TY - JOUR

T1 - The priority value of scrubland habitats for carnivore conservation in Mediterranean ecosystems

AU - Mangas, J.G.

AU - Lozano Mendoza, Jorge

AU - Cabezas-Díaz, Sara

AU - Virgós, Emilio

PY - 2008/1

Y1 - 2008/1

N2 - Carnivores are umbrella species with a key role in ecosystems. In the Mediterranean, they face with several conservation problems, mainly habitat loss or transformation. In this region, scrubland habitats are considered of minor conservation relevance as compared to mature forest formations. Conservation of scrublands in Mediterranean ecosystems is also difficult because to control fires, they are removed over large areas. For carnivores, scrublands may be essential to guarantee shelter and food. Here, we analyzed the importance of scrublands and other habitat variables in determining the richness of medium-sized carnivores in a typical Mediterranean area of central Spain (Monfragüe Natural Park). The Park was divided into plots of 2 × 2 km (n = 30). In each plot, a 2 km-length survey route was walked searching for carnivore scats. We recorded the number of species of carnivores and we related this value to several habitat variables. Habitat variables were summarized by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Habitat models were developed by, using multiple regression models, including PCA factors and the habitat type as predictors. The only variable included in the final model was the first PCA factor. Carnivore richness was positively associated with large tree, shrub, and rock cover areas, which is the typical habitat structure of scrublands. This habitat offers the best available area for shelter and may be considered as a key element for carnivore conservation in the Mediterranean region. To reconciliate carnivore conservation and forestry management, we proposed small-scale clearances as a management alternative to typical large scrubland removals.

AB - Carnivores are umbrella species with a key role in ecosystems. In the Mediterranean, they face with several conservation problems, mainly habitat loss or transformation. In this region, scrubland habitats are considered of minor conservation relevance as compared to mature forest formations. Conservation of scrublands in Mediterranean ecosystems is also difficult because to control fires, they are removed over large areas. For carnivores, scrublands may be essential to guarantee shelter and food. Here, we analyzed the importance of scrublands and other habitat variables in determining the richness of medium-sized carnivores in a typical Mediterranean area of central Spain (Monfragüe Natural Park). The Park was divided into plots of 2 × 2 km (n = 30). In each plot, a 2 km-length survey route was walked searching for carnivore scats. We recorded the number of species of carnivores and we related this value to several habitat variables. Habitat variables were summarized by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Habitat models were developed by, using multiple regression models, including PCA factors and the habitat type as predictors. The only variable included in the final model was the first PCA factor. Carnivore richness was positively associated with large tree, shrub, and rock cover areas, which is the typical habitat structure of scrublands. This habitat offers the best available area for shelter and may be considered as a key element for carnivore conservation in the Mediterranean region. To reconciliate carnivore conservation and forestry management, we proposed small-scale clearances as a management alternative to typical large scrubland removals.

KW - Felis silvestris

KW - Fire management

KW - Forestry

KW - Martes foina

KW - Mediterranean

KW - Meles meles

KW - Scrublands

KW - Vulpes vulpes

KW - carnivore

KW - conservation management

KW - ecological modeling

KW - fire management

KW - forest clearance

KW - habitat loss

KW - habitat structure

KW - habitat type

KW - Mediterranean environment

KW - principal component analysis

KW - protected area

KW - scrub

KW - species richness

KW - Eurasia

KW - Europe

KW - Southern Europe

KW - Spain

KW - Biology

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Environmental planning

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38149093946&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s10531-007-9229-8

DO - 10.1007/s10531-007-9229-8

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 17

SP - 43

EP - 51

JO - Biodiversity and Conservation

JF - Biodiversity and Conservation

SN - 0960-3115

IS - 1

ER -