Use Of Resting Sites Research Articles

Resting site use of giant pandas in Wanglang Nature Reserve

Little is known about the resting sites used by the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), which restricts our understanding of their resting habits and limits conservation efforts. To enhance our understanding of resting site requirements and factors affecting the resting time of giant pandas, we investigated the characteristics of resting sites in the Wanglang Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. The results indicated that the resting sites of giant pandas were characterised by a mean slope of 21°, mean nearest tree size of 53.75 cm, mean nearest shrub size of 2.82 cm, and mean nearest bamboo number of 56. We found that the resting sites were closer to bamboo than to trees and shrubs, suggesting that the resting site use of giant pandas is closely related to the presence of bamboo. Considering that giant pandas typically rest near a large-sized tree, protection of large trees in the forests is of considerable importance for the conservation of this species. Furthermore, slope was found to be an important factor affecting the resting time of giant pandas, as they tended to rest for a relatively longer time in sites with a smaller degree of slope.

Monitoring frequency influences the analysis of resting behaviour in a forest carnivore

AbstractResting sites are key structures for many mammalian species, which can affect reproduction, survival, population density, and even species persistence in human‐modified landscapes. As a consequence, an increasing number of studies has estimated patterns of resting site use by mammals, as well as the processes underlying these patterns, though the impact of sampling design on such estimates remain poorly understood. Here we address this issue empirically, based on data from 21 common genets radiotracked during 28 months in Mediterranean forest landscapes. Daily radiotracking data was thinned to simulate every other day and weekly monitoring frequencies, and then used to evaluate the impact of sampling regime on estimates of resting site use. Results showed that lower monitoring frequencies were associated with major underestimates of the average number of resting sites per animal, and of site reuse rates and sharing frequency, though no effect was detected on the percentage use of resting site types. Monitoring frequency also had a major impact on estimates of environmental effects on resting site selection, with decreasing monitoring frequencies resulting in higher model uncertainty and reduced power to identify significant explanatory variables. Our results suggest that variation in monitoring frequency may have had a strong impact on intra‐ and interspecific differences in resting site use patterns detected in previous studies. Given the errors and uncertainties associated with low monitoring frequencies, we recommend that daily or at least every other day monitoring should be used whenever possible in studies estimating resting site use patterns by mammals.

Use of tree hollows by a Mediterranean forest carnivore

Although tree hollows seem to be key structures for a wide range of forest mammals, their importance for Mediterranean forest carnivores remain poorly understood. Here we address this issue, by analysing daily resting site use by 21 radio-collared common genets. Tree hollows were used far more frequently during the wet season (October–April; 73.1% of daily locations) than in the dry season (May–September; 47.6%). Nests and underground dens were the second and third most frequently used resting sites, respectively, in both wet (17.5% and 9.4%) and dry (34.1% and 18.3%) seasons. Each individual reused a large percentage of its resting sites (65.7%). Some resting sites (17.3%) were used by more than one individual, but simultaneous sharing was exceedingly rare (0.56% of daily locations). Hollow use probability during the wet season varied little in relation to environmental variables, though there was a tendency to be higher away from riparian habitats (>50m) and to be lower in sites with very high shrub cover (>80%). Environmental influences were responsible for more variability in the dry season, when hollow usage was highest in hot days, in days with precipitation, far from riparian habitats, close to sources of human disturbance, in landscapes dominated by continuous forest habitats, and in sites with low shrub cover. Results support the importance of tree hollows for Mediterranean forest carnivores, probably because they provide safe shelter against unfavourable weather, predators and human disturbance. However, results also revealed the importance of riparian trees, which offer support for building nests close to sources of water and food during the dry season. Considering home range size and the average number of hollow-bearing trees used by each genet, we recommend that management of cork and holm oak forests should strive to safeguard at least 4.6 hollow-bearing trees per 100ha, while simultaneously maintaining large riparian trees. This will improve the resting habitat for common genets, while presumably favouring also other Mediterranean carnivores.

Summer Resting and Den Site Selection by Eastern Spotted Skunks (Spilogale putorius) in Arkansas

Denning and resting site use by radiocollared eastern spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius) in the Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas was investigated from May through August 2005 and 2006. We identified and characterized microhabitat and landscape characteristics of 127 resting and den sites. Sites were located in burrows excavated by other mammal species (48%), in decayed or burned root systems (22%), in rocky outcrops (14%), in eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) nests (9%), or in ground-level tree or log cavities (7%). Reuse of sites by the same individual was common (32.3%), but use of the same site by different individuals was rare, as was communal use of sites (<1.0% each). Contrasting used and putatively available dens and resting sites, we found that sites were selected based primarily on increased vegetative cover, which supports hypotheses that thermal regulation and predator avoidance may underlie den and resting site selection. Higher rock and vine densities, younger pine forest stands, older hardwood stands, steeper slope, and smaller site entrance also positively influenced resting and den site selection. These findings suggest that eastern spotted skunks select structurally complex sites, likely to enhance protection from predators. Eastern spotted skunks may thus be vulnerable to habitat alterations that reduce this structural complexity.

Use of Multiple Den Sites by Eurasian Badgers, Meles meles, in a Mediterranean Habitat

Den sites are a conspicuous feature of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles, and in many environments include large communal burrows used by several group members. In Serra de Grândola, southwest Portugal, nine badgers from three social groups were captured and radio collared from 2000 to 2004. A total of 1,787 locations of badgers in their resting sites were registered along with a brief description of the type of site and weather conditions. Resting sites were grouped according to structure (burrows, shrubs, rocks, hollow trees and man-made structures) and function (main, secondary and occasional). Although main setts were the most frequently used shelter (62.25%), an average of 14 (SD 7.55) resting sites were used in each territory. The pattern of use varied seasonally, showing differences according to sex and social group. Overall, females used more than twice as many occasional resting sites as did males. Generally burrows, predominantly main setts, were most frequently used during winter and autumn, whilst non-burrow shelters were preferred during spring and summer, when the weather was hot, dry and not windy. Proximity to food patches had no apparent influence on the location of resting sites. Our results offered no support for the foraging-related hypotheses that multiple resting sites are a means of conserving energy or of maintaining proximity to rich food patches. We suggest that other factors such as thermoregulation needs, disturbance, and reproductive status, could be influencing the observed pattern of resting-site use by badgers in Serra de Grândola.

Activity patterns and use of resting sites by polecats in an endangered population

We investigated the activity and the use of resting sites of polecats Mustela putorius in the Gutland area of Luxembourg. Three years of radio-telemetry on 10 animals provided 103 all-night tracking sessions and 262 locations of diurnal resting sites. Polecats were active during 62% of the night. Males were more active than females, and activity increased from winter to summer. During daytime, polecats were located in 53 different resting sites. Above ground shelters were used more often than underground shelters. Heaps of branches, barns and stables, garden sheds and rat dens were the most used sites, without specific preference for any one type of shelter. However, human settlements seem to be of prime importance during severe weather conditions. The selection of such resting sites appeared to be based on thermal characteristics. This pattern of resting site use suggests that presence of suitable resting sites in winter is important for the conservation of the endangered polecat population in Luxembourg.

Patterns of resting site use by pine marten Martes martes in Białowieża National Park (Poland)

Use of resting sites by 14 radio-tracked pine martens Martes martes (Linnaeus, 1758) (6 males and 8 females) was studied in BIałowieża National Park, northeastern Poland. Males used, on average, 191 different resting sites throughout the year while females used 159 sites.

Resting Site Selection by Marten at Sagehen Creek, California

We describe resting sites used by 9 (4F:5M) radio-collared marten (Martes americana). Heights and diameters of a subsample of snags, stumps, and logs used as resting sites were measured and compared with values estimated from 80 control plots, and separately with values estimated from plots placed at 138 known marten locations. Snags, stumps, logs, and tree canopy made up 74% of 155 marten resting sites found during the study. Resting sites in snags, stumps, and logs were selected by marten and live trees were avoided. Snags, stumps, and logs used for resting sites were significantly larger than those generally available to marten. Stumps were used more in summer than winter whereas snag and log dens were used more in winter than summer. Twenty-four resting sites (16%) were re-used by marten 48 times. Preserving large snags and naturally occurring logs, and leaving cull logs and high stumps after timber harvest should benefit marten. Marten (Martes americana) occupy a variety of resting sites, including enclosed dens and exposed perches. Examination of marten rest site selection can provide managers with information on the importance of specific habitat features to this species. We found 424 marten resting sites described in the North American literature. Half (52So) of the 194 resting sites reported used in winter were in logs, stumps, or other coarse woody debris (Marshall 1951; Burnett 1981; Steventon and Major 1982; Hargis and McCullough 1984; Bateman 1986; Spencer 1987; Buskirk et al. 1989). Others were found in tree canopy (15%), grass nests, ground burrows, or features of human habitations. Half (51%) of the 142 summer resting sites reported were in snags, logs, and slash piles. Other summer resting sites were found in tree canopy (40%), dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium sp.) brooms, rock outcrops, willows (Salix sp.), and sedges (Campbell 1977; Masters 1980; Simon 1980; Steventon and Major 1982; Spencer 1987). Three studies did not report season of use. In these, 33 resting sites were found in stumps and logs, 34 in tree canopy, 18 in ground burrows, and 3 in grass nests (Mech and Rogers 1977; Buskirk 1984; Wynne and Sherburne 1984). The objective of this 24 mo study was to further document the patterns of resting site use by marten, including instances of repeated use of resting sites based on a sample of 155 individual sites. Additionally, we evaluated the degree of preference exhibited by marten for snags, stumps, logs, and live trees as resting sites.

Winter Resting Site Ecology of Marten in the Central Rocky Mountains

We investigated the resting site ecology of American marten (Martes americana) in the central Rocky Mountains during 2 winters, 1985-86 and 1986-87. We found 8 marten used 57 resting sites on 141 occasions. Marten rested primarily in subnivean sites associated with coarse woody debris, including logs and stumps. Use of spruce (Picea spp.)-fir (Abies lasiocarpa) stands by adults was greater than expected and use of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands was less than expected on the basis of spatial availability. Juveniles used stand types in proportion to spatial availability. Fidelity to individual resting sites and to subnivean sites associated with coarse woody debris was highest among adults. Type of resting site used depended on air temperature at the time of resting; above-snow sites were used during the warmest weather, and subnivean sites associated with coarse woody debris were used during the coldest weather. Marten rested for longer periods where coarse woody debris formed all or part of the resting site than they did at other sites. Log densities were higher and mean log diameters greater in spruce-fir stands than in lodgepole pine stands. Resting sites associated with coarse woody debris occurred primarily in spruce-fir stands, whereas other resting sites occurred in other stand types. Resting sites were closer to streams and lakes than expected. The importance of resting where coarse woody debris is available to provide thermal cover may explain the apparent dependence of marten on old-growth forest in the central Rocky Mountains in winter. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 53(1):191-196 Resting sites used by American marten have been described for a wide range of geographic locations and include a variety of natural and man-made microhabitats (Campbell 1979, Steventon and Major 1982, Martin and Barrett 1983, Buskirk 1984). Locations of resting sites range from the forest canopy to beneath the soil surface. Winter resting sites are often associated with coarse woody debris (CWD), including logs, stumps, and snags (Steventon and Major 1982, Martin and Barrett 1983, Spencer 1987). In summer, marten generally rest in sites above the ground, often in the canopy layer (Masters 1980, Burnett 1981, Martin and Barrett 1983). Temporal differences in resting site preferences could be explained by thermoregulatory needs of marten, or by other factors such as vulnerability to predation. Marten live where above-snow air temperatures (Ta) in winter are lower than their lower critical temperature (T,c = the temp at which an animal must increase its metabolic rate above resting levels to offset thermal losses [16 C]) (Buskirk et al. 1988) by ?50 C. Thus they would appear to pay high energetic costs to rest at or near To in winter. Marten are associated with late successional stands of conifer-dominated forest over a wide geographic area (Francis and Stephenson 1972, Koehler and Hornocker 1977, Simon 1980, Bateman 1986) and have a close and seemingly obligatory association with old-growth stands in the Rocky Mountains in winter (Campbell 1979). However, a clear understanding of why marten are associated with old-growth is lacking. Patte ns of use of resting sites may provide a better understanding of the apparently obligatory nature of this association. We report on characteristics of resting sites used by marten in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming during 2 winter field seasons. We identify environmental and behavioral correlates of resting site use and draw inferences about the importance of resting site types for thermoregulation. We also discuss the importance of CWD as a resting site component in understanding the old-growth dependency of marten during winter. L. R. Forrest provided invaluable assistance during the winter field studies. We appreciate the cooperation of R. H. Abell, for allowing use of a portion of his trapline for field work. This research was supported by the Committee for Research and Exploration, National Geographic Society, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, and the Office of Research, University of Wyoming. We thank the Wyoming Game and

Seasonal Use of Resting Sites by Marten in South-Central Alaska

Although a number of studies have dealt with the ecology of marten (Martes americana) in North America during the past decade, little attention has been directed toward the use of resting sites by this species. Marten habitat has generally been defined and evaluated in terms of food abundance or vegetation type (Koehler and Hornocker 1977). Although resting sites of marten have been described (Murie 1961, Mech and Rogers 1977, Masters 1980), seasonal variation in site preference has not been described and the importance of these sites to marten has not been considered. Resting sites may be important because they reduce thermoregulatory costs and provide protection from predators. This report describes resting sites used by marten in south-central Alaska, provides information on habitats in which resting sites occurred, and discusses the energetic importance of resting site