Thesis (MS)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2009. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Gary Brester. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-60).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-17T15:00:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LAIS_ DE_ MORAIS_ REGO _SILVA.pdf: 832865 bytes, checksum: c498c083ec0f78b354b2e99bdf847b57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-15 / PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. / The objective of this work was to characterize use of habitat and seasonality of shorebirds in Raposa s Channel, North of São Luís Island, Gulf of Maranhão. The censuses of shorebirds occurred during two consecutive weeks of each month between February and November 2006. Three areas (each one with 3ha) were selected for censuses, considering the type of flat (mud, sand-mud, sand). The censuses were taken during one spring tide and during one neap tide of each month. In foraging, 17407 shorebirds were observed during the study. The highest density of shorebirds feeding was in the mudflat (180.95 ind/ha), then sand-mudflat (100.25 ind/ha) and sandflat (27.10 ind/ha). Calidris pusilla was the most abundant species in Raposa s Channel (n = 8922) and in the mudflat (n = 7578). In sand-mudflat, Tringa semipalmata was the most abundant species (n = 1270) and in the sandflat it was Pluvialis squatarola (n = 130). Tringa semipalmata was the most abundant species in the roost area (n = 788). The highest density of shorebirds feeding was observed during neap tides. The high density of shorebirds observed probably might be due to the study area to form a mosaic of habitats still conserved. Pluvialis squatarola, Numenius phaeopus, Tringa semipalmata, Calidris canutus, A. interpres and Charadrius semipalmatus presented this seasonal pattern: high density between February and April, decreases between May and July and increase in density between August and November. Calidris pusilla and differed for presenting increases in density in July; Limnodromus griseus had presented high density only since August and Charadrius collaris had increases in density between February and July, and decreases between August and November. The seasonal patterns demonstrated the importance of Raposa s Channel as stopover area for some species and winter area for others shorebirds species. Thus, the identification and characterization of Raposa s Channel as important wintering area for migratory shorebirds is fundamental to create conservation plans for north brazilian coast, in order to maintaining the shorebirds populations at long term in nature. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar o uso de habitats e a sazonalidade de aves limícolas no Canal da Raposa, norte da Ilha de São Luís, Golfão Maranhense. Os censos de aves limícolas ocorreram durante duas semanas consecutivas de cada mês entre fevereiro e novembro de 2006. Foram selecionadas três áreas (cada uma com 3ha) para a realização dos censos, considerando o tipo de substrato (lamoso, areno-lamoso e arenoso). Os censos foram realizados durante uma maré de sizígia e durante uma maré de quadratura de cada mês. Foram observadas 17407 aves limícolas forrageando durante o período de estudo. A maior densidade de aves limícolas em forrageio foi verificada no substrato lamoso (180,95 ind/ha), seguido pelo areno-lamoso (100,25 ind/ha) e pelo arenoso (27,10 ind/ha). Calidris pusilla foi a espécie mais abundante (n = 8922) no Canal da Raposa, sendo também mais abundante no susbtrato lamoso (n = 7578). No Areno-lamoso, Tringa semipalmata foi mais abundante (n = 1270) e no arenoso foi Pluvialis squatarola (n = 130). Tringa semipalmata também foi a espécie mais abundante (n = 788) na área de descanso. Houve maior densidade de aves limícolas forrageando durante as marés de quadratura. A alta densidade de aves limícolas observada provavelmente se deve ao fato da área estudada se tratar de um mosaico de habitats ainda conservados. Pluvilais squatarola, Numenius phaeopus, Tringa semipalmata, Calidris canutus, Arenaria interpres e Charadrius semipalmatus apresentaram o seguinte padrão sazonal: alta densidade entre fevereiro e abril, decréscimos entre maio e julho e acréscimos de agosto a novembro. Calidris pusilla diferiu por apresentar acréscimos no mês de julho; Limnodromus griseus apresentou altas densidades somente a partir de agosto e Charadrius collaris obteve maior densidade de fevereiro a julho e decréscimos de agosto a novembro. Os padrões sazonais mostraram a importância do Canal da Raposa como área de parada para algumas espécies de limícolas e como área de invernada para outras. Portanto, a identificação e caracterização do Canal da Raposa como uma importante área de invernada para aves limícolas migratórias é fundamental para traçar planos de conservação para a costa norte brasileira, a fim de manter as populações de aves limícolas em longo prazo na natureza.

Seit Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts wird eine Ausbreitung der solitär lebenden und streng geschützten Europäischen Wildkatze (Felis silvestris) registriert, die sich auch aus den bewaldeten Lebensräumen in die weitgehend offene Agrarlandschaft erstreckt. Kenntnisse über Lebensraumansprüche in diesen Landschaftsausschnitten liegen bisher für die Art nicht vor. Ziel der Studie ist es, erstmalig Daten zur Raumnutzung aus einem bisher kaum bekannten Lebensraum zu erfassen. Der ökologische Erkenntnisgewinn soll Empfehlungen für lebensraumverbessernde Maßnahmen in landwirtschaftlich geprägten Kulturlandschaften erbringen, die auch den Individuenaustausch zwischen Populationen der Art fördern. Die Ergebnisse der Telemetriestudie in der Goldenen Aue belegen eine regelmäßige Nutzung der reichstrukturierten Agrarlandschaft durch etablierte Individuen. Darüber hinaus wurde ein erfolgreiches Reproduktionsereignis dokumentiert. Das Geschlechterverhältnis und die Altersstruktur der erfassten Tiere (n = 11) waren ausgeglichen. Die Aktionsraumgrößen der Kater stimmten weitgehend mit dem in bewaldeten Lebensräumen ermittelten Raumanspruch männlicher Wildkatzen überein. Weibliche Wildkatzen nutzten in der reichstrukturierten Agrarlandschaft deutlich (um ca. 60 %) kleinere Streifgebiete als ihre Artgenossinnen in den bewaldeten Lebensräumen. Die Studie bestätigt die strenge Bindung der Wildkatze an deckungsbietende Strukturen. Die Analyse zur Habitatnutzung ergaben geschlechterspezifische Unterschiede: Während weibliche Wildkatzen in dem agrarisch dominierten Landschaftsausschnitt eher eine Bindung an flächige Strukturelemente, wie Feldgehölze- und kleine Waldinseln sowie aus der Nutzung genommene Streuobstwiesen zeigten, nutzten Kater hier lineare Elemente, wie strukturreiche Uferstreifen von Still-, und Fließgewässern sowie Weg- und Ackersäume intensiver. Die Daten belegen, dass der bisher unbeachtete Lebensraum – die reichstrukturierte Agrarlandschaft - durchaus alle wichtigen Lebensraumfunktionen für die Europäische Wildkatze erfüllen kann. Ein Grund für die geringe Größe der weiblichen Streifgebiete ist eine streng auf qualitativ hochwertige Habitatstrukturen begrenzte Lebensraumnutzung. Dabei scheint neben der Nahrungsverfügbarkeit ein ausreichend hohes Angebot deckungsbietender Strukturen in der Strauch- bis Baumklasse ausschlaggebend für eine Etablierung von Weibchen zu sein. In landwirtschaftlich geprägten Kulturlandschaften ist bei einer Mindestausstattung an deckungsbietenden Habitaten mit dem Vorkommen etablierter und reproduzierender Wildkatzen zu rechnen, insbesondere in der Peripherie besiedelter Waldlebensräume. Eine Prüfung der artenschutzrechtlichen Verträglichkeit im Rahmen der planungsrechtlichen Eingriffsregelung sollte zukünftig auch auf die angrenzenden Offenlandschaften (bis zu 4km) von bewaldeten Lebensräumen ausgeweitet werden. Als lebensraumverbessernde Maßnahme wird grundsätzlich eine Erhöhung der Strukturvielfalt in der Agrarlandschaft durch Schaffung oder/und Erhaltung von kleinräumigen Strukturen wie Feldgehölzen, Hecken und breiten Feld-Gewässerrainen mit aufkommender Sukzession empfohlen. Darüber hinaus gewährt dies einen Individuenaustausch zwischen räumlich getrennt voneinander liegenden (Teil)Populationen. / Since the end of the twentieth century, the solitary and strictly protected European wildcat (Felis silvestris) has spread from wooded habitats across the largely open agricultural landscape. Knowledge about habitat requirements in these landscape sections is not yet available for the species. The aim of the study is, for the first time, to generate space use data from so far less known habitat. The ecological gain of knowledge should provide recommendations for habitat-improving measures in agriculturally influenced cultural landscapes, which also promote the exchange of individuals between populations of the species. The results from the Golden Aue prove a regular use of a richly structured agricultural landscape by established individuals. In addition, a successful reproduction event was documented. The sex ratio and the age structure of the recorded animals (n = 11) were balanced. The home range sizes of males were largely consistent with the space requirement determined in wooded habitats. In a richly structured agricultural landscape, female animals clearly used (about 60 %) smaller home ranges than their conspecifics in the wooded habitats. The study confirms the strict binding of the wildcat to cover-providing structures. Gender differences were found: While females were more likely to be bound to areal structural elements such as copses, orchards and small forest islands, males used linear elements more extensively than females, such as structurally rich riparian strips of waterbodies and field margins in the agricultural landscape. The data show that the so far neglected habitat - the richly-structured agricultural landscape - can fulfill all important habitat functions for the European wildcat. One reason for the small female home ranges is probably an exclusive use of high-quality habitats, which in addition to the food availability also provide sufficient hiding places. In agricultural landscapes, assuming at least a minimum of cover habitats, the presence of established and reproducing wildcats can be expected, at least in the periphery of forest habitats. Increasing structural diversity in the agricultural landscape through the creation or / and preservation of small-scale structures such as copses, hedgerows and broad field-watercourses with emerging succession is recommended as habitat-improving measures. In addition, it provides for an exchange of individuals between spatially separated (sub) populations. In the future, an examination of the species protection compatibility in the context of the planning intervention regulations should also be extended to the adjacent open landscapes (up to 4 km) of forested habitats.