Abstract
Riparian ecosystems are important habitat for carnivores, especially when embedded in agriculture or when found in challenging climates, such as those characteristic of the Mediterranean region. We assessed whether seasonal detection of mesocarnivores in riparian ecosystems was affected by riparian ecosystem configuration in the Mediterranean landscapes of southern Portugal. We selected riparian ecosystem areas that matched one of four configurations: (a) forest control where the riparian ecosystem was embedded in forest, (b) agriculture control where the riparian ecosystem was embedded in agriculture and does not connect to forest patches in either end, (c) short connector where stretches of riparian ecosystem <2 km long embedded in agriculture connected forest patches at both ends, and (d) long connector where stretches of riparian ecosystem >2 and <4 km long embedded in agriculture connected forest patches at both ends. We surveyed 12 areas of each configuration for signs of presence of mesocarnivores in the wet season and again in the dry season and compared them to concurrent surveys perpendicular to the riparian ecosystem using a mixed model. Corridor configuration influences carnivore detection, with short connectors (up to 2 km in length) having a positive effect on carnivore detection. Moreover, carnivores were significantly more detected along riparian ecosystems than away from them, especially within a short connector. The results also show that riparian ecosystems are being more used than forests, which is likely linked to the alternative food and cover resources that riparian ecosystems provide for mesocarnivores. Finally, we found no significant effect of seasonality. Conservation management of mesocarnivore species thus require preserving or restoring configurations such as short connectors, which are inherent to riparian ecosystems and can be used as a tool to improve connectivity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aars J, Ims RA (1999) The effect of habitat corridors on rates of transfer and interbreeding between vole demes. Ecology 80(5):1648–1655. doi:10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080[1648:TEOHCO]2.0.CO;2
Aguiar FC, Ferreira MT (2005) Human-disturbed landscapes: effects on composition and integrity of riparian woody vegetation in the Tagus River basin, Portugal. Environ Conserv 32:30–41. doi:10.1017/S0376892905001992
Anderson DR (2008) Model based inference in the life sciences: primer on evidence. Springer, New York
Barton K (2012) Package MuMIn: multi-model inference (V. 1.7.2., ed.)
Bates D, MAechler M, Bolker B (2011) lme4: linear mixed-effects models using S4 classes (R. p. v. 0.999375-39, ed.)
Batterby JE, Greenwood JJD (2004) Monitoring terrestrial mammals in the UK: past, present and future, using lessons from the bird world. Mammal Rev 34:3–29. doi:10.1046/j.0305-1838.2003.00023.x
Battin J (2004) When good animals love bad habitats: ecological traps and the conservation of animal populations. Conserv Biol 18(6):1482–1491. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00417.x
Beier P, Noss R (1998) Do habitat corridors provide connectivity? Conserv Biol 12(6):1241–1252. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.1998.98036.x
Beltrán JF, Delibes M, Rau JR (1991) Methods of censusing red fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations. Hystrix 3:199–214
Bennett AF (1999) Linkages in the landscape: the role of corridors and connectivity in wildlife conservation. IUCN, Gland
Bjorkland R, Pringle CM, Newton B (2001) A stream visual assessment protocol (SVAP) for riparian landowners. Environ Monit Assess 68:99–125. doi:10.1023/A:1010743124570
Boer PJD (1968) Spreading of risk and stabilization of animal numbers. Acta Biotheor 18:165–194. doi:10.1007/BF01556726
Boitani L, Falcucci A, Maiorano L, Rondinini C (2007) Ecological networks as conceptual frameworks or operational tools in conservation. Conserv Biol 21(6):1414–1422. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00828.x
Burbrink FT, Phillips CA, Heske EJ (1998) A riparian zone in southern Illinois as a potential dispersal corridor for reptiles and amphibians. Biol Conserv 86(2):107–115. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00054-8
Burnham KP, Anderson DR (2002) Model selection and multimodel inference: a practical information-theoretic approach. Springer-Verlag, New York
Cavallini P, Lovari S (1994) Home range, habitat selection and activity of the red fox in a Mediterranean coastal ecotone. Acta Theriol 3(39):279–287
Davison A, Birks JDS, Brookes RC, Braithwaite TC, Messenger JE (2002) On the origin of faeces: morphological versus molecular methods for surveying rare carnivores from their scats. J Zool (Lond) 257:141–143. doi:10.1017/S0952836902000730
Diamond J (1986) Overview: laboratory experiments, field experiments, and natural experiments. In: Diamond J, Case TJ (eds) Community ecology. Harper & Row, New York, pp 3–22
Falcy MR, Estades CF (2007) Effectiveness of corridors relative to enlargement of habitat patches. Conserv Biol 21(5):1341–1346. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00766.x
Foran DR, Crooks KR, Minta SC (1997) Species identification from scat: an unambiguous genetic method. Wildl Soc Bull 25:835–839
Forman RTT, Godron M (1986) Landscape ecology. Wiley, New York
Gilbert-Norton L, Wilson R, Stevens JR, Beard KH (2010) A meta-analytic review of corridor effectiveness. Conserv Biol 24(3):660–668. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01450.x
Haddad NM, Rosenberg DK, Noon BR (2000) On experimentation and the study of corridors: response to Beier and Noss. Conserv Biol 14(5):1543–1545. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.2000.99572.x
Haddad NM, Bowne DR, Cunningham A, Danielson BJ, Levey DJ, Sargent S, Spira T (2003) Corridor use by diverse taxa. Ecology 84(3):609–615. doi:10.1890/0012-9658(2003)084[0609:CUBDT]2.0.CO;2
Harrington LA, Harrington AL, Hughes J, Stirling D, Macdonald DW (2010) The accuracy of scat identification in distribution surveys: American mink, Neovision vison, in the northern highlands of Scotland. Eur J Wildl Res 56:377–384. doi:10.1007/s10344-009-0328-6
Harris S, Yalden DW (2004) An integrated monitoring programme for terrestrial mammals in Britain. Mammal Rev 34(1):157–167. doi:10.1046/j.0305-1838.2003.00030.x
Harrison RL (1992) Toward a theory of inter-refuge corridor design. Conserv Biol 6(2):293–295. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1992.620293.x
Herrera CM (1989) Frugivory and seed dispersal by carnivorous mammals, and associated fruit characteristics, in undisturbed Mediterranean habitats. Oikos 55:250–262
Hilty JA, Merenlender AM (2004) Use of riparian corridors and vineyards by mammalian predators in Northern California. Conserv Biol 18:126–135. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00225.x
Hilty JA, Lidicker WZ, Merelender AM (2006) Corridor ecology - the science and practice of linking landscapes for biodiversity conservation. Island Press, Washington
Hobbs RJ (1992) The role of corridors in conservation: solution or bandwagon? Tree 7(11):389–391. doi:10.1016/0169-5347(92)90010-9
Hodgson JA, Moilanen A, Wintle BA, Thomas CD (2010) Habitat area, quality and connectivity: striking the balance for efficient conservation. J Appl Ecol 48:148–152. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01919.x
Jongman R, Pungetti G (2003) Ecological networks and greenways, concept, design, implementation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Lawrence MJ, Brown RW (1967) Mammals of Britain, their tracks, trails and signs. Blandford Press, London
Long RA, MacKay P, Zielinski WJ, Ray JC (2008) Noninvasive survey methods for carnivores. Island Press, Washington
Lozano J, Virgós E, Cabezas-Díaz S (2013) Monitoring european wildcat Felis silvestris population using scat surveys in central Spain: are population trends related to wild rabbit dynamics or to landscape features? Zool Stud 52:16. doi:10.1186/1810-522X-52-16
Lyon J, Gross NM (2005) Patterns of plant diversity and plant-environmental relationships across three riparian corridors. For Ecol Manag 204:267–278. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2004.09.019
Machtans CS, Villard M-A, Hannon SJ (1996) Use of riparian buffer strips as movement corridors by forest birds. Conserv Biol 10(5):1366–1379. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1996.10051366.x
Malanson GP (1993) Riparian landscapes. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Matos HM, Santos MJ, Palomares F, Santos-Reis M (2009) Does riparian habitat condition influence mammalian carnivore abundance in Mediterranean ecosystems? Biodivers Conserv 18(2):373–386. doi:10.1007/s10531-008-9493-2
Meyer D, Zeileis A, Hornik K (2009) vcd: Visualizing Categorical Data (R. p. v. 1.2.7., ed.).
Monterroso P, Castro D, Silva TL, Ferreras P, Godinho R, Alves PC (2013) Factors affecting the (in)accuracy of mammalian mesocarnivore scat identification in South-western Europe. J Zool 289:243–250. doi:10.1111/jzo.12000
Moran PAP (1950) A test for the serial independence of residuals. Biometrika 37:178–181
Mortelliti A, Boitani L (2008) Interaction of food resources and landscape structure in determining the probability of patch use by carnivores in fragmented landscapes. Landsc Ecol 23:285–298. doi:10.1007/s10980-007-9182-7
Naiman RJ, Décamps H (1997) The ecology of interfaces: riparian zones. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 28:621–658. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.28.1.621
Palomares F (1994) Site fidelity and effects of body mass on home-range size of Egyptian mongooses. Can J Zool 72:465–469. doi:10.1139/z94-065
Palomares F, Delibes M (1992) Circadian activity patterns of free-ranging large gray mongooses, Herpestes ichneumon, in southwestern Spain. J Mammal 73:173–177
Pearce J, Ferrier S (2000) Evaluating the predictive performance of habitat models developed using logistic regression. Ecol Model 133:225–245. doi:10.1016/S0304-3800(00)00322-7
Pereira M, Rodriguez A (2010) Conservation value of linear woody remnants for two forest carnivores in a Mediterranean agricultural landscape. J Appl Ecol 47:611–620. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01804.x
Pita R, Mira A, Moreira F, Morgado R, Beja P (2009) Influence of landscape characteristics on carnivore diversity and abundance in Mediterranean farmland. Agric Ecosyst Environ 132:57–65. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2009.02.008
Robin X, Turck N, Hainard A, Tiberti N, Lisacek F, Sanchez J-C, Müller M (2014) pROC: display and analyze ROC curves. http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/pROC/index.html.
Rosalino LM, Santos-Reis M (2009) Fruit consumption by carnivores in Mediterranean Europe. Mammal Rev 39:67–78. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00134.x
Rosalino LM, Macdonald DW, Santos-Reis M (2005) Activity rhythms, movements and patterns of sett use by badgers, Meles meles, in a Mediterranean woodland. Mamm Biol 69(3–4):395–408. doi:10.1515/mamm.2005.031
Rosalino LM, Rosário J, Santos-Reis M (2009a) The role of habitat patches on mammalian diversity in cork oak agroforestry systems. Acta Oecol 35:507–512. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2009.03.006
Rosalino LM, Santos MJ, Pereira I, Santos-Reis M (2009b) Sex-driven differences in Egyptian mongoose’s (Herpestes ichneumon) diet in its northwestern European range. Eur J Wildl Res 55:293–299. doi:10.1007/s10344-008-0248-x
Rose N-A, Burton PJ (2009) Using bioclimatic envelopes to identify temporal corridors in support of conservation planning in a changing climate. For Ecol Manag 258(1):S64–S74. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2009.07.053
Rosenberg DK, Noon BR, Meslow EC (1997) Biological corridors: form, function, and efficacy. Bioscience 47(10):677–687. doi:10.2307/1313208
Ruby DE, Dunham AE (1987) Variations in home range size along an elevational gradient in the iguanid lizard Scelopus merriami. Oecologia 71(3):473–480. doi:10.1007/BF00378723
Ruiz-Olmo J, Jimenez J, Chacon W (2007) The importance of ponds for the otter (Lutra lutra) during drought periods in Mediterranean ecosystems: a case study in Bergantes River. Mammalia 71:16024. doi:10.1515/MAMM.2007.003
Sabo JL, Sponseller R, Dixon M, Gade K, Harms T, Hefferman J, Jani A, Katz G, Soykan C, Watts J, Welter J (2005) Riparian zones increase regional species richness by harbouring different, not more, species. Ecol Lett 86:56–62. doi:10.1890/04-0668
Sadlier LMJ, Webbon CC, Baker PJ, Harris S (2004) Methods of monitoring red foxes Vulpes vulpes and badgers Meles meles: are field signs the answer? Mammal Rev 34(1):75–98. doi:10.1046/j.0305-1838.2003.00029.x
Santos MJ (2010) Encroachment of upland Mediterranean plant species in riparian ecosystems of southern Portugal. Biodivers Conserv 19:2667–2684. doi:10.1007/s10531-010-9866-1
Santos MJ, Santos-Reis M (2009) Stone marten (Martes foina) habitat selection in a Mediterranean ecosystem: effects of scale, sex, and interspecific interactions. Eur J Wildl Res 56:275–286. doi:10.1007/s10344-009-0317-9
Santos MJ, Thorne JH (2010) Comparing culture and ecology- conservation planning of oak woodlands in Mediterranean landscapes of Portugal and California. Environ Conserv 37(2):155–168. doi:10.1017/S0376892910000238
Santos MJ, Matos HM, Palomares FP, Santos-Reis M (2011) Factors affecting mammalian carnivore use of riparian ecosystems in Mediterranean climates. J Mammal 92(5):1060–1069. doi:10.1644/10-MAMM-A-009.1
Santos-Reis M, Santos MJ, Lourenco S, Marques JT, Pereira I, Pinto B (2004) Relationships between stone martens, genets and cork oak woodlands in Portugal. In: Harrison DJ, Fuller AK, Proulx G (eds) Martens and fishers (Martes) in Human-altered environments: an international perspective. Springer, New York, pp 147–172
Siegle S, Castellan N (1988) Nonparametric statistics for the behavioural sciences. McGraw-Hill, New York
Simberloff D, Farr JA, Cox J, Mehlman DW (1992) Movement corridors: conservation bargains or poor investments? Conserv Biol 6(4):493–504. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1992.06040493.x
Sunquist M, Sunquist F (2001) Changing landscapes: consequences for carnivores. In: Gittleman JL (ed) Carnivore conservation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 399–418
Tabacchi E, Correll DL, Hauer R, Pinay G, Planty-Tabacchi A-M, Wissmar RC (2002) Development, maintenance and role of riparian vegetation in the river landscape. Freshw Biol 40(3):497–516. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2427.1998.00381.x
Townsend PA, Levey DJ (2005) An experimental test of whether habitat corridors affect pollen transfer. Ecology 86(2):466–475. doi:10.1890/03-0607
Virgós E (2001) Relative value of riparian woodlands in landscapes with different forest cover for medium-sized Iberian carnivores. Biodivers Conserv 10:1039–1049. doi:10.1023/A:1016684428664
Watson SJ, Taylor RS, Nimmo DG, Kelly LT, Haslem A, Clarke MF, Bennett AF (2012) Effects of time since fire on birds: how informative are generalized fire response curves for conservation management? Ecol Appl 22:685–696. doi:10.1890/11-0850.1
Weldon AJ (2006) How corridors reduce indigo bunting nest success. Conserv Biol 20(4):1300–1305. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00403.x
Whitaker DN, Stauffer DF, Norman GW, Devers PK, Edwards J, Giuliano WM, Harper C, Igo W, Sole J, Spiker H, Tefft B (2007) Factors associated with variation in home-range size of Appalachian ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Auk 124(4):1407–1424. doi:10.1642/0004-8038(2007)124[1407:FAWVIH]2.0.CO;2
Zuur AF, Ieno EN, Walker NJ, Savelier AA, Smith GM (2009) Mixed models and extensions in ecology with R. Springer, New York
Acknowledgments
This paper was funded by the Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia project, Riparian Galleries as Corridors and Linkage Habitats in the Fragmented Landscape of Southern Portugal: Applications to Conservation Planning (POCTI/MGS/47435/2002; MJS: POCTI/MGS/47435/2002; HMM: SFRH/BD/10599/2002). We thank Ana Rita Alves for her help in the field work. LMR was funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and Fundo Social Europeu (III Quadro Comunitário de Apoio; LMR: SFRH/BPD/35842/2007 and SFRH/BPD/101556/2014).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Appendix
Appendix
Association between the categorical independent variables and between continuous and categorical ones using the Craver’s V and the Wilcox or Kruskal–Wallis tests, respectively (high correlation criteria: V > 0.70; K-W or W with p < 0.05)
Config | Waterline | Land Cover | Fragmentation | Season | SVAP | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
config | V < 0.001, p ∼ 1 | V < 0.001, p ∼ 1 | V = 0.819, p < 0.05 | V = 0.527, p < 0.05 | V = 0.036, p = 0.74 | K-W = 248.16, p < 0.05 |
type | V < 0.001, p ∼ 1 | V < 0.001, p ∼ 1 | V < 0.001, p ∼ 1 | V = 0.979, p < 0.05 | W = 114350, p = 0.84 | |
waterline | V = 0.118, p < 0.05 | V < 0.001, P ∼ 1 | V = 0.029, p = 0.66 | K-W = 3.16, p = 0.199 | ||
land cover | V = 0.296, p < 0.05 | V = 0.021, p = 0.82 | K-W = 211.32, p < 0.05 | |||
fragmentation | V = 0.021, p = 0.52 | W = 102300, p < 0.05 | ||||
season | W = 115200, p = 0.99 |
Config configuration (defined in the main text), Type transect type (parallel vs perpendicular to the riparian ecosystem), Waterline type of waterline (creeks, streams, or rivers), Land cover dominant land cover type in the matrix (cereal fields, cork or holm oak forest), Fragmentation landscape fragmentation (continuous vs discontinuous), SVAP Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP) score (SVAP), V Craver’s V, W Wilcoxon rank sum test, K-W Kruskal–Wallis tests
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Santos, M.J., Rosalino, L.M., Matos, H.M. et al. Riparian ecosystem configuration influences mesocarnivores presence in Mediterranean landscapes. Eur J Wildl Res 62, 251–261 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-016-0984-2
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-016-0984-2