Rear-edge populations of montane species are known to be vulnerable to environmental change,which could affect them by habitat reduction and isolation.Habitat requirements of two cold-adapted boreo-alpine owl species...Rear-edge populations of montane species are known to be vulnerable to environmental change,which could affect them by habitat reduction and isolation.Habitat requirements of two cold-adapted boreo-alpine owl species—Boreal Owl(Aegolius funereus)and Pygmy Owl(Glaucidium passerinum)—have been studied in refugial montane populations in the western Rhodopes,South Bulgaria.Data on owl presence and forest stand attributes recorded in situ have been used to identify significant predictors for owl occurrence.The results revealed Boreal Owl’s preference for comparatively dense forests(high canopy closure values),big trees(diameter at breast height≥50 cm)and large amount of fallen dead wood in penultimate stage of decay.For Pygmy Owl the only significant explanatory variable was the total amount of fallen dead wood.Results suggest preference of both owl species for forests with structural elements typical of old-growth forests(i.e.,veteran trees,deadwood),the Pygmy Owl being less prone to inhabit managed forests.Being at the rear edge of their Palearctic breeding range in Europe both Boreal and Pygmy Owls are of high conservation value on the Balkan Peninsula.Hence,additional efforts are needed for their conservation in the light of climate change and resulting alteration of forest structural parameters.Current findings can be used for adjusting forest management practices in order to ensure both,sustainable profit from timber and continuous species survival.展开更多
We conducted a study on diversity and habitat requirements of small mammals in the western part of the AlbertineRift, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The work aimed at providing a more complete list of species r...We conducted a study on diversity and habitat requirements of small mammals in the western part of the AlbertineRift, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The work aimed at providing a more complete list of species recordedto date and their habitat requirements to aid conservation efforts in the region. Trapping was conducted usingMuseum special, Victor traps, Sherman live traps and pitfall traps in four different habitats. A total of 57 specieswas recorded. Plantations and open habitats harbored the same species. In the forested areas we recorded 30 specieswhich are not tolerant to disturbance. Eighteen species are Albertine Rift endemics. One species (Lophuromyscinereus), which is vulnerable and data deficient, has been recorded only in swamp. This study has recorded morespecies than the previous studies, some of which have not been reported in earlier studies. Differences between thisand earlier studies are attributed to methods and the areas sampled. Some of the habitats sampled by previousworkers have not been assessed. More research is needed, especially in swamps in mountain areas and in deepforests inhabited by species not present at lower altitudes.展开更多
文摘Rear-edge populations of montane species are known to be vulnerable to environmental change,which could affect them by habitat reduction and isolation.Habitat requirements of two cold-adapted boreo-alpine owl species—Boreal Owl(Aegolius funereus)and Pygmy Owl(Glaucidium passerinum)—have been studied in refugial montane populations in the western Rhodopes,South Bulgaria.Data on owl presence and forest stand attributes recorded in situ have been used to identify significant predictors for owl occurrence.The results revealed Boreal Owl’s preference for comparatively dense forests(high canopy closure values),big trees(diameter at breast height≥50 cm)and large amount of fallen dead wood in penultimate stage of decay.For Pygmy Owl the only significant explanatory variable was the total amount of fallen dead wood.Results suggest preference of both owl species for forests with structural elements typical of old-growth forests(i.e.,veteran trees,deadwood),the Pygmy Owl being less prone to inhabit managed forests.Being at the rear edge of their Palearctic breeding range in Europe both Boreal and Pygmy Owls are of high conservation value on the Balkan Peninsula.Hence,additional efforts are needed for their conservation in the light of climate change and resulting alteration of forest structural parameters.Current findings can be used for adjusting forest management practices in order to ensure both,sustainable profit from timber and continuous species survival.
文摘We conducted a study on diversity and habitat requirements of small mammals in the western part of the AlbertineRift, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The work aimed at providing a more complete list of species recordedto date and their habitat requirements to aid conservation efforts in the region. Trapping was conducted usingMuseum special, Victor traps, Sherman live traps and pitfall traps in four different habitats. A total of 57 specieswas recorded. Plantations and open habitats harbored the same species. In the forested areas we recorded 30 specieswhich are not tolerant to disturbance. Eighteen species are Albertine Rift endemics. One species (Lophuromyscinereus), which is vulnerable and data deficient, has been recorded only in swamp. This study has recorded morespecies than the previous studies, some of which have not been reported in earlier studies. Differences between thisand earlier studies are attributed to methods and the areas sampled. Some of the habitats sampled by previousworkers have not been assessed. More research is needed, especially in swamps in mountain areas and in deepforests inhabited by species not present at lower altitudes.
