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Habitat selection by two predators in an urban area: The stone marten and red fox in Wrocław (SW Poland)

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Abstract

We analyzed the habitat use of stone martens and red foxes based on incidental observations within the urbanized zone of Wrocław, SW Poland. We compared proportional habitat use at observation sites with randomly selected points and evaluated differences in distance to the water sources and to urban boundaries. Habitat use by both species was different from what we had expected from random points. Stone martens used high-density housing more frequently than red foxes and that expected from random points and avoided open and industrial areas, whereas red foxes used housing estates significantly more often than expected and avoided high-density housing. Both species used the other habitats according to their availability. Stone martens often selected habitats located closer to the city centre, whereas red foxes often selected habitats closer to urban borders than expected. The distribution of red foxes and stone martens is influenced by several factors including the availability of shelter and food, as well as the opportunity to move around undetected. Interspecific competition may also play an important role in habitat selection. Stone martens seem to be better adapted to urbanized areas than red foxes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lower-Silesian Field Station, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Podwale 75, 50-449, Wrocław, Poland

    Leszek Duduś, Olga Kozioł & Zbigniew Jakubiec

  2. Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland

    Andrzej Zalewski

  3. Department of Microbial Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland

    Nina Król

Authors
  1. Leszek Duduś
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  2. Andrzej Zalewski
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  3. Olga Kozioł
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  4. Zbigniew Jakubiec
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  5. Nina Król
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Correspondence to Leszek Duduś.

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Duduś, L., Zalewski, A., Kozioł, O. et al. Habitat selection by two predators in an urban area: The stone marten and red fox in Wrocław (SW Poland). Mamm Biol 79, 71–76 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2013.08.001

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2013.08.001

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