Habitat Fragmentation and Its Role in Territorial Behavior, Movement Patterns and Reproductive Outcomes of Medium-Sized Carnivores

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation is a common effect of urbanization, deforestation, agriculture, and infrastructural changes that cause habitat isolation and changed behavior among the animal kingdom. Large carnivores are most affected by their dependence on territory for survival and reproduction, the availability of food sources, and safe corridors for dispersal. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of habitat fragmentation on the behavior and reproduction of medium-sized carnivores. This research was performed in continuous forests, moderately fragmented areas, and highly fragmented regions using habitat analysis based on Geographic Information System (GIS), GPS telemetry, camera trapping, and reproductive studies. Parameters of spatial ecology, such as home-range size, territorial overlap, displacement rate, and corridor use, were considered. At the same time, reproductive success was assessed by measuring litter size, juvenile survival rates, breeding frequency, and hormonal levels. This work revealed significant variations in ecological characteristics depending on the type of the habitat. Home ranges in continuous forests were larger on average (18.4 km²), there were smaller overlaps (12.3%), and the daily displacements were shorter (9.6 km/day) in comparison to those carnivores residing in highly fragmented habitats (average home range size – 8.7 km²; territorial overlap – 41.5%; displacements – 16.2 km/day). Moreover, reproduction success in highly fragmented areas was significantly lower because litters were smaller (4.2 in continuous forests; 2.3 in highly fragmented regions), juveniles had lower survival rates (81.5% in continuous forests; 62.7% in fragmented habitats), and the frequency of breeding was reduced (78.4% and 46.3%, respectively). Stress hormone level in carnivores inhabiting fragmented environments increased as well.