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BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH
Wildcat occurrence in Scotland: food really matters
Article first published online: 9 NOV 2012
DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12018
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Additional Information
How to Cite
Silva, A. P., Kilshaw, K., Johnson, P. J., Macdonald, D. W., Rosalino, L. M. (2013), Wildcat occurrence in Scotland: food really matters. Diversity and Distributions, 19: 232–243. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12018
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 JAN 2013
- Article first published online: 9 NOV 2012
Keywords:
- Broad-scale distribution;
- ecological determinants;
- Felis silvestris silvestris ;
- prey presence;
- Scotland;
- wildcat conservation
Abstract
Aim
European wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris (Schreber, 1775) populations are suffering considerable threats, making conservation action a priority. In Scotland, the establishment of Special Areas of Wildcat Conservation (SAWC) have been recommended; however, few studies have addressed wildcat ecological requirements in this region. Our goal was to identify the environmental determinants limiting wildcat occurrence at a broad scale in Scotland.
Location
Scotland, Europe.
Methods
We examined data from the recent Scottish wildcat survey (2006–2008) and the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway. Presence and pseudo-absence data from 71 sampling units (10 km × 10 km) were used to generate models explaining probable wildcat occurrence. Models were built based on three pre-established hypotheses using generalized linear models (GLM-Logit).
Results
European rabbit presence, high rodent diversity and the prevalence of large grassland areas were positively associated with probable wildcat occurrence. Heather moorland, sampling units with few grassland patches or secondary watercourses and higher elevation ranges were associated with probable wildcat absence. We found no evidence that forested areas or human disturbance were influential.
Main conclusions
Our results suggest that wildcats may benefit from heterogeneity within the landscape matrix, reinforcing the idea that the wildcat is not primarily a forest species (as has traditionally been inferred from studies of the species elsewhere). We conclude that less mountainous areas, with a diverse landscape including woodland and grassland supporting rabbits and a diversity of small rodents are a priority for wildcat conservation efforts.