Factors shaping European rabbit abundance in continuous and fragmented populations of central Spain
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Factors shaping European rabbit abundance in continuous and fragmented populations of central Spain. / Virgós, Emilio; Cabezas-Díaz, Sara; Malo, Aurelio et al.
In: Acta Theriologica, Vol. 48, No. 1, 01.03.2003, p. 113-122.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors shaping European rabbit abundance in continuous and fragmented populations of central Spain
AU - Virgós, Emilio
AU - Cabezas-Díaz, Sara
AU - Malo, Aurelio
AU - Lozano, Jorge
AU - López-Huertas, Daniel
PY - 2003/3/1
Y1 - 2003/3/1
N2 - This study analyses differences in European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) abundance between fragmented and continuous populations and the relative importance of habitat structure (micro- and macrohabitat) and isolation in determining the abundance pattern in fragmented and continuous areas of central Spain. The species was mainly restricted to mediterranean vegetation habitat. In fragmented areas, rabbit abundance was linked to scrubland cover but was not correlated to pasture/cropland cover. The model explained very little of the observed variance. Distance to continuous populations did not improve the model. Stochastic phenomena or unmeasured factors (predation level, soil type) could be acting in this context. Rabbits were more abundant in continuous areas than in fragmented ones. In continuous areas, rabbit abundance was associated with mosaics of pastures, scrublands, and croplands. These habitat features are linked to shelter and feeding requirements of rabbits. The model explained an important part of the observed variance. This supports that management and conservation strategies should be based on the landscape pattern in each situation.
AB - This study analyses differences in European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) abundance between fragmented and continuous populations and the relative importance of habitat structure (micro- and macrohabitat) and isolation in determining the abundance pattern in fragmented and continuous areas of central Spain. The species was mainly restricted to mediterranean vegetation habitat. In fragmented areas, rabbit abundance was linked to scrubland cover but was not correlated to pasture/cropland cover. The model explained very little of the observed variance. Distance to continuous populations did not improve the model. Stochastic phenomena or unmeasured factors (predation level, soil type) could be acting in this context. Rabbits were more abundant in continuous areas than in fragmented ones. In continuous areas, rabbit abundance was associated with mosaics of pastures, scrublands, and croplands. These habitat features are linked to shelter and feeding requirements of rabbits. The model explained an important part of the observed variance. This supports that management and conservation strategies should be based on the landscape pattern in each situation.
KW - Fragmentation
KW - Habitat models
KW - Mosaic habitats
KW - Oryctolagus cuniculus
KW - Spatial scale
KW - Sustainability Governance
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037360147&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/BF03194271
DO - 10.1007/BF03194271
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:0037360147
VL - 48
SP - 113
EP - 122
JO - Mammal Research
JF - Mammal Research
SN - 2199-2401
IS - 1
ER -