Spatial use and interaction of the invasive raccoon dog and the native red fox in Central Europe: competition or coexistence?

The main objective was to discover extent of interference and/or exploitative competition between the native red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the introduced, invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereues proconoides) in the intensively used, agricultural landscape of northeast Germany (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) using very high frequency (VHF) radio telemetry. We recorded location data for 12 foxes and 16 raccoon dogs between July 2004 and December 2006. Species had similar average home range sizes estimated in each season (K95). Home ranges of adjacent raccoon dogs and foxes overlapped from 0.5 to 74.5 % with a mean of 26.4 %. We found a significantly different home range overlap index between the species showing that raccoon dog ranges shifted between seasons to a greater extent than red fox ranges. The raccoon dog differed significantly from the red fox in its use of habitat types, preferring dense vegetation cover and avoiding open areas. The red fox displayed less preference for or avoidance of specific habitat types. Moreover, an almost neutral inter-specific interaction index ranging from ?0.12 to 0.12 indicates that raccoon dogs and red foxes ignored each other. It is concluded that widespread and available resources and differences in spatial use patterns prevent competition between red foxes and raccoon dogs in the agricultural landscape of northeast Germany.     

A Hierarchical Analysis of Habitat Selection by Raccoons in Northern Indiana

Abstract: Although numerous studies have examined habitat use by raccoons (Procyon lotor), information regarding seasonal habitat selection related to resource availability in agricultural landscapes is lacking for this species. Additionally, few studies using radiotelemetry have investigated habitat selection at multiple spatial scales or core-use areas by raccoons. We examined seasonal habitat selection of 55 (31 M, 24 F) adult raccoons at 3 hierarchical orders defined by the movement behavior of this species (second-order home range, second-order core-use area, and third-order home range) in northern Indiana, USA, from May 2003 to June 2005. Using compositional analysis, we assessed whether habitat selection differed from random and ranked habitat types in order of selection during the crop growing period (season 1) and corn maturation period (season 2), which represented substantial shifts in resource availability to raccoons. Habitat rankings differed across hierarchical orders, between seasons within hierarchical orders, and between sexes within seasons; however, seasonal and intersexual patterns of habitat selection were not consistent across hierarchical orders of spatial scale. When nonrandom utilization was detected, both sexes consistently selected forest cover over other available habitats. Seasonal differences in habitat selection were most evident at the core-area scale, where raccoon selection of agricultural lands was highest during the maturation season when corn was available as a direct food source. Habitat use did not differ from availability for either sex in either season at the third-order scale. The selection of forest cover across both seasons and all spatial orders suggested that raccoon distribution and abundance in fragmented landscapes is likely dependent on the availability and distribution of forest cover, or habitats associated with forest (i.e., water), within the landscape. The lack of consistency in habitat selection across hierarchical scales further exemplifies the need to examine multiple biological scales in habitat-selection studies.     

Information‐theoretic model selection affects home‐range estimation and habitat preference inference: a case study of male Reeves’s Pheasants Syrmaticus reevesii

Reeves’s Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii is a vulnerable forest bird inhabiting broadleaved habitats dominated by oaks Quercus spp. in central China. Identifying home‐ranges and habitat associations is important for understanding the biology of this species and developing effective management and conservation plans. We used information‐theoretic criteria to evaluate the relative performance of four parametric (exponential power, one‐mode bivariate normal, two‐mode bivariate normal and two‐mode bivariate circle) and two non‐parametric models (adaptive and fixed kernel) for estimating home‐ranges and habitat associations of Reeves’s Pheasants. For parametric models, Akaike’s information criterion (AIC_c) and the likelihood cross‐validation criterion (CVC) were relatively consistent in ranking the bivariate exponential power model the least acceptable, whereas the two‐mode bivariate models performed better. The CVC suggested that kernel models, particularly the adaptive kernel, performed best among all six models evaluated. The average core area and 95% contour area based on the model with greatest support were 6.1 and 54.9 ha, respectively, and were larger than those estimated from other models. The discrepancy in estimates between models with highest and the lowest support decreased as the contour size increased; however, home‐range shapes differed between models. Minimum convex polygons that removed 5% of extreme data points (MCP95) were roughly half the size of home‐ranges based on kernel models. Estimates of home‐range and model evaluation were not affected by sample size (> 50 observations for each bird). Inference about habitat preference based on composition analysis and home‐range overlap varied between models. That with strongest support suggested that Reeves’s Pheasants selected mature fir and mixed forest, avoided farmland, and had mean among‐individual home‐range overlaps of 20%. We recommend non‐parametric methods, particularly the adaptive kernel method, for estimating home‐ranges and core areas for species with complex multi‐polar habitat preferences in heterogeneous environments with large habitat patches. However, we caution against the traditional convenience of using a single model to estimate home‐ranges and recommend exploration of multiple models for describing and understanding the ecological processes underlying space use and habitat associations.     

When species’ ranges meet: assessing differences in habitat selection between sympatric large carnivores

Differentiation in habitat selection among sympatric species may depend on niche partitioning, species interactions, selection mechanisms and scales considered. In a mountainous area in Sweden, we explored hierarchical habitat selection in Global Positioning System-collared individuals of two sympatric large carnivore species; an obligate predator, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and a generalist predator and scavenger, the wolverine (Gulo gulo). Although the species’ fundamental niches differ widely, their ranges overlap in this area where they share a prey base and main cause of mortality. Both lynx and wolverines selected for steep and rugged terrain in mountainous birch forest and in heaths independent of scale and available habitats. However, the selection of lynx for their preferred habitats was stronger when they were forming home ranges and they selected the same habitats within their home ranges independent of home range composition. Wolverines displayed a greater variability when selecting home ranges and habitat selection also varied with home range composition. Both species selected for habitats that promote survival through limited encounters with humans, but which also are rich in prey, and selection for these habitats was accordingly stronger in winter when human activity was high and prey density was low. We suggest that the observed differences between the species result primarily from different foraging strategies, but may also depend on differences in ranging and resting behaviour, home range size, and relative density of each species. Our results support the prediction that sympatric carnivores with otherwise diverging niches can select for the same resources when sharing main sources of food and mortality.     

Optimal radio-tracking strategy — The best results with the least effort?

We tested the need to radio-track nocturnal mammals, such as raccoon dogsNyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834) and badgersMeles meles (Linnaeus, 1758), throughout the night for reliable estimates of home range size and habitat selection. We also tested the possibility to reduce the tracking effort by decreasing the number of tracking-nights. The results indicated that the locations collected before midnight gave good estimates of home range sizes but those collected after midnight or by reducing the number of tracking-nights resulted in smaller home ranges than those estimated using the total data. Thus, if one aims to estimate only the home range size, locations before midnight would be adequate. Locations of raccoon dogs taken only before or after midnight did not reveal all habitats, which were favoured on the basis of the total data. Although locations of badgers before midnight seemed to give correct results of habitat selection, we recommend radio-tracking also badgers at least few times through the night, because their core areas shifted during the night. In the case of badgers, but not of raccoon dogs, we obtained correct results of habitat selection by reducing the tracking effort by decreasing the number of tracking-nights.     

Home range and habitat use of male Reeves’s pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) during winter in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, Henan Province, China

Home range and habitat use of male Reeves’s pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) were studied during winter of 2001～2002 and 2002～2003 in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, Henan Province. Results from five individuals of Reeves’s pheasant with over 30 relocations, indicated that the average size of home range was 10.03 ± 1.17 hm² by Minimum Convex Polygon method, 8.60 ± 0.35 hm² by 90% Harmonic Mean Transformation method, and 9.50 ± 1.90 hm² by 95% Fixed Kernel method. It was observed that the winter range is smaller than that in the breeding season. The mean core area of the home range was found to be 1.88 ± 0.37 hm². Although the habitat composition of the core area varied greatly for individuals, a large part of the habitats used were composed of confier and broadleaf mixed forests, masson pine forests, fir forests, and shrubs. Habitat use within the study area was non-random, while habitats within home ranges were randomly used. Habitat use was dictated by tree diameter at breast height, shrub height and coverage at 2.0 m. The proximity between forests and shrubs were also found to be important in providing refuge for the birds during winter. Recommendations for conservation management include protecting the existing habitats in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, increasing suitable habitat for Reeves’s Pheasant through artificial plantations (e.g. firs), and restoring some parts of the large shrub area into forests.     

Habitat impact on raccoon dogNyctereutes procyonoides home range size in southern Finland

Monogamous canid home range size is often negatively correlated with population density. Home range size, in turn, may be affected by the habitat. Here we examined landscape features that may affect home range size of the invasive raccoon dogNyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834), an important vector of diseases and parasites in Europe. The aim was thus to reveal the habitats where population density and the risk for epizootics is highest. We radio tracked 42 raccoon dogs in three areas in southern Finland between 2001 and 2007. There was an inverse relationship between home range size and the proportions of meadows and gardens, as well as habitat richness. Also mixed forests were more common in areas where home ranges were small. The risk for epizootics, such as rabies, is thus highest in areas which constitute of a mosaic of small patches of meadows, gardens and mixed forests. The preventive measures, such as bait vaccinations, against epizootics should therefore be concentrated in these areas which are mainly in and around villages.     

Importance of rare habitats and riparian zones in a tropical forest fragment: preferential use by Tayassu pecari, a wide-ranging frugivore

In forest fragments, rare habitats contribute to heterogeneity and may provide unique resources for frugivorous species like peccaries with spatially and temporally complex patterns of range use. This study examined seasonal habitat use by two sympatric peccary species ( Tayassu pecari and Tayassu tajacu ) in an Atlantic forest fragment on the plateau region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Previous studies showed that range use by T. pecari was highly nonrandom, and that both species persisted at population densities typical of larger forest fragments. To explain this, we quantified the use and availability of habitats and riparian zones with compositional analysis. Use by T. pecari was nonrandom with respect to availability. Habitat preferences were different during dry and wet seasons and corresponded closely with seasonal movements, core range and fruit use. Although aquatic habitats made up a small proportion of the herd home range, they were most preferred by T. pecari during both seasons. Headwater palmito Euterpe edulis swamps were most favored in the dry season, whereas swamps and marshes near larger streams were preferred in the wet season. Tayassu pecari preferred riparian zones <50 m from streams over drier zones. These habitats were important sources of fruits, travel routes and corridors between forest patches in the agricultural matrix. The least-preferred habitat of T. pecari during both seasons was disturbed forest edge dominated by bamboo. Habitat and riparian zone use were herd-specific for T. tajacu and related to habitat quality and composition where stable home ranges had been established. The persistence of viable peccary populations after 75 years of fragmentation-associated pressures is related to preservation of rare habitats and overall habitat diversity. Thus, T. pecari is an indicator of high habitat diversity in forest fragments and will function as an umbrella species when targeted for conservation.     

Selecting Habitat to Survive: The Impact of Road Density on Survival in a Large Carnivore

Habitat selection studies generally assume that animals select habitat and food resources at multiple scales to maximise their fitness. However, animals sometimes prefer habitats of apparently low quality, especially when considering the costs associated with spatially heterogeneous human disturbance. We used spatial variation in human disturbance, and its consequences on lynx survival, a direct fitness component, to test the Hierarchical Habitat Selection hypothesis from a population of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in southern Norway. Data from 46 lynx monitored with telemetry indicated that a high proportion of forest strongly reduced the risk of mortality from legal hunting at the home range scale, while increasing road density strongly increased such risk at the finer scale within the home range. We found hierarchical effects of the impact of human disturbance, with a higher road density at a large scale reinforcing its negative impact at a fine scale. Conversely, we demonstrated that lynx shifted their habitat selection to avoid areas with the highest road densities within their home ranges, thus supporting a compensatory mechanism at fine scale enabling lynx to mitigate the impact of large-scale disturbance. Human impact, positively associated with high road accessibility, was thus a stronger driver of lynx space use at a finer scale, with home range characteristics nevertheless constraining habitat selection. Our study demonstrates the truly hierarchical nature of habitat selection, which aims at maximising fitness by selecting against limiting factors at multiple spatial scales, and indicates that scale-specific heterogeneity of the environment is driving individual spatial behaviour, by means of trade-offs across spatial scales.     

Home ranges of raccoon dogs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nyctereutes procyonoides</Emphasis>, Gray, 1834) in Southern Brandenburg,Germany

The raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides, a medium-sized canid, is a representative of the East Asian fauna and has been introduced to Europe during the years 1928–1953. Today, this alien carnivore is a widespread species in Eastern Europe, Finland and Germany. In our study, we determined home range sizes of raccoon dogs in an agricultural landscape in Northeast Germany between 2001 and 2004 by very high frequency radio tracking. Those data are useful for estimation of predator densities in respect to conservation of biodiversity and also to develop models for disease and parasite transmission. Yearly average home range sizes were calculated as 95% fixed kernel: 1.83 km² ± 1.54 and as 50% fixed kernel (=core areas): 0.50 km² ± 0.49. We documented seasonal differences in home range sizes as well as overlapping of home ranges from 0.65% up to 67%. Some individuals’ home ranges recorded during the same season showed a clear shifting between different years. Abandoned badger dens, located in the core areas of raccoon dogs home ranges, were important during the whole year and particularly used in the winter period. Therefore, distribution of those dens had some influence on the spatial distribution of raccoon dogs in the study area. Based on mean annual home range size, we estimated the mean local population density during winter as 1.1 individuals per square kilometre and during summer as 4.90 individuals per square kilometre.     

Effects of Natural Barriers and Habitat on the Western Spread of Raccoon Rabies in Alabama

Abstract: Although domestic animal transmission of rabies has largely been mitigated, the disease remains a concern in both Europe and North America where wildlife transmission has caused epizootics. Raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies was established in Alabama, USA, in 1975, primarily in the southeastern corner of the state. However, with the exception of isolated events, rabies has not continued to spread westward across the Alabama River. We monitored movements of 100 radiocollared raccoons on 2 sites within hardwood and agriculture habitats in a rabies enzootic area east of the Alabama River, in managed pine habitat area west of the river where rabies sporadically occurs, and in a mixed pine hardwood area outside of the known rabies enzootic area to determine if raccoon movements and habitat use in certain habitat types and the presence of a river may serve as natural barriers preventing the western spread of rabies in Alabama. We also examined raccoon contact rates to determine if they influence disease transmission through static and dynamic interactions. Raccoons in mixed pine-hardwood forest habitats had smaller home ranges and less overlap of ranges compared to the other 3 habitats. However, static interactions between habitats in the use of overlap areas did not differ (F_11,129 = 1.63, P = 0.09). Rabies antibody titers were highest in the managed pine habitat (28%) even prior to oral vaccine bait distributions in spring of 2004 and 2005. Biomarker data from radiocollared and additional raccoons captured after the bait distribution west of the Alabama River demonstrated a low efficacy of the vaccine reaching the small southern raccoons. The combination of the river as a partial barrier, the high percentage of pine forested habitat west of the river, and limited spatial movements of raccoons within these forested habitats appears to have reduced the likelihood of rabies establishing west of the river. Understanding different host-habitat- disease systems is important for successful management of diseases. Based on our results, we recommend that the oral vaccine program continue to use the Alabama River as a partial barrier and baiting be concentrated in the fragmented bottomland hardwood forests and around larger bodies of water where raccoon densities are highest. Success of baiting strategies designed to take advantage of northern raccoon dynamics and habitat use may not be applicable to southern populations.     

Patterns and strategies of winter habitat selection in alpine capercaillie

Based on radio telemetry, habitat distribution of 32 individual capercaillie Tetrao urogallus was compared with habitat availability at various levels of scale At forest stand level, capercaillie preferred large patches of late succession stages, and selected for moderate canopy closure and high abundance of feeding trees Hens and cocks selected home ranges with high proportions of old forest, and range size was related to old forest fragmentation Winter survival was high independently of habitat selection In cocks, habitat use was affected by social spacing, home range size and use of old forest were age-dependent, and habitat composition of winter ranges indirectly related to survival and mating success in spring Topography influenced habitat selection, as the birds preferred gentle slopes At the landscape scale, the distribution of bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus was the key to capercaillie habitat use, indicating that habitat requirements in autumn and spring influenced selection of winter ranges The study confirms that capercaillie in central Europe select habitats according to structural features typical of the boreal forests of the species' main distribution range However, spatio-temporal variation in resource abundance at the landscape scale sets significant limits to suitability of alpine capercaillie habitats     

Home range sizes of two Hawaiian honeycreepers: implications for proposed translocation efforts

Prior to the reintroduction of a species, managers need an understanding of the expected behavior of the species in the new habitat. How a species uses its habitat and how much space individuals require are particularly important when conservation lands are limited. Critically endangered Maui Parrotbills (Kiwikiu, Pseudonestor xanthophrys) once occupied a variety of habitats on the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Moloka‘i, but, due to habitat loss and disease, are now restricted to a fraction of their former range. To prevent their extinction, reintroducing parrotbills to historically occupied native, mesic forest on the leeward slopes of Haleakalā is considered a critical recovery action. Managers have selected Nakula Natural Area Reserve (NAR) as the site of translocation and restoration efforts are currently underway to support this goal. In addition, other species, including endemic Maui ‘Alauahio (Maui Creeper, Paroreomyza montana), may recolonize these forests naturally as the habitat improves. However, estimates of the home range sizes of focal species are needed so that managers can estimate how many individuals might be able to occupy new habitats. Our objective therefore was to estimate the home range sizes of parrotbills and ‘alauahio at three sites within their current ranges to provide estimates of typical habitat and space use patterns. Using resightings of color‐banded birds from 2007 to 2014, we calculated home ranges using minimum convex polygons and kernel density estimators. Depending on estimation technique, parrotbill home ranges were estimated to encompass 9.29 ± 1.29 (SE) ha or 9.63 ± 1.51 ha, and pairs occupied ranges of 11.8 ha or 14.5 ha. ‘Alauahio home ranges were 0.85 ± 0.09 ha or 0.87 ± 0.08 ha in size. Home range sizes varied among study sites for both species, likely reflecting the influence of local habitat attributes and quality on movement patterns and space use. Although we do not know how these species will behave in the new habitat, our estimates of home range size provide guidance for managers planning the reintroduction of parrotbills to Nakula NAR.     

Use of space and habitat selection by roe deer Capreolus capreolus in a Mediterranean coastal area: how does woods landscape affect home range?

The home-range dynamics and habitat selection of nine roe deer were studied from March 1994 to August 1994 in the Maremma Natural Park along the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy. The habitat was highly fragmented, with open agricultural fields prevailing in the study area (57%); the climate was Mediterranean. Data on spatial behaviour were collected by radio-tracking techniques. Habitat selection and structure were investigated by compositional and landscape analysis, both within the study area and within the home ranges. Animals of our sample showed spatial-use patterns varying from stationary to roaming. Stationary individuals used small home ranges while roaming ones moved, especially during the reproductive period in July and August. The percentage and structure of woodlands influenced the size of home ranges and the behaviour of males: stationary males used large amounts of woodlands within their home ranges and showed a territorial behaviour whereas males that used a high percentage of fields showed wider home ranges even during the territorial period. Females seemed to be less influenced by the presence and patch-structure of woodland within their home range. Landscape structure and habitat composition seemed to be important factors influencing the spatial behaviour of this roe deer population.     

Habitat use of coexisting introduced eastern cottontail and native European hare

The niche of introduced species and that of native ones may overlap, thus causing detrimental effects on the latter through competitive interactions. We used radio telemetry to investigate habitat partitioning during the active period by the introduced American eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and the native European hare (Lepus europaeus) in sympatric conditions. Home ranges of cottontails varied from 1.1–2.2 ha in autumn to 3.0–3.6 ha in summer. In hares, home ranges were 30.5–33.8 ha in summer and increased to 49.5–85.9 ha in winter. Both species used an overall area composed of about 27% of natural habitats (i.e., meadows, woodlands, shrubby habitats, shores, and uncultivated land) and over 70% of field crops. The coexistence of the two species appeared to be facilitated by habitat partitioning. Habitat use of cottontails was characterized by a preference for natural habitats at the study area level as well as within the home ranges, while hares showed a preference for crop fields at both spatial scales and a seasonal selection of meadows within home ranges. Habitat overlap measured with the Pianka index was 0.57–0.64 in autumn and winter, and increased in summer and spring to 0.73–0.78. Our results provide evidence of different resource selection strategies adopted by these two sympatric lagomorph species. Hare populations are often found in agricultural landscapes at low-densities, while cottontails are currently spreading throughout Northern Italy to such an extent that an eradication programme appears unfeasible. In this situation, conservation measures for hares and other species should also take into consideration the presence or possible arrival of cottontails. Habitat restoration measures that would increase the amount of fallow lands and shrublands may favour cottontails more than hares. In areas where introduced lagomorphs are present, the necessity of natural open landscapes for hares may be better faced by increasing the presence of meadows, that are seasonally used by hares and not by cottontails.     

Habitat selection and movement ecology of eastern Hermann’s tortoises in a rural Romanian landscape

Understanding wildlife movements and habitat selection are critical to drafting conservation and management plans. We studied a population of eastern Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) in a traditionally managed rural landscape in Romania, near the northern edge of the species geographic distribution. We used telemetry to radio-track 24 individuals between 2005 and 2008 and performed a Euclidian distance-based habitat selection analysis to investigate habitats preferred by tortoises at both landscapes (second-order order selection) and individual (third-order selection) home range scales. The home range size for tortoises in our study area was 3.79?±?0.62 ha and did not differ by gender or season (pre- and post-nesting seasons). Their movement ecology was characterized by short-distance movements (daily mean?=?31.18?±?1.59 m), apparently unaffected by habitat type. In contrast to other studies, movements of males and females were of similar magnitude. At the landscape (population home range) scale, grasslands and shrubs were preferred, but tortoises also showed affinity to forest edges. At the individual home range scale, tortoises selected grassland and shrub habitats, avoided forests, and used forest edges randomly. Creeks were avoided at both spatial scales. Our results suggest that tortoise home ranges contain well-defined associations of habitats despite a higher selection for grasslands. As such, avoiding land conversion to other uses and maintaining habitat heterogeneity through traditional practices (e.g., manual mowing of grasslands, livestock grazing) are critical for the persistence of tortoise populations.     

Ecology of wildlife rabies in Europe

• 1 The number of wildlife rabies cases has increased in Europe in recent years. We review the epizootiology of wildlife rabies in Europe, paying special attention to recent changes to the situation of two important vector species: the red fox and the raccoon dog. Red fox Vulpes vulpes has been the main vector of rabies since 1945, but the number and proportion of raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides cases has rapidly increased during the past few years, particularly in north‐eastern Europe.
• 2 The transmission rate (average number of susceptible animals infected by each rabid animal) is critical for rabies spread and is partly determined by population density. Both raccoon dogs and foxes live in pairs. Foxes also live in family groups. Pairs and groups share their territories. Home range size usually correlates negatively with population density. Fox home ranges are 50–1500 ha, those of raccoon dogs 150–700 ha. The threshold value for rabies spread among foxes is estimated to be 0.63 individuals/km². Although fox density in eastern and northern Europe may be lower than this, the pooled density of foxes and raccoon dogs exceeds the threshold density.
• 3 Animal movements, especially dispersal of young, pose a risk for rabies spread. Although the likelihood of an epizootic is highest where fox and raccoon dog densities are highest, rabies may spread fastest where population densities are lower, because dispersal distances tend to correlate negatively with population density.
• 4 Oral vaccinations have been more effective in rabies control than culling foxes. Where two vector species exist, vaccination should be conducted twice a year, because most raccoon dogs disperse in autumn but some foxes do not disperse before mid‐ or late winter.
• 5 New rabies models, based on two vector species and their interaction, and which take into account the hibernation period of raccoon dogs, are needed for north‐eastern Europe.

     

The use of agricultural, open and forest habitats by juvenile Mauritius Kestrels Falco punctatus

Knowledge of tropical raptor habitat use is limited and yet a thorough understanding is vital when trying to conserve endangered species. We used a well studied, reintroduced population of the vulnerable Mauritius Kestrel Falco punctatus to investigate habitat preferences in a modified landscape. We constructed a high resolution digital habitat map and radiotracked 13 juvenile Kestrels to quantify habitat preferences. We distinguished seven habitat types in our study area and tracked Kestrels from 71 to 130 days old during which they dispersed from their natal territory and settled within a home‐range after reaching independence. Mean home‐range size was 0.95 km² characterized by a bimodal pattern of intensity around the natal site and post‐independence home‐range. Compositional analysis showed that home‐ranges were located non‐randomly with respect to habitat but there was no evidence to suggest differential use of habitats within home‐ranges. Native and semi‐invaded forest and grassland were consistently preferred, whereas agriculture was used significantly less than other habitats. No difference was found between the available length of edge dividing native forest and grassland within a home‐range when compared to that available within a 2.35‐km buffer around their nest‐site, based on the maximum distance a juvenile was found to disperse. Repeating the analysis in three dimensions gave very similar results. Our results suggest that Mauritius Kestrels are not obligate forest dwellers as was once thought but can also exploit open habitats such as grassland. Kestrels may be using isolated mature trees within grassland as vantage points for hunting in the same way as they use the natural stratified forest structure. We suggest that the avoidance of agriculture is partly due to a lack of such vantage points. The conservation importance of forest degradation and agricultural encroachment is highlighted and comparisons with the habitat preferences of other tropical falcons are discussed.     

Home range and habitat use of male Reeves's Pheasant(Symaticus reevesii)during winter in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve,Henan Province,China

Home range and habitat use of male Reeves's Pheasant(syrmaticus reevesii)were studied during winter of 2001～2002 and 2002～2003 in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve,Henan Province.Results from five individuals of Reeves's Pheasant with over 30 relocations,indicated that the average size of home range was 10.03±1.17 hm2 by Minimum Convex Polygon method.8.60±0.35 hm2 by 90% Harmonic Mean Transformation method,and 9.50±1.90 hm2 by 95% Fixed Kernel method.It was observed that the winter range is smaller than that in the breeding season.The mean core area of the home range was found to be 1.88±0.37 hm2.Although the habitat composition of the core area varied greatly for individuals,a large part of the habitats used were composed of conifer and broadleaf mixed forests,masson pine forests,fir forests,and shrubs.Habitat use within the study area was non-random,while habitats within home ranges were randomly used.Habitat use was dictated by tree diameter at breast height,shrub height and coverage at 2.0 m.The proximity between forests and shrubs were also found to be important in providing refuge for the birds during winter.Recommendations for conservation management include protecting the existing habitats in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve,increasing suitable habitat for Reeves's Pheasant through artificial plantations(e.g.firs),and restoring some parts of the large shrub area into forests.