Diet, dietary selectivity and density of South American grey fox, Lycalopex griseus, in Central Chile.
The South American grey fox Lycalopex griseus is a canid widely distributed in southern South America; however, some aspects of its biology are still poorly known. We studied the diet and density of L. griseus in the Lago Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve, in Central Chile. The trophic niche breadth was B = 6.16 (Bsta = 0.47) and prey diversity was H' = 2.46 (Hmax ' = 3.17, J' = 0.78). The highest proportions of prey consumed in the diet were Oryctolagus cuniculus (52.21%) and other mammals (32.78%). We compared these results with a latitudinal gradient of diet results for this species in Chile. L. griseus eats mostly mammals (>90% of total prey), consuming the rodent Phyllotis darwini and reptiles in the northern zone; Oryctolagus cuniculus, Octodon degus and Abrocoma bennetti in the central zone; Abrothrix spp. and lagomorphs in the southern zone; and Lepus capensis and Ovis aries in the austral zone. The estimated density of L. griseus in Lago Peñuelas NR was 1.3 foxes/km2 .
Abundancias y densidades relativas de zorro Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) en un humedal del sudeste ibérico: implicaciones para la conservación de sus poblaciones
Abundance and density estimates of Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) in a southeastern Iberian wetland: implications for conservation. This paper reports on the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes population estimates inside “El Hondo“ Natural Park (Alicante, SE Iberian Peninsula). The estimates were scored as number of encounters in transects of variable length during 1993-2006. Red Fox counts were standardized as kilometric abundance indexes (Individuals/km) and relative densities Foxes/km 2 ). Red Fox was observed in this wetland at very low densities (0,3-0,6 Foxes/km 2 ) compared with other European sites and with an apparently slight tendency to increase in the last ten years. The relative abundances (IKA) ranged between 0,6 -1,3 Foxes/km. The presence of refuse tips in the boundaries of Park is suggested as factor accounting for the establishment of the Red Fox at this Park. These observations suggest the implementation of specific studies and conservation measures, by means of a particular methodology, to allow reinforce the biodiversity of this wetland for the vertebrates.
Assessment of Ground Regeneration around Borehole Heat Exchangers between Heating Seasons in Cold Climates: A Case Study in Bialystok (NE, Poland)
Based on the experimental studies, the process of ground regeneration around the borehole loaded with brine-water heat pumps working exclusively for heating purposes in the period of four consecutive heating seasons in a cold climate was presented. The research was conducted in north-eastern Poland. The aim of the work is to verify the phenomenon of thermal ground regeneration in the period between heating seasons on the basis of the recorded data and to check whether the ground is able to regenerate itself and at what rate. It was noticed that the ground does not fully regenerate, especially during heating seasons with lower temperatures. In the analyzed period, from 22 September 2016 to 12 October 2020, the ground probably cooled irreversibly by 1.5 °C. In order to illustrate and evaluate the speed of changes in the ground, the one’s profile with an undisturbed temperature field was presented for each month of the year. The presented results can be a very important source of information for the analysis of geothermal conditions occurring in the ground. They can be used to verify mathematical models and conduct long-term simulations that allow us to see the complexity of the processes taking place in the ground.