TY - JOUR T1 - Can geocaching be an indicator of cultural ecosystem services? The case of the montado savannah-like landscape JF - Ecological Indicators Y1 - 2019 A1 - do Rosario, Ines T. A1 - Rebelo, Rui A1 - Cardoso, Paulo A1 - Segurado, Pedro A1 - Mendes, Ricardo N. A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - Crowdsourcing databases KW - iberian peninsula KW - land use KW - spatial analysis KW - Stated and revealed preferences AB - Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are difficult to assess and are seldom considered by land managers. Geocaching, an outdoor game that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices to find hidden containers (geocaches) in certain locations, has been seldom used as a data source to assess CES. However, contrary to other crowdsourcing databases, geocaching allows to associate particular experiences to accurate locations. Furthermore, databases generated by geocachers provide an ideal case to compare revealed preferences (the frequency of visits to a specific geocache) with stated preferences (a posteriori evaluation of each location). We tested the relevance of geocaching databases as CES indicators using a dataset of 50 818 geocaches spread across continental Portugal, over eight land-use classes, with a focus on the montado (a high nature value farmland found in Southwestern Iberian Peninsula). We found that site visitation frequency was related with its availability, showing no revealed preference towards any land use. However, site evaluations by geocachers, measured either through the number of words describing the experience, the number of photos taken, or the number of votes for “favourite geocaches”, showed marked differences in their stated preferences, with higher appreciation for open land uses in general, and montado in particular, especially when compared to other forested landscapes. Our results may contribute to the design of regional development and land-use management policies of this threatened landscape, since they show the system’s strong potential as CES provider and, consequently, promoter of diversification of activities. VL - 99 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1470160X18309361 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Evaluating connectivity between Natura 2000 sites within the montado agroforestry system: a case study using landscape genetics of the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) JF - Landscape Ecology Y1 - 2014 A1 - Mullins, Jacinta A1 - Ascensão, Fernando A1 - Simões, Luciana A1 - Andrade, Leonardo A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida A1 - Fernandes, Carlos KW - Isolation-by-resistance KW - Landscape genetics KW - Population connectivity KW - Reciprocal causal modeling KW - Small mammal KW - UNICOR AB - Context The Natura 2000 network is the centerpiece of European nature conservation policy but its effectiveness is challenged by ongoing landscape change. Objective Our objective was to assess landscape connectivity between Natura 2000 sites in the biodiversity-rich western Mediterranean region. Methods We used the wood mouse as a focal species with short-range dispersal and obtained genetic data for 393 individuals uniformly distributed between two Natura 2000 sites in SW Portugal. We created a map of connectivity between the two sites that was based on a stack of analyses including reciprocal causal modeling and least-cost path modeling coupled with resistant kernel analysis. Results Wood mice in the study area were genetically diverse and connected by gene flow over a large area. We did not find evidence of major population subdivision in the study area. Gene flow was limited by geographic distance, with significant genetic similarity between individuals within 3 km of each other. Vegetation cover and land use explained more of the variation in genetic distance than geographic distance alone. In particular, agroforestry areas and transitional woodland were associated with higher costs to movement than forest or arable land uses. This result may have been influenced by the difficulty in classifying land use in the open montado. Conclusions The Natura 2000 sites we studied are well connected by multiple corridors for dispersal. Our analysis also highlighted the importance of the Serra de Graˆndola, part of the European Long Term Ecological Research Network but not yet included in Natura 2000. ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Acorn Selection by the Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus: A Semi-Controlled Experiment in a Mediterranean Environment. JF - Zoological science Y1 - 2013 A1 - Rosalino, Luís Miguel A1 - Nóbrega, Filomena A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida A1 - Teixeira, Generosa A1 - Rebelo, Rui KW - Oak trees KW - Q. rotundifolia KW - Q. suber KW - Quercus faginea KW - rodents KW - seed consumption KW - seed dispersal AB - Fruits are highly important food resources for mammals in Mediterranean Europe, and due to the dominance of oaks (Quercus sp.), acorns are among those used by a vast array of species, including rodents. The metabolic yield of acorn intake may determine a selection pattern: preference for fat, carbohydrate, and consequently energy-rich fruits; or avoidance of fruits containing high concentrations of secondary chemical compounds (e.g., tannic acid). We studied the acorn feeding selection pattern of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) inhabiting a mixed oak woodland, southwest Portugal, using an experiment conducted in an open-air enclosure. We tested which variables associated with the wood mouse (e.g., sex) and acorns (e.g., size and nutrient content) from three oak species (holm Q. rotundifolia, Portuguese Q. faginea and cork Q. suber oak) could be constraining acorn consumption. Our results indicate that wood mice are selecting acorns of the most common oak species (Q. suber), probably due to their previous familiarization with the fruit due to its dominance in the ecosystem but probably also because its chemical characteristics (sugar contents). Rodent gender and acorn morphology (width) are also influential, with females more prone to consume acorns with smaller width, probably due to handling limitation. This selective behaviour may have consequences for dispersion and natural regeneration of the different oak species. VL - 30 N1 - From Duplicate 1 ( ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Highway verges as habitat providers for small mammals in agrosilvopastoral environments JF - Biodiversity and Conservation Y1 - 2012 A1 - Ascensão, Fernando A1 - Clevenger, Anthony P. A1 - Grilo, Clara A1 - Filipe, Joel A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - Apodemus sylvaticus KW - Capture–mark–recapture KW - Crocidura russula KW - Iberia Peninsula KW - Mediterranean KW - Montado woodlands KW - Mus spretus KW - Road ecology AB - The Mediterranean Basin has an important conservation value given its high biodiversity and high number of endemic species, which have co-existed with human traditional practices for centuries. However, northern areas as the Iberian Peninsula have experienced intensification in livestock production in recent past, with consequent reduction in habitat quality. In this study we assessed the importance of fenced highway verges as habitat for small mammals in Mediterranean agrosilvopastoral landscapes. More specifically, we compared small mammal abundance between highway verges and the adjacent two main land uses (‘‘montado’’ and open areas); compared the vegetative structure among these land were captured: 157 wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), 95 western Mediterranean mice (Mus spretus) and 99 greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula). Capture–mark– recapture analyses were performed to estimate population size. Our data suggests that fenced highway verges promote better vegetative structure conditions which in turn favor a higher animal abundance therein. We suggest the adoption of management practices to increase the height and cover of herbaceous and shrub layers in road verges, together with creating grazing controlled areas in highway vicinity, particularly in ‘‘montado’’ patches, linked by vegetated linear features. This would increase habitat and refuge for a large numbers of species, including small mammals, and thus benefiting the trophic chain and the whole agrosilvopastoral system. uses; and addressed how vegetation structure influences species occupancy. Thirty-six sites were sampled in agrosilvopastoral system areas in southern Portugal (sampling effort 8,840 trap-nights). A total of 351 individuals from target species VL - 21 UR - http://www.springerlink.com/index/10.1007/s10531-012-0390-3http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10531-012-0390-3 IS - 14 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Selection of nest sites by wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus in a Mediterranean agro-forest landscape JF - Ecological Research Y1 - 2011 A1 - ROSALINO, LUIS M A1 - Ferreira, Dulce A1 - Leitão, Inês A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - Apodemus sylvaticus KW - Cork Oak Forest KW - Forest rodents KW - Management implications KW - Shelter AB - One of the most important structures for an individual’s survival is a refuge, especially for species subject to significant predatory pressure or living in environments affected by severe climatic conditions. We studied how wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), inhabiting a Mediterranean environment, use nests and the factors that could be determining this use. Radiotracking of 16 mice allowed us to detect 24 diurnal nests, which were used with a high fidelity rate (1.75 nests/ animal). Nest sites that had been identified using radiotracking were matched with 24 randomly selected nonnest sites (located within an area defined by the sum of all individual home ranges), and all sites were characterized according to their macro- and micro-habitat parameters. Using a generalized linear model, we tested three hypotheses: (1) a nest’s use is influenced by its proximity to food patches; (2) the degree of sheltering provided by each site influences its use; and (3) nest use is constrained by a combination of food- and shelterrelated features. Females had higher nest fidelity than males, and the degree of sheltering provided by each site had a positive significant influence on its use. Nests offering higher protection (e.g., under thick vegetation), good drainage (e.g., sleep slopes), and lower human and predatory disturbance (far from orchards) were most often used. The proximity to food patches seemed to negatively influence nest use. Results indicate the need to preserve patches of natural dense vegetation near riparian habitats, which is in agreement with the focus of mammalian protection plans in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes. These patches are important areas for Apodemus sylvaticus, an acorn disperser species, which is preyed on by raptors and mammalian carnivores. VL - 26 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Spatial–temporal patterns in Mediterranean carnivore road casualties: Consequences for mitigation JF - Biological Conservation Y1 - 2009 A1 - Grilo, Clara A1 - Bissonette, John a. A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - Meso-carnivores KW - Mitigation KW - Modeling KW - Road ecology KW - Road-kill patterns KW - ‘‘Montado’’ lands AB - Many carnivores have been seriously impacted by the expansion of transportation systems and networks; however we know little about carnivore response to the extent and magnitude of road mortality, or which age classes may be disproportionately impacted. Recent research has demonstrated that wildlife–vehicle-collisions (WVC) involving carnivores are modulated by temporal and spatial factors. Thus, we investigated road mortality on a guild of small and medium-sized carnivores in southern Portugal using road-kill data obtained from a systematic 36 months monitoring period along highways (260 km) and national roads (314 km) by addressing the following questions: (a) which species and age class are most vulnerable to WVC? (b) are there temporal and/or spatial patterns in roadkill? and (c) which life-history and/or spatial factors influence the likelihood of collisions? We recorded a total of 806 carnivore casualties, which represented an average of 47 ind./ 100 km/year. Red fox and stone marten had the highest mortality rates. Our findings highlight three key messages: (1) the majority of road-killed individuals were adults of common species; (2) all carnivores, except genets, were more vulnerable during specific life-history phenological periods: higher casualties were observed when red fox and stone marten were provisioning young, Eurasian badger casualties occurred more frequently during dispersal, and higher Egyptian mongoose mortality occurred during the breeding period; and (3) modeling demonstrated that favorable habitat, curves in the road, and low human disturbance were major contributors to the deadliest road segments. Red fox carcasses were more likely to be found on road sections with passages distant from urban areas. Conversely, stone marten mortalities were found more often on national roads with high of cork oak woodland cover; Egyptian mongoose and genet road-kills were found more often on road segments close to curves. Based on our results, two key mitigation measures should help to reduce WVC in Portugal. The first involves the improvement of existing crossings with buried and small mesh size fence to guide the individuals towards to the passages, in road segments with high traffic volume (>1200 vehicles/night) and located in preferred carnivore habitats. The second mitigation involves cutting or removal of dense vegetation in verges of road segments with curves to aid motorists in seeing animals about to cross. PB - Elsevier Ltd VL - 142 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Eurasian badger habitat selection in Mediterranean environments: Does scale really matter? JF - Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde Y1 - 2008 A1 - Rosalino, L. M. A1 - Santos, Maria J. A1 - Beier, P. A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - landscape ecology KW - meles meles KW - montado KW - Portugal AB - It is widely believed that spatial scale affects habitat selection, and should influence management options, especially for species with wide geographic distribution or large territories. Eurasian badger habitat selection has been well studied throughout most of its European distribution range, but never at multiple spatial scales. We used compositional analysis to assess habitat selection of Eurasian badgers in southern Portugal at four spatial scales (1, 4, 25, and 100 km 2 ). We assessed habitat use from setts, latrines and footprints presence, and road kills. Oak woodlands with understorey were selected at all scales, being the most preferred habitat at 3 scales (1, 4, and 100 km 2 ). Pastures were most selected at the scale of the 25 km 2 cell, but their use was not significantly different from oak woodland with understorey. Shrubs and pastures were also secondly important at the majority of scales. Contrary to findings at northern latitudes, deciduous forests decreased in importance as cell size increased. In the highly humanized and fragmented landscape of southern Portugal, Eurasian badgers are selecting the matrix of oak woodlands interspersed with patches of pastures, shrubs and riparian vegetation. In these oak woodlands, scale does not have a marked effect. Management for badgers should provide, for at least, 30% of oak woodland cover at all scales. Our study illustrates the across-scale importance of maintaining the historically human altered, sustainable and unique landscape and land use system – the montado. VL - 73 UR - http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1616504707000663 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Eurasian badger habitat selection in Mediterranean environments: Does scale really matter? JF - Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde Y1 - 2008 A1 - Rosalino, L M A1 - Santos, Maria J A1 - Beier, P A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - landscape ecology KW - meles meles KW - montado KW - Portugal AB - It is widely believed that spatial scale affects habitat selection, and should influence management options, especially for species with wide geographic distribution or large territories. Eurasian badger habitat selection has been well studied throughout most of its European distribution range, but never at multiple spatial scales. We used compositional analysis to assess habitat selection of Eurasian badgers in southern Portugal at four spatial scales (1, 4, 25, and 100 km 2 ). We assessed habitat use from setts, latrines and footprints presence, and road kills. Oak woodlands with understorey were selected at all scales, being the most preferred habitat at 3 scales (1, 4, and 100 km 2 ). Pastures were most selected at the scale of the 25 km 2 cell, but their use was not significantly different from oak woodland with understorey. Shrubs and pastures were also secondly important at the majority of scales. Contrary to findings at northern latitudes, deciduous forests decreased in importance as cell size increased. In the highly humanized and fragmented landscape of southern Portugal, Eurasian badgers are selecting the matrix of oak woodlands interspersed with patches of pastures, shrubs and riparian vegetation. In these oak woodlands, scale does not have a marked effect. Management for badgers should provide, for at least, 30% of oak woodland cover at all scales. Our study illustrates the across-scale importance of maintaining the historically human altered, sustainable and unique landscape and land use system – the montado. VL - 73 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Predator abundance in relation to small game management in southern Portugal: conservation implications JF - European Journal of Wildlife Research Y1 - 2008 A1 - Beja, Pedro A1 - Gordinho, Luís A1 - Reino, Luís A1 - Loureiro, Filipa A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida A1 - Borralho, Rui KW - birds of prey KW - carnivores KW - conservation conflict KW - hunting KW - predator control AB - The interaction between hunting interests and legally protected predators is often a contentious conservation problem, requiring detailed understanding of predator responses to game management. This issue was addressed in southern Portugal in a treatment-control natural experiment, whereby the abundances of small game, corvids, birds of prey and carnivores were compared in 12 game estates (>500 ha) and 12 matching areas with similar sizes and land uses but no gamemanagement. European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) and, less so, red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) were far more numerous in game estates than elsewhere. Among legally controlled species, there were less Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius) but more red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in game estates, though the latter were primary targets of predator culling. Fox abundance within game estates varied inversely with an index of management intensity (density of small game feeding sites) and increased along with hare abundance. As for protected species, only common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and genets (Genetta genetta) were fewer in game estates. The abundance of raptors within game estates varied inversely with gamekeeper density, whereas that of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) increased along with rabbit abundance. Overall, there was little evidence that game management reduced local predator abundances, except in the most intensively managed estates. Game estates provided concentrations of prey that was scarce elsewhere, which may have favoured increased abundances of some predators. Further investigations are needed to find out whether high prey densities may attract predators to game estates with increased mortality risk, which may thus become population sinks for protected species. VL - 55 UR - http://www.springerlink.com/index/10.1007/s10344-008-0236-1 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Predator abundance in relation to small game management in southern Portugal: conservation implications JF - European Journal of Wildlife Research Y1 - 2008 A1 - Beja, Pedro A1 - Gordinho, Luís A1 - Reino, Luís A1 - Loureiro, Filipa A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida A1 - Borralho, Rui KW - birds of prey KW - carnivores KW - conservation conflict KW - hunting KW - predator control AB - The interaction between hunting interests and legally protected predators is often a contentious conservation problem, requiring detailed understanding of predator responses to game management. This issue was addressed in southern Portugal in a treatment-control natural experiment, whereby the abundances of small game, corvids, birds of prey and carnivores were compared in 12 game estates (>500 ha) and 12 matching areas with similar sizes and land uses but no gamemanagement. European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) and, less so, red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) were far more numerous in game estates than elsewhere. Among legally controlled species, there were less Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius) but more red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in game estates, though the latter were primary targets of predator culling. Fox abundance within game estates varied inversely with an index of management intensity (density of small game feeding sites) and increased along with hare abundance. As for protected species, only common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and genets (Genetta genetta) were fewer in game estates. The abundance of raptors within game estates varied inversely with gamekeeper density, whereas that of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) increased along with rabbit abundance. Overall, there was little evidence that game management reduced local predator abundances, except in the most intensively managed estates. Game estates provided concentrations of prey that was scarce elsewhere, which may have favoured increased abundances of some predators. Further investigations are needed to find out whether high prey densities may attract predators to game estates with increased mortality risk, which may thus become population sinks for protected species. VL - 55 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Factors affecting the placement of common genet latrine sites in a Mediterranean landscape in Portugal JF - Journal of mammalogy Y1 - 2007 A1 - Espírito-Santo, C A1 - ROSALINO, LUIS M A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - common genets KW - genetta genetta KW - latrines KW - mediterranean landscape KW - Portugal KW - scent marking AB - In addition to the role of latrine sites as areas for deposition of feces, they may play roles in territoriality, sexual attraction, warning and defense behaviors, and regulation of physiological functions. Several carnivores, such as the common genet (Genetta genetta) use latrines as stations for scent communication. We describe the factors influencing the placement and use of latrine sites by a Mediterranean population of common genets inhabiting cork oak woodlands in southwestern Portugal. Using logistical regression analysis, we found a higher probability of finding latrines in areas with high understory height and diversity of landscape units, low human disturbance and accessibility, and proximity to potential refuges and other latrines. An exploratory univariate analysis showed that latrines were located primarily in conspicuously high features within the landscape such as in old-growth cork oak trees. Their use was associated with low human disturbance, inaccessibility, and high understory cover. Our results suggest that forest managers should preserve some old trees in oak woodlands, because these trees have a fundamental role in scent communication among genets (latrines), as well as serve as resting sites. VL - 88 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Factors affecting the placement of common genet latrine sites in a Mediterranean landscape in Portugal JF - Journal of mammalogy Y1 - 2007 A1 - Espírito-Santo, C. A1 - ROSALINO, LUIS M. A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - common genets KW - genetta genetta KW - latrines KW - mediterranean landscape KW - Portugal KW - scent marking AB - In addition to the role of latrine sites as areas for deposition of feces, they may play roles in territoriality, sexual attraction, warning and defense behaviors, and regulation of physiological functions. Several carnivores, such as the common genet (Genetta genetta) use latrines as stations for scent communication. We describe the factors influencing the placement and use of latrine sites by a Mediterranean population of common genets inhabiting cork oak woodlands in southwestern Portugal. Using logistical regression analysis, we found a higher probability of finding latrines in areas with high understory height and diversity of landscape units, low human disturbance and accessibility, and proximity to potential refuges and other latrines. An exploratory univariate analysis showed that latrines were located primarily in conspicuously high features within the landscape such as in old-growth cork oak trees. Their use was associated with low human disturbance, inaccessibility, and high understory cover. Our results suggest that forest managers should preserve some old trees in oak woodlands, because these trees have a fundamental role in scent communication among genets (latrines), as well as serve as resting sites. VL - 88 UR - http://www.asmjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1644/05-MAMM-A-343R3.1 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - A survey of helminth infection in Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in relation to their foraging behaviour in a Mediterranean environment in southwest Portugal JF - European Journal of Wildlife Research Y1 - 2006 A1 - Rosalino, Luís Miguel A1 - Torres, Jordi A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - cork oak woodlands KW - diet KW - endoparasites KW - helminths KW - meles meles KW - Portugal AB - This study provides the first data on the helminth fauna of the Eurasian badger in the southwestern edge of its range (Grândola Mountain, Portugal) and interprets the results in relation to badger diet and feeding behaviour. By examination of 163 badger faecal samples, faecal developmental stages (eliminative forms) of four helminth species and one genus were identified: one cestode (Atriotaenia incisa) and four nematodes (Mastophorus muris, Molineus patens, Uncinaria criniformis and Strongyloides sp.). The overall prevalence of parasites was 62%, with limited seasonal variation. Single parasite excretions were dominant and Strongyloides sp. excretion was the most common. Diet assessment based on 450 faecal samples revealed that badgers consumed mainly insects and fruits. No correlation was detected between helminth prevalence and diet. Apparently, diet (mainly insects) and feeding behaviour (fossorial), together with the species’ social behaviour (anal scent marking of group members), facilitate the infection with helminths. The helminth fauna of Eurasian badgers in Grândola Mountain has isolationist characteristics, apparently indicating low host colonisation. VL - 52 UR - http://www.springerlink.com/index/10.1007/s10344-006-0033-7 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Spatial structure and land-cover use in a low-density Mediterranean population of Eurasian badgers JF - Canadian Journal of Zoology Y1 - 2004 A1 - Rosalino, Luís Miguel A1 - Macdonald, David White A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - cork oak woodland KW - eurasian badgers KW - habitat selection KW - resource dispersion hypothesis (PG) KW - spatial structure AB - Eurasian badgers, Meles meles (L., 1758), have an extensive geographic range throughout which their social organization varies. Their capacity for intraspecific variation can now best be understood by studying them in landscapes that differ from the lush, lowland farmland where their tendency to form large groups has been most intensively investigated. Badgers in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) woodland are thus a priority for study, as this Mediterranean landscape provides an extreme contrast to those studied elsewhere. In this habitat in Portugal, we found 0.36–0.48 badgers/km2, one of the lowest population densities recorded in Western Europe. Here, individuals used seasonally stable home ranges that averaged 4.46 km2 and that were occupied by 3–4 adults plus 3–4 cubs of the year. In this landscape, badgers selectively used cork oak woodland with understory and riparian vegetation. As predicted by the resource dispersion hypothesis, home-range size was positively correlated with food-patch dispersion. In southwestern Portugal, badgers depend upon an environmental mosaic such as olive groves and orchards and vegetable gardens for food and cork oak woodlands for shelter and protection. VL - 82 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z04-130 IS - 9 N1 - doi: 10.1139/z04-130doi: 10.1139/z04-130The following values have no corresponding Zotero field:
publisher: NRC Research Press ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Spatial structure and land-cover use in a low-density Mediterranean population of Eurasian badgers JF - Canadian Journal of Zoology Y1 - 2004 A1 - Rosalino, Luís Miguel A1 - Macdonald, David White A1 - Santos-Reis, Margarida KW - cork oak woodland KW - eurasian badgers KW - habitat selection KW - resource dispersion hypothesis (PG) KW - spatial structure AB - Eurasian badgers, Meles meles (L., 1758), have an extensive geographic range throughout which their social organization varies. Their capacity for intraspecific variation can now best be understood by studying them in landscapes that differ from the lush, lowland farmland where their tendency to form large groups has been most intensively investigated. Badgers in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) woodland are thus a priority for study, as this Mediterranean landscape provides an extreme contrast to those studied elsewhere. In this habitat in Portugal, we found 0.36–0.48 badgers/km2, one of the lowest population densities recorded in Western Europe. Here, individuals used seasonally stable home ranges that averaged 4.46 km2 and that were occupied by 3–4 adults plus 3–4 cubs of the year. In this landscape, badgers selectively used cork oak woodland with understory and riparian vegetation. As predicted by the resource dispersion hypothesis, home-range size was positively correlated with food-patch dispersion. In southwestern Portugal, badgers depend upon an environmental mosaic such as olive groves and orchards and vegetable gardens for food and cork oak woodlands for shelter and protection. PB - NRC Research Press VL - 82 N1 - doi: 10.1139/z04-130 ER -