| dc.description.abstract | Previous studies have demonstrated the profound impact of cultural landscape and human activities on wildlife. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), known for their adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits, exhibit highly versatile behavior in fragmented environments. By living in human-dominated habitats, foxes are able to exploit a variety of anthropogenic resources. Due to their predominant nocturnal activity pattern and elusive behavior studying how foxes move in the landscape presents significant challenges. This study aims to explore the intricate relationship between farms in the cultural landscape and the spatiotemporal behavior of the red fox using GPS technology. Data from 34 GPS-collared foxes were analyzed. The GPS device recorded periodic bursts of positional data with intervals of 10 to 15 seconds between each location, providing detailed insight into the foxes’ movements. To investigate how foxes select for or against proximity to farms within their home range depending on different environmental covariates, a resource select function was applied. The results revealed significant variation in selection towards farms, influenced by diel period and cover. When cover, such as trees or dense vegetation, is present, foxes exhibit a higher probability of coming into close proximity to farms. This selection is likely driven by the dual benefit of cover and exploitation of anthropogenic resources provided by farms. The availability of cover close to farms may increase their willingness to approach and interact with such features as it reduces the risk of coming into direct contact with humans. By strategically adjusting their behavior both temporally and spatially near farms, red foxes optimize their foraging strategy while also assessing the risk posed by human presence. These finding highlight the remarkable adaptability of red foxes’ navigation through a highly fragmented landscape | |
