Abstract
BackgroundPine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire (≤ 3 years) to promote diversity of flora and fauna, and to maintain open, park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). However, a knowledge gap exists in our understanding of bobcat (Lynx rufus) habitat selection in longleaf pine savannas and research is warranted to direct our future management decisions.MethodsWe examined bobcat habitat selection in a pine savanna managed with frequent fires at two spatial scales (i.e., study area boundary [hereafter, landscape scale]) and annual area of use [95% kernel density; local scale]), and assessed effects of prescribed fire on bobcat habitat selection. Specifically, we monitored 45 bobcats (16 males and 29 females) during 2001–2007.ResultsWe found differential habitat selection by sex. At the landscape scale, female bobcats were closer to mixed pine-hardwoods, young pine, and secondary roads, but farther from mature pine and hardwoods stands relative to males. We found no difference in selection of agriculture, shrub-scrub, and primary roads between sexes. At the annual area of use scale, female bobcats were closer to secondary roads, but farther from agriculture and shrub-scrub relative to males. We found no difference in selection of mature pine, mixed pine-hardwoods, hardwoods, young pine, and primary roads between sexes. Bobcats primarily selected for stands burned ≤ 1.1 years post-fire.ConclusionsOur results show that bobcats exploit a broad range of habitat types in pine landscapes managed with frequent fire and commonly use recently burned stands (≤ 1.1 year post-fire), suggesting prey in many areas of this system are at risk of bobcat predation. Additionally, we suggest land managers consider scale of selection by bobcats when developing habitat management strategies.
Highlights
Pine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire (≤ 3 years) to promote diversity of flora and fauna, and to maintain open, park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
We found no highly correlated variables at landscape and Annual area of use (AAU) scales; we retained all variables in our modeling efforts
Our findings demonstrate the importance of vegetation diversity for bobcats in a forested landscape managed by frequent (≤3 years) and small scale (< 40 ha) fires
Summary
Pine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire (≤ 3 years) to promote diversity of flora and fauna, and to maintain open, park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas historically occupied over 30 million hectares in the southeastern USA (Brockway et al 2005, Van Lear et al 2005). This unique ecosystem is considered one of the most biologically diverse in North America because it supports hundreds of species of flora and fauna (Alavalapati et al 2002). Longleaf pine savannas are primarily managed by frequent prescribed fires (≤ 3 years return interval) to reduce undesirable vegetation while stimulating growth and development of a. Fire benefits fauna found in this system including common game birds
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