The fine-scale utilization of forest edges by mammalian mesopredators related to patch size and conservation issues in Central European farmland

0370302 - ÚBO 2012 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Červinka, J. - Šálek, Martin - Pavluvčík, P. - Kreisinger, J.
The fine-scale utilization of forest edges by mammalian mesopredators related to patch size and conservation issues in Central European farmland.
Biodiversity and Conservation. Roč. 20, č. 14 (2011), s. 3459-3475. ISSN 0960-3115. E-ISSN 1572-9710
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT LC06073
Keywords : Edge effect * Fragment size * Mammalian mesopredators * Fragmentation * Scent stations * Czech Republic
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 2.238, year: 2011

Here, we focus on the edge effect in different sized forest patches in Central European farmland. In particular, we tested whether the distribution of mammalian mesopredators is related to fragment size and distance to habitat edge, and whether the contribution of these factors is additive or interactive. Our findings confirm that mammalian mesopredators strongly prefer habitat edges and small forest fragments. The probability of occurrence tended to decrease with increasing distance from the edge for all seven carnivore species detected. The carnivores’ occurrence was also negatively correlated with forest fragment area. All detected species tended to prefer small fragments, with the exception of the Eurasian badger and the red fox. In addition, the non-significant interaction between fragment size and distance to edge suggests that both of these factors contribute independently and additively to mesopredator-mediated effects on biota in a fragmented landscape.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0204144