京杭运河堤坝区域狗獾的栖息地特征

2006年10-11月和2007年10-11月,在京杭运河邵伯-高邮段的西侧堤坝上,采用样方法测定了狗獾3个不同类型栖息地的特征变量和利用强度,结果表明:狗獾主要生活在郁闭度较高的森林中,对泡桐、泡桐-杨树次生林的利用强度显著的高于杨树人工林(P<0.05);多元线性逐步回归分析表明:洞口数主要受灌木密度、大树密度、草本植物盖度、土壤含水率和人为干扰强度的影响(P=0.002),而粪堆数主要受灌木密度、大树密度和人为干扰强度的影响(P=0.012)。整体来看,影响狗獾栖息地选择的因素主要是郁闭度、人为干扰水平有关的因子。

The habitat characteristics of Eurasian badger in Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal embankment

Habitat selection is one of the most poorly understood ecological processes, but its study has become a necessary tool in conservation biology and wildlife management. The basic assumption in habitat selection theory is that individuals select those types of habitat where the benefits are maximized and the harm is minimized. Many variables can influence the individual's decision of selecting between available habitats, from physiological limitations to ecological constrains (e.g. predation pressure, refuge). The knowledge of these factors is basic for the correct understanding of habitat choice processes and for the implementation of effective strategies in conservation and/or management of species and landscapes. The Eurasian badger (Meles meles) is a medium sized carnivore distributed all over temperate Eurasia. In October-November 2006 and 2007, the habitat selection of Eurasian badger was investigated at Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal embankment (from Shaobo to Gaoyou). Two indexes of activity intensities, setts number and feces number were used to estimate the utilization intensities of badger on three types of habitats,Populus euphratica artificial forest,Populus euphratica-Paulownia fortunei artificial forest and Populus euphratica artificial forest. Meanwhile, the factors influencing the habitat selection of badger were analyzed by stepwise regression for determining the habitat characteristics of Eurasian badger. Results indicated that, in Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal embankment area, badgers preferred Populus euphratica forest and Populus euphratica-Paulownia fortunei artificial forest attribute to dense plant canopy. Stepwise regression indicated that density of shrubs, density of big trees, herbaceous plants cover, soil moisture and human disturbance degree significantly influenced the number of setts (P=0.002). Furthermore, the number of fences were also affected by the density of shrubs and big trees, and human disturbance(P=0.012). Overall, the influences of most habitat variables on the habitat selection of badger were directly or indirectly related to shelter cover and predation risk. It is concluded that badgers preferred to selecting forests with dense plant canopy and lower predation risk.