Topographical constraints and home range quality

摘要: The topography of an area affects the animals that live in at. Using digitized topographic maps our mountainous study North Carolina. USA, and using radio telemetry data for locations black bears Ursus americanus, we tested hypotheses influences home ranges access to resources by bears. Use space correlated positively with steepness slope but negatively relative elevation. perimeters bears” aligned ridges valleys more than expected chance were oriented on major features, such as watersheds basins. Bears’ homo had lower resource values was optimal their range limited topography'. Ignoring may lead researchers misunderstand ecology behavior areas.