贺兰山岩羊冬春季取食生境的比较

2003年11～12月和2004年4～6月,在贺兰山设定了25条固定样线,采用直接观察法对岩羊冬春季的取食生境选择进行了研究。结果表明,岩羊冬季对12种取食生境生态因子有选择性,偏爱选择位于山地疏林草原带,优势乔木为灰榆,乔木密度〈4株、高度4～6m,灌木密度〉5株、高度〉1．3m,食物质量〉50g,人为干扰距离〈500m,距裸岩距离〈2m的地方取食。而春季对11种取食生境生态因子有选择性,偏爱选择山地疏林草原带,优势乔木为灰榆,乔木密度〈4株、高度〈6m,灌木密度5～10株、高度1．3～1．7m,食物质量〉100g,海拔高度〈2000m,距水源距离〈500m,隐蔽级50％～75％的地点。冬春季岩羊对植被类型、地形特征、优势乔木、乔木密度、乔木高度、灌木密度、灌木距离、食物丰富度、坡向、坡度、距水源距离、人为干扰距离和隐蔽级的选择存在显著差异。主成分分析表明,冬季第1主成分的贡献率达24．493％,其中绝对值较大的权系数出现在植被类型、优势乔木、乔木高度、乔木距离、灌木密度、灌木高度、海拔高度、距水源距离和人为干扰距离等生态因子：春季第1主成分的贡献率达28．777％,其中绝对值较大的权系数出现在植被类型、乔木距离、灌木高度、灌木距离、食物丰富度、海拔高度和人为干扰距离等生态因子。随着北方地区冬春季食物数量和质量的剧烈变化,贺兰山岩羊对取食生境的利用对策也将发生一定程度的改变,与其他分布区的岩羊相比,贺兰山独特的地理位置和特殊生境使其在取食生境选择上存在很大差异。     

贺兰山马鹿冬季取食和卧息生境选择

2007 年12 月至2008 年1 月,在贺兰山地区,利用痕迹检验法和直接观察法对马鹿阿拉善亚种的冬季取食和卧息生境选择进行研究。通过在选定的15 条沟段里进行调查,共测定了72 个取食利用样方,59 个卧息利用样方和131 个对照样方的18 种生态因子。结果表明,马鹿在冬季偏好的取食地为平滑起伏坡,以酸枣、柳为优势乔木、混合型树林或空地,乔木高大稀疏、间距较远,灌木密度大,草本盖度较高,位于< 15°的半阴半阳坡的下坡位,距裸岩远,隐蔽度高;偏好的卧息地在山地疏林草原带的平滑起伏坡上,以酸枣、柳为优势乔木、混合型树林或空地,乔木高大稀疏,灌木矮小、稀疏且距离较远,草本盖度较高,位于< 15°阳坡的下坡位,远离裸岩,隐蔽程度高。马鹿冬季的取食和卧息生境在草本盖度和隐蔽度上差异极显著。相对于卧息生境,马鹿冬季的取食生境对草本盖度和隐蔽度要求更低一些。马鹿冬季取食地的资源选择函数为1.155 - 0.149 × 乔木高度- 0.066 × 草本盖度+ 0.190 × 坡度,模型的正确判别率为86.8% ;马鹿冬季卧息地的资源选择函数为- 30.936
+ 0.494 × 乔木高度+ 0.257 × 坡度-0.002 × 海拔高度+ 0.387 × 隐蔽度,模型的正确判别率为95.8% 。食物、隐蔽条件以及贺兰山的独特地形特征是影响马鹿冬季取食和卧息生境选择的主要因素。     

贺兰山同域分布岩羊和马鹿发情季节的生境选择差异

2007年和2008年9—12月,在宁夏贺兰山国家级自然保护区和内蒙古贺兰山国家级自然保护区利用痕迹检验法和直接观察法对同域分布的岩羊和马鹿发情季节生境选择进行研究。通过在选定的15条沟段里进行调查,分别测定了岩羊和马鹿的177个和154个样方的18种生态因子。结果表明,发情季节岩羊和马鹿在植被类型、地形特征、优势乔木、坡向、坡位、灌木密度、灌木高度、植被盖度、坡度、海拔高度、距水源距离、人为干扰距离、距裸岩距离和隐蔽级等生态因子选择上存在极显著差异(P0.01),乔木高度存在显著差异(P0.05),而其余生态因子无显著差异(P0.05),相对于马鹿选择的生境而言,岩羊发情季节更偏爱选择地势陡峭的山地疏林草原带,优势乔木以较高的灰榆为主,灌木密度低但高度较高,植被盖度较低,坡度较大的阳坡中上部,海拔较低,接近水源和裸岩,隐蔽程度低的生境。典则系数显示发情季节岩羊和马鹿的生境选择几乎完全分离,Wilk’sλ值也显示发情季节岩羊和马鹿的生境选择具有很高的差异性(Wilk’sλ=0.123,χ2=679.172,df=10,P0.001)。发情季节岩羊和马鹿的Fisher线性判别函数分别为:F岩羊=3.638×乔木高度+0.242×乔木距离+7.766×灌木高度+0.663×灌木距离+0.232×植被盖度+0.191×坡度+0.001×距水源距离+0.008×距裸岩距离+0.307×隐蔽级-31.078;F马鹿=4.850×乔木高度+0.321×乔木距离+12.024×灌木高度+0.929×灌木距离+0.192×植被盖度+0.482×坡度+0.002×距水源距离-0.001×人为干扰距离-0.003×距裸岩距离+0.511×隐蔽级-50.787。逐步判别分析表明在区分发情季节岩羊和马鹿生境方面有一系列生态因子发挥作用,依照贡献值的大小依次为坡度、人为干扰距离、隐蔽级、距裸岩距离、乔木高度、乔木距离、距水源距离、灌木高度、灌木距离和植被盖度,由这10个变量构成的方程对发情季节岩羊和马鹿生境的正确区分率达到99.7%。     

海南大田自然保护区野猪的生境选择

对海南大田自然保护区内野猪(Sus scrofa)的生境选择进行了研究。结果表明,野猪偏好选择低平地热带草原和灌丛草地,通常选择草本植物高、草本生物量大、草本覆盖度高、灌木矮小、1m以下当年枝比例高、隐蔽程度相对较低、接近水源的地点作为取食地,而选择灌木高大且密度高、灌木覆盖度高、草本植物高、隐蔽程度好、接近水源和远离人为干扰的地点作为卧息地。在雨季,野猪卧息地的灌木覆盖度和隐蔽度均比旱季高,而取食地的草本生物量也比旱季高。主成分分析表明,取食地第Ⅰ主成分的贡献率达35.51%,其中绝对值较大的有乔木密度、灌木高度、灌木覆盖度、1m以下当年枝比例、草本覆盖度和隐蔽级;卧息地第Ⅰ主成分的贡献率为39.57%,其中绝对值较大的出现在灌木高度、灌木覆盖度、1m以下当年枝比例、草本高度、草本覆盖度、草本生物量、距水源距离和隐蔽级。     

贺兰山区马鹿对冬季生境的选择性

2003年11—12月,在贺兰山采用样带法对马鹿阿拉善亚种的生境选择性做了研究。在选定的25条样带上一共测定了87个利用样方以及50个任意样方的14种生态因子(植被类型、优势乔木、坡向、坡位、食物丰富度、乔木密度、灌木密度、坡度、海拔高度、雪深、水源距离、人为干扰距离、裸岩距离和隐蔽级)。结果表明,马鹿对4种生态因子有选择性：①植被类型：偏好利用山地草原带和山地针叶林带,避免选择亚高山灌丛和草甸带;②优势乔木：偏好利用混合型的生境,避免选择杜松、油松和无树的生境;③坡向：偏好位于阳坡的生境,避免利用阴坡;④坡位：偏好位于下坡位的生境,避免选择上坡位和中坡位。对利用样方和任意样方进行比较,发现马鹿的利用样方以灌木密度高、食物丰富、坡度小、接近水源、雪覆盖浅、远离裸岩和人为干扰为主要特征。对各种生态因子的主成分分析表明前6个主成分的累积贡献率已经达到了84．89％,可以较好地反映马鹿的生境特征。第1主成分反映出马鹿在选择生态因子方面与植被类型、乔木密度、灌木密度、坡向、坡度、距水源距离、雪深、海拔高度正相关。     

贺兰山岩羊冬季对卧息地的选择

2003 年11～12月, 在贺兰山采用样带法对岩羊冬季卧息地的选择性进行了研究。共观察到94 个岩羊的卧息地, 结果表明岩羊对优势乔木的利用有选择性( x² = 17.01 , df = 5 , P < 0.05) , 偏好利用灰榆占优势的卧息地, 避免选择油松和青海云杉占优势的卧息地; 对坡向选择性利用( x²= 30.69, df =2, P < 0.05) , 偏好位于阳坡的卧息地, 避免利用阴坡; 对植被类型、坡位和风向的利用无选择性。对卧息地样方与在样带中随机设置的样方进行比较, 发现卧息地具有乔木密度低、食物丰富度低、隐蔽程度高、接近水源、接近裸岩、风速低和雪覆盖浅等特征。贺兰山的岩羊经常选择岩洞作为卧息地, 占总卧息地的62.77 %。对59 个岩洞和35 个非岩洞卧息地进行比较, 表明岩洞卧息地的坡度大、隐蔽程度高、风速低、保温性好、食物丰富度低和无雪覆盖。岩羊通常选择较宽的、深度和高度适中的岩洞作为卧息地。对各种生境因子的主成分分析表明前7 个特征值的累积贡献率已经达到了80.09%, 可以较好地反映岩羊卧息地的生境特征, 第1 主成分中隐蔽级、风向、风速、距裸岩距离和雪深具有重要作用, 其余6 个主成分中优势乔木、坡向、坡位和坡度也很重要。     

贺兰山牦牛冬春季的生境选择

在2009年12月－2010年1月和2010年4－5月,采用样线法结合直接观察法对贺兰山牦牛的冬春季生境选择进行了研究。结果表明,牦牛冬季对11种生境因子有选择性,偏爱山地针叶林带,海拔小于2 000 m,优势乔木为灰榆,坡度小于10,下坡位,距水源距离大于1 200 m,人为干扰距离2 000－4 000 m,隐蔽级大于70 %;春季牦牛对13种利用生境生态因子有选择性,偏爱于亚高山灌丛和草甸带,海拔大于3 000 m,乔木密度小于1株,乔木高度小于3 m,乔木距离大于3 m,灌木密度大于4 0株,灌木距离小于1 m,植被盖度大于7 0 %,上坡位,距水源的距离小于8 00 m,人为干扰距离大于4 000 m,隐蔽级大于7 0 %。冬春季牦牛在海拔、植被类型、地形特征、优势乔木、灌木种类、坡位、坡向、人为干扰距离、距水源距离上存在显著差异。主成分分析表明冬季第一主成分的贡献率21.100 %,其中绝对值较大的相关系数是乔木距离、优势乔木、乔木高度和乔木密度;春季第一主成分的贡献率是31.247 %,其中绝对值较大的相关系数是植被类型、海拔高度、地形特征和灌木密度。与其他分布地区的牦牛相比,贺兰山地区的牦牛能适应当地的地理特征和气候环境。     

四川省巴塘县矮岩羊与斑羚冬季生境比较

2007年10～12月,在四川省巴塘县竹巴笼自然保护区,采用样线调查法对矮岩羊和斑羚冬季生境进行研究,利用卡方检验和Mann-Whitey U检验分析其生境选择差异.结果表明,矮岩羊对17种生境因子有选择性,倾向选择中等以上避风性,石质或便石质活动基底,灌丛盖度10%～40%、种数>4种、高度>100 cm,草种数>5种、高度<20 cm或>40 cm,坡度>60°的南坡或西坡,隐蔽级<30%或>60%,水源距离>500 m,裸岩距离<2m,林缘距离1000～1 500 m,1级风,海拔高度2 600～2 800 m,人为干扰距离500～1 000 m,动物干扰距离80～150 m的生境.斑羚对15种生境因子有选择性,倾向选择上坡或山脊坡位,灌丛盖度10%～40%、种数>5种、高度>100 cm,草种数4～5种、高度>40 cm,坡度>60°的南坡或东南坡,南风,隐蔽级>60%,林缘距离<1 500 m,海拔高度>2 800 m,水源距离>1 000 m,人为干扰距离>1 000 m,动物干扰距离80～150 m的生境.因子分析表明,影响矮岩羊生境选择的主要因子为人为干扰距离、海拔高度、林缘距离、水源距离、灌丛高度、隐蔽级、风级和动物干扰距离等生境因子,而影响斑羚生境选择的主要因子为人为干扰距离、海拔高度、林缘距离、水源距离、坡位、灌丛盖度、灌丛高度、隐蔽级、坡向和风向生境因子.虽然两物种在资源生态位上存在部分重叠,但在生境选择利用和空间生态位上皆存在很大差异.     

黑龙江省三江自然保护区狍对冬季卧息地的选择

研究黑龙江三江自然保护区狍冬季卧息地的选择性结果表明,狍昼间偏好选择位于岛状林和芦苇丛、覆盖度＞10%、当年生枝条数＞30枝、隐蔽级90%-99%、距水源距离＜400 m、距农田距离＜500 m、保温性＞0.2℃、雪深＞31 cm、人为干扰距离＞1 000 m等生境因子的卧息地;狍夜间偏好选择位于岛状林、覆盖度＞10%、当年生枝条数＞30枝、隐蔽级为＜90%、距水源距离＜700 m、距农田距离＞500 m、保温性＞0.2℃、雪深＞31 cm、人为干扰距离＞1 000 m等生境因子的卧息地.狍昼间与夜间卧息地在是否刨走积雪等松软物质、距农田距离、雪深、人为干扰距离和卧息地宽度上差异显著(P＜0.05).与夜间卧息地相比,狍昼间偏爱的卧息地具有接近农田、雪覆盖深和卧息地宽度较小等特征.狍对昼间卧息地资源选择函数为:logit(P)=-13.999-0.446×植被类型-0.003×距水源距离-0.003×距农田距离+0.915×保温性+0.487×雪深+0.001×人为干扰距离,选择概率为P=elogit(P)/1+elogit(P),模型的正确预测率为90.9%;狍对夜间卧息地资源选择函数为:logit(P)=-0.009-1.863×植被类型-0.004×距水源距离+0.946×保温性+0.002×人为干扰距离,选择概率为P=elogit(P)/1+elogit(P),模型的正确预测率为91.8%.     

大兴安岭原麝冬季的生境选择

2005年3～4月和2006年3月,在黑龙江省大兴安岭呼中自然保护区,采用机械布点法随机设置样线,对原麝(Moschus moschiferus)冬季生境选择进行了研究。对海拔、乔木密度、雪深、隐蔽度、食物丰富度、坡度和倒木数量进行2个独立样本的Mann-Whitey U检验,找出生境利用样方与任意样方的生态因子的差异。U检验的结果表明,原麝冬季喜欢活动在相对海拔高、乔木密度小、雪层浅、隐蔽度高、坡度陡且喜食食物丰富的区域;对植被类型、坡位、坡向、距水源距离、距人为干扰距离、动物干扰和碎石坡7个名词性变量采用卡方(Chi-square)统计进行显著性检验,卡方检验的结果表明:原麝冬季偏好远离人为干扰、接近碎石坡、阳坡和其他动物干扰较少的针阔混交林中;对以上14个生态因子进行主成分分析,结果表明,前6个特征值的累计贡献率达到72·318%,可以较好地反映原麝生境特征,根据主成分分析结果,将原麝冬季生境选择影响因子分别命名为空间因子(海拔、坡度、距碎石坡距离)、干扰因子(距人为干扰距离、距水源距离)、坡向因子(坡向、乔木密度)、坡位因子(坡位、动物干扰)、食物因子(食物丰富度、隐蔽度)和倒木因子(倒木数量)。     

动物的生境选择

动物的生境选择颜忠诚陈永林（中国科学院动物研究所,北京１０００８０）ＨａｂｉｔａｔＳｅｌｅｃｔｉｏｎｉｎＡｎｉｍａｌｓ．ＹａｎＺｈｏｎｇｃｈｅｎｇ,ＣｈｅｎＹｏｎｇｌｉｎ（ＩｎｓｔｉｔｕｔｅｏｆＺｏｏｌｏｇｙ,ＡｃａｄｅｍｉａＳｉｎｉｃａ,Ｂｅｉｊｉ...     

Demography and feeding behavior of the kelp crab Taliepus marginatus in subtidal habitats dominated by the kelps Macrocystis pyrifera or Lessonia trabeculata

We studied the population and feeding ecology of the kelp crab Taliepus marginatus in subtidal kelp forests dominated by either of two morphologically different kelp species (Macrocystis pyrifera or Lessonia trabeculata) in northern Chile. The sizes and abundances of T. marginatus differed between the two kelp habitats. Kelp crabs were more abundant in the M. pyrifera forest than in the L. trabeculata forest. Size‐frequency distributions showed that juvenile and immature crabs were more common in the M. pyrifera forest than in the L. trabeculata forest, where reproductive adults predominated. The smaller crabs in the M. pyrifera habitat also consumed a higher proportion of kelp tissues than the larger crabs in the L. trabeculata habitat, which had a higher proportion of animal food in their diet. In both kelp forests, individuals of T. marginatus showed a similar pattern of nocturnal feeding over a 24‐h period, consuming more food at night than during the day. The more complex and dense forests of M. pyrifera appear to present better nursery habitats for juvenile kelp crabs than the more open and less dense forests dominated by L. trabeculata. These results suggest that the role of the two kelp habitats for T. marginatus varies during the life cycle of the kelp crabs, with M. pyrifera tending to have nursery function and L. trabeculata being more suitable as a reproductive habitat.     

濒危乔木红豆杉不同更新阶段的生境特征比较

以福建梅花山自然保护区濒危乔木红豆杉(Taxus chinensis(Pilger)Rehd.)为对象,对红豆杉的种子排放、幼苗更新、幼树更新3个更新阶段的生境特征进行研究,并比较生态位的变化,以此评价红豆杉不同更新阶段的生境需求。结果显示:随着个体发育生长,红豆杉更新生境发生了明显转变,种子排放地与幼苗生境空间一致性较高,而它们与幼树生境存在明显的空间不一致性。从生态位角度来看,种子排放地和幼苗生境重叠指数≤0.5的仅有海拔和坡度2个因子,这说明幼苗的空间格局受到鸟类传播的强烈影响,鸟类传播所排放的种子能萌发并生长成幼苗。幼苗和幼树生境重叠指数≤0.5的因子有海拔、坡向、植被类型,说明在大尺度景观因子和庇护植被层面上,植物的更新需求出现了明显的不一致。研究结果表明红豆杉的更新生境存在明显的阶段变化,可能造成植物更新出现建成限制,使幼树阶段成为更新的瓶颈阶段。     

官山保护区白颈长尾雉栖息地适宜性评价

2009年4月-2009年5月和2009年12月-2010年1月,在江西官山国家级自然保护区对白颈长尾雉(Syrmaticus ellioti) 繁殖期和越冬期的栖息地进行调查。通过实地调查,结合已有研究结果,确定了官山自然保护区白颈长尾雉栖息地适宜性评价因子,即植被类型、海拔、坡度和坡向等4个栖息地因子。基于"被利用生境-可获得生境比较法",以对各评价因子不同梯度的资源选择指数为依据,确定了白颈长尾雉适宜性评价准则。应用ArcGIS 9.3空间分析功能和栖息地片断化指数,对官山保护区白颈长尾雉栖息地进行了适宜性评价。结果表明:在官山自然保护区适宜白颈长尾雉繁殖的栖息地斑块有502个,总面积为3307 hm²,占保护区总面积的28.6%,分离度指数和片断化程度指数分别为0.365和0.912;适宜白颈长尾雉越冬的栖息地斑块有514个,总面积2755 hm²,占保护区总面积的23.8%,分离度指数和片断化程度指数分别为0.443和0.939。官山保护区白颈长尾雉栖息地片断化较严重,片断化现象在白颈长尾雉越冬期加剧。因此,迫切需要采取措施白颈长尾雉现存栖息地进行保护,特别是要高度重视其越冬栖息地的保护。     

Interhabitat migration of juvenile Atlantic salmon in a Newfoundland river system, Canada

Migrations of juvenile Atlantic salmon between habitats (both fluvial and lacustrine) were studied in a Newfoundland river system from May through September. Salmon parr showed poor site fidelity in fluvial habitats, and high rates of migration, especially in spring-early summer. Most habitat shifts were upstream from fluvial habitats to a lake at the head of a small tributary. In September, 10% of the salmon parr caught in the lake ( n =275) had been marked in the main stem of the river or in the tributary stream (total n =641). The abundance of parr in the lake increased in May-June, then declined gradually to September. Most of the lacustrine immigrants were 1+ parr. Mature males were found amongst the autumnal emigrants. Salmon parr in the lake grew larger than those in the river, and lacustrine smolts captured in the lake were larger than those caught at the mouth of the river.     

Simple predictions of instream habitat model outputs for fish habitat guilds in large streams

1. In the context of a generalised modification of hydraulic conditions in medium to large streams, modelling the impacts of stream regulation on fish communities in multiple streams is an important challenge for basic and applied freshwater ecology. Conventional instream habitat models such as PHABSIM link a hydraulic model with preference curves for various species to estimate habitat value changes with discharge in stream reaches. Despite world‐wide applications, they have been scarcely used in multiple sites with multiple species. 2. We assigned 21 size classes of European fish species to four habitat guilds (cluster analysis grouping size classes with comparable microhabitat preference curves). Then, we ran a conventional instream habitat model on 28 French stream reaches belonging to the `barbel zone', to estimate habitat values versus discharge curves for the 21 size classes. We summarised the outputs as mean habitat values for guilds, and tested if they were predictable from average characteristics of reaches (discharge, depth, width, particle size). 3. As was obtained elsewhere for populations, habitat values for guilds were strongly related to average, dimensionless characteristics of reaches. The Reynolds number of reaches, equivalent to a discharge per width unit, reflected most of the discharge‐dependent changes in habitat values (within reaches). In particular, habitat values of species preferring bank (respectively midstream) microhabitats decreased (respectively increased) with increasing Reynolds number. The Froude number at median discharge was the major predictor of reach‐dependent but discharge‐independent variations in habitat values. Habitat values of species preferring riffle versus pool or bank microhabitats were higher in reaches with high Froude numbers. These relationships were consistent with existing knowledge on the different species. 4. Such results suggest that the input variables required to estimate habitat values for fish communities can be greatly simplified, as illustrated by a general estimation of the sensitivity of species preferring midstream habitats to discharge changes in any reach. Cost‐efficient alternatives to conventional instream habitat models should facilitate their validation in multiple sites, a point that remains critical in instream habitat modelling of fish communities.     

基于生境可获得性的完达山地区马鹿(Cervus elaphus xanthopygus)冬季生境选择

于2004～2005年冬季研究了完达山地区马鹿的生境利用和选择。在野外调查的基础上,获取了研究地区马鹿种群水平上的生境利用数据;利用地理信息系统和遥感技术,从区域尺度上测度了各类生境因子的可获得性。通过比较被利用生境与可获得生境,测度了马鹿冬季对各类生境或生态因子的选择。结果表明,马鹿对植被类型、海拔、坡向、NDVI等级、到公路距离表现出非比例利用,对坡度的利用与其可获得性则没有显著性差异。马鹿选择采伐迹地,低郁闭度生境（第2、3NDVI等级）,200～300m海拔区间,南坡,距离公路600～700m的区间。马鹿采食生境和卧息生境对各类因子具有不同的选择性,表现出不同功能生境分离的特征。对于采食生境,马鹿选择采伐迹地、阔叶疏林,低郁闭度（第2、3NDVI等级）,南坡;对于卧息生境,马鹿仅选择采伐迹地,低郁闭度（第2、3、4NDVI等级）。根据马鹿活动样点的出现与否,建立了马鹿冬季生境选择的逻辑斯谛回归模型。模型回判结果表明,该模型对马鹿活动样方与对照样方的总体正确预测率为74．4％,对马鹿活动样方的正确预测率为84．2％,对对照样方的正确预测率为62．4％,能够较好的预测生境利用概率。     

Habitat characteristics of wintering Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix in the Centre Region of Cameroon: conservation implications

Populations of many Afro-Palearctic birds have declined, with those wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix, particularly affected. In this study we investigated the relationship between habitat characteristics and Wood Warbler presence/absence in the Centre Region of Cameroon. A total of six transects were established in three habitat types (forest, forest–savanna transitional zone and savanna). Call playback surveys were conducted monthly from November 2015 to April 2016 to determine Wood Warbler presence/absence. Detailed habitat measurements were also recorded in each transect. A total of 86 responses were recorded: 33 (mean 6.6 ± 2.3) in forest habitat, 47 (mean 9.4 ± 3.36) in the forest–savanna transitional zone, and 6 (mean 2 ± 1.1) in savanna habitat. Wood Warbler presence increased significantly with the number of trees between 3 and 7 m in height, and decreased significantly with the number of shrubs between 0.5 and 3 m in height. Anthropogenic disturbance such as the agricultural cycle and burning were not found to have an effect on Wood Warblers presence/absence. We conclude that Wood Warblers overwinter in all three habitat types with probability of detection greatest in the forest–savanna transitional habitat with a relatively low canopy and an open understorey. Forest clearance in sub-Saharan Africa potentially threatens wintering habitat for Wood Warblers.     

Habitat selection by wapiti (Cervus elaphus xanthopygus) in Wandashan Mountains, China, based on habitat availability

In 2004 and 2005, we studied winter habitat use and selection by wapiti in Wandashan Mountains, Heilongjiang Province, China. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), we measured habitat availability in terms of the area of each habitat category in the study area. We compared winter habitats used by wapiti and their availability. The results showed that the habitats used by wapiti were disproportional to their availability. Wapiti preferred clear-cuttings, low vegetation coverage (No. 2, 3 NDVI classes), 200–300 m elevation range, south aspect, and 600–700 m distance range away from roads. They also showed different preferences for feeding and resting. The feeding sites tended to be located at broad-leaved stands and clear-cuttings, No. 2, 3 NDVI classes, and south slope, whereas the bedding sites tended to be clear-cuttings, and No. 2, 3, 4 NDVI classes. Using the logistic regression model to predict the probability of habitat use by wapiti in winter, we found that the overall prediction accuracy was 74.4% for the total habitat samples, with 84.2% for the habitat samples used by wapiti and 62.4% for the control samples correctly predicted by using this model.     

Habitat suitability for tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus lunatus

The distribution and numbers of tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) have declined considerably in South Africa, partly due to deteriorating habitat conditions. Identifying important habitat variables will assist in managing the species. The objective of this study was to identify habitat variables important for tsessebe and to develop a predictive model of habitat selection for this species in a savanna biome. The study was conducted in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve over a 2‐year period. A total of eighteen habitat variables were measured in ten plant communities at 200 sites. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictor variables and to construct a habitat model. Tsessebe were found <2 km from the nearest source of water, in flat areas with slopes of <3° and with <10% rockiness. Their distribution was not influenced by the woody component. Sites where tsessebe were present had significantly lower grass heights and tuft heights, with a higher grass density compared with areas not utilized by tsessebe. Nitrogen and sodium levels were also higher at present sites. Habitat type and grass height were the most significant predictors of tsessebe presence. The selected model had an overall percentage prediction of 85.0%. The model was subdivided into five vegetation‐specific models and each model was tested with independent data.