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Analysis of grey wolf's (Canis lupus L.) preferences to the habitat types (by NCH) in the Nature Park Biokovo

Research and monitoring of wolves in the Nature Park Biokovo has been continually performed since 2013. The purpose of the research is to estimate the number and stability of wolf packs and the number of individuals within a pack. GPS telemetry is used as one of the methods. Based on the recorded coordinates, the movement was analysed and the index of wolf's preference (the ratio of the time wolf spent in certain habitats and the presence of these habitats in their home range) to the habitat type (by National Classification of habitats) was calculated. Three wolves were GPS collared between 2015 and 2017. In NP Biokovo and the contact zone there are 2 packs. Two of the collared wolves belong to the NW pack and the third wolf is a member of the SE pack. The SE pack stayed in the central part of the Biokovo Massif, while the NW pack mostly remained in the lower parts of hinterland of Biokovo. Accordingly, the habitat preference index of these two packs differs. The NW pack mostly prefers mosaics of cultivated areas (1.77), then Submediterranean, termophilous forests and scrubs of Quercus pubescens (alliance Ostryo-Carpinion orientalis) (1.18), Sub-Mediterranean and Epimediterranean dry grasslands (order Scorzoneretalia villosae) (0.60), etc. The SE pack mostly prefers Lime stone of Tyrrhenian-Adriatic region (2.89), then Sub-Mediterranean and Epimediterranean dry grasslands (order Scorzoneretalia villosae) (1.53), Garrigues (class Erico-Cistetea) (1.16), etc. This study enables determining levels of importance of different habitat types and zoning of protected areas.

Grey wolf, Canis lupus L., GPS telemetry, habitat preference, Nature Park Biokovo

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