A case for multiscale habitat selection studies of small mammals

Abstract

Habitat information for small mammals typically consists of anecdotal descriptions or infrequent analyses of habitat use, which often are reported erroneously as signifying habitat preference, requirements, or quality. Habitat preferences can be determined only by analysis of habitat selection, a behavioral process that results in the disproportionate use of one resource over other available resources and occurs in a hierarchical manner across different environmental scales. North American chipmunks (Neotamias and Tamias) are a prime example of the lack of studies on habitat selection for small mammal species. We used the Organ Mountains Colorado chipmunk (N. quadrivittatus australis) as a case study to determine whether previous descriptions of habitat in the literature were upheld in a multiscale habitat selection context. We tracked VHF radiocollared chipmunks and collected habitat information at used and available locations to analyze habitat selection at three scales: second order (i.e., home range), third order (i.e., within home range), and microhabitat scales. Mean home range was 2.55 ha ± 1.55 SD and did not differ between sexes. At the second and third order, N. q. australis avoided a coniferous forest land cover type and favored particular areas of arroyos (gullies) that were relatively steep-sided and greener and contained montane scrub land cover type. At the microhabitat scale, chipmunks selected areas that had greater woody plant diversity, rock ground cover, and ground cover of coarse woody debris. We concluded that habitat selection by N. q. australis fundamentally was different from descriptions of habitat in the literature that described N. quadrivittatus as primarily associated with coniferous forests. We suggest that arroyos, which are unique and rare on the landscape, function as climate refugia for these chipmunks because they create a cool, wet microclimate. Our findings demonstrate the importance of conducting multiscale habitat selection studies for small mammals to ensure that defensible and enduring habitat information is available to support appropriate conservation and management actions.

Very small collars: an evaluation of telemetry location estimators for small mammals

“…Our approximate 6-7 m of location error was at the lower end of that range and closely approached the suggested distance of 5 m to maintain accuracy given our study area size (60.7 ha) and relative patch sizes (~ 5-10 ha) [46]. Current in-depth resource selection studies of small mammals using micro-VHF devices are limited and even fewer have detailed telemetry error assessments [1,15,17,23,31,32,76]. Therefore, it was difficult to gauge what distance would create an impactful bias in a small mammal study.…”

“…Yet, the technology to track very small mammals has lagged, especially in urban and suburban areas. Small mammal studies are showing that past rudimentary methods of assessing habitat use were not accurate and better habitat analyses are needed for reintroductions and habitat management of critically threatened species [1,2]. Additionally, small mammals play a major role in zoonotic disease ecology.…”

Vegetation biomass and topography are associated with seasonal habitat selection and fall translocation behavior in Arctic hares

“…Finally, our sample sizes were rather small (11 home ranges in both summer and winter), which may have precluded statistical detection of some relationships. This combination of elements reminds us how difficult it is to design observational studies that are suited to understand habitat selection at all relevant scales (McGarigal et al 2016 ; Schweiger et al 2021 ).…”

“…In general, mating occurs in April–May, leverets are born in June, and mothers raise them alone and nurse them until August (Best & Henry 1994 ). As for many other small mammals (Schweiger et al 2021 ), information on Arctic hare habitat selection and movement ecology is scarce and mostly anecdotal (Best & Henry 1994 ). Some populations display short seasonal range shifts (Hearn et al 1987 ; Small et al 1991 ), but Arctic hares were until recently considered largely resident, like all other lagomorphs.…”

The applicability of human mobility scaling laws on animals—A Herring Gull case study

“…Animal tracking data can be used to examine animals habitat selection and determine conservation strategies [ 8 , 9 ]. This has been done for small animals such as the Organ Mountains Colorado chipmunk (Neotamias quadrivittatus australis) [ 10 ] and larger animals such as mountain lions (Puma concolor) [ 11 ].…”