Forest-edge utilization by carnivores in relation to local and landscape habitat characteristics in central European farmland

摘要: Abstract Rapid changes in agricultural landscape structure and composition affect many different farmland biotas, including carnivores, which are a key element of ecosystem stability, yet little is known about their distribution habitat use. In this study, we evaluated how characteristics on two spatial scales (local scale) affected the forest-edge utilization by small medium-sized carnivores fragmented central European farmland. Based an indirect method for detecting (scent stations), sampled 212 forest fragments sizes (1–7864 ha) during April to May from 2006 2009. Our results indicate that carnivore habitats was driven rather than local even though overall extent explained variation small. The most important factors determined response community were area urban land scale. corridor connectivity between other elements played crucial role occurrence red fox. suggest comprehensive studies multi-species assemblage using scent station might be useful evaluating species-specific characteristics, especially if large numbers stations visited available.