Low-intensity monitoring of small-mammal habitat associations and species interactions in an urban forest-preserve network

摘要: Abstract Context Anthropogenic landscape modification and fragmentation result in loss of species can alter ecosystem function. Assessment the ecological value urban reserve networks requires baseline continued monitoring. However, depending on desired indicators parameters, effective monitoring involve extensive sampling that is often financially or logistically infeasible. Aims We employed a low-intensity, mixed-detector survey design to monitor small-mammal community across network 53 fragmented forest preserves (225 sites) highly urbanised Chicago metropolitan area from August October, 2009–2012. Methods used sequential process fit single-season occupancy pairwise co-occurrence models for six common small mammal evaluate habitat associations interspecific interactions. Key results Shrew meadow voles occurred more open canopy-associated habitats, whereas was greater eastern chipmunks, grey squirrels white-footed mice closed-canopy habitats. Habitat were complicated by negative interactions, resulting reduced occurrence when predatory short-tailed shrews present lower rates mouse chipmunk competitors where present. White-footed co-occurred with shrews, but detection either chipmunks present, suggesting densities these could be inversely related. Conclusions found evidence both segregation interactions among species, using low-intensity network. Thus, our analysis approach allowed adequate assessment within community. Implications Our findings demonstrated utility this strategy as bioindicators urban-reserve networks. The described holds promise efficient landscapes, critical human population urbanisation increase, we discuss how adaptive methods incorporated further benefit conservation efforts.