Habitat choice for narrowly distributed species: Multiple spatial scales of habitat selection for the Mangshan pit viper

Abstract

Understanding habitat demand is key to in situ fauna conservation. While there is increasing evidence of the importance of habitat selection research at multiple spatial scales, snake habitat research has typically neglected the rationality of selecting the size of each spatial scale and quantitative research at the macro scale. The Mangshan pit viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis) is a national first-class key protected species in China with a very narrow geographical distribution. Its habitat needs at multiple spatial scales have not yet been explored. Between 2016 and 2021, we studied the second order, third order, and fourth order of habitat selection of P. mangshanensis. The selection of macro (second order, third order) spatial scales refers to the size of the pit viper’s home range. For second order of habitat selection, P. mangshanensis selected areas with high average tree height (> 12 m), it avoiding areas with a high proportion of coniferous forest ( 52 m). At the fourth order of habitat selection, it chose fallen logs (> 22%) and vegetative coverage, such as shrubs (> 30%) and herbs (> 18%). The multiple spatial scale analysis reveals the relationship between P. mangshanensis and its habitat and demonstrates that more attention should be paid to habitat protection at different spatial scales.

Keywords

• Protobothrops mangshanensis
• Habitat selection
• Multiple spatial scales
• Conservation