Estimating habitat selection of badgers - a test between different methods
2010
Kauhala, Kaarina | Auttila, Miina
The aim of the present paper was to compare the picture of habitat selection obtained by using 1) different home ranges and core areas and 2) different methods (compositional analysis, Jacobs index and selection ratio), in radio-tracking studies of mammals. The experimental animal was the Eurasian badger Meles meles, radio-tracked in southern Finland in 2006–2007. The total home ranges used in the study, minimum convex polygon (MCP) and 95% fixed kernel home range (K95) differed in size, MCP being larger. Therefore its habitat composition resembled more that of the landscape, and comparison between K95 and the study area revealed better habitat selection within the landscape (second order selection). The proportions of two common habitat types (fields and spruce forests) differed between the core areas used in the study. Comparison between the smallest core area (K50) and MCP revealed best habitat preferences within the home range (third order habitat selection). Comparing the distribution of individual location points in different habitats to the habitat composition of home ranges did not reveal habitat preferences of badgers. The use of compositional analysis together with Jacobs index in habitat selection studies is recommended, because the simple selection ratio was not very sensitive.
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