Use of Riparian Corridors and Vineyards by Mammalian Predators in Northern California

摘要: To address increasing fragmentation, conservation biologists have focused on protecting core habitat areas and maintaining connectivity among protected areas. Wildlife corridors, strips of relatively intact designed to connect fragments, may enhance connectivity, but little empirical evidence supports the idea that large mammals prefer use corridors rather than surrounding developed landscape. In Sonoma County, a premium wine-grape-growing region in California, we examined mammalian predator 21 riparian classified as denuded, narrow, or wide according width remaining natural vegetation adjacent creek. We used unbaited, remotely triggered cameras determine occurrence species. also monitored six vineyards, three close far from habitat, with unbaited cameras. Mammalian detection rates were 11-fold higher study vineyards. More native species found narrow denuded creek corridors. The number activity level predators was vineyards farther away, where non-native higher. Maintaining well-vegetated be important populations ensure their long-term survival.