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Prey distribution, potential landscape supplementation, and urbanization affect occupancy dynamics of American mink in streams

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Abstract

Context

Land-use change can reduce and isolate suitable habitat generating spatial variation in resource availability. Improving species distribution models requires a multi-scale understanding of resource requirements and species’ sensitivities to novel landscapes.

Objectives

We investigated how the spatial distribution of supplementary habitats (permanent wetlands), urbanization, water depths, and distribution of a key prey species (muskrat; Ondatra zibethicus) influence occupancy dynamics of American mink (Neovison vison). Although mink are widespread across North America and a destructive invasive species in Europe, South America, and Asia, we have a limited understanding of factors affecting their spatial distribution.

Methods

We used 6 years of presence–absence data (2007–2012) to evaluate occupancy dynamics of mink at 58–90 stream sites along an urbanization gradient in Illinois, USA. We predicted negative relationships between stream occupancy and urban land cover and distance from permanent wetlands, and positive associations with muskrat presence, water depth, and riparian zone width.

Results

Contrary to our hypothesis, stream sites closer to permanent wetlands had lower occupancy and colonization rates for mink. Occupancy and colonization rates were higher at sites with deeper water, and colonization rates were related negatively to urbanization. Mink were more likely to leave stream habitat if muskrats were not present and permanent wetlands were nearby.

Conclusion

Factors interplaying across multiple scales influenced occupancy dynamics of mink in stream habitat in a highly modified landscape. Our results highlight the importance of considering both direct measures of prey availability and the spatial distribution of supplementary habitats to improve habitat-selection models for carnivores.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program and Illinois State Furbearer Fund. Additional financial support was provided by the Illinois Trappers Association, University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey, and Illinois Department of Transportation. We thank L. Cotner for assistance with research design and project initiation. We thank S. Beyer, B. Caveny, J. Cochran, L. Cotner, D. Ellington, K. Griesbaum, E. Manofsky, M. Nickols, J. Osbourne, M. Ulrich, and P. Wolff for field assistance. We also thank P. Zollner and J. Miller for help with research design and providing valuable comments and suggestions on this manuscript. We also thank B. Bluett for project support and numerous private landowners for granting us access to their property.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Adam A. Ahlers & Robert L. Schooley

  2. Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA

    Adam A. Ahlers & Edward J. Heske

  3. Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University, 1712 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA

    Adam A. Ahlers

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  1. Adam A. Ahlers
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Correspondence to Adam A. Ahlers.

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Ahlers, A.A., Heske, E.J. & Schooley, R.L. Prey distribution, potential landscape supplementation, and urbanization affect occupancy dynamics of American mink in streams. Landscape Ecol 31, 1601–1613 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0350-5

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