Abstract
In this study, we examine the spatial interrelation between different carnivore species (Carnivora, Mammalia) and ground-nesting birds in a Special Protection Area (SPA) in Brandenburg, Germany. Camera- and live-trapping of carnivores during an 18-month period revealed that the SPA hosts most mesocarnivore species that occur in Germany. Since raccoon (Procyon lotor), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and domestic cat (Felis silvestris f. catus) showed highest abundance-activity indices, we used GPS telemetry for a detailed analysis of spatial behavior of nine raccoons and five red foxes over a 22-month period. Spatial distribution patterns showed a strong difference between both species: raccoons showed a clear preference for reed swamps and shrub swamps, clustering in high concentrations along the edges of water bodies. Although this behavior is likely due to the high and year-round availability of aquatic food sources, overlap of raccoon core areas with high densities of wetland birds likely results in a high level of sublethal predation effects particularly on waterfowl breeding in reed beds. Red foxes showed much more evenly distributed movement patterns and a high intraspecific variability in habitat preference, revealing a general preference for woodlands and an avoidance of wetlands. Thus, predation pressure by foxes on ground-breeders seems to be lower and focusing on grassland-associated bird species in close proximity to woodlands. Consequently, our study highlights the need for a differentiated view on the predatory potential of particular mesocarnivore species on the endangered bird species in the SPA, leading to future management implications with a focus on swampland habitats.
Highlights
In central Europe, agricultural practices such as crop production and livestock farming by humans have led to the conversion of structurally uniform forests into cultural landscapes with biodiversity-rich habitat types (Naveh 1998)
Red fox (V. vulpes), raccoon (P. lotor), and domestic cat, by contrast, reveal abundance-activity indices, which are about factor 10 times higher than the average abundance-activity score of the remaining carnivore species photographed
While raccoons were mainly photographed in swampland (RAI = 27.21) and domestic cats were mainly photographed in grassland (RAI = 19.30), red foxes show high indices of relative abundance-activity in grassland (RAI = 22.41) and forest (RAI = 28.47) as well (Fig. 2)
Summary
In central Europe, agricultural practices such as crop production and livestock farming by humans have led to the conversion of structurally uniform forests into cultural landscapes with biodiversity-rich habitat types (Naveh 1998). Eur J Wildl Res (2019) 65: 14 intensification indirectly affects reproductive performance of bird populations through land consolidation, melioration, and increasing eutrophication, resulting in a microclimatic deterioration of the quality of nesting sites (Hudson et al 1990; Haupt et al 2009). Climatic changes and increasingly humid springtimes can increase this effect (Haupt et al 2009), illustrating the complexity of the interrelation between land use and decreasing populations of ground-nesting bird species. Management actions in this areas, such as habitat improvements and extensive farming practices, could not yet stop decreasing population trends of many bird species (Südbeck and Krüger 2004; Haupt et al 2009)
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