Presence of pastoral fields in mountain landscapes influences prey consumption by European wildcats. (17th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruiz‐Villar, H.; Urra, F.; Jubete, F.; Morales‐González, A.; Adrados, B.; Revilla, E.; Rivilla, J. C.; Román, J.; Seijas, J.; López‐Bao, J. V.; Palomares, F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of zoology. Volume 319:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2022-10-17
• Subjects: Arvicola -- feeding ecology -- Felis silvestris -- human activities -- landscape structure -- agricultural practices -- pastoral fields -- European wildcat; Zoology -- Periodicals; Zoologie -- Périodiques; 590.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-8369

Abstract

Abstract: Traditional agro‐pastoral practices are more beneficial for biodiversity than intensified agricultural systems. Promotion of the growth of natural herbaceous vegetation in pastoral fields can enhance rodent populations and consequently influence ecological aspects of carnivores with rodent‐based diets, like prey consumption in the European wildcat ( Felis silvestris ). In this article, we investigated the effects of pastoral field extent, season and prey abundance on wildcat consumption of several prey species in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). Prey consumption in areas with presence of pastoral fields (even in low proportions) was dominated by profitable field‐dwelling rodent species such as Arvicola monticola . Consumption of Arvicola was not correlated with its abundance and was higher during summer and autumn. Apodemus dominated the wildcat diet in areas with higher forest proportion and far from pastoral fields, particularly during spring. Our results suggest that varying habitat use and seasonal changes in prey accessibility may determine wildcat prey consumption in pastoral landscapes. Our results can contribute to highlight the potential benefits of traditional and sustainable pastoral activities for the conservation of the European wildcat across its distribution range. Abstract : Promotion of growth of natural herbaceous vegetation in pastoral fields can enhance rodent populations and consequently influence ecological aspects of carnivores with rodent‐based diets, like prey consumption in the European wildcat ( Felis silvestris ). Prey consumption in areas with presence of pastoral fields (even in low proportions) was dominated by profitable field‐dwelling rodent species such as Arvicola monticola particularly during summer and autumn, whereas Apodemus dominated wildcat diet in areas with higher forest proportion and far from pastoral fields particularly during spring. Our results suggest that varying habitat use and seasonal changes in prey accessibility may determine wildcat prey consumption in pastoral landscapes and can contribute to highlight the potential benefits of traditional and sustainable pastoral activities for the conservation of the European wildcat across its distribution range.