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Habitat use by adult and juvenile wild rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) in a heterogeneous Mediterranean semi-arid ecosystem
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Heterogéneo, Semiárido |
| Copyright Year | 2006 |
| Abstract | Knowledge about the factors determining habitat preferences by different-aged individuals within a population is of interest for ecosystem and species conservation. This is especially important for herbivores living under Mediterranean climatic conditions, as they often have to deal with food and water shortages during the summer season. We investigated seasonal differences in resource availability (water and food), refuge density (warrens and woody vegetation) and adult and juvenile rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) abundances in a Mediterranean ecosystem (dehesa) of the Iberian Peninsula during spring, summer and winter. Rabbit abundances were estimated by means of faecal pellet counts, where pellets smaller than 6 mm were considered to belong to juvenile rabbits. Data were analysed using multiple regression models. Results showed that adult and juvenile rabbits had different habitat preferences throughout the year and showed seasonal shifts in habitat use depending on predation risk and energy needs. Juveniles preferred to forage in areas close to warrens or with high warren entrance density in all seasons; whereas adults preferred to forage in short standing swards, ensuring a wide sensory range for the detection of approaching predators. Both juveniles and adults adjusted their foraging selectivity to plant community seasonal changes in a similar way. However, with the arrival of summer and its associated food depletion, adult rabbits were forced to shift towards more open productive areas where green vegetation persists, but at the expense of higher predation risk. Differences in habitat requirements between adult and juvenile rabbits through the seasons suggest that habitat heterogeneity at the local, withinhabitat scale is necessary to support both rabbit age classes and maintain viable populations. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://ebuah.uah.es/dspace/bitstream/handle/10017/479/Capitulo%204.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=4 |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
