HOME-RANGE SIZES IN A STRATIFIED UPLAND LANDSCAPE OF 2 LAGOMORPHS WITH DIFFERENT FEEDING STRATEGIES

1. The range size of adult female mountain hares (Lepus timidus L.) an d European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.), occupying a landscape c omposed of moorland, young forest and upland pasture, were studied by radio-telemetry. The factors that affect range size of the two species were identified and interpreted with regard to their respective feedi ng strategies; mountain hares are summer grazers that browse in winter whereas rabbits eat grasses throughout the year. 2. Individual mounta in hares were classified as 'moorland', 'forest' or 'pasture' hares, a nd individual rabbits were classified as 'forest', 'pasture' or 'mixtu re' rabbits according to the frequency with which they used each habit at. Home-range size of both species was highly variable with a mean ar ea (and standard deviation) of 22 . 2 ha (SD = 18 . 5) for hares and 6 . 3 ha (SD = 3 . 9) for rabbits. 3. Home-range size of mountain hares varied according to habitat and season. There was a negative correlat ion between home-range size and the available green biomass of grass, This suggests that the large home ranges of 'moorland' hares during th e breeding and post-breeding seasons may have been a consequence of lo w food availability. 4. Home-range size of rabbits also varied accordi ng to habitat and season, but was not clearly associated with food ava ilability, feeding strategy or social behaviour. 5. In the early years following planting, extensive afforestation of upland moorlands is un likely to affect mountain hare and rabbit populations if an abundant g round flora is available. Individuals of both species may even remain entirely within the plantation using very small home-ranges. However, single age plantations would have to be restructured to increase the a ge diversity and hence the availability of suitable habitats for long- term maintenance of viable populations of mountain hares.