Population densities and habitat use of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in farmlands across the Balkan Peninsula

摘要: The main objective of this study was to analyze the habitat use and population densities golden jackal in four countries across lowland regions Balkan Peninsula, known as core area species' distribution Europe. Using indirect (acoustic) method for detecting territorial jackals, we surveyed presence on 331 monitoring sites countries, covering an 4,296 km2 total during April May 2007–2012. We used GIS assess landscape environmental characteristics a 2-km circular buffer (12.6 km2) around calling stations. Average density jackals areas ranged between 0.6 1.1 groups/10 (mean ± SE, 0.06 km2), with several high-density up 4.8 km2. Analysis showed that both occurrence number groups, only significant parameter interaction country intensity agriculture, indicating adapt their selection patterns relation availability. observed more suitable habitats (shrub–herbaceous vegetation/heterogeneous agricultural vegetation) increased lower proportion these types area. Our confirms high plasticity offers explanation its recent range expansion, which might be connected land changes last decades Peninsula.