| We analyzed habitat use of red fox based on track examination,line transect,and plot sampling methods within the Ningxia Helan Mountain area from June 2015 to May 2016.We use the K-S test and the Mann-whitey U test to analysis red fox habitat facctors.The result showed that red fox preferred the fluctuated slope and rock pile or collapse of the slope,dominant trees such as Ulmus glaucescens,Ziziphus jujuba,Picea crassifolia or mixed areas.Red fox preferred to choose gentle slope with sunshine,high density of trees,high height trees and far away from shrubs in spring.This study found that red fox preferred to choose Ulmus glaucescens,Ziziphus jujuba,Picea crassifolia or the staggered area with Ziziphus jujuba and Picea crassifolia.Red fox preferred to choose trees or high hiding shrub area in summer.In fall red fox appeared in shrub area and Ulmus glaucescens area.We often found fox feces closer to human activities.Red fox also preferred to choose low elevation,fluctuated slope.In winter red fox preferred to choose low-density grassland,tall shrubs to provide a good hiding place,where was usually away from bare rock.Habitat factors,including distance to shrub,distance to tree and tree height,have significant effects on red fox in spring.Tree density,distance to tree,tree height,altitude and the height of shrubs,have significant effects on red fox in summer.Habitat factors,including shrub height,tree height,altitude and human disturbance have significant effects to red fox in autumn.Distance to rock,tree and shrub,tree density and shrub height,have significant effects to red fox in winter.A similar result on habitat selection of red fox was found during spring and summer,which red fox preferred to choose the distance near trees and shrubs.Compared with spring habitat,red fox preferred to choose high hiding cover in autumn.Compared with spring habitat,red fox preferred closer to shrub,far away from the human activities and bare rock in winter.Compared with the habitat in summer,red fox preferred to choose dwarf-shrubs,avoid trees,high hiding cover and high altitude during autumn.In winter red fox preferred to choose low tree density,low tree height,high altitude and far from the bare rock.Compared with the winter habitat,red fox preferred to choose low density of tree,far from the high tree,high altitude,far from the human activity area,and low hiding cover.The diameter of the fox hole is 30.34(± 2.652)cm.The depth of the first hole is 50.34(± 18.258)cm,and the depth of the straight hole is 66.50(± 26.852)cm.The depth of the cave is 117.0(± 38.938)cm,and the average inclination of the hole is 24.57(± 9.573)°. |
