Bechstein’s bat, Myotis bechsteinii is a European tree-dwelling vespertilionid bat species, which has to be considered as index species for old growth broadleaved woodland. However factors affecting density and habitat selection are still poorly understood. Therefore 22 representative woodland areas in Luxembourg that are located in the central geographic range of the Bechstein`s bat, were analysed. During 76 nights, forest dwelling bats were registered by intensive mist netting, 47 Bechstein bats were radio-tracked to identify tree-roosts and 24 individuals were radio-tracked on 3-5 consecutive nights to determine their foraging areas. In total 14 reproduction areas and 12 nursery colonies were localized, with the number of females ranging between 20–70 individuals (mean 34 ± 18.1 ind.). The distribution of Bechstein’s bat revealed to be uneven and to be significantly positively correlated to mean temperature and the presence of Melico-Fagetum forest with a marked amount of old oak trees. Nevertheless the height, the mean precipitation and the occurrence of Luzulo-Fagetum forest is negatively correlated to the occurrence of M. bechsteinii. Altogether, 78 tree-roosts from nursery colonies were identified. Colonies use a day-roost complex and show a significant preference for woodpecker holes. Female Bechstein’s bats foraged on a mean area of 46 ha (MCP) with small core feeding areas (mean: 2.1 ha) which show no, or only a small overlap with each other. Roosting and feeding sites are characterised by canopy and understorey structures similar to native woodlands. The results of this study leads to a scientific data base for conservation and long time monitoring for this bat species.
Habitat use and selection of 14 Alpine ibex males were studied in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Alpine meadows were always overused and positively selected, because this habitat constituted an important food resource for the ibex. Even if rocks (30%) and stone ravines (22%) were the most frequented habitats in the study area, their use was lower than their availability because they offered few trophic resources. Pastures were used only in spring when the ibexes were looking for those sites just free from snow and with fresh vegetation. Stone ravines, where the ibexes rested in the hottest days, were most used in summer. Rocks were most used in winter: rock-faces are the only sites where the risk of avalanches is low and where it is still possible to find snow-free patches. Larch woods were especially used in winter and spring when it was still possible to find snow-free patches. The home range sizes proved to be influenced by the amount of Alpine meadows and rocks.
One of the most compelling challenges for conservation biologists is the preservation of species with restricted ranges. Carabus olympiae Sella, 1855, a ground beetle species inhabiting two small areas in the western Italian Alps, is an example of a steno-endemic and endangered insect species. Despite the fact that this species is historically well known to professional and amateur entomologists, its autecology is virtually unknown. In the present study we used pitfall traps to study habitat selection and phenology, and radiotelemetry to measure differences in movement parameters between sexes, habitats and periods. Data from pitfall trapping suggested that C. olympiae actively selects both shrubberies (alpen rose Rhododendron ferrugineum and bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus) and beech forests and avoids pastures, and that population size peaks in July. All radio-tagged individuals (n = 21) moved without a preferred direction, and were more active at night than by day. Males covered greater distances and had more tortuous trajectories than females. Distances covered in forests and alpen rose shrubberies were not significantly different, but paths in beech forests were more convoluted than in shrubberies. The movement pattern observed fits the requirements of a typical "olfactory-tactile" insect predator that looks for prey by systematically exploring its territory. Movement parameters suggested that both beech forests and alpen rose shrubberies are suitable for this species and indicated that the spatial distribution of shrubs in shrubberies can constrain trajectories. The implications for conservation are: (i) any human intervention which results in enlargement of the present coverage of pastures should be controlled; (ii) forest management may be tolerated, with the condition that alpen rose shrubberies remain or develop after tree-cutting; (iii) once a shrubbery has established, it should be preserved through appropriate management.