High frequency GPS bursts and path-level analysis reveal linear feature tracking by red foxes

Abstract

There is a need to quantify and better understand how wildlife interact with linear features, as these are integral elements of most landscapes. One potentially important aspect is linear feature tracking (LFT), yet studies rarely succeed in directly revealing or quantifying this behavior. In a proof-of-concept study, we employed short-term intensive GPS monitoring of red foxes ( Vulpes vulpe s) in a multiple-use landscape in southern Norway. Using periodic bursts of high frequency GPS position fixes, we performed modified path selection analyses to estimate the propensity of foxes to track natural and man-made linear features (roads, forest edges, and streams) once they are encountered. Foxes in our study tracked primarily forest edges and roads. Forty-three percent of bursts that encountered any linear feature resulted in LFT. LFT, although prominent, was manifested as a short-lived behavior, with overall median times to linear feature abandonment around two minutes. Movement speeds were highest along roads, perhaps due to greater ease of travel or higher perceived risk. In the highly heterogeneous habitats that characterize human-dominated landscapes, LFT may be manifested at such a fine spatio-temporal scale that it would remain hidden during telemetry studies employing conventional position fix frequencies. The approach described here may aid others studying spatial behaviors that are manifested over very short durations, yet are biologically significant.

Extensive daily movement rates measured in territorial arctic foxes

“…For example, fix interval affects estimates of home range size (Börger et al, 2006; Mills et al., 2006; Mitchell et al., 2019) and selection coefficients (Frair et al, 2004; Johnson & Gillingham, 2008) when investigating animal space use and habitat selection. Since habitat selection is a hierarchical process that is scale‐dependent (Johnson, 1980), measuring habitat selection at a fine scale can reveal selected landscape features that would not be identified at a coarser spatiotemporal resolution (e.g., Bischof et al, 2019; Zeller et al, 2016). For instance, intensive GPS bursts revealed linear feature tracking by red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) in a mosaic landscape, a behavior restricted in time and space that would have remained hidden if less frequent fixes had been used (Bischof et al, 2019).…”

“…Since habitat selection is a hierarchical process that is scale‐dependent (Johnson, 1980), measuring habitat selection at a fine scale can reveal selected landscape features that would not be identified at a coarser spatiotemporal resolution (e.g., Bischof et al, 2019; Zeller et al, 2016). For instance, intensive GPS bursts revealed linear feature tracking by red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) in a mosaic landscape, a behavior restricted in time and space that would have remained hidden if less frequent fixes had been used (Bischof et al, 2019). Lastly, fine‐scale movement data, from which one can accurately derive a consumer's relative velocity, can also be used to incorporate foraging strategies into mechanistic models studying trophic interactions (Pawar et al., 2012).…”

Instrumented individuals are not representative of the population. Survival of wolverines with and without GPS collars

“…Of these 18 (41%) where approximately 1-year old (average birthdate of wolverines 15 th of February). The wolverine population is distributed continuously between the two regions where individuals were captured (Bischof et al 2019). However, we distinguished between the Central and Northern areas so that instrumented and non-instrumented individuals were exposed to similar ecological conditions.…”

“…Telemetry and biologging systems have been instrumental in furthering our understanding of the ecology and cryptic behavior of wildlife. Technological development and miniaturization of devices have allowed researchers to track animals and obtain a wide range of previously unattainable information, such as fine scale movement data (Bischof et al 2019), kill rates of predators (Gervasi et al 2014), and habitat selection (Bouyer et al 2015). Results from tracking studies are often scaled up to population-level inferences, with the assumption -explicit or implicit -that instrumented animals are representative of the population as a whole (Hebblewhite and Haydon 2010).…”

Spatio-temporal movement patterns and habitat choice of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) along the Wadden Sea coast

“…Although habitat use by foxes has already been studied using telemetry at various inland sites (e.g. Bischof et al 2018;Fiderer et al 2019), according information in coastal areas is scarce. A pilot study in Denmark analysed the spatial behaviour of three individuals close to the coast (Meisner et al 2014).…”