PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Ecological resource availability is crucial for the persistence and survival of local desert animal communities. Dryland resources such as shrubs and burrows positively benefit animal species by mitigating harsh abiotic factors and providing habitat. Understanding the role of native shrubs, many of which serve as foundation species within desert regions, as well as the function of underground burrows as resources, provides insights into habitat utilization. In this study, we seek to better understand the co-occurrence of these two resources as a first step in quantifying key patterns locally and regionally in drylands. We tested whether the presence of burrows increased with the density of foundational shrubs near the burrows at two scales-within a 5 m radius of every burrow recorded and at the site level-defined as discrete ecological areas. We performed fieldwork across 31 sites within the arid and semiarid regions of Central California. We used a combination of burrow field surveys and satellite imagery to document both vertebrate animal burrow frequencies and shrub densities. Additionally, the accuracy of the shrub data was verified through ground truthing. Both fine-scale and site-level shrub densities positively predicted the relative likelihood of burrows and the frequency of burrows, respectively. The existence of two highly utilized dryland resources and the relationship between them signal that areas abundant in both resources will likely better support resident animal species. This finding underscores the significance of incorporating both shrub density and burrow frequency in studies of habitat interconnectivity and quality. The co-occurrence patterns of these resources will support novel habitat management and conservation strategies designed around both conservation and restoration efforts.
摘要：
生态资源的可用性对于当地沙漠动物群落的持续存在和生存至关重要。旱地资源，如灌木和洞穴，通过减轻恶劣的非生物因素和提供栖息地，对动物物种有利。了解原生灌木的作用，其中许多是沙漠地区的基础物种，以及地下洞穴作为资源的功能，提供了对栖息地利用的见解。在这项研究中,我们寻求更好地了解这两种资源的共存，作为量化旱地本地和区域关键模式的第一步。我们以两个尺度测试了洞穴的存在是否随着洞穴附近基础灌木的密度而增加-在记录的每个洞穴的5m半径内，并且在现场水平上定义为离散的生态区。我们在加利福尼亚中部干旱和半干旱地区的31个地点进行了实地考察。我们结合了洞穴野外调查和卫星图像来记录脊椎动物的洞穴频率和灌木密度。此外,通过地面实测验证了灌木数据的准确性。精细尺度和站点水平的灌木密度均积极预测了洞穴的相对可能性和洞穴的频率，分别。两种高度利用的旱地资源的存在以及它们之间的关系表明，两种资源丰富的地区可能会更好地支持居民动物物种。这一发现强调了将灌木密度和洞穴频率纳入研究栖息地互连性和质量的重要性。这些资源的共存模式将支持围绕保护和恢复工作设计的新颖的栖息地管理和保护策略。
