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Conservation of wildlife populations necessitates identifying patterns in space use because fitness requirements influence resource selection; however, details on how phenology affects space use are often only cursorily addressed during development of space‐ and resource‐use estimates. Moreover, space‐use assessments often aggregate distinct, phenology‐specific behaviors into generalized realizations of biological processes, such as reproduction. Therefore, to improve the relevance and accuracy of biological inferences for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) space use at the population level, we defined 12 distinct phenology‐specific periods to compare and contrast variations in space‐use estimates. We calculated 1,568 individual space‐use estimates using dynamic Brownian Bridge movement models for Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia; n = 255 females) across Texas, USA, during 2012−2018. Females in each pre‐laying state used larger areas than during all other phenological states, suggestive of exploratory movements related to reproductive activities and resource acquisition. Incubation core areas were consistently <1.5 ha and incubation range sizes ranged from 10 ha to 48 ha. Core area and range sizes during the brooding period doubled from 15 days after hatch (3.1 ha and 42 ha) to 30 days after hatch (6.5 ha and 89 ha). Post‐breeding and wintering period ranges were >30% smaller than reproductive period ranges. Mean daily distance traveled was similar across phenological states except during incubation and brooding periods. Our results indicate that examining wild turkey space use at identifiable, phenology‐specific temporal scales will help mitigate against biases in estimates of resource selection based on arbitrary phenology definitions that aggregate data across multiple, distinct, phenological states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Declines of numerous Neotropical migrant birds have been attributed to habitat destruction and alteration. Forest management activities may promote changes to habitat components and, with the increase in commercial forestry in the South, information on Neotropical migrants in managed forests is needed. We examined the avian communities and habitat characteristics of four forest age classes at Ben's Creek Wildlife Management Area, a managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest in eastern Louisiana during the 2003 and 2004 summer breeding seasons. Mean species richness and relative diversity in 4-5 and 13-23 y stands were similar and greater than 7-9 y stands, and similar in 1 y stands to other age classes. Of 17 guilds (habitat, foraging and nesting) examined, relative abundance was similar across stand age only for second growth inhabitants and ground gleaning foragers. Frequency of occurrence varied across stand age for 17 of 19 species analyzed. Late-successional bird species occurred with greater frequency in 13-23 y stands, whereas occurrence of early-successional bird species was greater in 1 y and 4-5 y stands. Birds of conservation concern detected included both early- and late-successional species. Mean bird community conservation value was similar across stand age. Effects of stand age appear to benefit certain species, but are potentially costly for others. Efforts to combine management of timber and conservation of songbirds must consider both species habitat requirements and the distribution of these requirements in the landscape.

Space use and habitat selection have been studied extensively in mammalian carnivores, and it is widely accepted that many factors influence these parameters. Although landscape characteristics are perceived to be important in how carnivores use their environment, relatively few studies have evaluated influences of landscape features on carnivore behavior. We examined relationships between landscape pattern and space use in sympatric bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes ( Canis latrans) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in central Mississippi during 1989-1997. We quantified landscape features within three different spatial scales (3000, 4500 and 6000 m) centered on home ranges of 46 bobcats, 12 coyotes and 22 gray foxes. We evaluated a suite of class- and landscape-level variables and their influence on space use of each species. Linear mixed models suggested that habitat interspersion (intermixing), patch shape (complexity) and edge contrast were important predictors of space use in bobcats. We failed to detect any relationships between landscape pattern and space use of coyotes and gray foxes. We offer that the relationships we observed are related to, and can be explained by, ecology and behavioral adaptations of each species.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.08.005 Byline: John F. Benson, Michael J. Chamberlain, Bruce D. Leopold Abstract: Home range size in birds and mammals appears to be influenced by a number of factors including food availability, body mass and population density. However, few studies have convincingly shown population density to influence the extent of space use in a population of free-ranging carnivores without a corresponding increase in food availability. We investigated the relative effects of food availability, body weight and increased density on the size of adult bobcat, Lynx rufus, home ranges and core areas in Mississippi, U.S.A. during 1989-1997. We observed an increase in population density and a decrease in annual mean home range and core area sizes for males and females during this 9-year study. Population density explained 64% and 56% of the variation in home range size for males and females, respectively, whereas food availability and body weight failed to explain the observed reduction in bobcat home range size. Population density was also the most important variable explaining variation in core areas for both sexes, although food availability also appeared to contribute to variation, especially for females. We suggest that population density should be considered along with energy acquisition and metabolic factors such as food availability and body size when investigating variability in home range and core area sizes of mammals. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, U.S.A. (a ) Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University, U.S.A. Article History: Received 5 May 2005; Revised 1 August 2005; Accepted 24 August 2005 Article Note: (miscellaneous) MS. number: A10150R