Effect of competition and landscape characteristics on mesocarnivore cohabitation in badger setts

• DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12529
• Publication Date: 2017-12-29T11:03:00Z
• Authors: E. Tammeleht; M. Kuuspu
• Keywords: Meles; Mustelidae; Occupancy

Abstract Mesocarnivores are becoming increasingly influential in ecosystems due to the ongoing loss of large carnivores. However, interactions within mesocarnivore communities remain poorly understood. We studied how competitive coexistence influences cohabitation badgers ( Meles meles ) with other European mesocarnivores, and badger habitat selection at sett site environ scales (within a 700 m radius buffer). used data on location use 234 setts 39 000 km 2 area mainland Estonia (Northern Europe) assess importance occupancy by badgers, regional abundance mesocarnivores (fox/raccoon dog), bedrock complex landscape explaining presence setts. also compared from observed random locations study selection. Setts where foxes or raccoon dogs were present had lower proportion active entrances more likely be found forests agricultural areas, these species absent. Sett tended occur frequently older meso‐ eutrophic sandy soils. Badgers avoid human infrastructure when selecting locations. Our results reveal influence fragmentation relationships between terrestrial