Ja. Litvaitis et R. Villafuerte, FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERSISTENCE OF NEW-ENGLAND COTTONTAIL METAPOPULATIONS - THE ROLE OF HABITAT MANAGEMENT, Wildlife Society bulletin, 24(4), 1996, pp. 686-693
The distribution and abundance of New England cottontails (Sylvilagus
transitionalis) have declined dramatically in response to land-use cha
nges and expanding human populations. Remnant populations of cottontai
ls are fragmented and likely to decline further unless conservation ag
encies intervene. We used computer simulations in the context of metap
opulation theory to understand the effects of environmental correlatio
n, habitat loss, and habitat management on remaining populations of Ne
w England cottontails. Environmental correlation (based on increased v
ulnerability to predation during periods with snow) and habitat loss (
based largely on forest maturation) can each affect the persistence of
cottontail metapopulations. The synergistic effect of these 2 paramet
ers can cause a rapid decline in rabbit populations or local extinctio
ns. However, these effects may be countered by a management program th
at maintains a network of suitable habitats. Patches (15-75 ha) of ear
ly successional habitat that are maintained with a regime of periodic
disturbances (burning, cutting, or mowing) may be sufficient to sustai
n local populations of New England cottontails. Current theory on spat
ially structured populations and computer simulations are useful for d
eveloping management guidelines for a species that is declining in hum
an-altered landscapes.