Individual differentiation of habitat preferences indicate high flexibility in habitat use by European bison (Bison bonasus)

Łopucki, Rafał; Klich, Daniel; Perzanowski, Kajetan; Nieszała, Angelika; Kiersztyn, Adam; Bołbot, Aleksander; Sobczuk, Maria; Olech, Wanda

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02494

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…However, the models with ALS were not remarkably better than the models based on classic forest typology. This may be due to the European bison’s unclear preferences and habitat plasticity (e.g., 14 , 64 , 66 ). The reason for the slightly better ALS-based models could also be the settings used in our work.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An assessment of the habitat preferences of European bison with airborne laser scanning data in forest ecosystem

Klich,

Stereńczak,

Lisiewicz

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Research on habitat preferences is an important part of contemporary ecology. For the European bison, the classic approach to distinguishing habitat features is still being followed, but the limitations of this approach cannot provide the standard features of optimal habitats for this species. The study consisted in comparing analyses of the habitat preferences of European bison that were based on either classic forest typology (habitat types) or airborne laser scanning data. The data for these analyses were collected from telemetry collars on European bison in Białowieża Forest. The model based on airborne laser scanning features presented better parameters (percent of correctly classified cases and ROC) than the model based on habitat types. The results show that it is possible to find universal indicators of European bison’s preferences that are independent of local forest classification methodology. The indicators used suggest that European bison have a preference for forest habitats with low canopy cover and a small share of woody plants in the lower parts of the forest. Low canopy cover itself is not necessarily beneficial for European bison. Our study also indicates that airborne laser scanning is also useful in the assessment of habitat suitability for European bison in forest ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%