Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Analyis Of Predator Movement In Prairie Landscapes With Contrasting Grassland Composition, Michael L. Phillips, William R. Clark, Sarah M. Nusser, Marsha A. Sovada, Raymond J. Greenwood

USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Mammalian predation influences waterfowl breeding success in the U.S. northern Great Plains, yet little is known about the influence of the landscape on the ability of predators to find waterfowl nests. We used radiotelemetry to record nightly movements of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in two 41.4-km² study areas in North Dakota. Study areas contained either 15–20% grassland (low grassland composition) or 45–55% grassland (high grassland composition). Grasslands included planted cover, pastureland, and hayland. We predicted that the type and composition of cover types in the landscape would influence both predator …