Habitat Selection Preferences Research Articles

Responses of the Siberian crane population to temporal and spatial hydrological variations in stopover sites in northeast China

The Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus), a critically endangered species, is used as an indicator species for ecosystem stability because of its sensitivity to the environment. The distribution of Siberian cranes has shown dramatic fluctuations on an order of magnitude at the main stopover site (Jilin Momoge National Nature Reserve) since the present century, which poses a great challenge to the conservation of endangered species. Research on the threshold values of key factors of the Siberian crane in stopover habitats and the relationship between the Siberian crane and hydrological temporal and spatial fluctuations can promote endangered species conservation. The response of population changes and distribution patterns of Siberian cranes to hydrological temporal and spatial patterns of wetlands was analyzed from 1984 to 2020. The results showed that population changes and distribution patterns of Siberian cranes were highly correlated with hydrological temporal and spatial patterns in the study area, and their variation trend was the same. However, there were obvious stage migration changes in the core activity area of the Siberian crane (1984–2000, 2001–2010 and 2010–2020). The habitat characteristics of fragmentation, dispersion and complex shape of water bodies changed from steady to dramatic fluctuations and then leveled off in the core activity area of Siberian cranes during the 37 years of migration transit. This was closely related to the early agricultural reclamation and the later ecological water replenishment project in the study area. In addition, the trend of the water pattern index of the spatial distribution of Siberian crane active habitat was also closely related to their habitat selection preference. When the perimeter area fractal dimension of water (1.27–1.40), landscape division index (0.73–0.95) and aggregation index (80.97–91.36) are within a certain stable threshold, the stopover habitat of the Siberian crane is suitable. This study will provide scientific guidance for the conservation of the Siberian crane population and the development of wetland restoration projects.

Simulating plasticity as a framework for understanding habitat selection and its role in adaptive capacity and extinction risk through an expansion of CDMetaPOP.

Adaptive capacity can present challenges for modelling as it encompasses multiple ecological and evolutionary processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow and phenotypic plasticity. Spatially explicit, individual-based models provide an outlet for simulating these complex interacting eco-evolutionary processes. We expanded the existing Cost-Distance Meta-POPulation (CDMetaPOP) framework with inducible plasticity modelled as a habitat selection behaviour, using temperature or habitat quality variables, with a genetically based selection threshold conditioned on past individual experience. To demonstrate expected results in the new module, we simulated hypothetical populations and then evaluated model performance in populations of redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) across three watersheds where temperatures induce physiological stress in parts of the stream network. We ran simulations using projected warming stream temperature data under four scenarios for alleles that: (1) confer thermal tolerance, (2) bestow plastic habitat selection, (3) give both thermal tolerance and habitat selection preference and (4) do not provide either thermal tolerance or habitat selection. Inclusion of an adaptive allele decreased declines in population sizes, but this impact was greatly reduced in the relatively cool stream networks. As anticipated with the new module, high-temperature patches remained unoccupied by individuals with the allele operating plastically after exposure to warm temperatures. Using complete habitat avoidance above the stressful temperature threshold, habitat selection reduced the overall population size due to the opportunity cost of avoiding areas with increased, but not guaranteed, mortality. Inclusion of plasticity within CDMetaPOP will provide the potential for genetic or plastic traits and 'rescue' to affect eco-evolutionary dynamics for research questions and conservation applications.

Network Analysis Using Markov Chain Applied to Wildlife Habitat Selection

In the present study, behavioral states for habitat selection are examined using a discrete-time Markov chain (DTMC) combined with a network model with wildlife movement data. Four male boars (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) at the Bukhansan National Park in South Korea were continuously tracked with an interval of approximately 2 h to 313 days from June 2018 to May 2019. The time-series movement positions were matched with covariates of environmental factors (leaf types and water) in field conditions. Stationary probabilities were used to quantify the habitat selection preference of wild boars, including maximum probability (0.714) with the “broadleaf without water habitat” where in-degree centrality was at its maximum (0.54), but out-degree centrality was low and even (0.17) for all states. Betweenness was the maximum for the “needleleaf without water habitat”, suggesting its role as a bridging habitat between other habitats. Out-closeness scores presented the highest values in the “broadleaf without water habitat” (0.26). Similarly, the first hitting time to the habitat was shortest at the “broadleaf without water habitat” (3.64–5.16 h) and slightly longer than one day in other examined habitats, including “broadleaf with water,” “needleleaf without water,” and “no-leaf without water”. The network model using the Markov chain provided information on both local movement behavior and general resource-use patterns of wild boars in field conditions.

Temperature but not nutrient addition affects abundance and assemblage structure of colonizing aquatic insects

Abiotic conditions are important considerations in the species sorting process, which ultimately determines the distribution and abundance of species. Freshwater ecosystems will be impacted by ongoing temperature rise and other anthropogenically induced changes, such as nutrient enrichment and eutrophication. Changing characteristics of freshwater habitats will likely impact organisms in numerous ways, including through effects on colonization dynamics. Species are expected to colonize habitat patches where fitness will be the highest for themselves and their offspring, and how habitat selection interacts with changing environments remains an important question. We conducted a warming experiment to test the habitat selection preferences of aquatic beetles and hemipterans between habitat patches (mesocosms) of varying temperatures (via heaters), nutrient addition, and their interaction. Overall, insect abundance and richness were higher in unheated patches, with taxon-specific variation in response to heating. Although nutrients had limited effects on environmental conditions in mesocosms, their addition had no significant effects on insects. Insect assemblages had unique structures across heating treatments, with lower beta diversity and higher effective numbers of species in the warmest mesocosms. Our data support the importance of spatial variation in abiotic factors during the habitat selection process, and in determining species distributions and abundances as shallow lentic ecosystems are impacted by rising global temperatures.

Factors Influencing the Geographical Distribution of Dendroctonus armandi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytidae) in China

In order to prevent any further spread of Dendroctonus armandi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytidae), it is important to clarify its geographic distribution in China. Species Distribution Models were used to identify the variables influencing the distribution of D. armandi in China, and to create maps of its distribution. D. armandi almost exclusively attacked Pinus armandi Franch (IP (frequency of its incidence) = 98.2%), and its distribution is focused on the Qinling Mountains and the Ta-pa Mountains. The current distribution of P. armandi does not limit the distribution of D. armandi, despite the host occurring in in northern and southwestern China. Temperature and precipitation limit the current distribution of this beetle. The mean temperature of coldest quarter (−5 °C) does not guarantee that D. armandi larvae can overwinter in northern China, and the precipitation of wettest quarter plays an important role in the dispersal and colonization of D. armandi adults in southwestern China. Therefore, the ecological niche of this beetle is relatively narrow when it comes to these environmental variables. The climatic conditions where this beetle inhabit are different from the prevalent climate in the Qinling Mountains and the Ta-pa Mountains. At the meso- and micro-scale levels, terrain variables create habitat selection preferences for D. armandi. D. armandi predominately colonizes trees on the southern slopes of valleys and canyons with elevations between 1300 m a.s.l and 2400 m a.s.l.

Fine‐scale spatial distribution of murundus structures in the semi‐arid region of Brazil

AbstractMurundus are earth mounds widespread in most landscapes in the semi‐arid region of Brazil. Evidence obtained from predictive modelling has suggested a termite origin for these structures, opening up new opportunities for further research. Distribution of densely packed murundus at larger spatial scales is most related to climatic regime and soil nutrient availability. However, factors and processes underlying their distribution and density at smaller spatial scales are not yet fully understood. In this study, we adopted an approach based on mapping point data using high‐resolution satellite imagery, multi‐scale second‐order analysis and general linear models to examine the fine‐scale spatial distribution and density of murundus. Our results suggest that the distribution of those structures within densely packed areas is regulated by more than one process acting or interacting across multiple spatial scales. All densely packed murundus showed a significant regular distribution at the distance scale of up to 50 m radially and a completely random distribution across all other upper distance scales. We interpret the regular pattern as a result of competition for foraging territories between different termite colonies during the process formation of densely packed murundus. The random pattern at larger distance scales (above 50 m radially) can be attributed to habitat selection preferences by termite species builders of murundus mediated by local environmental resources and conditions (i.e. availability of food resources and nesting and open habitat), which would be randomly distributed in space. Thus, at finer spatial scales murundus distributions are associated with biotic interactions acting on an abiotic template. On the basis of significant linear correlations, we suggest that the density of murundus is strongly related to local temperature regime with soil‐type influencing its effect on the murundus densities. Our findings provide novel evidences that mound‐building termites are involved in the formation of murundus in the semi‐arid region of Brazil.

Tree leaf litter composition drives temporal variation in aquatic beetle colonization and assemblage structure in lentic systems.

Tree leaf litter inputs to freshwater systems are a major resource and primary drivers of ecosystem processes and structure. Spatial variation in tree species distributions and forest composition control litter inputs across landscapes, but inputs to individual lentic habitat patches are determined by adjacent plant communities. In small, ephemeral, fishless ponds, resource quality and abundance can be the most important factor affecting habitat selection preferences of colonizing animals. We used a landscape of experimental mesocosms to assess how natural populations of aquatic beetles respond over time to variation in tree leaf litter composition (pine or hardwood). Patches with faster-decomposing hardwood leaf litter were initially colonized at higher rates than slower-decomposing pine pools by most species of Hydrophilidae, but this pattern reversed later in the experiment with higher colonization of pine pools by hydrophilids. Colonization did not differ between pine and hardwood for dytiscids and the small hydrophilid Paracymus, but there were distinct beetle assemblages between pine and hardwood patches both early and late in the experiment. Our data support the importance of patch quality and habitat selection as determinants of species abundances, richness, and community structure in freshwater aquatic systems, not only when new habitat patches are formed and initial conditions set, but as patches change due to interactions of processes such as decomposition with time.

Kakapo habitat selection on Hauturu-o-toi in relation to plant phenology

Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) breed only when certain gymnosperm species produce unusually abundant mast seed crops, events that can occur up to 5 years apart. Kakapo were first translocated to the offshore island refuge of Hauturu-o-toi (Little Barrier Island) in 1982. Despite the absence of known breeding triggers, several breeding attempts did occur prior to the birds’ removal in 1999. Although kakapo were reintroduced to Hauturu in 2012, the question of what triggers them to breed there remains a mystery. This paper re-examines unanalysed datasets to explore the link between kakapo habitat selection and plant phenology patterns on Hauturu during the 1990s. By comparing plant phenology with breeding attempts, we provide insights into potential breeding triggers, and the potential future of Hauturu as a sustainable refuge. We also provide an account of plant phenology patterns occurring on Hauturu. Resource selection ratios were calculated to determine habitat selection preferences using kakapo location data and a vegetation map of Hauturu. Analysis of plant phenology within preferred habitats was then undertaken to determine potential breeding triggers using a dataset of over 70 plant species collected from 1991-1995. Female kakapo that attempted to breed on Hauturu preferred Agathis australis (kauri) dominated vegetation to any other vegetation type. Phenology patterns coincided with kakapo breeding attempts, and attempted breeding years on Hauturu were years with high A. australis female cone abundance. The association between A. australis and breeding suggests that A. australis cone production could trigger kakapo breeding on Hauturu. With an increasing kakapo population and a limited number of suitable refuges, understanding the potential reproductive productivity of kakapo on Hauturu will be vital for their future management and recovery.

Bowhead and Gray Whale Distributions, Sighting Rates, and Habitat Associations in the Eastern Chukchi Sea, Summer and Fall 2009–15, with a Retrospective Comparison to 1982–91

We analyzed data from line-transect aerial surveys for marine mammals conducted in the eastern Chukchi Sea (67˚–72˚ N, 157˚–169˚ W) in July to October of 2009–15 to investigate bowhead and gray whale distributions, behaviors, sighting rates, and habitat selection preferences, the last of which allowed direct comparison with results from data collected in this area in 1982–91. Bowhead whales use the eastern Chukchi Sea primarily for migrating between the Beaufort Sea and the Bering Sea, while gray whales use the area to feed on locally abundant benthic amphipods and other prey. Bowhead whales were observed during all survey months and were distributed up to 300 km offshore west and southwest of Point Barrow, Alaska, but without a defined migratory corridor in either summer (July-August) or fall (September-October). Bowhead whale sighting rates (whales per km on effort) were highest in the shelf/trough (51–200 m North) depth zone in the northeastern Chukchi Sea in both summer and fall. This pattern was reflected in habitat selection ratios, which found bowhead whales in summer and fall selecting primarily shelf/trough habitat in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, with shelf habitat (36 – 50 m) being preferred secondarily. Gray whales were observed in all survey months and were distributed primarily within ~95 km of shore between Point Barrow and Icy Cape in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, and about 60–115 km southwest of Point Hope in the southern Chukchi Sea. In both summer and fall, gray whale sighting rates and habitat selection ratios were highest in the shelf/trough (51–200 m South) depth zone in the southern Chukchi Sea. In the northeastern part of the study area, gray whale sighting rates and habitat selection ratios both identified coastal habitat (≤ 35 m) as preferred habitat in summer and shelf/trough (51–200 m North) as preferred habitat in fall. Distribution and habitat associations of bowhead and gray whales remained similar over the 34-year time span with one exception: gray whale preference for shelf/trough habitat in the southern Chukchi Sea is now evident throughout summer and fall, whereas three decades ago gray whale preference for that area was limited to fall only.

Invariant polar bear habitat selection during a period of sea ice loss.

Climate change is expected to alter many species' habitat. A species' ability to adjust to these changes is partially determined by their ability to adjust habitat selection preferences to new environmental conditions. Sea ice loss has forced polar bears (Ursus maritimus) to spend longer periods annually over less productive waters, which may be a primary driver of population declines. A negative population response to greater time spent over less productive water implies, however, that prey are not also shifting their space use in response to sea ice loss. We show that polar bear habitat selection in the Chukchi Sea has not changed between periods before and after significant sea ice loss, leading to a 75% reduction of highly selected habitat in summer. Summer was the only period with loss of highly selected habitat, supporting the contention that summer will be a critical period for polar bears as sea ice loss continues. Our results indicate that bears are either unable to shift selection patterns to reflect new prey use patterns or that there has not been a shift towards polar basin waters becoming more productive for prey. Continued sea ice loss is likely to further reduce habitat with population-level consequences for polar bears.

Interspecific Contact and Competition May Affect the Strength and Direction of Disease-Diversity Relationships for Directly Transmitted Microparasites.

The frequency of opportunities for transmission is key to the severity of directly transmitted disease outbreaks in multihost communities. Transmission opportunities for generalist microparasites often arise from competitive and trophic interactions. Additionally, contact heterogeneities within and between species either hinder or promote transmission. General theory incorporating competition and contact heterogeneities for disease-diversity relationships is underdeveloped. Here, we present a formal framework to explore disease-diversity relationships for directly transmitted parasites that infect multiple host species, including influenza viruses, rabies virus, distemper viruses, and hantaviruses. We explicitly include host regulation via intra- and interspecific competition, where the latter can be dependent on or independent of interspecific contact rates (covering resource utilization overlap, habitat selection preferences, and temporal niche partitioning). We examine how these factors interact with frequency- and density-dependent transmission along with traits of the hosts in the assemblage, culminating in the derivation of a relationship describing the propensity for parasite fitness to decrease in species assemblages relative to that in single-host species. This relationship reveals that increases in biodiversity do not necessarily suppress frequency-dependent parasite transmission and that regulation of hosts via interspecific competition does not always lead to a reduction in parasite fitness. Our approach explicitly shows that species identity and ecological interactions between hosts together determine microparasite transmission outcomes in multispecies communities.

Identifying mismatches between habitat selection and habitat quality in a ground-nesting farmland bird

Human-induced habitat changes often generate novel or radically altered habitat characteristics, which can impair the ability of organisms to differentiate between suitable and unsuitable sites. This phenomenon, often termed an ecological trap, has been identified as a potential driver of biodiversity loss worldwide. However, few unequivocal examples have been documented, even in agricultural environments where contemporary habitat changes have been rapid and significant. Several problems complicate the detection of ecological traps in the field, including difficulties in measuring key parameters such as relative habitat preference. Here, we assess habitat selection preferences and breeding success of the yellow wagtail Motacilla flava, a UK red-listed declining passerine, in arable farmland. We combine habitat-specific density indices with measures of home range exclusivity to make inferences on relative habitat preference that are robust to the confounding effect of competitive exclusion. Using multiple measures of breeding success, we identify maladaptive habitat selection patterns at the scale of both territory and nest site choice. Yellow wagtails showed a preference for establishing territories within field bean crops, but subsequently suffered high nest predation rates. Similarly, pairs showed a preference for nesting close to tramlines within cereal fields, but nests further from tramlines achieved higher success due to lower predation rates. We found no evidence of competitive exclusion among neighbouring pairs, suggesting that density-based indices provided an accurate reflection of relative habitat preferences. Our findings highlight the potential role of maladaptive habitat selection in suppressing breeding success among farmland species.

Habitat and post-fire selection of the Pilliga Mouse Pseudomys pilligaensis in Pilliga East State Forest

The habitat selection of the Pilliga Mouse was studied within a variety of vegetation and post fire communities in the Pilliga East State Forest of northern NSW. Its selection was found to be similar to other Australian Pseudomys, but most similar to the New Holland Mouse P. novaehollandiae, preferring understoreys dominated by heathy, xeromorphic plants with sandy soils and litter cover. There was a significant correlation between numbers of Pilliga Mice, in particular breeding sites and a well-developed low shrub cover < 50 cm high. Habitats having this type of cover, in particular Broombush and Kurricabah/Bloodwood scrublands were the only habitats where burrows of this species were detected. Pilliga Mice showed a preference for early and late post-fire stages of vegetation and an avoidance of intermediate age habitats post fire (5-15 years old) probably due to an absence of suitable low shrub cover in this age class. A field methodology that identifies preferred habitat for this species based on the habitat selection preferences of the Pilliga Mouse is described.

Brown trout spawning habitat selection preferences and redd characteristics in the Credit River, Ontario

Brown trout Salmo trutta redds in the Credit River, Ontario, were enumerated and assessed for physical, location and cover feature characteristics during the 2002 spawning season. Hydraulic habitats were classified on the basis of channel morphology and availability recorded. Combined use and availability data were used to assess habitat selection preferences and test for significant differences. Significant preferences for upstream pool and riffle habitat were found, but all available habitat types were used to some degree. Non‐preferred habitat redds were significantly larger than those located in preferred habitats and more likely to be found in association with woody debris cover. Larger redds were interpreted as indicative of larger fish. The use of non‐preferred downstream habitats by larger fish was further interpreted in the context of overwinter habitat requirements to reflect possible trade‐offs between reproductive and adult over‐winter survival requirements resulting in the selection of habitat for multiple life‐history functions. Results suggest that redd density alone should not be used to infer critical autumn habitat requirements for brown trout.

Movement patterns, home range, and habitat utilization of adult kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus in a temperate no-take marine reserve

Home range, activity patterns, site fidelity and habitat preference of the kelp bass Para- labrax clathratus were determined from 12 adult fish tracked using acoustic telemetry within a tem- perate no-take marine reserve (0.13 km 2 ). Home range sizes ranged from 33 to 11 224 m 2 , averaging 3349 ± 3328 m 2 (±SD), but did not correlate with fish size. Fish were active and occupied similar-sized activity spaces during both day and night. Kelp bass exhibited a high degree of site fidelity, remain- ing resident in core areas for up to 3 yr. Relative to the total amount of available habitat, kelp bass showed a habitat selection preference for rock boulder, rock rubble and kelp habitat. These habitats offer high vertical relief, shade and large holes for shelter, and may attract and facilitate prey capture. Average home range size was 3% of the area of the reserve. Only 1 of 12 tracked fish crossed the reserve boundary, but this accounted for less than 5% of the fish's time. Natural habitat breaks along the reserve boundary may have further limited adult kelp bass movements. The small home ranges and high site fidelity of kelp bass in this reserve indicate that the reserve is effective in protecting the resident adult stock.

Habitat selection and grouping of beetles (Coleoptera)

Beetles were collected by pitfall trapping for a two‐year period in seven adjacent habitats in an upland site in North Wales. Positive correlations were demonstrated between number of beetle species and number and diversity of plant species. Similar correlations were shown between beetle numbers and plant species. However, only 15% of the beetle species were herbivores requiring host plants. The degree of habitat selection by individual beetle species was demonstrated, ranging from habitat specialist, being found in one habitat, lo habitat generalist, being found in most habitats. Herbivores were significantly more habitat specialist than predators or scavengers. The grouping of beetles, demonstrated by ordination analysis, was similar to, but less precise than, the grouping of plant species. The beetle groups reflect habitat selection preferences by individual species rather than a functional relationship between beetle species. They provide an example of the centrifugal structure of habitat selection theory.