Table 2 Expected relevance of explanatory variables/their first-order interaction terms for fine-scale habitat selection in Alpine chamois, and reason for their inclusion in the full models for summer and winter, respectively
From: Weather-dependent changes in habitat use by Alpine chamois
Explanatory variable | Reason for inclusion | Model: relevant for chamois? |
|---|---|---|
Eastness | Thermoregulation: earlier sunrise on easterly slopes to warm up after cold winter nights [68, 69] | Yes |
Precipitation:elevation | Shelter: animals are more exposed to extreme weather conditions at high elevations | Yes |
Precipitation:slope | Safety: (a) steep slopes as refuge from predators at times of poor visual and acoustic detectability in rainy conditions. On the other hand: (b) higher danger of slipping in steep terrain when wet | No (summer); yes (winter) No |
Precipitation:tcd | Shelter: trees provide some protection from precipitation [26, 30] | No (summer); yes (winter) |
Temperature:elevation | Thermoregulation: cooler temperatures with increasing elevation and exposure to wind along ridges [10, 22, 41] | No |
Temperature:tcd | Thermoregulation: shade during high temperatures and some protection from cold temperatures by trees [17, 30, 74] | Yes |
Temperature:northness | Thermoregulation: northerly slopes provide cooler habitat than southerly slopes [10] | Yes |
Wind:elevation | Shelter: less exposure to wind at low elevations | Yes |
Wind:slope | Safety: steep slopes as refuge from predators at times of poor acoustic detectability in windy conditions. On the other hand: higher danger of being blown off cliffs in high winds | No |
Wind:tcd | Shelter: tree cover provides shelter from high winds [26, 30] | Yes |
Snow:elevation | Safety/Mobility: high snow accumulation (drifts) at higher elevations decreases mobility of the animals | No |
Snow:slope | Safety/Mobility/Foraging: steep slopes as safety habitat during times of decreased mobility in deep snow. Moreover, snow slides off steep slopes more easily and thus increases feeding opportunities [46] | No |
Snow:tcd | Shelter/MobilityForaging: less snow accumulation under trees than in open habitat, and thus increased mobility and foraging opportunities [30] | Yes |
Day/night:elevation | Thermoregulation: high elevations provide cooler conditions during the day, but animals may seek warmer temperatures at lower elevations during cool summer nights | Yes |
Day/night:slope | Safety: steep slopes as safety habitat during darkness | Yes |
Day/night:tcd | Thermoregulation/Shelter: forest attenuates temperature and weather extremes, so provides some protection during cold nights | Yes (summer); no (winter) |
tcd:slope | Safety: steep slopes as safety habitat due to poorer visibility in the forest compared to open areas | Yes |