1
|
Galantinho A, Herrera JM, Eufrázio S, Silva C, Carvalho F, Alpizar-Jara R, Mira A. Road verges provide connectivity for small mammals: A case study with wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) in an agro-silvo pastoral system. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 258:110033. [PMID: 31929068 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.110033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Roads disrupt landscape connectivity for many terrestrial mammals. These infrastructures can be barriers to movement thereby threatening population persistence. Nonetheless, small mammals may use road verges as habitat or corridor, thus increasing migration across intensively managed landscapes. However, in well-preserved habitats where road verges show a similar vegetation structure to surrounding areas, their role is still unknown. Road verges would have an important role as fine-scale connectivity providers for small mammals in a well-preserved habitat depending on land management on road surroundings. We aimed to quantify the effects of road verges and paved lanes on the fine-scale landscape connectivity for the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in a well-preserved Mediterranean woodland. Additionally, we assessed the impact on connectivity of vegetation cutting on verges and of management in surrounding areas (i.e. firebreaks, grazing, ploughing and cork stripping). We quantified connectivity using graph theory based on two years of capture-recapture data. We compared a set of connectivity metrics (derived from the probability of connectivity index) in a road area and in a virtual roadless scenario. We found that the presence of the road reduced overall fine-scale landscape connectivity, acting as a partial barrier for wood mice movement. However, verges had a key role in promoting movement on road surroundings. Vegetation cutting on verges, and land ploughing in the surrounding landscape were the only management activities compromising connectivity. Our study supports the already known role of road verges as habitat corridors for small mammals. However, it goes beyond existing knowledge by quantifying the connectivity enhancement provided by road verges and demonstrating that this role is highly relevant even in well-preserved landscapes. Therefore, our findings emphasize the critical role of road verges and suggest important management options to enhance landscape connectivity for small mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Galantinho
- Conservation Biology Unit (UBC), Biology Department, University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal; Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM), University of Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal.
| | - José M Herrera
- Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO- InBIO), University of Évora, Casa Cordovil 2o Andar, Rua Dom Augusto Eduardo Nunes, 7000-651, Évora, Portugal
| | - Sofia Eufrázio
- Conservation Biology Unit (UBC), Biology Department, University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal
| | - Carmo Silva
- Conservation Biology Unit (UBC), Biology Department, University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal
| | - Filipe Carvalho
- Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO-InBIO), University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal; Department of Zoology and Entomology, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa
| | - Russell Alpizar-Jara
- Research Center in Mathematics and Applications (CIMA-UE), Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Department of Mathematics, School of Science and Technology, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671, Évora, Portugal
| | - António Mira
- Conservation Biology Unit (UBC), Biology Department, University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal; Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM), University of Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal; Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO-InBIO), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tisell HB, Degrassi AL, Stephens RB, Rowe RJ. Influence of field technique, density, and sex on home range and overlap of the southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi). CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Home range is shaped by an individual’s interactions with the environment and conspecifics, and both size and placement may vary in response to population fluctuations. The method used to collect locational data may also affect home-range estimates. We examined the effect of density, sex, and field method on home range of southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi (Vigors, 1830)) inhabiting eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière) forests. Twelve mark–recapture grids were used to census M. gapperi from 2014 to 2017. In 2017, individuals were radio-collared. Home-range size, core-area size, and shared space were calculated using kernel density estimators from both mark–recapture and radiotelemetry data. Density effects on home range and core area were analyzed and differences between sex and field method were compared. We found (i) density did not affect home-range size, (ii) male home range was larger than female home range, (iii) females shared space more frequently and to a greater extent with males than other females, and (iv) home-range estimates were not significantly different between mark–recapture and radiotelemetry. Male home range, however, was larger under radiotelemetry and may reflect a truncation effect when mark–recapture grid size is smaller than male home range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Honora B. Tisell
- University of New Hampshire, Natural Resources and the Environment, 114 James Hall, 56 College Road, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Allyson L. Degrassi
- Shenandoah University, Environment and Society Department, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601, USA
| | - Ryan B. Stephens
- University of New Hampshire, Natural Resources and the Environment, 114 James Hall, 56 College Road, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Rowe
- University of New Hampshire, Natural Resources and the Environment, 114 James Hall, 56 College Road, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sanches VQA, Gomes MMDA, Passos FDC, Graciolli G, Ribas ACDA. Home-range and space use by Didelphis albiventris (Lund 1840) (Marsupialia, Didelphidae) in Mutum Island, Paraná river, Brazil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2012. [DOI: 10.1590/s1676-06032012000400004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Home-range is the area used by an animal in its daily activities. Home-range studies provide data on species mating systems and territorial behavior. Our main goal was to estimate the Didelphis albiventris (Lund 1840) home-range in Mutum Island, Paraná River, Brazil. The study was carried out in 2008 from March to October on a 19.20 ha grid. The island is part of the Parana River Islands and Floodlands Federal Environmental Protection Area, with vegetation composed by Alluvial Semideciduous Seasonal Forest in a region of Subtropical Wet climate. The sampling effort was 3,360 traps-night resulting in 152 Didelphis albiventris (Lund 1840) captures. Forty-one Didelphis albiventris (Lund 1840) individuals were captured in 42 capture stations, composed by a trap placed on the floor and another in understory (2 m high). The animals were mostly terrestrial, independently of age or sex. Four females and five males, which were recaptured at least five times, were used to calculate home-range using the minimum convex polygon method. The mean home-range estimate was 2.33 ± 2.32 ha, similar to previous estimates provided by other methods, suggesting that our capture grid area, that was larger than usually applied for mark-capture studies for this species, have not underestimated the home-ranges. Evidences of the relation between individual home-range area and body mass were observed. Home-range overlaps occurred between males, females and males with females; the average overlap was 33.74%, which may be related to a promiscuous mating system, and suggests female territoriality.
Collapse
|
7
|
Fontúrbel FE, Franco M, Rodríguez-Cabal MA, Rivarola MD, Amico GC. Ecological consistency across space: a synthesis of the ecological aspects of Dromiciops gliroides in Argentina and Chile. Naturwissenschaften 2012; 99:873-81. [PMID: 22996392 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-012-0969-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Revised: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Dromiciops gliroides is an arboreal marsupial found in the temperate forests of South America (36-43 °S). This species is the sole extant representative of the order Microbiotheria, and is a key seed disperser of many native plant species, including the keystone mistletoe Tristerix corymbosus. Here, we synthesized the current knowledge on the ecological aspects of this species, and compared the available information from Argentina and Chile. Population density (23 ± 2 (mean ± SE) individual/ha) and home range (1.6 ± 0.6 ha) appear to be relatively similar across a marked ecological gradient in the mainland, but lower densities (7 ± 2 individual/ha) and smaller home ranges (0.26 ± 0.04 ha) were detected at island sites. We detected regional variation in body condition in Chile, but there were no significant differences across a wider E-W gradient. Movement patterns fit a random walk model; such behavior might have important consequences in shaping plant's spatial patterns. Although our data suggest that D. gliroides is more tolerant to habitat disturbance than previously thought, its incapability to disperse across non-forested areas suggests that the rapid rate of habitat loss and fragmentation that characterizes southern temperate forests likely poses a serious threat to this species. These ecological similarities are surprising given that forests studied receive dramatically different rainfall and correspond to distinct forest types. The evidence synthetized here dispels some of the myths about this species but also stresses the need for more comprehensive ecological studies across its distribution range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco E Fontúrbel
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Madikiza ZJK, Bertolino S, Do Linh San E. Female in space, or female in space and time? First data on the socio-spatial organization and mating system of the woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus). J ETHOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-010-0249-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|