in each of seven habitats that ranged from grassland to wooded sites. Habitat metrics, which included foliage density, ground cover, and canopy cover, were also collected for the same seven habitats. Visitation rates of Coyotes were determined from scent station lines parallel to the small mammal trapping transects. A multiple regression analysis indicated that Coyote visitation rates across the study site were influenced positively by vole (Microtus spp.) abundance and negatively by canopy cover. When Coyote visitation rates were regressed on vole abundance for only the habitats in which voles occurred, the relationship was not significant. This may be attributed to the general avoidance of wooded areas by Coyotes. Coyotes did, however, respond to experimentallyinduced abundant patches of Peromyscus. These findings suggest Coyotes selectively use grassland habitats within a heterogeneous environment and may modify their use according to prey availability.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Winter Wolf Kill Sites in the Southern Yellowstone Ecosystem

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susannah P. Woodruff ◽  
Michael D. Jimenez ◽  
Timothy R. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
National Park ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Lower Elevation ◽  
Spatial Use ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Habitat Variables

Abstract Understanding the spatial use of wolves and how that might relate to prey species may help predict areas with increased likelihood of wolf–prey interactions, areas where wolves may have a higher impact on prey populations, or areas of wolf–livestock conflict. After reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park in 1995, wolves Canis lupus expanded south and recolonized areas in and around Grand Teton National Park in the southern Yellowstone ecosystem in Wyoming, USA. Elk Cervus elaphus in this area are supplementally fed at three feedgrounds artificially increasing elk density. We tracked radio-collared and uncollared wolves annually in winter (December–March) from 2000 to 2008 to investigate kill sites. Our objective was to investigate potential differences in habitat variables (e.g., canopy cover, elevation) between kill sites (n = 295) and available (random; n = 2,360) locations and investigate whether factors influencing winter wolf kill sites differed in a natural setting (i.e., native winter range) vs. an artificial setting (i.e., near or on feedgrounds). Wolf kills occurred at sites with lower elevation, canopy cover, and terrain roughness compared with random locations. Wolf kills were also slightly farther from packed surfaces (i.e., roads or groomed snowmobile trails) and elk feedgrounds, although still in areas of higher intensity of use by elk compared with random locations. Kill sites on native winter range were considerably more rough (odds ratio = 4.47) than those on feedgrounds. Our results suggest wolves hunt where the likelihood of encountering prey is high, although in areas where prey distribution is more sparse (i.e., native winter range), wolves may need to rely on rougher terrain for successful hunts. The relationship between areas of high prey use and increased wolf activity has important implications for both wildlife managers and livestock producers. In the future, managers will continue to face the issue of having high concentrations of ungulates, either wild or domestic, and the obvious attraction this has for wolves.

Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of ringed seal structures in Barrow Strait, Northwest Territories

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 2212-2219 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. O. Hammill ◽  
T. G. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Northwest Territories ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Over The Top ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Important Habitat ◽  
Habitat Variables

The relationship between the distribution of ringed seals, Phoca hispida, and habitat was examined in Barrow Strait, Northwest Territories. Density of seal breathing holes was used as an index of seal abundance. Birth lairs were associated with the largest snowdrifts. Lair formation can occur within 24 h after a snowdrift forms over the top of a breathing hole. Seal structures were associated with ridges consisting of ice pieces 15–25 cm thick projecting upwards to a height of 80–150 cm. In 1975 and 1986, the combination of date of ice consolidation and snow depth were the most important habitat features affecting the distribution of ringed seals structures. This was also true with respect to distribution of birth lairs and undefined haul-out lairs, but no relationship was identified between density of structures used by males and habitat. Snow cover and date of ice consolidation were not identified as important habitat variables in 1984 and 1985 when overall distribution of ice in Barrow Strait was very different. Birth lairs were not seen before 4 April, but were found in increasing frequency as the season progressed. Male structures were evident in late March, but were not found after mid-May.

scholarly journals The relationship between terpenes and flammability of leaf litter

2009 ◽  
Vol 257 (2) ◽  
pp. 471-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ormeño ◽  
Blanca Céspedes ◽  
Iván A. Sánchez ◽  
Angel Velasco-García ◽  
José M. Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship of amphibian abundance to habitat features across spatial scales in the Boreal Plains

Ecoscience ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance L. Browne ◽  
Cynthia A. Paszkowski ◽  
A. Lee Foote ◽  
Alissa Moenting ◽  
Shelly M. Boss
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Boreal Plains ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Resource selection by Javan Slow Loris Nycticebus javanicus E. Geoffroy, 1812 (Mammalia: Primates: Lorisidae) in a lowland fragmented forest in Central Java, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 13667-13679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahfut Sodik ◽  
Satyawan Pudyatmoko ◽  
Pujo Semedi Hargo Yuwono ◽  
Muhammad Ali Imron
Keyword(s):  
Resource Selection ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Ratio Test ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Slow Loris ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Habitat Variables

Habitat loss and forest fragmentation have negative impacts on Javan Slow Loris Nycticebus javanicus, a Critically Endangered nocturnal primate endemic to Java.  Reports confirmed that less than 9% of forest area remains on Java Island.  One of the remaining natural habitats of the Javan Slow Loris is the fragment of Kemuning Forest in Temanggung Regency, Central Java.  The purpose of this study was to determine resource selection and habitat variables that determine the presence of Javan Slow Loris.  Habitat variables measured were basal area, tree connectivity, crown coverage on tree stage, slope, elevation, and distance to river.  Data analysis performed was logistic regression, likelihood ratio test, and Akaike’s Information Criterion with a backward elimination procedure.  We also used direct observation and interviews with locals to collect data on environment and anthropogenic features of this forest.  The results showed that the Javan Slow Loris uses resources selectively on a microhabitat scale.  The habitat factors that influence the probability of resource selection by the species are canopy cover and slope.  Habitat characteristics preferred by the Javan Slow Loris in Kemuning Forest are secondary lowland tropical rainforest with dense canopy cover located on a steep slope with low level of habitat disturbances.  Although this study uses a small sample size, the expectation is that the results can be used as preliminary information for the habitat and population management of Javan Slow Loris in Kemuning Forest to guide conservation efforts and design management strategies.

scholarly journals Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Abundances and Soil Stoichiometry of Zanthoxylum Planispinum Var. Dintanensis Plantations at Different Ages

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanghua Yu ◽  
Yingu Wu ◽  
Yanping Song ◽  
Yitong Li
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Guizhou Province ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Plantation Age ◽  
Soil Stoichiometry ◽  
C And N ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background and aimsUnderstanding the relationship between carbon, nitrogen and their stable isotope 13C, 15N and soil stoichiometry may assist to reveal the distribution pattern and stability mechanism of nutrient elements in karst ecosystem.MethodsFour plantations of Zanthoxylum planispinum var. dintanensis (5–7, 10–12, 20–22 and 30–32 years) in the karst plateau gorge area of Guizhou Province, China, were selected as the research objects to clarify the variation characteristics and interaction effects of leaf, litter, soil C, N and their isotopes with plantation age, and to explore the relationship between soil stoichiometry and the 13C, 15N of Zanthoxylum planispinum var. dintanensis plantation.Results(1) the 13C in leaf, litter and soil were − 28.04‰±0.59‰, -26.85‰±0.67‰ and − 19.39‰±1.37‰, respectively, correspondingly, the contents of 15N were 2.01‰±0.99‰, 2.91‰±1.32‰ and 3.29‰±0.69‰, respectively. The contents of the 13C and 15N can be rank ordered as soil > litter > leaf; (2) with the increase of plantation age, the soil 13C decreased; the leaf and litter 15N increased first then decreased; the litter 13C and soil 15N did not vary significantly; (3) the litter layer positively correlated to soil 13C, and negatively correlated to 15N; (4) redundancy analysis showed that soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and bacteria/fungi (BAC/FUN) were the dominant factors affecting C and N isotope natural abundances.ConclusionsThis study indicated that the species and acidity of soil microbial can affect the C and N isotope natural abundance.

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