Do prey densities determine preferences of mammalian predators for habitat edges in an agricultural landscape?

0351517 - ÚBO 2011 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Šálek, Martin - Kreisinger, Jakub - Sedláček, František - Albrecht, Tomáš
Do prey densities determine preferences of mammalian predators for habitat edges in an agricultural landscape?
Landscape and Urban Planning. Roč. 98, č. 2 (2010), s. 86-91. ISSN 0169-2046. E-ISSN 1872-6062
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT LC06073; GA MŠMT 1P05OC078
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60870520; CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : mammalian predators * fragmentation * small mammals * edge effect * predator–prey * distribution * Mustelids
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 2.004, year: 2010

We tested the hypothesis that the high prevalence of mammalian predators along habitat edges arises due to increased abundance of their principal prey – small mammals. Gradients in the abundance of carnivores and small mammals across a habitat edge gradient (secondary mixed forest interior vs. secondary mixed forest interior/grassland edge vs. grassland interior) were monitored during a 2-year survey performed in a fragmented central European landscape. Our data provide support for the hypothesis that a high abundance of carnivores in habitat edges was associated with increased numbers of small mammals. The abundance of mammalian predators and small mammals consistently increased in habitat edges. Moreover, prey densities tended to explain carnivore patch preferences even when statistically controlling for the effect of habitat type (edge vs. interior habitats), suggesting a direct causality between carnivore habitat preferences and actual prey density.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0191253