Journal articles on the topic 'Habitat selection'
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Mysterud, Atle, Per Kristian Larsen, Rolf Anker Ims, and Eivind Østbye. "Habitat selection by roe deer and sheep: does habitat ranking reflect resource availability?" Canadian Journal of Zoology 77, no. 5 (October 1, 1999): 776–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z99-025.
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Habitat ranking is often assumed to reflect food availability, but habitat selection may involve trade-offs, for example, between selecting for food or cover. We tested whether the habitat selection of 27 radio-collared European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and 10 free-ranging domestic sheep (Ovis aries) on a forest range in southern Norway reflected resource availability. We predicted that ruminants of different feeding types would use habitats according to the main forage class, but that antipredator behavior might remove the correlation between habitat selection and food availability, thus making temporal and spatial scaling crucial. As predicted, habitat selection by sheep was highly correlated with grass availability on both the home-range and study-area scales. The habitat ranking of roe deer habitat selection did not correlate with the availability of herbs on either scale, but rather was correlated with the availability of canopy cover. We found a clear effect of temporal scale on habitat selection by roe deer. During summer, roe deer used forest habitats with more forage to a greater extent when they were active than when they were inactive, and tended to use habitats with greater availability of herbs at night. We conclude that scale-dependent trade-offs in habitat selection may cause inconsistent habitat rankings when pooled across temporal and spatial scales.
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Halliday, William D., Caroline Bourque, and Gabriel Blouin-Demers. "Food quality influences density-dependent fitness, but not always density-dependent habitat selection, in red flour beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)." Canadian Entomologist 151, no. 6 (August 5, 2019): 728–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2019.47.
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AbstractDensity-dependent habitat selection models inherently rely on the negative relationship between population density and mean fitness in different habitats. Habitats differing in quality, such as different food sources or habitat structure, can have different strengths of density-dependent relationships, which can then affect patterns of density dependence in habitat selection. We tested the hypothesis that density dependence in fitness dictates the patterns in density-dependent habitat selection: individuals should prefer higher-quality habitat over lower-quality habitat. We used controlled experiments with red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)) to measure density dependence of fitness and to examine density-dependent habitat selection by beetles in wheat (Triticum Linnaeus (Poaceae)), corn (Zea mays Linnaeus (Poaceae)), and soy (Glycine max (Linnaeus) Merrill (Fabaceae)) flour habitats. Despite large differences in fitness between habitats (fitness was the highest in wheat flour, lower in corn flour, and zero in soy flour), beetles showed only weak preference for wheat over corn flour and for corn over soy flour, but showed strong preference for wheat over soy flour. These preferences were the strongest at low density. This study gives insight into the relationship between habitat quality and density-dependent habitat selection in flour beetles.
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Sempeski, P., and P. Gaudin. "Habitat selection by grayling-I. Spawning habitats." Journal of Fish Biology 47, no. 2 (August 1995): 256–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1995.tb01893.x.
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Sempeski, P. "Habitat selection by grayling—I. Spawning habitats." Journal of Fish Biology 47, no. 2 (August 1995): 256–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jfbi.1995.0131.
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Bandyopadhyay, Meghna, A. Cole Burton, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, and Ramesh Krishnamurthy. "Understanding the distribution and fine-scale habitat selection of mesocarnivores along a habitat quality gradient in western Himalaya." PeerJ 10 (September 16, 2022): e13993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13993.
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Background: Human activities have resulted in a rapid increase of modified habitats in proximity to wildlife habitats in the Himalaya. However, it is crucial to understand the extent to which human habitat modification affects wildlife. Mesocarnivores generally possess broader niches than large carnivores and adapt quickly to human activities. Here, we use a case study in the western Himalaya to test the hypothesis that human disturbance influenced mesocarnivore habitat use. Methods: We used camera trapping and mitochondrial DNA-based species identification from faecal samples to obtain mesocarnivore detections. We then compared the responses of mesocarnivores between an anthropogenic site and a less disturbed park along a contiguous gradient in habitat quality. The non-linear pattern in species-specific habitat selection and factors responsible for space usage around villages was captured using hierarchical generalized additive modelling (HGAM) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination. Results: Wildlife occurrences along the gradient varied by species. Leopard cat and red fox were the only terrestrial mesocarnivores that occurred in both anthropogenic site and park. We found a shift in habitat selection from less disturbed habitat in the park to disturbed habitat in anthropogenic site for the species detected in both the habitat types. For instance, red fox showed habitat selection towards high terrain ruggedness (0.5 to 0.7 TRI) and low NDVI (−0.05 to 0.2) in the park but no such specific selection in anthropogenic site. Further, leopard cat showed habitat selection towards moderate slope (20°) and medium NDVI (0.5) in park but no prominent habitat selections in anthropogenic site. The results revealed their constrained behaviour which was further supported by the intensive site usage close to houses, agricultural fields and human trails in villages. Conclusions: Our results indicate shifts in habitat selection and intensive site usage by mesocarnivores in the human-modified habitat. In future, this suggests the possibility of conflict and disease spread affecting both the people and wildlife. Therefore, this study highlights the requisite to test the wildlife responses to rapidly growing human expansions in modified habitats to understand the extent of impact. The management strategies need to have an integrated focus for further expansions of modified habitat and garbage disposal strategies, especially in the human-wildlife interface area.
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Poole, Kim G., Leslie A. Wakelyn, and Paul N. Nicklen. "Habitat selection by lynx in the Northwest Territories." Canadian Journal of Zoology 74, no. 5 (May 1, 1996): 845–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z96-098.
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An understanding of habitat selection by lynx (Lynx canadensis) in the northern boreal forest is needed to evaluate the potential impacts of habitat modification (wildfire and timber harvesting) on lynx populations. We quantified habitat selection by lynx in a 290-km2 study area in the western Northwest Territories from 1989 to 1993 by radio-collaring 27 adult lynx (12 females and 15 males). An 8-class habitat map, produced using Landsat thematic mapper data, was used to assess habitat selection. Lynx used habitats disproportionately to their availability (P < 0.001), both at the landscape level and within home ranges. Dense coniferous and dense deciduous forests had higher selection indices than other habitat classes, and wetland – lake bed complexes and open black spruce (Picea mariana) forests had lower selection indices. Habitat selection did not differ between the sexes or among years (P ≥ 0.4) Habitat alteration by wildfire in the northern boreal forest could significantly affect populations of the lynx and its primary prey, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), particularly by maintaining or increasing the availability of dense forest and other preferred habitats.
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Tian, Tengteng, Xing Chen, Han Pan, Yuyi Jin, Xiaodian Zhang, Yang Xiang, Dazhao Song, Biao Yang, and Li Zhang. "Habitat Selection Differences of Two Sympatric Large Carnivores in the Southwestern Mountains of China." Diversity 15, no. 9 (August 27, 2023): 968. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d15090968.
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Large terrestrial carnivores play a crucial role in the top–down control of terrestrial ecosystems by maintaining ecosystem stability and biodiversity. However, intense interspecific competition typically occurs among large sympatric carnivores, leading to population reduction or extinction. Spatial partitioning through divergent habitat selection mitigates such competition. In this study, we analyzed the main environmental factors influencing the habitat selection and fragmentation of suitable habitats in Xinlong County, Sichuan Province, using 410 infrared cameras from 2015 to 2023. By employing generalized linear and maximum entropy models, we developed an ensemble model to predict the suitable habitat distribution of leopards (Panthera pardus) and wolves (Canis lupus). The results revealed significant disparities in suitable habitat distributions of leopards and wolves as coexisting large carnivores. Leopards prefer understory, whereas wolves prefer high-altitude meadows. Wolves spatially avoid leopards, who secure relatively superior resources and relegate wolves to inferior habitats. Although suitable habitat patches for both species cluster intensely, habitat connectivity remains low owing to pronounced anthropogenic disturbances, which is especially evident in the higher fragmentation of wolf habitats. These results suggest that sympatric large carnivores can reduce spatial competition intensity and promote spatial partitioning by selecting divergently suitable habitats, thereby facilitating species coexistence.
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Morris, Douglas W. "How can we apply theories of habitat selection to wildlife conservation and management?" Wildlife Research 30, no. 4 (2003): 303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr02028.
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Habitat-selection theory can be applied to solve numerous problems in the conservation and management of wildlife. Many of the solutions involve the use of habitat isodars, graphs of densities in pairs of habitats such that expected fitness is the same in both. For single species, isodars reflect differences in habitat quality, and specify the conditions when population density will, or will not, match the abundance of resources. When two or more species co-occur, isodars can be used to assess not only whether the species compete with one another, but also differences in habitat, in habitat selection, and in the functional form of density-dependent competition. Isodars have been applied to measure scales of habitat selection, the presence or absence of edge effects, as well as the number of habitats that species recognise in heterogeneous landscapes. Merged with foraging behaviour, isodars reveal the relative roles of habitat selection, spatial structure, and environmental stochasticity on local populations. Habitat-selection models can be linked similarly with theories of patch use to assess the underlying cause of source–sink dynamics. Isodars can detect and measure Allee effects, describe human habitat selection, and use human occupation of habitat as a leading indicator of threatened biodiversity. Even so, we have only begun to reveal the potential of habitat selection, and other optimal behaviours, to solve pressing problems in conservation and management.
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Yan, Wen-Bo, Zhi-Gao Zeng, Hui-Sheng Gong, Xiang-Bo He, Xin-Yu Liu, Kai-Chuang Si, and Yan-Ling Song. "Habitat use and selection by takin in the Qinling Mountains, China." Wildlife Research 43, no. 8 (2016): 671. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr16011.
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Context Understanding habitat use and selection by threatened ungulates is a crucial prerequisite to prioritise management areas and for developing effective conservation strategies. Aims The aim of our research was to determine the habitat use and selection of takins (Budorcas taxicolor) in the middle range of the Qinling Mountains, China. Methods The study was conducted from August 2013 to August 2015. Global positioning system (GPS) radio-tracking was used to monitor 10 collared takins to gain their location information. The Manly–Chesson selectivity index and Bonferroni-adjusted 95% confidence intervals were applied to determine which habitats were selected. Key results Habitat use and selection by takins showed obvious individual differences. At the landscape scale, all of the four most common habitat types were preferred by takins. However, all takins avoided artificially planted larch forest, and farmland and village. Available habitats within the home ranges also mostly included the four common habitat types. At the home-range scale, all individuals had significant habitat selectivity during the entire tracking period and each season. The habitat use and selection within the home range varied obviously with season and showed sexual differences to a certain extent. Conclusions The habitat selection by takins is scale-dependent. At the landscape scale, takins are most likely to occur at sites covered by forest. At both landscape and home-range scales, our results indicated that takins need more diverse forest habitats, but none of the four most common forest habitats is essential for survival of this species. Implications The present work has provided more insight into the habitat use and habitat selection of takins in mountainous forest landscapes. Many measures such as maintaining a diversity of forest habitats, avoiding habitat alteration by invasion of exotic plants, and increasing the area of available habitats by relocating the villages from within to outside of the reserve are recommended to conserve this large species.
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Lodé, Thierry. "Habitat Selection and Mating Success in a Mustelid." International Journal of Zoology 2011 (2011): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/159462.
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Habitat selection remains a poorly understood ecological process, but relating mating behaviour to pattern of habitat selection constitutes a fundamental issue both in evolutionary ecology and in biological conservation. From radiotelemetry protocol, habitat-induced variations in mating success were investigated in a solitary mustelid carnivore, the European polecatMustela putorius. Selection for marshy habitat was regarded as adaptive in that mating success was found greater using marches than other habitats. Males consorted with 1.3 females, revealing a low polygyny rate. Pregnant or lactating females selectively shifted to deciduous woods. That some habitat types may favour a good reproduction forms a key factor for species conservation and environmental management. Nevertheless, such as in various vertebrates, habitat requirements seem to be based on simple broad features of habitat, suggesting that habitat avoidance rather than habitat preference can explain polecat habitat predilection.
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Liford, A. N., and K. K. Cecala. "Does riparian disturbance alter stream amphibian antipredator behaviors?" Canadian Journal of Zoology 95, no. 2 (February 2017): 75–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2016-0113.
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Ecological traps occur when a species makes maladaptive habitat-selection decisions. Human-modified environments including deforested riparian habitats can change how organisms respond to environmental cues. Stream amphibians alter their habitat selection in response to abiotic cues associated with riparian clearing, but little research exists to determine if behavioral shifts to abiotic cues may make them more susceptible to predation. To evaluate if deforested habitats create ecological traps, we studied habitat-selection behavior of larval Black-bellied Salamander (Desmognathus quadramaculatus (Holbrook, 1840)) when given conflicting environmental cues. We also evaluated the potential for learning or adaptation to cues in deforested reaches by evaluating individuals from forested and deforested reaches. We anticipated that individuals from deforested reaches would make adaptive antipredator choices when presented with well-lit habitat, whereas individuals from forested reaches would select shaded habitat closer to a predator. We found that habitat origin, light, and predator presence all interacted to influence habitat selection. Although individuals from forested habitats selected shaded environments, all observed individuals adaptively avoided a predator. Individuals from deforested reaches were more willing to enter well-lit habitat to avoid the predator. Despite documented declines of salamanders associated with forest removal, it appears that individuals are capable of making adaptive antipredator decisions in degraded habitats.
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Paterson, J. E., B. D. Steinberg, and J. D. Litzgus. "Generally specialized or especially general? Habitat selection by Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in central Ontario." Canadian Journal of Zoology 90, no. 2 (February 2012): 139–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z11-118.
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Habitat selection is the disproportionate use of habitat compared with availability. Many studies have focused on specialists, but few have considered habitat selection in populations that are generalists, which can be composed of generalist individuals or individuals that specialize on different habitats. We tested habitat selection and individual specialization in a northern population of a supposed generalist, the Snapping Turtle ( Chelydra serpentina (L., 1758)), during the active season and winter using telemetry. Habitat selection was tested at two spatial scales by comparing random points to home ranges and turtle locations using Euclidean distances. Turtles selected home ranges from the habitats available in the population range. However, at the population level, all aquatic habitats were equally preferred, and the population behaved as a generalist owing to individuals specialized on different habitats. Over half of the individuals showed evidence of individual specialization on different habitat types. Turtles did not select habitat within home ranges during the active season, but overwintering turtles chose locations that were colder than haphazard stations in the same habitats, likely to reduce metabolic costs and the risk of acidosis. These findings have implications for the management of this species at risk and for understanding the evolution of resource generalization.
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Thiebot, Jean-Baptiste, Amélie Lescroël, David Pinaud, Philip N. Trathan, and Charles-André Bost. "Larger foraging range but similar habitat selection in non-breeding versus breeding sub-Antarctic penguins." Antarctic Science 23, no. 2 (January 5, 2011): 117–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102010000957.
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AbstractFor land-breeding marine organisms such as seabirds, knowledge about their habitat use has mainly been gained through studies of breeding individuals that are constrained to return frequently to their breeding grounds. In this study we set out to measure whether: a) habitat selection in the non-breeding period predicts habitat selection in the breeding period, and b) whether breeding individuals concentrated their activity on the closest suitable habitats. MacaroniEudyptes chrysolophusand gentooPygoscelis papuapenguins, two marine predators with contrasting foraging strategies, were tracked from the Iles Kerguelen and their habitat selection investigated through Mahalanobis distances factorial analysis. This study presents the first data about gentoo penguins’ juvenile dispersal. For both species, results showed 6.9 times larger maximum ranges and up to 12.2 times greater distances travelled during the non-breeding period. Habitat suitability maps suggested both species made similar environmental selections whatever the period. Macaroni penguins targeted pelagic areas beyond the shelf break while gentoo penguins always remained over the shelf. We consider the ecological significance of larger scale movements made outside the breeding period and suggest that this non-breeding period is of particular interest when attempting to understand an animal's habitat selection.
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Moore, Benjamin D., Graeme Coulson, and Sarah Way. "Habitat selection by adult female eastern grey kangaroos." Wildlife Research 29, no. 5 (2002): 439. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr01057.
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We determined patterns of habitat selection in the winter–spring period by adult female eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) at Yan Yean Reservoir Catchment near Melbourne, Victoria, during 1994–95. We assessed habitat selection at two levels by radio-tracking 11 adult female kangaroos. The 95% isopleth harmonic mean home-range size (mean = 62.3 ha) was the smallest recorded for female eastern grey kangaroos. No range encompassed all of the habitat types available in the study area, and the mix and rankings of habitats selected at this level varied amongst individuals when compared by compositional analysis with available habitats. Selection of habitats at the within-range level also varied among individuals and differed between night and day for many individuals, but not for the population mean. Individuals selected strongly for good foraging habitat within their ranges. In particular, grassy clearings were used by all individuals and were selected strongly by day, night or at both times.
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Leisler, Bernd, and Hans Winkler. "Symposium: Habitat selection." Journal of Ornithology 135, no. 3 (July 1994): 480–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf01639999.
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Pellerin, M., C. Calenge, S. Saïd, J. M. Gaillard, H. Fritz, P. Duncan, and G. Van Laere. "Habitat use by female western roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): influence of resource availability on habitat selection in two contrasting years." Canadian Journal of Zoology 88, no. 11 (November 2010): 1052–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z10-070.
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In most previous studies of habitat selection, the use of a given habitat type is assumed to be directly proportional to its availability. However, the use and (or) the selection of a given habitat may be conditional on the availability of that habitat. We aim here to (i) identify the environmental variables involved in habitat selection, (ii) identify classes of individuals with similar patterns of habitat selection, and (iii) assess whether habitat use changes with changing availability of habitat types, within monthly home ranges of female western roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)). We found that some females adjust their habitat use according to the distribution of resources within habitats. Females with similar home ranges in terms of resource quantity and quality showed similar patterns of habitat selection. Differences in habitat use between 2 years with contrasting resource availability showed that temporal changes of environmental conditions influenced the pattern of habitat selection by female roe deer. Habitat selection also differed between periods of the life cycle likely because of contrasted energy requirements. This study shows that the relationship between habitat use by herbivores and habitat availability is nonproportional, and that the availability of resources influences use mostly at intermediate values.
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Putera, Alexander Kurniawan Sariyanto, Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah, Yeni Aryati Mulyani, Stanislav Lhota, Riki Herliansyah, and Sodikin Sodikin. "Waterbird Foraging Habitat Selection in Balikpapan Bay: Water Depth and Patch Area as Important Factors." HAYATI Journal of Biosciences 28, no. 4 (September 29, 2021): 312–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.4308/hjb.28.4.312-324.
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Balikpapan Bay is one of the wetlands providing potential foraging habitat for waterbirds in Indonesia. Potential habitat loss due to oil industry expansion, recent waterbird occurrence, and co-occurrence of two closely related species with similar foraging characteristics led to habitat selection. Habitat selection could be affected by food as an intrinsic factor and extrinsic factor, for example, accessibility to the physical and biological components of the habitat. This study aimed to measure the foraging habitat selection, identify significant habitat quality parameters for the habitat selection and predict the foraging habitat selection model. We used one-zero sampling for collecting foraging habitat selection data, corer sampling for prey data, and collecting the abiotic environment, and Generalized Linear Modelling (GLM) to build the model. We identified four species as the migrant Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), and Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus). All species, except Purple Heron, selected foraging habitats. A simple mathematic model of foraging habitat selection was significantly affected by two factors: water depth and patch area. A large patch area may provide primary prey abundance for waterbirds, while a low water depth level may give easy access to the prey.
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Moe, T. F., J. Kindberg, I. Jansson, and J. E. Swenson. "Importance of diel behaviour when studying habitat selection: examples from female Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 85, no. 4 (April 2007): 518–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z07-034.
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The goal of habitat selection studies is to identify important habitats for a particular species. However, most studies using radiotelemetry have focused on habitat-selection patterns using daytime positions only. We used 24 h data from six female brown bears ( Ursus arctos L., 1758) equipped with GPS–GSM collars and activity loggers to analyse variations in habitat selection related to diel variations in activity (foraging and resting). We found that the bears rested mainly during the daylight hours and foraged mainly during the crepuscular and nocturnal hours. The bears selected habitats differently when they were resting than when they were foraging. We found no selection for tall coniferous forest using all data, but this habitat was selected by resting bears and avoided by foraging bears. Thus, for studies of habitat selection, our results show the importance of obtaining data from all 24 h and dividing these data into relevant categories based on the diel activity pattern of the studied species.
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Picard, Gabriel, Gabriel Blouin-Demers, and Marie-Andrée Carrière. "Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) select habitats of high thermal quality at the northern extreme of their range." Amphibia-Reptilia 32, no. 1 (2011): 83–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/017353710x541913.
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AbstractIn ectotherms, variation in body temperature (Tb) affects physiological performance and, ultimately, fitness. Therefore, reptiles regulate Tb behaviourally by choosing habitats of optimal temperature. The main goal of this study was to determine the link between patterns of thermoregulation and habitat selection in Common Musk Turtles inhabiting a thermally challenging region. We expected habitat selection to be based on the fulfillment of thermoregulatory requirements, which can be accomplished by selecting thermally superior habitats. From early May to late August 2007, we tracked 22 Common Musk Turtles with temperature-sensitive radio-transmitters and collected daily Tb profiles with automated radio-telemetry data loggers. In addition, temperature data loggers were placed in the study area to measure the range of environmental operative temperatures (Te) available to musk turtles. The habitats with the highest thermal quality were aquatic habitats with surface cover (i.e., lily pads, macrophytes, etc.) followed by shallow water. As expected, musk turtles used habitats non-randomly and had a strong preference for thermally superior habitats. This is consistent with the typical aquatic basking behaviour observed in musk turtles, suggesting that there is a strong link between thermal quality of habitats and habitat selection, even in this almost entirely aquatic turtle.
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Beilharz, Lisa V., and Desley A. Whisson. "Habitat selection by two sympatric rodent species in an alpine resort." Australian Journal of Zoology 64, no. 5 (2016): 327. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo16078.
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Conservation of small mammal species relies on an understanding of their habitat use. We used trapping surveys and telemetry to examine habitat selection and use by the broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus mordicus) and the bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) in an alpine resort in Victoria. M. fuscus occurred at low numbers, nesting in subalpine wet heathland and foraging in that habitat as well as small patches of disturbed woodland. In contrast, R. fuscipes was more common and nested in woodlands. Although foraging primarily in woodlands, R. fuscipes also foraged in all other available habitats. Both species showed strong selection for woodland fragments within ski runs. Although highly disturbed, these habitats may provide important habitat and connectivity between less disturbed and larger habitat patches.
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Schulte-Hostedde, Albrecht I., and Ronald J. Brooks. "An experimental test of habitat selection by rodents of Algonquin Park." Canadian Journal of Zoology 75, no. 12 (December 1, 1997): 1989–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z97-831.
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Using an enclosure experiment, we tested whether substrate selection by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), redback voles (Clethrionomys gapperi), and woodland jumping mice (Napaeozapus insignis) matched habitat-use patterns determined from trapping data. Mice were introduced into a 5 m diameter enclosure containing substrates from three habitats: maple, mixed, and coniferous forest. Trapping data were taken from a long-term monitoring study of small-mammal populations in Algonquin Park, Ontario. We used data from 1991 – 1995 from the three habitats used in the enclosure experiment. If competition or predation affects habitat distribution patterns, then, given a choice, mice should select different substrates in the enclosures from those they use in the field. Alternatively, if habitat use is not constrained by interactions with competitors or predators (i.e., if small mammals select habitats), then habitats used in the enclosure should match habitat distributions observed in the field. Habitats used in the field did not match habitats selected in the enclosure experiment for either deer mice or woodland jumping mice. Redback voles selected habitats similar to those used in the field. We conclude that interspecific competition and (or) predation may limit availability of habitats for deer mice and woodland jumping mice.
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Abou Zeid, Farah, Federico Morelli, Juan Diego Ibáñez-Álamo, Mario Díaz, Jiří Reif, Jukka Jokimäki, Jukka Suhonen, et al. "Spatial Overlap and Habitat Selection of Corvid Species in European Cities." Animals 13, no. 7 (March 29, 2023): 1192. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani13071192.
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Understanding habitat and spatial overlap in sympatric species of urban areas would aid in predicting species and community modifications in response to global change. Habitat overlap has been widely investigated for specialist species but neglected for generalists living in urban settings. Many corvid species are generalists and are adapted to urban areas. This work aimed to determine the urban habitat requirements and spatial overlap of five corvid species in sixteen European cities during the breeding season. All five studied corvid species had high overlap in their habitat selection while still having particular tendencies. We found three species, the Carrion/Hooded Crow, Rook, and Eurasian Magpie, selected open habitats. The Western Jackdaw avoided areas with bare soil cover, and the Eurasian Jay chose more forested areas. The species with similar habitat selection also had congruent spatial distributions. Our results indicate that although the corvids had some tendencies regarding habitat selection, as generalists, they still tolerated a wide range of urban habitats, which resulted in high overlap in their habitat niches and spatial distributions.
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Edkins, Tera L., Christopher M. Somers, Mark C. Vanderwel, Miranda J. Sadar, and Ray G. Poulin. "Variable habitat selection and movement patterns among Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) populations in Saskatchewan." Canadian Field-Naturalist 132, no. 2 (January 1, 2019): 126–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v132i2.2041.
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Pituophis catenifer sayi (Bullsnake) is a sparsely studied subspecies of conservation concern in Canada. Basic ecological information is lacking for P. c. sayi, which reaches its northern range limit in western Canada. To address this gap, we used radio-telemetry to examine space use and habitat selection in three populations of Bullsnakes in disjunct river valley systems (Frenchman, Big Muddy, and South Saskatchewan River Valleys) across their Saskatchewan range. Bullsnakes in two valleys used up to three times more space, travelled 2.5-times farther from overwintering sites, and had lower home range overlap than the third population. Landscape-level habitat selection was flexible, with snakes in all populations using both natural and human-modified habitats most frequently. Fine-scale habitat selection was also similar among populations, with Bullsnakes selecting sites within 1 m of refuges, regardless of whether they were natural or anthropogenic. Based on these results, Bullsnakes are flexible in their broad scale habitat use, as long as they are provided with fine scale refuge sites. The distribution of key seasonal resources appears to ultimately determine space use and habitat selection by Bullsnakes, regardless of the geographic location of the population.
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Grzędzicka, Emilia. "Assessment of Habitat Selection by Invasive Plants and Conditions with the Best Performance of Invasiveness Traits." Diversity 15, no. 3 (February 25, 2023): 333. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d15030333.
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Habitat selection is one of the fundamental concepts in ecology and means that each organism should choose the habitat that will maximize its success. Invaders may be an underestimated object in research on habitat selection. Invasive plants experience enormous propagule pressure and bear the costs of spreading in disturbed anthropogenic habitats. It means that they do not necessarily achieve maximum invasiveness traits in such habitats, which they selected to colonize. This study aimed to assess habitats where invaders are likely to occur from the set of all available ones in the landscape and the habitats with the best performed traits of invaders. The research was conducted on 52 and 112 plots in 2019 and 2021, respectively, in South-Eastern Poland, and the invasive plants were Caucasian hogweeds Heracleum sp. In the first year, the circle plots had a 50 m radius and were to measure habitat areas and traits of hogweeds (height, number of individuals in the plot, cover, and number of flowering specimens). Detrimental correspondence analysis and linear mixed model investigated that hogweeds achieved the best performance reflected by traits in continuous habitats—meadows and forests. In the second year, the plots to measure habitats had a 100 m radius. The reference plots were far from the invasion exposure, and the paired control vs. Heracleum ones had the same habitats with the potential to be invaded. The generalized linear mixed model showed that the probability of the hogweeds occurrence was higher when the habitat was overgrowing with a simultaneous decrease in open areas and in the increasing ruderal area with a decrease in bushes. The impact of the invader’s habitat on the invasion performance depended on the purpose of habitat selection. When invaders spread and increased invasive extent or appeared in habitat edges, they did not reach the highest traits, the best performing in continuous habitats. The specificity of habitat selection of invaders is another aspect that distinguishes invasion science from classic ecology.
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Kingston, Steven R., and Douglas W. Morris. "Voles looking for an edge: habitat selection across forest ecotones." Canadian Journal of Zoology 78, no. 12 (December 1, 2000): 2174–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z00-163.
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We searched for the presence of "edge effects" in the occupation of adjacent boreal-forest habitats by red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi). First, we reviewed four models that differ in their predictions of abundance at habitat boundaries. Three of the models predicted an edge effect, while the so-called matrix or habitat model served as a null expectation. We then developed a protocol to detect, objectively, the ecotone between two habitats that is necessary to differentiate among the four models. The protocol revealed both abrupt and gradual ecotones along transects crossing conifer to cutover and conifer to deciduous habitats. Though vole density was almost always higher on one side of the ecotone than on the other, we were unable to detect an edge effect of any kind. Vole density within ecotones was intermediate to that on each side (refuting the existence of an ecotone effect). There were also no differences in the pattern of density between abrupt and gradual ecotones (refuting the existence of a permeability effect), and no consistent pattern of vole density away from either type of ecotone (refuting the existence of a habitat-selection effect). Simulations that manipulated vole densities along the transects suggested, however, that the habitats may have been too similar to allow a habitat-selection effect to be detected. We suspect that our result will be common to moderately generalised species, and we recommend that controlled experiments be carried out to evaluate the conditions under which habitat-selecting species may exhibit edge effects.
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Yan, Wen-Bo, Zhi-Gao Zeng, Duo Pan, Tie-Jun Wang, Qiong Zhang, Yun-Nan Fu, Xian-Mei Lin, and Yan-Ling Song. "Scale-dependent habitat selection by reintroduced Eld’s deer (Cervus eldi) in a human-dominated landscape." Wildlife Research 40, no. 3 (2013): 217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr12131.
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Context Knowledge of the habitat selection of reintroduced species is crucial to successful re-establishment of viable populations and effective conservation decision-making. Aims The aim of our research was to examine habitat selection by reintroduced Eld’s deer (Cervus eldi) in a human-dominated landscape. Methods The study was conducted during the period from July 2005 to November 2007 in the Chihao region, a human-dominated area located in western Hainan Island, China. Radio-telemetry was used to monitor 15 collared deer to gain their location information. Resource selection functions were used to quantify habitat selection of the study population at the landscape and home-range scales in both wet and dry seasons. Key results At the landscape scale, Eld’s deer showed selection for habitats with scrubland, high elevation, gentle slope, close to water sources and roads. At the home-range scale, Eld’s deer showed selection for habitats with dense forest, scrubland, grassland, low elevation and far away from roads, but they randomly used habitats without special consideration to the distance to water sources. At both landscape and home-range scales, Eld’s deer showed strong avoidance of villages. In addition, Eld’s deer showed increased selection of sparse forests and decreased use of grasslands in the dry season, as compared with the wet season at both spatial scales. Sexual differences in habitat selection existed in reintroduced Eld’s deer. Males showed stronger avoidance to human disturbance, whereas females selected vegetation with higher forage availability but poor hiding cover, especially during the antler-growing period (i.e. wet season). Conclusions The habitat selection of reintroduced Eld’s deer was scale-dependent. As a non-fatal anthropogenic factor, human disturbance had a strong influence on habitat selection of Eld’s deer. They more strongly selected slope habitats at relatively high elevations. However, our results also indicated that the reintroduced Eld’s deer had certain adaptive ability and tolerance to the disturbed environment. Implications This work provides insight into the habitat selection of reintroduced Eld’s deer in a human-dominated landscape. If the essential food resources are available, the regions at a relatively high elevation with low human disturbance can be considered as potential sites of future Eld’s deer reintroduction.
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le, Mar K., and C. McArthur. "Habitat selection by common brushtail possums in a patchy eucalypt-forestry environment." Australian Mammalogy 27, no. 2 (2005): 119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am05119.
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We investigated population density and patterns of habitat selection by the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus) within a patchy forestry environment in north-west Tasmania. Population density was extremely low overall (0.04 animals.ha-1) and varied between habitats (0.01 ? 0.13 animals.ha-1). Selection indices from population surveys and animal movement data showed clear patterns for two closed habitats across two spatio-temporal scales: native forest was selected for, while 5 - 7 year old Eucalyptus nitens plantation was selected against, for both home range placement within the study area and habitats selectively used while foraging at night. Daytime habitat selection also showed the same pattern. We argue that native forest represented high quality habitat, offering both food and shelter (tree-hollows), while older plantation represented low quality habitat, lacking both of these resources. Results for open habitats (young Eucalyptus nitens plantation and grassland) were less clear. These patterns are discussed in relation to potential effects of a changing forestry landscape on this species.
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Huang, Yen-Hua, Hendrina Joel, Martina Küsters, Zoe R. Barandongo, Claudine C. Cloete, Axel Hartmann, Pauline L. Kamath, et al. "Disease or drought: environmental fluctuations release zebra from a potential pathogen-triggered ecological trap." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 288, no. 1952 (June 2, 2021): 20210582. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.0582.
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When a transmission hotspot for an environmentally persistent pathogen establishes in otherwise high-quality habitat, the disease may exert a strong impact on a host population. However, fluctuating environmental conditions lead to heterogeneity in habitat quality and animal habitat preference, which may interrupt the overlap between selected and risky habitats. We evaluated spatio-temporal patterns in anthrax mortalities in a plains zebra ( Equus quagga ) population in Etosha National Park, Namibia, incorporating remote-sensing and host telemetry data. A higher proportion of anthrax mortalities of herbivores was detected in open habitats than in other habitat types. Resource selection functions showed that the zebra population shifted habitat selection in response to changes in rainfall and vegetation productivity. Average to high rainfall years supported larger anthrax outbreaks, with animals congregating in preferred open habitats, while a severe drought forced animals into otherwise less preferred habitats, leading to few anthrax mortalities. Thus, the timing of anthrax outbreaks was congruent with preference for open plains habitats and a corresponding increase in pathogen exposure. Given shifts in habitat preference, the overlap in high-quality habitat and high-risk habitat is intermittent, reducing the adverse consequences for the population.
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Cunningham, Frederick L., Guiming Wang, and D. Tommy King. "Seasonal Habitat Selection by American White Pelicans." Diversity 14, no. 10 (September 30, 2022): 821. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d14100821.
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Resource utilization strategies of avian migrants are a major concern for conservation and management. Understanding seasonal habitat selection by migratory birds helps us explain the ongoing continental declines of migratory bird populations. Our objective was to compare the second-order and third-order habitat selection by the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos; hereafter pelican) between the breeding and non-breeding grounds. We tested the Lack hypothesis that habitat selection by migratory birds is stronger on the breeding grounds than on the non-breeding grounds. We used random-effect Dirichlet-multinomial models to estimate the second-order habitat selection between the seasons with the GPS locations of 32 tracked pelicans. We used Gaussian Markov random field models to estimate the third-order habitat selection by pelicans at the breeding and non-breeding grounds, accounting for spatial autocorrelation. Pelicans strongly selected waterbodies and wetlands at both non-breeding and breeding grounds, tracking their foraging habitats between the seasons at the home range level. However, pelicans exhibited seasonal differences in the strength of the third-order selection of wetlands and waterbodies with foraging habitat selection being stronger at the breeding grounds than at the non-breeding grounds, supporting the Lack hypothesis.
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Groff, Luke A., Aram J. K. Calhoun, and Cynthia S. Loftin. "Amphibian terrestrial habitat selection and movement patterns vary with annual life-history period." Canadian Journal of Zoology 95, no. 6 (June 2017): 433–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2016-0148.
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Identification of essential habitat is a fundamental component of amphibian conservation; however, species with complex life histories frequently move among habitats. To better understand dynamic habitat use, we evaluated Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus (LeConte, 1825)) habitat selection and movement patterns during the spring migration and foraging periods and described the spatiotemporal variability of habitats used during all annual life-history periods. We radio-tracked 71 frogs in Maine during 2011–2013 and evaluated spring migration, foraging activity center (FAC), and within-FAC habitat selection. Telemetered frogs spent the greatest percentage of each field season in hibernacula (≥54.4%), followed by FACs (≥25.5%), migration habitat (≥16.9%), and breeding sites (≥4.5%). FACs ranged 49 – 1 335 m2 (568.0 ± 493.4 m2) and annual home ranges spanned 1 413 – 32 165 m2 (11 780.6 ± 12 506.1 m2). During spring migration, Wood Frogs exhibited different movement patterns (e.g., turn angles), selected different habitat features, and selected habitat features less consistently than while occupying FACs, indicating that the migration and foraging periods are ecologically distinct. Habitat-use studies that do not discriminate among annual life-history periods may obscure true ecological relationships and fail to identify essential habitat necessary for sustaining amphibian populations.
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de Gabriel Hernando, M., AA Karamanlidis, K. Grivas, L. Krambokoukis, G. Papakostas, and J. Beecham. "Habitat use and selection patterns inform habitat conservation priorities of an endangered large carnivore in southern Europe." Endangered Species Research 44 (March 11, 2021): 203–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/esr01105.
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Understanding the habitat use and selection patterns of endangered species is essential in developing management measures that will protect critical habitat and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. This understanding is particularly important in areas with high anthropogenic pressures. To understand the ecological role of various habitat types in the conservation of an endangered large carnivore in southern Europe, with its distinct environmental conditions and predominantly anthropogenic landscapes, we studied 18 GPS-collared brown bears Ursus arctos in Greece. We examined the use and selection of habitats according to age and sex categories and behavioral status during 5 ecologically defined seasons. Areas with rough terrain were identified as important refuge areas and were used by all bears in late hyperphagia and emergence. All bears used areas closer to human-related habitat features during the night. Habitat selection was positive for areas with rough terrain and naturalized (i.e. abandoned or not intensive) crops and areas close to water courses, while high-altitude areas and roads were avoided. The selection or avoidance of other habitats varied across bear categories and between stationary and moving behavior. We recommend that the results of the study be used to develop guidelines for species conservation and allow for prioritizing management actions that will promote the conservation of bears in Greece. In particular, the habitat use patterns provide information on how to limit interactions between humans and bears in space and/or time, while the habitat selection patterns indicate suitable habitats that should be protected/improved based on their importance and ecological role for the species.
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Larison, Brenda, Stephen A. Laymon, Pamela L. Williams, and Thomas B. Smith. "Avian Responses to Restoration: Nest-Site Selection and Reproductive Success in Song Sparrows." Auk 118, no. 2 (April 1, 2001): 432–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/auk/118.2.432.
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Abstract Riparian habitats typically support high diversity and density of both plants and animals. With the dramatic loss of riparian habitats, restoring them has become a priority among conservation practitioners. Diversity and density of avian species tend to increase following riparian restoration, but little is known about how restored habitats function to meet particular species' needs. Habitat structure is an important factor affecting species diversity and density and can influence nest-site selection and reproductive success. To evaluate habitat restoration, we examined interactions between habitat structure, nest-site selection, and nesting success in Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) nesting in restored, mature, and young naturally regenerating stands of riparian forest. We found that stand types differed markedly in structure, and that habitat structure influenced both nest-site selection and rates of nest loss to predation. Comparison of habitat structure among the three stand types indicated that restored stands offered fewer acceptable nest sites and poorer protection from nest predation. Concordant with those differences in habitat structure, Song Sparrows showed trends toward less density in restored stands than in mature forest, and had poorer nesting success as a result of predation.
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Luo, Xin, Shuai Gao, Sichun Tong, Yao Cai, Zheng Wang, and Ning Li. "Non-Breeding Season Habitat Selection of Three Commonly Occurring Bird Species in a Patchy Habitat in SE China." Land 13, no. 6 (June 6, 2024): 807. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land13060807.
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Research into bird habitat selection can unveil the impact of specific habitat characteristics on bird survival. However, empirical information on the environmental factor preferences and differences within the yew ecological garden for birds is still lacking. This study was conducted in a yew ecological garden located in the southern experimental area of the Meihua Mountain National Nature Reserve, Fujian Province, China. We selected three commonly occurring bird species for analysis to discern the factors influencing habitat selection and interspecific differences and the impact of habitat environmental factors. Canopy density and coverage were identified as dominant factors influencing habitat selection for the Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus), and Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii). The height of perching trees, average tree height, and average diameter at breast height were all important determinants for the habitat selection of Red-billed Blue Magpie and Black Bulbul. These dominant factors were consistent with logistic regression analysis results. Both one-way ANOVA and stepwise discriminant analysis revealed significant differences in habitat selection among three commonly occurring bird species. Our results provide important insights into avian habitat selection in patchy habitats, which can be used as a guideline for future conservation and habitat management.
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Lin, Yu-teh K., and George O. Batzli. "The effect of interspecific competition on habitat selection by voles: an experimental approach." Canadian Journal of Zoology 79, no. 1 (January 1, 2001): 110–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z00-184.
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Both meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) prefer habitats with high vegetative cover, but in east-central Illinois, meadow voles tend to be associated with higher cover and prairie voles with lower cover. The competition hypothesis proposes that this pattern of habitat segregation reflects the effects of interspecific competition on habitat selection. To test this hypothesis we conducted field experiments that allowed the two species to select from among several habitats when alone and when together. We expected to find a lower proportion of each species in the habitat most associated with the other species, and a negative correlation between the demography and density of each species and the density of the competing species, but this was not the case. Inter specific competition did affect movement patterns of prairie voles. In the presence of meadow voles, net movement (immigration minus emigration) of prairie voles in high-cover habitats decreased and net dispersal of individuals from high- to low-cover habitats increased. Thus, our results indicated only a weak effect of competition on habitat selection. We suggest that other mechanisms, such as differences in habitat preference (or tolerance), differences in dispersal ability, and the advantage of first residency, need to be considered in conjunction with interspecific competition to explain the habitat segregation observed in these species.
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Pépin, Dominique, Jean Joachim, and Eric Ferrié. "Variability of spring habitat selection by isards (Rupicapra pyrenaica)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 75, no. 12 (December 1, 1997): 1955–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z97-827.
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We studied the influence of snow cover and habitat heterogeneity on altitudinal distribution, grouping patterns, and habitat selection in the isard or Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) in a protected area from the beginning of May to mid-June 1992. Data were recorded from a single vantage point that allowed visual observations to be made over a wide range of elevations. Variations occurred in the spatial extension of groups, with no sightings above 1900 m when snow was abundant at high altitude and only a few sightings below 1700 m when small patches remained at high altitude. During a late heavy snowfall, however, most sightings were made at the middle altitudinal range, where adjoining habitats of steep terrain provided areas of reduced snow depth. The frequency of observations of solitary animals increased slightly and was higher in closed than in open habitats. Both a significant habitat effect and a significant interaction between habitat and time period of observations were found for groups of the average size, ≥ 2 individuals. Montane pastures at low altitude were first selected. Then, when snow melted, this habitat was vacated for 1800- to 2000-m subalpine pastures. Regardless of the time period, the areas dominated by rhododendrons and rocks or scree were systematically avoided. We suggest that in order to gain a better understanding of habitat selection by large ungulates, especially in mountainous areas, short-term variations in environmental heterogeneity be considered.
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Bult, Tammo P., Stephen C. Riley, Richard L. Haedrich, R. John Gibson, and Jan Heggenes. "Density-dependent habitat selection by juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in experimental riverine habitats." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56, no. 7 (July 1, 1999): 1298–306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f99-074.
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We investigated habitat use of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr in experimental riverine enclosures made up of pool, riffle, and run habitats over a range of densities (0.1-1.25 fish·m-2) to test the implicit assumption in habitat modelling that habitat selection does not change with population density. Results indicated that habitat use changed with population density, with relatively more parr in pools and fewer in runs at higher population densities. Temperature influenced parr distribution, with relatively more parr in runs and fewer in riffles and pools at higher temperatures. Parr distribution was primarily affected by hydromorphological differences among pool, riffle, and run habitats. Effects of population density and temperature on use of pool, riffle, and run habitats were often as large as effects of hydromorphological differences among pool, riffle, and run habitats on fish distributions over the range of temperatures and densities observed. Results varied considerably, despite controlled experimental conditions. We concluded that habitat selection by juvenile Atlantic salmon parr may be density dependent and potentially quite variable.
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Crook, Kevin A., Emily Maxner, and Gail K. Davoren. "Temperature-based spawning habitat selection by capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Newfoundland." ICES Journal of Marine Science 74, no. 6 (March 11, 2017): 1622–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsx023.
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Abstract The location of reproduction is a key life history trait, as it influences the bio-physical conditions that offspring experience and, thus, fitness. Capelin Mallotus villosus is a small (< 200 mm), short-lived forage fish that spawns in two habitats in coastal Newfoundland: warm beaches and cool, deep water (15–40 m). From 2009 to 2014, we investigated temperature-dependent spawning habitat use by quantifying hourly temperature at spawning sites during July within each habitat along with population-level spawning site use. Capelin did not spawn at sites with temperatures <2 °C or consistently >12 °C, supporting the estimated suitable spawning temperature range (2–12 °C). Spawning typically occurred exclusively at beaches early in July when deep-water habitat was too cold (i.e. <2 °C), and then switched to deep-water habitat later in July when beaches became too warm (i.e. >12 °C). Spawning overlapped for 1–3 d in both habitats when temperatures were within suitable ranges (2011, 2013), but capelin also spawned exclusively in one habitat when temperatures remained suitable in the other. The latter suggests that other factors influence spawning habitat selection, such as conspecific egg densities and other environmental conditions. Overall, the flexible use of spawning habitats, along with wide tolerance ranges of capelin eggs to environmental conditions, are likely key adaptations to maximize fitness and stabilize population dynamics of this important forage fish species in an unpredictable environment.
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Arvisais, Martin, Esther Lévesque, Jean-Claude Bourgeois, Claude Daigle, Denis Masse, and Jacques Jutras. "Habitat selection by the wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta) at the northern limit of its range." Canadian Journal of Zoology 82, no. 3 (March 1, 2004): 391–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z04-012.
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We characterized the chronology of habitat use by the wood turtle, Clemmys insculpta (LeC., 1829), in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada. We also determined if this species used habitats according to availability within a home range and identified habitat features influencing habitat selection. Habitats were characterized for 20 wood turtles followed weekly by telemetry during the active season of 1997. Turtles used a great diversity of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Alder (Alnus rugosa (Du Roi) Spreng.) stands were the most used terrestrial habitats throughout the active season. Habitat use varied according to activity period. Indeed, wood turtles used aquatic habitats and alder stands during prenesting and prehibernation activity periods, whereas all habitat types were used during nesting and postnesting activity periods. Wood turtles did not use habitats randomly within their home ranges, suggesting that they selected them. Wood turtles seemed to select mixed forest stands that were relatively young (16 years), short (14 m), had low arborescent cover (25%), moderate cover of the upper shrub layer (35%), and low total canopy closure (0%50%). This knowledge will be helpful in the establishment of future conservation measures.
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Tomassini, Orlando, Floris M. van Beest, and Niels M. Schmidt. "Density, snow, and seasonality lead to variation in muskox (Ovibos moschatus) habitat selection during summer." Canadian Journal of Zoology 97, no. 11 (November 2019): 997–1003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2018-0292.
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Understanding how environmental conditions influence habitat selection and suitability of free-ranging animals is critical, as the outcome may have implications for individual fitness and population dynamics. Density and snow are among the most influential environmental conditions driving habitat-selection patterns of northern ungulates. We used two decades of census data from high Arctic Greenland to quantify inter- and intra-annual variations in muskox (Ovibos moschatus (Zimmermann, 1780)) habitat selection and suitability during the Arctic summer (July through October). Across years, habitat selection varied considerably, and the strength of habitat selection appeared negatively related to both muskox density and spring snow cover. In early summer, habitat suitability was high and spatially rather uniform. Towards the autumn, suitable habitats contracted to just the lower elevations, when muskoxen exhibited increasingly stronger habitat selection towards low elevations and dense vegetation. This selection strategy clearly reflects the need to build up fat reserves for the upcoming winter, highlighting the energetic importance of the Arctic summer. Extreme climatic events such as freezing rain in autumn are increasing in frequency in Greenland and limit muskox access to high-quality forage in fens. Such events may therefore negatively affect the energy acquisition process of muskox with potential cascading consequences on population dynamics.
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Tadesse, Solomon A., and Burt P. Kotler. "Habitat Choices of Nubian Ibex (Capra Nubiana) Evaluated with A habitat Suitability Modeling and Isodar Analysis." Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution 56, no. 1 (May 6, 2010): 55–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1560/ijee.56.1.55.
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The value of a habitat for a forager may be affected by habitat characteristics related to food availability, energetic costs of foraging, predation costs, and the foraging opportunities available in other habitats. Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) are stout, sure-footed social wild goats that inhabit arid landscapes with steep terrain. We investigated their habitat selection behavior using indicators to (1) develop a habitat suitability index (HSI) model that would account for the variation in the activity densities of Nubian ibex across habitat types and seasons, (2) apply the isodar technique to look for density-dependent habitat selection behavior in Nubian ibex, and (3) investigate the proximate environmental factors that correlate to relative activity densities of Nubian ibex. We determined relative densities of the ibex by recording sightings of animals along standard walking transects. We incorporated the habitat variables that had greatest influence on the densities of Nubian ibex into habitat suitability index models for both spring and summer seasons.The HSI models revealed that Nubian ibex most preferred open cliff face habitat offering safety during the spring season, but their habitat preference shifted towards an area with watered gardens ("grave area habitat") during the summer season. Significant isodars were only obtained for the summer season comparisons between grave area versus cliff face, and between grave area versus plateau habitats. The slopes of the isodars suggest that the grave area habitat is 10.5 and 7.6 times more productive than the plateau and the cliff face habitats, respectively. Our results suggest that the relative abundances and habitat preferences of Nubian ibex varied with the seasonal availability of habitat resources, extent of predation risks, and human nuisance disturbances across the landscape. We recommend that wildlife managers dealing with the conservation and protection of the endangered Nubian ibex should focus on the various ecological and anthropogenic factors governing the habitat selection and preferences.
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Evans, P. R., and Martin L. Cody. "Habitat Selection in Birds." Journal of Applied Ecology 23, no. 3 (December 1986): 1059. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2403955.
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Wheelwright, Nathaniel T., and Martin L. Cody. "Habitat Selection in Birds." Condor 89, no. 1 (February 1987): 230. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1368784.
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Bazzaz, F. A. "Habitat Selection in Plants." American Naturalist 137 (June 1991): S116—S130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/285142.
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Perrins, C. M. "Habitat Selection in Birds." Journal of Arid Environments 11, no. 2 (September 1986): 182–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-1963(18)31231-x.
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Atkinson, C. J. L., M. Bergmann, and M. J. Kaiser. "Habitat selection in whiting." Journal of Fish Biology 64, no. 3 (March 2004): 788–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2004.00340.x.
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Roberts, Caleb P., James W. Cain, and Robert D. Cox. "Identifying ecologically relevant scales of habitat selection: diel habitat selection in elk." Ecosphere 8, no. 11 (November 2017): e02013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2013.
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Halstead, Brian J., Patricia Valcarcel, Glenn D. Wylie, Peter S. Coates, Michael L. Casazza, and Daniel K. Rosenberg. "Active Season Microhabitat and Vegetation Selection by Giant Gartersnakes Associated with a Restored Marsh in California." Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 7, no. 2 (September 1, 2016): 397–407. http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/042016-jfwm-029.
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Abstract Studies of habitat selection can reveal important patterns to guide habitat restoration and management for species of conservation concern. Giant gartersnakes Thamnophis gigas are endemic to the Central Valley of California, where >90% of their historical wetland habitat has been converted to agricultural and other uses. Information about the selection of habitats by individual giant gartersnakes would guide habitat restoration by indicating which habitat features and vegetation types are likely to be selected by these rare snakes. We examined activity patterns and selection of microhabitats and vegetation types by adult female giant gartersnakes with radiotelemetry at a site composed of rice agriculture and restored wetlands using a paired case-control study design. Adult female giant gartersnakes were 14.7 (95% credible interval [CRI] = 9.4–23.7) times more likely to be active (foraging, mating, or moving) when located in aquatic habitats than when located in terrestrial habitats. Microhabitats associated with cover—particularly emergent vegetation, terrestrial vegetation, and litter—were positively selected by giant gartersnakes. Individual giant gartersnakes varied greatly in their selection of rice and rock habitats, but varied little in their selection of open water. Tules Schoenoplectus acutus were the most strongly selected vegetation type, and duckweed Lemna spp., water-primrose Ludwigia spp., forbs, and grasses also were positively selected at the levels of availability observed at our study site. Management practices that promote the interface of water with emergent aquatic and herbaceous terrestrial vegetation will likely benefit giant gartersnakes. Given their strong selection of tules, restoration of native tule marshes will likely provide the greatest benefit to these threatened aquatic snakes.
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Goddard, Alicia D., Russell D. Dawson, and Michael P. Gillingham. "Habitat selection by nesting and brood-rearing sharp-tailed grouse." Canadian Journal of Zoology 87, no. 4 (April 2009): 326–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z09-016.
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Breeding success is a critical component of population stability and is often influenced by the habitats used during the breeding season. Current hypotheses suggest that sharp-tailed grouse ( Tympanuchus phasianellus (L., 1758)) select nest and brood-rearing habitats that provide both lateral and overhead cover to avoid detection by predators. We examined the selection of nesting and brood-rearing habitats of sharp-tailed grouse at three spatial scales (landscape, patch, and site) in northeastern British Columbia using standard and conditional logistic regression models and an information–theoretic approach. At the patch and site scales, our results validate our predictions, as nesting females selected shrub–steppe habitats, greater shrub and grass cover, taller vegetation, and greater residual vegetation compared with random sites. Brood-rearing females selected for agricultural habitats during the early brood-rearing period (0–14 days), but did not show selection of any habitat type or site attribute during the late brood-rearing period (15–49 days). We suggest that the selection of shrub-dominated habitats by nesting females supports the hypothesis that females select sites and habitats that maximize concealment. We further suggest that selection of shrub-dominated habitat is occurring in response to changes in habitat conditions and availability, as natural grassland communities have diminished across the landscape.
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Candolin, Ulrika, and Marita Selin. "Density-Dependent Habitat Selection in a Growing Threespine Stickleback Population." International Journal of Zoology 2012 (2012): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/378913.
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Human-induced eutrophication has increased offspring production in a population of threespine sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatusin the Baltic Sea. Here, we experimentally investigated the effects of an increased density of juveniles on behaviours that influence survival and dispersal, and, hence, population growth—habitat choice, risk taking, and foraging rate. Juveniles were allowed to choose between two habitats that differed in structural complexity, in the absence and presence of predators and conspecific juveniles. In the absence of predators or conspecifics, juveniles preferred the more complex habitat. The preference was further enhanced in the presence of a natural predator, a perchPerca fluviatilis(behind a transparent Plexiglas wall). However, an increased density of conspecifics relaxed the predator-enhanced preference for the complex habitat and increased the use of the open, more predator-exposed habitat. Foraging rate was reduced under increased perceived predation risk. These results suggest that density-dependent behaviours can cause individuals to choose suboptimal habitats where predation risk is high and foraging rate low. This could contribute to the regulation of population growth in eutrophicated areas where offspring production is high.
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Szenek, Zoltán, and Zsolt Végvári. "Habitat selection of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) in Körös-Maros National Park." Ornis Hungarica 26, no. 1 (June 1, 2018): 89–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/orhu-2018-0006.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract We investigated relationships among bustard presence data as response as well as properties of habitat patches such as shape, size, type of land use and landscape connectivity in 2015, employing bustard occurrence data in Körös-Maros National Park (KMNP hereafter). Additionally, we aimed to present a geometrical approach of habitat choice in animals, focusing on geometric properties rather than vegetation structure. Here we applied landscape metrics approach, providing landscape classification by analysing spatial patterns in potentially important landscape objects, disregarding linear constructions. Our findings show insignificant differences between shape metrics of selected and non-selected habitat patches, in line with previous studies concluding that bustards choose habitats based on habitat type classes rather than on geometric properties. Further, our results indicate that the original habitats of the study species, adapted to extensive, open steppes, became strongly fragmented, resulting in the absence of large contiguous areas. Within the study area, landscape connectivity values represent optimal habitat conditions, probably as a result of highly patchy structure of the landscape and relatively small nearest neighbour distances of habitat patches. Thus, our findings also indicate that Great Bustards adapted to modified landscape structures. Our landscape analytical approach provides a methodological framework which can be applied on habitat selection tactics in a number of species of key conservation importance.