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Journal Publications
McLoughlin
P.D., Walton L.R., Cluff H.D., Paquet P.C. and
Ramsay M.A. 2004.
Hierarchical Habitat Selection by Tundra Wolves.
Journal of Mammalogy, 85(3):576–580
PDF = 152 KB
Abstract
Using resource selection
functions, we examined habitat selection patterns of tundra wolves (Canis
lupus) in the central Canadian Arctic at the level of the home range and
within the home range. Esker habitat was relatively preferred by wolves at
the home range level of selection, possibly indicating the importance of
denning habitat as a limiting factor for tundra wolves. We failed to
conclusively tie vegetation communities to movements of wolves within the
home range. Eskers make up only about 1–2% of the landscape; hence, a
potential conflict between wolf conservation and industrial development in
the region may occur as eskers are targeted as a source of granular material
for road construction. Results of this study underline the importance of
scale dependence in habitat selection. Failure to view habitat selection as
a hierarchical process may result in a narrow and possibly misleading notion
of the value of habitats to animals. |
