Spatial Ecology and Multi-scale Habitat Selection by a Threatened Rattlesnake: The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus Catenatus Catenatus)

Moore, Jennifer A.; Gillingham, James C.

doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2006)6[742:seamhs]2.0.co;2

Cited by 65 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The different associations observed between many bird species and architectural variables at the two scales provide additional evidence in support of the scale-dependent nature of species' habitat associations and also suggest potential cues used by birds when deciding where to settle at each scale. Our observations of scale-dependent habitat use by en route migratory birds are similar to observations made on birds during nonmigratory periods (Saab 1999, Sodhi et al 1999, Luck 2002 Moore and Gillingham 2006). The ubiquitous nature of scale-dependent habitat use across periods of the annual cycle and diverse taxonomic groups emphasizes the importance of multiscale approaches for studying animals' habitat requirements (Johnson 1980, Hutto 1985a, George and Zack 2001.…”

Section: Scale-dependent Habitat Usesupporting

confidence: 80%

Scale-Dependent Habitat Use by Fall Migratory Birds: Vegetation Structure, Floristics, and Geography

Deppe¹,

Rotenberry

2008

Ecological Monographs

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Abstract. Animal habitat selection is a central focus of ecology and conservation biology. Understanding habitat associations in migratory animals is particularly complicated because individuals have variable habitat requirements during the annual cycle, across their geographic range, along migratory routes, and at multiple spatial scales. We studied habitat associations of 16 fall Nearctic-Neotropical migratory land birds at two spatial scales at a stopover site along the northern Yucatan coast to examine scale-dependent habitat use, identify proximate cues shaping birds' distributions, and evaluate similarities in habitat use between our tropical stopover site and temperate sites. We addressed scale-dependent habitat associations in two ways, by (1) quantifying species' distributions among and within broad vegetation types and (2) comparing migrants' associations with architectural gradients between the two spatial scales. We also evaluated the relative importance of vegetation architecture and floristics in explaining migrants' distributions within broad coastal vegetation types.Bird species were nonrandomly distributed among broad-and fine-scale vegetation types, and patterns of habitat use varied between the two scales. Moreover, birds had different preferences for vegetation architecture at the two scales, which may reflect trade-offs between competing demands and/or reduced variation in vegetation at the small scale in our study. These findings illustrate the manner in which spatial scale and range of vegetation variation influence perceptions of animal-habitat associations. Within broad coastal vegetation types birds refined their distributions in relation to architectural and floristic attributes, which provided them with redundant and/or complementary information regarding the distribution of suitable habitat. We suggest that the relative importance of architecture and floristics is likely scale-dependent. Habitat use at our site was similar to that observed at temperate stopover sites for almost all species, indicating that habitat affinities are maintained along the migratory route for these eastern populations despite latitudinal changes in environmental factors. We highlight examples of similar patterns observed in other migratory and nonmigratory animals to illustrate the generality of these patterns beyond en route land birds and our tropical site. We also indicate where we expect to see differences and outline areas of research that merit greater attention in order to advance our understanding of animal habitat selection.

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Section: Scale-dependent Habitat Usesupporting

confidence: 80%

Scale-Dependent Habitat Use by Fall Migratory Birds: Vegetation Structure, Floristics, and Geography

Deppe¹,

Rotenberry

2008

Ecological Monographs

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“…We measured 8 local‐level features (scale of cm) chosen based on previously published habitat selection studies on snakes (Robel et al 1970, Harvey and Weatherhead 2006, Moore and Gillingham 2006, Wisler et al 2008). Local‐level features measured included: percent bare ground, percent grass, percent forbs, percent shrub, vegetation height, vegetation density, proximity to nearest shrub, and proximity to nearest burrow.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat selection by grassland snakes at northern range limits: Implications for conservation

et al. 2011

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Animal populations at northern range limits may use habitat differently from those at range cores, requiring distinct conservation plans. Snakes are ectotherms that often have very specific requirements, but few studies have focused on the effect of northern latitudes on habitat selection by grassland snakes. We studied movement and habitat selection of 2 sympatric snake species at their northern range limits on the North American Great Plains: the eastern yellow‐bellied racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, hereafter racer), a Threatened species in Canada, and the bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi), which is listed as Data Deficient. Both of these species are potentially vulnerable to extinction in Canada because of habitat loss. Snakes from our study populations traveled up to 10‐times farther from winter dens and occupied home ranges 3–104 times larger than populations further south. Both snake species moved from winter dens in the slopes of a major river valley to habitat in adjacent lowlands, including riparian zones (racers) and hilly areas with native grass species (bullsnakes). Multivariate modeling revealed that proximity to retreat sites was a significant predictor of snake site use for both species. Considering the need for winter dens and summering areas, our data suggest that snakes in northern latitudes should ideally have much larger protected areas compared to snakes near the core of their range. An alternative strategy is to conserve corridors linking wintering dens and summer habitats. Retreat sites such as burrows and shrubs are critical components of local habitat and should be included in conservation plans. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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“…We simulated animal paths using the adehabitatLT package (Calenge, 2006) with constrained correlated random walk models, and we incorporated biologically relevant constraints to habitat selection (Proulx, Proulx, & Blouin-Demers, 2013). Eastern massasaugas use forested and prairie habitat in addition to wetlands (Moore & Gillingham, 2006) so we included additional habitat types in the habitat constraint (forest, alvar, and savannah in Ontario; barren rock, forest, and grassland in the United States; SD = 24%). We de- States land cover data.…”

Section: Road Avoidancementioning

confidence: 99%

Road avoidance and its energetic consequences for reptiles

Paterson

Baxter‐Gilbert

Beaudry

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Roads are one of the most widespread human‐caused habitat modifications that can increase wildlife mortality rates and alter behavior. Roads can act as barriers with variable permeability to movement and can increase distances wildlife travel to access habitats. Movement is energetically costly, and avoidance of roads could therefore impact an animal's energy budget. We tested whether reptiles avoid roads or road crossings and explored whether the energetic consequences of road avoidance decreased individual fitness. Using telemetry data from Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii; 11,658 locations of 286 turtles from 15 sites) and eastern massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus; 1,868 locations of 49 snakes from 3 sites), we compared frequency of observed road crossings and use of road‐adjacent habitat by reptiles to expected frequencies based on simulated correlated random walks. Turtles and snakes did not avoid habitats near roads, but both species avoided road crossings. Compared with simulations, turtles made fewer crossings of paved roads with low speed limits and more crossings of paved roads with high speed limits. Snakes made fewer crossings of all road types than expected based on simulated paths. Turtles traveled longer daily distances when their home range contained roads, but the predicted energetic cost was negligible: substantially less than the cost of producing one egg. Snakes with roads in their home range did not travel further per day than snakes without roads in their home range. We found that turtles and snakes avoided crossing roads, but road avoidance is unlikely to impact fitness through energetic expenditures. Therefore, mortality from vehicle strikes remains the most significant impact of roads on reptile populations.

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Spatial Ecology and Multi-scale Habitat Selection by a Threatened Rattlesnake: The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus Catenatus Catenatus)

Cited by 65 publications

References 2 publications

Scale-Dependent Habitat Use by Fall Migratory Birds: Vegetation Structure, Floristics, and Geography

Scale-Dependent Habitat Use by Fall Migratory Birds: Vegetation Structure, Floristics, and Geography

Habitat selection by grassland snakes at northern range limits: Implications for conservation

Road avoidance and its energetic consequences for reptiles

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