Habitat Use, Home Ranges, and Survival of Swift Foxes in a Fragmented Landscape: Conservation Implications

Kamler, Jan F.; Ballard, Warren B.; Fish, Ernest B.; Lemons, Patrick R.; Mote, Kevin; Perchellet, Celine C.

doi:10.1644/bjk-033

Cited by 47 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…This finding is consistent with that of Vanak and Gompper [8], who concluded that the spatial ecology of Indian foxes is largely influenced by the presence of native grasslands in this human-modified landscape. Similar selectivity for denning in native habitats has been documented in previous research on swift foxes ( V. velox ) in northwestern Texas, which indicated a specialization for native short-grass prairies, and a complete avoidance of irrigated agricultural fields [35]. Studies on Pampas foxes ( Pseudalopex gymnocercus ) also showed a preference for open native grassland areas in South America [36,37].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Importance of Native Grassland Habitat for Den-Site Selection of Indian Foxes in a Fragmented Landscape

2013

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Fragmentation of native habitats is now a ubiquitous phenomenon affecting wildlife at various scales. We examined selection of den-sites (n = 26) by Indian foxes (Vulpes bengalensis) in a highly modified short-grassland landscape in central India (Jan-May, 2010). At the scale of the home-range, defined by an 800 m circular buffer around den sites, we examined the effect of land-cover edges and roads on selection of sites for denning using a distance-based approach. At the smaller den-area scale, defined by a 25 m x 25 m plot around den and paired available sites, the effect of microhabitat characteristics was examined using discrete-choice models. Indian foxes selected den-sites closer to native grasslands (t = -9.57, P < 0.001) and roads (t = -2.04, P = 0.05) than random at the home-range scale. At the smaller scale, abundance of rodents and higher visibility increased the odds of selection of a site by eight and four times respectively, indicating resource availability and predator avoidance to be important considerations for foxes. Indian foxes largely chose to den in human-made structures, indicated by the proportion of dens found in earthen bunds (0.69) and boulder piles (0.27) in the study area. With agricultural expansion and human modification threatening native short-grassland habitats, their conservation and effective management in human-dominated landscapes will benefit the Indian fox. The presence of some human-made structures within native grasslands would also be beneficial for this den-dependent species. We suggest future studies examine the impact of fragmentation and connectivity of grasslands on survival and reproductive success of the Indian fox.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Importance of Native Grassland Habitat for Den-Site Selection of Indian Foxes in a Fragmented Landscape

2013

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“…Gaps were reconciled with knowledge of the historical extent of suitable habitat once available for Swift Fox occupation. This was appropriate, because there is compelling evidence (Kilgore 1969;Hines 1980;Kamler et al 2003;Sovada et al 2003) and agreement among biologists knowledgeable about Swift Foxes (Swift Fox Conservation Team members; Kahn et al 1997*) that shortstature grasslands are preferred to taller vegetation (Harrison and Whitaker-Hoagland 2003;. Thus, shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies (Risser et al 1981; Figure 1, Table 1) were considered the starting base map for the species' historical range.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reasoning behind this belief is that Swift Foxes prefer habitats with short vegetation structure, which provides good mobility and visibility for easier detection and evasion of potential predators (Kilgore 1969;Hines 1980;Carbyn et al 1994). Results from recent studies strongly demonstrated this implicit preference for landscapes that are open and level or gently rolling to landscapes that are rugged or with tall grasses or shrubs (Kitchen et al 1999;Olson and Lindzey 2002;Kamler et al 2003;Sovada et al 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Historical Range, Current Distribution, and Conservation Status of the Swift Fox, <em>Vulpes velox</em>, in North America

2009

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The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) was once common in the shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies of the Great Plains of North America. The species' abundance declined and its distribution retracted following European settlement of the plains. By the late 1800s, the species had been largely extirpated from the northern portion of its historical range, and its populations were acutely depleted elsewhere. Swift Fox populations have naturally recovered somewhat since the 1950s, but overall abundance and distribution remain below historical levels. In a 1995 assessment of the species' status under the US Endangered Species Act, the US Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that a designation of threatened or endangered was warranted, but the species was "precluded from listing by higher listing priorities." A major revelation of the 1995 assessment was the recognition that information useful for determining population status was limited. Fundamental information was missing, including an accurate estimate of the species' distribution before European settlement and an estimate of the species' current distribution and trends. The objectives of this paper are to fill those gaps in knowledge. Historical records were compiled and, in combination with knowledge of the habitat requirements of the species, the historical range of the Swift Fox is estimated to be approximately 1.5 million km 2 . Using data collected between 2001 and 2006, the species' current distribution is estimated to be about 44% of its historical range in the United States and 3% in Canada. Under current land use, approximately 39% of the species' historical range contains grassland habitats with very good potential for Swift Fox occupation and another 10% supports grasslands with characteristics that are less preferred (e.g., a sparse shrub component or taller stature) but still suitable. Additionally, land use on at least 25% of the historical range supports dryland farming, which can be suitable for Swift Fox occupation. In the United States, approximately 52% of highest quality habitats currently available are occupied by Swift Foxes.

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“…Therefore, describing the size and configuration of the home range is fundamental to understanding the environmental requirements of a species. For threatened species, describing the home range may be needed to estimate population size and carrying capacity (e.g., Goldingay and Possingham 1995) or to understand the influence of key habitat components on space use (e.g., Kamler et al 2003;Zielinski et al 2004). The latter may be required in habitat restoration or when mitigating impacts from anthropogenic disturbance.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Home Range of the Australian Squirrel Glider, Petaurus norfolcensis (Diprotodontia)

Sharpe

Goldingay

2007

Journal of Mammalogy

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Knowledge of the home range of threatened species is basic to their management and conservation. We describe the home range of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), a threatened marsupial, in the central part of its geographic range in eastern Australia. Thirteen individuals belonging to 6 monogamous social groups were radiotracked for 2-9 months. The adaptive kernel (AK95%) estimate reached an asymptote at approximately 30 locations, giving a mean area of 6.2 ha 6 0.6 SE for the 9 gliders with .30 locations. The AK50% averaged 0.9 6 0.2 ha, indicating that small core parts of the home range were used intensively. Home ranges of group members (AK95%) showed a high degree of overlap (77%) and when combined averaged 6.7 6 1.0 ha. They overlapped substantially (50%) with adjacent glider groups but core areas (AK50%) within them overlapped by only 12%. Two of 5 available habitats were well represented in all group home ranges. Habitat dominated by coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia), a key winter nectar food resource, was overrepresented compared to its availability. Conservation measures for this species involving habitat retention or restoration must be informed by recognition of what comprises a preferred local habitat and its distribution.

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Habitat Use, Home Ranges, and Survival of Swift Foxes in a Fragmented Landscape: Conservation Implications

Cited by 47 publications

References 17 publications

Importance of Native Grassland Habitat for Den-Site Selection of Indian Foxes in a Fragmented Landscape

Importance of Native Grassland Habitat for Den-Site Selection of Indian Foxes in a Fragmented Landscape

Historical Range, Current Distribution, and Conservation Status of the Swift Fox, <em>Vulpes velox</em>, in North America

Home Range of the Australian Squirrel Glider, Petaurus norfolcensis (Diprotodontia)

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