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<p>Although linear woody elements such as biocorridors are widely recognized for their role in facilitating wildlife movement across fragmented landscapes, to our knowledge, no published study has specifically examined interspecific interactions among sympatric ungulates within these linear habitats. Using camera trap data, we investigated the spatiotemporal use of biocorridors by three sympatric ungulate species – roe deer (<i>Capreolus capreolus</i>), fallow deer (<i>Dama dama</i>), and wild boar (<i>Sus scrofa</i>) – in relation to biocorridor structure, landscape context (adjacent pastures vs. fields), and season. We collected camera-traps images for a total of 56,461 active camera-days across biocorridors. We recorded 19,412 independent events of roe deer, 3,828 of fallow deer and 804 of wild boar.</p><p>All species showed clear diel activity patterns, with roe and fallow deer exhibiting bimodal (crepuscular) and wild boar predominantly nocturnal activity. These patterns were more pronounced during the summer season and became less distinct in winter. All studied ungulates preferred structurally complex corridors with dense canopy cover. Accordingly, canopy shading was the only biocorridor characteristic that significantly influenced ungulate activity, whereas habitat size, shape, and vegetation composition parameters had no significant effect. Wild boar detection rate remained overall low, likely due to their reliance on open fields and crops. Notably, the temporal activity of roe deer shifted in the presence of fallow deer, suggesting temporal displacement consistent with competitive interactions: roe deer activity differed mainly in the magnitude and concentration of nocturnal patterns depending on fallow deer presence. Our findings underscore the functional importance of biocorridors beyond connectivity, highlighting their role as foraging grounds, shelter, and sites of interspecific interactions. Maintaining and enhancing woody linear elements in agricultural landscapes can support ungulate biodiversity and should be considered in landscape and wildlife management strategies.</p>

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More than movement routes: the role of biocorridors for feeding, shelter, and niche partitioning of wild ungulates

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月30日

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  • Markéta Divišová,
  • Josef Suchomel,
  • Denisa Dvořáková,
  • Jan Šipoš

摘要

Although linear woody elements such as biocorridors are widely recognized for their role in facilitating wildlife movement across fragmented landscapes, to our knowledge, no published study has specifically examined interspecific interactions among sympatric ungulates within these linear habitats. Using camera trap data, we investigated the spatiotemporal use of biocorridors by three sympatric ungulate species – roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) – in relation to biocorridor structure, landscape context (adjacent pastures vs. fields), and season. We collected camera-traps images for a total of 56,461 active camera-days across biocorridors. We recorded 19,412 independent events of roe deer, 3,828 of fallow deer and 804 of wild boar.

All species showed clear diel activity patterns, with roe and fallow deer exhibiting bimodal (crepuscular) and wild boar predominantly nocturnal activity. These patterns were more pronounced during the summer season and became less distinct in winter. All studied ungulates preferred structurally complex corridors with dense canopy cover. Accordingly, canopy shading was the only biocorridor characteristic that significantly influenced ungulate activity, whereas habitat size, shape, and vegetation composition parameters had no significant effect. Wild boar detection rate remained overall low, likely due to their reliance on open fields and crops. Notably, the temporal activity of roe deer shifted in the presence of fallow deer, suggesting temporal displacement consistent with competitive interactions: roe deer activity differed mainly in the magnitude and concentration of nocturnal patterns depending on fallow deer presence. Our findings underscore the functional importance of biocorridors beyond connectivity, highlighting their role as foraging grounds, shelter, and sites of interspecific interactions. Maintaining and enhancing woody linear elements in agricultural landscapes can support ungulate biodiversity and should be considered in landscape and wildlife management strategies.