Home range and habitat selection of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia in a temperate forest of South Korea

Abstract

Home range and habitat selection of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia (five males and three females) were assessed by radio tracking in a temperate forest of South Korea during January 2002–September 2004. Ninety-five percent minimum convex polygon home range size based on three to five times location per week ranged from 36.2 to 73.6 ha, with a median of 53.8 ha. Hazel grouse’ habitat use differed from random use of available habitats within the home range. In this home range scale of habitat selection, natural deciduous forest and coniferous plantation ranked highest, followed by mixed forest, deciduous plantation and others (rock and bare areas). Declines in amount of natural deciduous forest may be harmful to hazel grouse populations, but also beneficial by creating more dense understory coverage in coniferous plantations. For the conservation and management of hazel grouse populations, natural deciduous forest and coniferous plantation should be maintained and protected in Korea.