<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><xml><records><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Lara-Romero, C</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Virgos, E</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Escribano-Ávila, G</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mangas, J G</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Barja, I</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pardavila, X</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Habitat selection by European badgers in Mediterranean semi-arid ecosystems</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of Arid Environments</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">AIC</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Arid environments</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Fruit orchards</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Latrine</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Low density</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">meles meles</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2012</style></year></dates><publisher><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Elsevier Ltd</style></publisher><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">76</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">43-48</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">We studied the habitat selection patterns of badgers Meles meles (Linnaeus, 1758) in Mediterranean semiarid ecosystems. Fifty-seven plots were sampled in two semi-arid regions of Spain. In each plot, badger latrines were located along 2.6 km transects. The number of badger latrines per km was used as a surrogate of badger abundance and as an index of habitat selection by badgers. For each plot, a series of environmental variables were measured at two spatial scales. These variables were related to land use and vegetation formation parameters that are considered potentially important for habitat requirements (i.e., food and shelter). The habitat selection model was carried out using generalised linear models (GLM) and an information-theoretic approach. Results indicated that badgers prefer fruit orchards, and shrub and rock-covered areas, which provide additional trophic and shelter resources, and avoid intensively cultivated ﬁelds and human settlements. We conclude that badger conservation in semi-arid environments of the Iberian Peninsula requires the existence of fruit orchards and the limitation of human development. Policies restraining agriculture intensiﬁcation would encourage traditional or new non-intensive agricultural practices and increase shrub-patch availability, which would beneﬁt this species.</style></abstract></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Padilla, Francisco M</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Miranda, Juan de Dios</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Ortega, Rafael</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Hervás, Manuel</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Sánchez, Joaquín</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pugnaire, Francisco I</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Does shelter enhance early seedling survival in dry environments? A test with eight Mediterranean species</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Applied Vegetation Science</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Arid environments</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Drought</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Forest restoration</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">tree shelters</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">woody seedlings</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2011</style></year></dates><publisher><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Blackwell Publishing Ltd</style></publisher><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">14</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">31-39</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Question: Do solid-walled polyethylene tubes and mesh fabric tubes improve the short-term survival of eight Mediterranean tree and shrub species often used in the restoration of arid environments? Location: We conducted two experimental plantations in degraded field sites in the province of Almería (SE Spain), under arid Mediterranean conditions. Methods: One-year-old seedlings of Ceratonia siliqua, Juniperus phoenicea, Olea europaea, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster, Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex and Tetraclinis articulata were planted either sheltered by one of the above shelter tubes, or by being left unsheltered. Survival was recorded the first growing season after planting, which was a very dry season. Results: Overall, seedling survival ranged from as little as 0% to 24%, and tree shelters consistently enhanced survival in Quercus species only, ranging from 16% in walled shelters to 8% in mesh shelters. Shelters failed to boost survival in the six remaining species. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that both walled and mesh shelters were mostly ineffective at increasing seedling survival for the Mediterranean species used in this experiment; these species coincide with those used in restoration programs. The use of shelters in restoration programs conducted in arid environments should be reconsidered, while walled shelters might be advisable for Mediterranean Quercus species only. Further research is necessary to develop and assess improved types of shelters for arid environments.</style></abstract></record></records></xml>