The effect of landscape structure on dispersal distances of the Eurasian red squirrel.

摘要: Landscape structure can affect dispersal and gene flow in a species. In urban areas, buildings, roads, small habitat patches make the landscape highly fragmented inhibit movement behavior. Similarly, rural forested large open such as fields, may act barriers to movement. We studied how affects natal distances of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) an area Finland, by monitoring juvenile with radio telemetry. observed extremely long distances-up 16 km-in study area, but shorter distances-on average only half kilometer-in area. The affected eventual paths; landscape, dispersers favored spruce dominated areas avoided fields along their route, although they occasionally even crossed wide fields. preferred deciduous or coniferous trees. steps made were longer more hostile compared areas. Despite these effects on path, had minor effect straight line moved from nest. other words, individuals likely circumvent this did not far settled home. This result indicates that, has obvious movement, it still have aspects population, for example, flow.