Neonate Cottonmouth Spatial Ecology and Habitat Selection: From Parturition to Hibernation

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Zackary J. Delisle ◽  
Dean Ransom ◽  
Johanna Delgado-Acevedo
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Spatial Ecology

scholarly journals Spatial ecology and habitat selection of Little Owl Athene noctua during the breeding season in Central European farmland

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN ŠÁLEK ◽  
MATĚJ LÖVY
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Athene Noctua ◽  
Little Owl ◽  
Selection Of

SummaryInformation on habitat requirements and spatial ecology is vital in conservation strategies and management of particular species. Little Owl Athene noctua is a highly threatened owl species whose populations have significantly decreased or are locally extinct in many European countries. In this study we report on spatial ecology and habitat selection of Little Owls during their breeding season in an agricultural landscape and discuss key management actions for its conservation. The mean home range size of radio-tracked Little Owls, determined by the kernel method, was 0.94 ha (SD = 0.95, 0.24–2.72 ha) and 4.30 ha (SD = 3.75, 0.88–11.70 ha) for 50% and 95% home range, respectively. The smallest home ranges were recorded in April–June (incubation and nesting period) with a significant increase in July–August (fledging season). The most important foraging habitat during the entire breeding season was grassland (especially pastures) reaching 90% for all locations. Vegetation height and cover were the main factors determining habitat selection: Little Owls significantly preferred sparse and short sward vegetation patches that enabled hunting of ground-dwelling prey. Conservation efforts for Little Owls should focus on the active management of prey-rich grassland habitats in the vicinity of breeding sites.

scholarly journals Fine scale foraging habitat selection by two diving central place foragers in the Northeast Atlantic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Huon ◽  
Yann Planque ◽  
Mark Jessopp ◽  
Michelle Cronin ◽  
Florence Caurant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Central Place ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Northeast Atlantic ◽  
Harbour Seals

1. Understanding the animal-habitat relationship at local scale is crucial in ecology, particularly to develop strategies for wildlife management and conservation. As this relationship is governed by environmental features and intra and inter-specific interactions, habitat selection of a population may vary locally between its core and edges. 2. This is particularly true for central place foragers, such as grey and harbour seals, whose trends in numbers vary among different regions in the Northeast Atlantic. Here, we aimed at studying how foraging habitat selection may vary locally with the influence of population trends and physical habitat features 3. Using GPS/GSM tags deployed in grey and harbour seal colonies of contrasting sizes, we investigate spatial patterns and foraging habitat selection by comparing trip characteristics and home range similarities, and fitting GAMM to the seal distribution and environmental data respectively. 4. We show that grey seal foraging habitat selection and spatial patterns differed markedly between regions. Grey seals may select environmental characteristics for their foraging habitat accounting for local differences in prey consumed. Spatial patterns were different might depend on local seal density and regional productivity, located from inshore to offshore areas for the limit ranges and core population respectively. Our results on foraging habitat selection reflected the coastal and sedentary behaviour of harbour seals. We found no difference in spatial patterns between colonies, except for the Inner Hebrides where seals foraged further, potentially reflecting density dependence pressure, as the number in this colony is higher. 5. These results suggest that local conditions might have a strong influence on population spatial ecology, highlighting as well the relevance of studying foraging habitat selection based on foraging behaviour at fine geographical scale, particularly if species are managed within regional units.

scholarly journals Spatial ecology and multi-scale habitat selection by Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) in an urban area

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-119
Author(s):  
Kelsey A. Marchand ◽  
Christopher M. Somers ◽  
Ray G. Poulin
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Urban Park ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii

As urban centres expand, knowledge on the habitat and space use of native wildlife, particularly long-lived species, is required for proper management. Our objective was to understand space requirements and key habitat features necessary for long-term persistence of Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) living in a Canadian urban park. Using radio telemetry, we examined seasonal habitat selection and space use over two years, 2015–2016 (n = 23), and 2016–2017 (n = 29) in Regina, Saskatchewan. Daily movements and home ranges of males and females were smaller during emergence than during nesting or post-nesting phases of the active season. Turtles inhabiting marsh sites had 2- and 4-times larger daily movements and home ranges compared to turtles inhabiting the creek. Turtles selected the shoreline habitat over urban/parkland and open water. Turtles used marsh-shoreline habitats non-randomly, selecting accessible shoreline with large trees in the active season. In contrast, turtles used creek-shoreline habitat according to availability. Overwintering sites selected by turtles were warmer and deeper than random available sites, with no difference in dissolved oxygen level. However, water was hypoxic for most overwintering sites. Our results show that turtles range widely, requiring 20–60 ha throughout the year. Urban park areas should be managed to provide accessible shorelines with a combination of cover and open basking areas. Critically, careful attention needs to be paid to managing water depth so that over-wintering sites remain viable.

The importance of forests for an apex predator: spatial ecology and habitat selection by pumas in an agroecosystem

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Azevedo ◽  
F. G. Lemos ◽  
M. C. Freitas‐Junior ◽  
R. C. Arrais ◽  
R. G. Morato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Apex Predator
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