RETRACTED ARTICLE: Changes in management shape the spatial ecology of wild ponies in relation to habitat conservation

• DOI: 10.1007/s10531-022-02504-8
• Publication Date: 2022-11-24T18:20:11Z
• Authors: Laura Lagos; Jaime Fagúndez
• Keywords: Short rotation coppice; Fencing; Keystone species

Abstract Large herbivores are key regulators of open habitats across the world. Free roaming ponies have a prominent ecological role in many Atlantic landscapes, where different with conservation interest linked to ponies’ occurrence. The traditional management wild ponies, which implies minimum human intervention, is declining Galicia, NW Spain. Changes regimes include confinement fenced areas, use improved pastures (IPs) and rotation between fields. Indirect effects these changes expected on condition important for such as dry wet heathlands bogs. We studied social structure, spatial ecology habitat 29 mares fitted global positioning system (GPS) collars field observations two areas Galicia dominated by heaths blanket bogs (Xistral), (Sabucedo). used location identify each band, calculated band size, sex ratio, home range (HR) core size overlap, use. addressed differences adjusted Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) variables functions type management: free vs rotation, IPs, fencing, available ranging area. Larger bands were found smaller commons, management. Home ranges, but not area, varied function Bands overlap more Increasing may concentrate grazing pressure reducing HR increasing overlapping this long-term effect quality conservation.