Annual Home Range Size Research Articles

Movement Patterns, Activity, and Home Range of the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) in Northern Lake Champlain, Québec, Vermont

Abstract We studied movement patterns, activity, and home range of the eastern spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) in northern Lake Champlain (Quebec, Canada; Vermont) from 1996 to 1999. This turtle population is at the northern limit of its range and considered threatened. Of the 30 individuals captured and marked, 15 females and eight males were equipped with radio-transmitters and monitored from two weeks to 29 months. Mean annual home range size for females (32.06 km2, N = 11) was significantly larger than for males (2.75 km2, N = 4). Home ranges generally consisted of a spring-summer concentration area (0.90 km2) and a fall-winter concentration area (1.80 km2), plus the area traversed between these concentration areas. In general, movements did not vary significantly from May to September, but turtles were less active after mid-September. Three hibernacula and three nesting sites were identified. Seventy five percent of the radio-tracked individuals were concentrated in a small area surroundin...

Movement Patterns, Activity, and Home Range of the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) in Northern Lake Champlain, Quebec, Vermont

We studied movement patterns, activity, and home range of the eastern spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) in northern Lake Champlain (Québec, Canada; Vermont) from 1996 to 1999. This turtle population is at the northern limit of its range and considered threatened. Of the 30 individuals captured and marked, 15 females and eight males were equipped with radio-transmitters and monitored from two weeks to 29 months. Mean annual home range size for females (32.06 km2, N = 11) was significantly larger than for males (2.75 km2, N = 4). Home ranges generally consisted of a spring-summer concentration area (0.90 km2) and a fall-winter concentration area (1.80 km2), plus the area traversed between these concentration areas. In general, movements did not vary significantly from May to September, but turtles were less active after mid-September. Three hibernacula and three nesting sites were identified. Seventy five percent of the radio-tracked individuals were concentrated in a small area surrounding one hibernaculum from September to April. We hypothesize that habitat fragmentation, both natural and resulting from human activities, was in part responsible for the large home range and long movements observed. Results indicate that, to conserve this spiny softshell turtle population, the seasonal concentration areas need strict protection, although a lakewide approach promoting the preservation of natural habitats is also necessary.

Spatial Organization of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in Southern Illinois

Abstract Many aspects of spatial organization in solitary carnivores remain unknown due to prohibitively low sample sizes and reliance on only annual home range and overlap data. We estimated size, overlap and fidelity of annual and seasonal home ranges and core areas of 52 (22 male, 30 female) adult bobcats (Lynx rufus) in southern Illinois during 1995–1999 and quantified temporal spacing. We report an unusual pattern of spatial organization for bobcats such that, although male and female annual home-range sizes were similar to other regional populations, we found relatively high levels of intrasexual home-range overlap for males and females. Although intrasexual home-range overlap was extensive, core areas were nearly exclusive, implying that core areas confer benefits to bobcats by reducing competition for resources and may represent areas of more aggressive territoriality within the home range. Only 4 of 52 (8%) bobcats shifted annual home ranges, indicating stable spatial organization in the absence ...

Effects of population reduction on home ranges of female white-tailed deer at high densities

The relationship between deer density and home range size is important in assessing the effectiveness of deer reduction programs and predicting the effects of deer on habitat. We quantified annual home range and core area size and spatial configuration of adult female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) exposed to a population reduction program and a control group exposed to no population reduction program over a 4-year period (1994–1997). Deer were removed from Bluff Point during a 9-day shotgun hunt in 1996 and a 4-day removal program in 1997. Annual home range size during high deer densities (88–91 deer/km2) were larger than during periods of moderate (20 deer/km2) and low deer densities (11 deer/km2). We found a positive relationship between deer density and home range size. Annual home range size for the control group of deer did not differ among years. There were no significant shifts in the spatial arrangement of deer home ranges as deer densities were reduced. Significant improvements in deer herd health and reductions in deer browsing were documented during the 2-year deer reduction program. Population reduction programs at our study area did not cause the resident deer population to expand home range size or shift into adjacent habitat. We believe that localized deer reduction programs can be effective tools to manage problem deer herds. Deer removal efforts initiated to reduce deer damage to vegetation, particularly in urban areas, may have an added effect of reducing foraging range of the remaining resident deer.

MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF BARREN-GROUND WOLVES IN THE CENTRAL CANADIAN ARCTIC

Abstract We collected information on the movement patterns of wolves (Canis lupus) captured within a 30,000-km2 area in the Northwest Territories and western Nunavut. Currently, diamond mining and road construction are occurring in the area used by these migratory wolves for denning. During summers of 1997 and 1998, 23 wolves in 19 different packs were captured and fitted with collar-mounted satellite transmitters. Areas used by these wolves varied seasonally and seemed to correspond to movements of migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus). Annual home-range sizes (95% minimum convex polygon), averaged 63,058 km2 ± 12,836 SE for males and 44,936 ± 7,564 km2 for females. Wolves began to restrict movements around a den site on the tundra by late April. They did not depart from their summer ranges until late October, after which they followed caribou to their wintering grounds. Straight-line distances from the most distant location on the winter range to the den site averaged 508 ± 26 km during 1997–1998 and 26...

Home Range of Desert Mule Deer: Testing the Body-Size and Habitat-Productivity Hypotheses

The body-size hypothesis of home range predicts that, given constant home range productivity, larger animals with higher absolute metabolic requirements use larger home ranges to meet their metabolic needs. This relationship is well supported across a wide range of mammals and often has been invoked to explain differences in home range size between sexes that differ in body size However, the body-size hypothesis has rarely been tested within a species A corollary to this hypothesis states that for a given mass, animals in areas of low habitat productivity should have home ranges larger than those in productive habitat. To test these 2 hypotheses, we radiomonitored desert male deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) for 2 vears insouthwest Texas to determine the effects of sex, mass, and habitat productivity on annual home range size, Although male mule deer had more massive bodies than females (P < 0.001) and used consistently larger annual home ranges than females (P < 0.01), we found little support for the body-size hypothesis. In contrast, we found sex-specific support for the habitat-productivity hypothesis. Male and female mule deer had home ranges of similar size in areas of high habitat productivity but males used larger home ranges than females when habitat productivity was low, Our results suggest that differential sex responses to productivity may be the mechanism underlying the frequent observation that male cervids have larger home ranges than female cervids.

Mexican Spotted Owl Home Range and Habitat Use in Pine-Oak Forest: Implications for Forest Management

Abstract To better understand the habitat relationships of the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), and how such relationships might influence forest management, we studied home-range and habitat use of radio-marked owls in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)-Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) forest. Annual home-range size (95% adaptive-kernel estimate) averaged 895 ha ± + 70 (SE) for 12 individuals and 997 ha ± 186 (SE) for 7 pairs of owls. On average, the 75% adaptive-kernel contour (a probability contour containing 75% of the owl locations) included 32 and 30% of the annual home range for individuals and pairs, respectively, suggesting high concentration of activity in a relatively small portion of the home range. Relative area of three cover types (ponderosa pine forest, pine-oak forest, and meadow) did not differ between seasonal ranges, and owls used these cover types in proportion to their relative area during both breeding and nonbreeding seasons. In contrast, relative area of four canopy-cover classes varied between seasons. Breeding-season ranges contained greater proportions of areas with canopy cover ≥ 60% and lower proportions of areas with 20-39% canopy cover than nonbreeding-season ranges. Owls roosted and foraged in stands with ≥ 60% canopy cover more than expected during both breeding and nonbreeding seasons, and used stands with 20-39% canopy cover less than expected except for foraging during the breeding season. Stands used for foraging did not differ in structure between seasons and had greater canopy cover and less rock cover than stands with no documented use. Stands used for roosting differed between seasons in a multivariate comparison, but no individual habitat variables differed between seasons in subsequent univariate comparisons. In both seasons, stands used for roosting had greater canopy cover than stands with no roosting use. Closed-canopy forests, which were used heavily by owls, were relatively rare on the study area, suggesting that such forests warrant special protection in areas managed for spotted owls. This may conflict with efforts to restore more open conditions in ponderosa pine forests. For. Sci. 45(1):127-135.

Effects of Drought on Desert Tortoise Movement and Activity

We monitored movement and activity patterns of 38 desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at 2 locations in the southcentral Mojave Desert during 2 consecutive years differing markedly in winter rainfall. During the first year, winter precipitation was 225% greater than the long-term average for this region, whereas a drought the following year resulted in precipitation that was 25% of the long-term average. These winter rains produced 2 distinct patterns of annual plant productivity: a bloom of annuals the first year, followed by their complete absence the second year. As measured by radiotelemetry, home range size, the number of different burrows used, average distances traveled per day, and levels of surface versus burrow activity were significantly reduced in both populations during the drought year. The pooled distribution of between-observation distances traveled showed a shift favoring shorter-distance movements during the drought year. Differences in levels of winter precipitation between years and the resulting variation of winter annual biomass in the spring appear to play a significant role in desert tortoise movement and activity patterns. Future management and conservation plans for the desert tortoise should consider weather and productivity as important factors influencing annual home range size, number of burrows used, average distances traveled, and activity levels.

Barred Owl Home Range and Habitat Selection in the Boreal Forest of Central Saskatchewan

-We assessed Barred Owl (Strix varia) home range and habitat selection in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan from 1993 to 1995 using radio telemetry (11 females and 4 males). Breeding, nonbreeding, and annual home-range sizes averaged 149, 1,234, and 971 ha, respectively. Breeding and nonbreeding home ranges overlapped entirely for all but two owls. Relative to habitat composition at random areas, Barred Owl breeding home ranges had greater proportions of old (80+ years) mixedwood forest, and nonbreeding home ranges contained greater proportions of old and mature (50 to 79 years) mixedwood and deciduous forest. Both breeding and nonbreeding home ranges contained low proportions of young (<50 years) forest and treed muskeg. Breeding home ranges contained higher proportions of old mixedwood than nonbreeding home ranges. Habitats used for foraging and roosting differed from the proportions of habitat available within the study area. During the breeding period, Barred Owls strongly selected old mixedwood, with lesser selection for mature mixedwood and deciduous forests. Similarly, in the nonbreeding period, old mixedwood was selected most strongly, with lesser selection for mature mixedwood and mature and old deciduous forests. During the breeding period, owls used habitats in proportion to their availability within home ranges, with the exception of young mixedwood forest, which was selected against. Owls selected old mixedwood within their nonbreeding home ranges and avoided young and coniferous forests, treed muskeg, open areas, and water. Received 22 May 1997, accepted 13 February 1998. THE BARRED OWL (Strix varia) is widely distributed in North America, ranging throughout the United States east and north from Texas, across Canada to southeastern Alaska, and south to northern California (Johnsgard 1988). The occurrence of Barred Owls in boreal and western montane forests of Canada and the United States is believed to have resulted from range expansion within the past 100 years (Houston 1959, Taylor and Forsman 1976, Boxall and Stepney 1982, Sharp 1989). This range expansion has brought the Barred Owl into contact with the Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) in the northwestern United States, where hybridization has occurred (Hamer et al. 1994). Throughout their range, Barred Owls inhabit a variety of forest types. Numerous authors have suggested that Barred Owls require old forests (Elody and Sloan 1985, Bosakowski et 4Present address: Partners in Flight-Manitoba, Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3, Canada. E-mail: kmazur@nr.gov.mb.ca al. 1987, Laidig and Dobkin 1995, Haney 1997, Mazur et al. 1997a). In contrast, the Barred Owl was not considered to be an old-forest obligate by Marcot (1995). In the boreal forest, Barred Owls are associated specifically with old forest (Boxall and Stepney 1982, Dunbar et al. 1991, Van Ael 1996, Mazur et al. 1997a). However, specific habitat selection has not been well quantified in this habitat type. Our objectives were to quantify home-range size and habitat selection by Barred Owls year-round in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan. Specifically, we wanted to determine whether the Barred Owl is an old-forest obligate within the boreal forest. STUDY AREA AND METHODS The research was conducted from May 1993 to April 1995 within the southern boreal forest of Saskatchewan, Canada (53'55'N, 105?55'W). The study area (ca. 400,000 ha) encompassed the Prince Albert Model Forest, including a portion of Prince Albert N tional Park. The dominant tree species in the

Long-Term Habitat Use by Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei). 1. Consistency, Variation, and Home Range Size and Stability

Mountain gorillas are highly folivorous. Food is abundant and perennially available in much of their habitat. Still, limited research has shown that single gorilla groups heavily used areas where food biomass and quality were relatively high and where they met daily nutritional needs with relatively low foraging effort. Also, ecological factors influenced solitary males less than groups with females. Long-term data on habitat use by multiple mountain gorilla social units and more extensive data on variation in food distribution, presented here, confirm that food distribution influences areal occupation densities across groups and over time. These data also confirm the group/solitary male distinction and show that food distribution became more important for one male once he acquired females. Groups used ≤25 km2, and inter-annual home range and core area overlap was often low. Annual home range and core area size varied considerably within groups and across years. It bore no simple relationship to group size and estimated group biomass. Core areas were biased samples of total home ranges and were relatively good foraging areas. One group abruptly shifted its home range in response to male mating competition. Home ranges of two others expanded from 1981 to 1987, though at a decreasing rate. Data on one such group, which varied considerably in size, are consistent with arguments that costs of scramble competition are low except in unusually large groups. Low site fidelity, low scramble costs, and high home range overlap should decrease the ecological costs of female transfer.

Lynx Population Dynamics in an Untrapped Refugium

Refugia from trapping are believed to be important to support a long-term sustainable harvest of Canada lynx (Lynx lynx), but long-term studies in unharvested areas are lacking. We studied lynx population characteristics in relation to snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) densities in a 301 km 2 refugium in the Yukon Territory between 1986 and 1994. Lynx carcasses were collected from adjacent trapping concessions for analysis of attributes of the harvested population. Hare density peaked in summer 1990 and began to decline in the winter of 1990-91. Lynx density in March varied with hare density from 2.7/100 km 2 in 1987 to 44.9/ 100 km 2 in 1991-92. The lynx population doubled annually for 4 years when reproduction and kit and adult survival were high, and immigration balanced or exceeded emigration. High mortality and emigration characterized the lynx decline. Proportions of breeding adults were 100% most years, including the first year of declining hare densities, but zero in the following 2 years. Yearling females reproduced only in the 2 years of highest hare numbers. Kit survival, which was 0% in 1986-87, peaked at 75% for kits of adult females and 26% for kits of yearlings in 1990-91. Emigration peaked annually from March-June, was lowest Sept.-Oct., and was not sex-biased. At least 16% (n= 22) of emigrants were trapped or shot. Seventeen lynx (14M, 3F) emigrated 100-1100 km. Annual natural mortality rates were under 11% for the first 6 years of study, including 2 years of hare decline, 60% in 1992-93 and 25% in 1993-94. The carcass sample contained 36% fewer kits, 40% more yearlings, and 4% fewer adults than were present on the study area, reflecting the lower birth and survival rates of kits of yearling females and trapping bias. Mean annual lynx home range size did not vary with hare density, until 1992-93 when male ranges increased markedly, and 1993-94 when female ranges increased. We recommend a network of permanently assigned untrapped areas to facilitate normal lynx population responses to changing snowshoe hare densities, to prevent local extinctions, and to maximize lynx harvests over a complete population cycle.

Home Range and Habitat Use of Brown Bears in the Southwestern Oshima Peninsula, Hokkaido

Movement, home range, and habitat use of 10 (7 M and 3 F) brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis) were investigated by radiotracking in southwestern Oshima Peninsula, Hokkaido, from May 1987 through May 1990. The annual home-range size was 28.1-39.1 km2 for 1 female. Male home-range size was larger than that of females, although no males were monitored throughout the year. Lower deciduous natural forest areas such as beech-oak (Fagus crenata)-(Quercus monoglica var. grosseserrata) forest and maple-linden (Acer mono)-(Tilia japonica) forest were used by bears intensively, but subalpine areas such as sasa-birch (Sasa kurilensis or S. senanensis)-(Betula ermani) forest and sasa community were rarely used and usage was restricted. Food availablilty could influence the habitat selection by the bears. Int. Conf. Bear Res. and Manage. 9(1):319:325 Hokkaido brown bears have been killed indiscriminately for more than 120 years. Especially during the period of 1966 through 1989, the spring prophylactic killing system was in force, and many bears were killed as pests and as game animals. Forest and field areas have been developed without considerations of bear habitat maintenance. As a result of these pressures, conspicuous extinction or near extinction had occurred by the 1980s in northern Hokkaido (Aoi 1990) and in areas such as the Shakotan Peninsula and the Yoichidake-Eniwa mountain area (Hokkaido Government 1986). However, recent bear damage to livestock and crops still occurs in other parts of Hokkaido (Hokkaido Government 1986). It is obvious that with the control kill alone, damages will continue to occur until the bear population drops to near extinction. Since mid 1970, about one-fourth of the total brown bear damage in Hokkaido has occurred (annually) in the Oshima Peninsula (Hokkaido Government 1986), which occupies only about 9% of the island. As this area is a peninsula, characterized by having a very long boundary between bear range and human residential areas, troubles and conflicts between people and bears are apt to occur. Moreover, habitat development on the Oshima Peninsula could have a major influence on bear habitat and population maintenance on Hokkaido. Biological information such as brown bear home range and habitat use is required for proper habitat management. The first successful brown bear radio-telemetry study in Hokkaido, Japan, was initiated in southwestern Oshima Peninsula in 1987. In this paper, I present preliminary information on movement, home range, and habitat use of Hokkaido brown bears in the deciduous forest of this area. I thank K. Maita and S. Kojima for their devoted field assistance. I thank also M. Yoneda, H. Abe, T. Aoi, H. Kudo, and T. Akasaka for their helpful advice and suggestions. Y. Maruko, A. Kishikawa, J. Yamazaki, T. Tsuizuki, G. Suzuki, N. Sato, T. Sato, and K. Takahashi, who are the members of the Hokkaido Hunting Society, kindly cooperated with the study. T. Tsubota, K. Yamamoto, Y. Kamada, and the members of the Brown Bear Research Group of Hokkaido University also provided devoted field assistance. Y. Sawamura and K. Kudo provided assistance in aerial radio location. The Matsumae District Forestry Office of Hokkaido also gave facilities for investigations. K. Kanagawa cooperated with the English. This research was partly funded by the Japan Environmental Agency. Asahi Broadcasting Co., Iwanami Productions Inc, and Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. also provided financial assistance.

Home Range and Habitat Use of Coyotes in Southeastern Colorado

We tracked 72 radio-collared coyotes (Canis latrans) for 13 consecutive biological seasons spanning 4 years. Coyotes displayed 2 behavior modes based on home-range characteristics: resident and transient. Resident and transient coyotes comprised 78 and 22% of the population, respectively. The mean annual home-range size was 11.3 km2 (range = 2.8-32.0 km2) and 106.5 km2 (range = 60.9-185.3 km2) for resident and transient coyotes, respectively. Yearlings and very old coyotes (>8 yr) accounted for 68% of the transient cohort. Resident annual home ranges in canyon, hill, pinyon (Pinus edulis)-juniper (Juniperus monosperma)prairie, and prairie habitats averaged 5.5, 6.6, 11.1, and 16.5 km2, respectively. Coyotes preferred pinyonjuniper woodlands and shrub-grasslands but used open grassland habitat less than expected. Regression analysis showed that 65% of the variation in resident home ranges could be explained by the amount of available pinyon-juniper cover. Coyotes with access to little or no pinyon-juniper cover used shrub-grasslands. Similarily, 47% of the variation of home ranges for coyotes inhabiting the prairie could be explained by the amount of available shrub-grassland habitat within an animal's home range. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 52(4):640-646 Coyote home ranges have been studied throughout the United States (Gipson and Sealander 1972, Berg and Chesness 1978, Andelt and Gipson 1979, Springer 1982, Woodruff and Keller 1982, Andelt 1985). Most studies pooled home-range sizes from their study area, reported a mean size, and compared their estimate to other studies. To date, no one has attempted to explain the variance in home-range sizes. Laundre, and Keller (1984) concluded that future studies should examine coyote home-range use in relation to physical, faunal, and vegetal characteristics. We describe home-range use and size relative to habitat use by coyotes in southeastern Colorado. We examined the relationship between home-range size and availability of vegetative components. We thank P. A. Terletzky, B. A. Abel, L. A. H ugh, G. B. Perlmutter, F. M. Lentsch, and C. C. Gordon for field assistance; the Western En rgy and Land Use Team (WELUT) and K. M. Firchow for habitat mapping; J. R. Cary for computer assistance; and M. D. Samuel for staistical assistance. J. A. Bissonette, J. W. Laundr6, and an anonymous reviewer provided critical reviews of the manuscript. This study was funded by the Environmental, Energy, and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colorado, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Colorado Fish and Wildlife Assistance Office, Golden, Colorado, and the USFWS Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Re' Present address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Creston Fisheries Center, Kalispell, MT 59901. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.243 on Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:06:53 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms J. Wildl. Manage. 52(4):1988 COYOTE HOME RANGE AND HABITAT USE * Gese et al. 641 search Unit, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Graduate School, University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Home Range and Habitat Use of Adult Female Moose

We estimated home range size and habitat use of adult female moose (Alces alces) in Grims6, southcentral Sweden. Fourteen adult moose (3-8 yr old) were radiomarked and located from February 1982 through November 1985. Seasonal and annual home range sizes and habitat preferences were determined. Seasonal home range size varied. Summer home ranges were almost 2x larger than winter ranges (9.1 vs. 4.9 km2). Summer ranges constituted >70% of the annual home range. Home ranges overlapped a mean of >10% between all seasons. Annual home range averaged 12.6 km2 and contained ?2 core areas. Core areas represented a mean of 85% of all locations but only 50% of the total area. All annual home ranges overlapped with >-1 home range of other females. Females preferred clearcuts and young and medium-aged forests. Mature stands and bogs were avoided by female moose. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 52(2):336-343 The increase in the moose population in Fennoscandia during the late 1970's and early 1980's has been related to an increase in the amount and distribution of food resources caused by changes in forest management and controlled, selective hunting (Cederlund and Markgren 1986, Haagenrud et al. 1986, Stilfelt 1986). The moose population varies in density between regions and local areas. Experiences from hunters and aerial surveys have indicated that many local areas contain few moose ( 1.0/km2) (T. Thirnhuvud, Flyginventering i Vaisternorrlands iin.-Analyser och firslag till prognosf6rbaittrande Atgiirder, Grims6 Rep. 48 pp., 1983). Managers consider local moose densities to be related to hunting pressure and food distribution (Cederlund and Markgren 1986). Proper management of moose can be facilitated with a better understanding of moose distribution and home ranges. Females are the basic unit for moose management; their density and age distribution determines overall production of calves (Markgren 1969, Saether and Haagenrud 1983). Females also contribute to habitat use of offspring (Sigman 1977), determine movements to seasonal ranges (Mytton and Keith 1981, Sandegren et al. 1983), and establish home ranges of their calves (Gasaway et al. 1980, Cederlund et al. 1987). Our objectives were to (1) estimate female moose expansion of, and fidelity to, individual home ranges during different seasons and years in a high density moose population; (2) determine female moose selection of forest habitats during different seasons; and (3) provide recommendations for management unit size and forestry practices. We are grateful to P. Y. Sweanor for comments and stylistic correction of the manuscript. We thank the staff at Grims6 for radiotracking. We thank P. G. Ahlqvist for marking moose. This study was supported by the Swedish Environment Protection Board.

Wild Turkey Home Ranges in the Ouachita Mountains

Home-range areas were determined for 21 wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. Annual minimum ranges were larger than previously reported for wild turkeys (i = 3,514 ha), and seasonal minimum ranges averaged 1,295 ha. Variation in annual home range size was correlated with the percentage of the area within each home range composed of habitat characteristics typical of young pine (Pinus spp.) plantations. Reducing the rate at which native stands have been converted to plantations, distributing young plantations evenly among native stands, and applying sawtimber rotations are suggested to enhance turkey habitat. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 50(4):540-544 The wild turkey is a species of management importance throughout much of the United States. For example, during the spring of 1983, approximately 120,000 wild turkeys were harvested in the southeastern United States (Kennamer 1983), and the aesthetic appeal of the wild turkey makes it valuable to the nonconsumptive public. The Ouachita Mountains region is important to users of the wild turkey resource in Arkansas. Although this region constitutes only 14% of the Arkansas land base and 19% of the commercial forestland, it yielded an annual average of 37% of turkeys harvested throughout the state between 1980 and 1983 (Arkansas Game and Fish Comm. 1983). The proximity of the Ouachita Mountains to major urban areas of the state adds to the value of this region. Knowledge of home-range parameters is a near requisite for management of a species. Although home-range area for wild turkeys has been reported in numerous studies (Brown 1980), habitat conditions reported in other studies are not representative of the Ouachita Mountains. Soils in this region are less productive than in many portions of the state, and many areas are under even-aged pine management. The objectives of this study, therefore, were to estimate home-range parameters for wild turkeys in the Ouachita Mountains region of Arkansas and to identify habitat characteristics that influence those parameters. We thank all personnel with the Arkansas Game and Fish Comm., U.S. For. Serv., and Weyerhaeuser Co. who assisted with this study. Special thanks are due E. H. Black, B. G. Cantrell, R. L. Crossett, D. M. Harris, T. Scott, and D. F. Urbston. The editorial assistance of R. S. Beasley, J. M. Guldin, J. A. Rochelle, and L. C. Thompson also is gratefully acknowledged. This study was financed through McIntire-Stennis funds and a grant by Weyerhaeuser Co., and is a tribution of the Arkansas Agric. Exp. Stn.

Home Range and Habitat Use by Wolverines in Southcentral Alaska

A wolverine (Gulo gulo) population was studied in the Susitna Basin southcentral Alaska from 1980 to 1983. Based on logarithmic extrapolations, annual home range sizes were estimated at 535 and 105 km2 for males and postpartus females, respectively. Wolverines utilized significantly different (P < 0.05) elevational strata during different seasons (: = 1,043 and 818 m for Apr-Oct and Nov-Mar, respectively), probably in response to differences in prey distribution and abundance. Habitat analyses showed an avoidance forest types in summer and tundra types in winter. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 50(3):460-463 The wolverine, the largest terrestrial mustelid, has a circumboreal distribution and a valuable pelt. Because wolverine population densities are naturally low and the elusive animals occupy remote habitats, few studies have been conducted. This paper describes home range, movements, and habitat use by wolverines in southcentral Alaska. This study was supported by the Alaska Power Authority and the Alaska Dep. Fish and Game (ADFG). Appreciation is expressed to ADFG employees S. R. Peterson and R. J. Tobey for reviewing early drafts the manuscript. E. A. Goodwin provided critical lab time and support. S. M. Miller provided statistical support. K. Z. Adler handled typing and bookkeeping throughout the project. Pilots V. and C. Lofstedt, H. C. McMahan, and A. and J. Lee participated in the field aspects the project. STUDY AREA AND METHODS The study was conducted in a 7,700-km2 portion the upper Susitna River Basin in southcentral Alaska. Characteristics of the habitat have been described previously by Skoog (1968). Elevations range from 260 to 2,200 m. Low elevations are dominated by spruce (Picea spp.) forests, with a shrub and deciduous transition zone blending to tundra and shrub birch (Betula spp.) habitat types at higher elevations. From 1980 to 1983, 22 wolverines were captured, radiocollared (Ballard et al. 1982), and tracked from fixed-wing aircraft. Wolverines were subjectively aged based on tooth wear patterns and degree maturation reproductive organs. Radio transmitters (Telonics, Inc., Mesa, Ariz.) were enclosed in metal canisters, and the transmitter-to-antenna connection was encased in urethane. Collar webbing was made butyl rubber with an internal stainless steel whip antenna. The entire radio-collar package weighed 430 g. Wolverine locations were gathered whenever weather and daylight permitted and were plotted on 1:63,360-scale U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps. The following data were recorded: date, time, activity, association, elevatio , aspect, slope, and associated habitat type (Viereck and Dyrness 1980). Availability habitat to the animals was determined by recording the habitat type at each section corner the mapped study area (McKendrick et al. 1982). Use habitat was determined by plotting all wolverine locations that were within the mapped area (N = 178) and tallying corresponding types. Statistical comparisons between availability and use were determined by a standard F-test. Logarithmic transformations based on the relationships between the number locations and cumulative home range size were used to project annual home range sizes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From April 1980 to November 1983, length contact with instrumented wolverines ranged from 1 to 426 days (f = 147). A total 258 point locations was gathered. Mortality (N = 10) and suspected transmitter failure (N = 7) were the primary reasons for loss contact. In 1983, transmitters were redesigned to reduce failure. Home Range The relationship between number locations and home range size was examined (Fig. 1) and used to estimate total annual home range

Home range sizes for burchell's zebra &lt;i&gt;equus burchelli antiquorum&lt;/i&gt; from the Kruger National Park

Annual home range sizes were determined for 49 marked zebra family groups in the Kruger National Park. Sizes varied from 49 to 566 sq. km, the mean for the Park being 164 square kilometre. Mean home range sizes for different zebra sub-populations and biotic areas were found to differ considerably. Present herbivore densities have not influenced intra- and inter-specific tolerance levels to the extent that home range sizes have increased. Local habitat conditions, and particularly seasonal vegetational changes, were found to have the most profound influence on the shape and mean size of home ranges. The large home range sizes obtained in the Kruger Park, when compared to an area such as the Ngorongoro Crater, can be ascribed to a lower carrying capacity with respect to zebra, large portions of the habitat being sub-optimal, either seasonally or annually.