HABITAT SELECTION BY 5 OTTERS LUTRA-LUTRA IN RIVERS OF NORTHERN SCOTLAND

Understanding the effects of habitat structure on otter (Lutra lutra) movements is critical to conservation management, but such information is scarce for riverine habitats where the species is most vulnerable. Between 1987 and 1990 the patterns of habitat use by five otters from river catchments in north-east Scotland were examined by using radio- telemetry. The main habitat variables analysed were channel width, sub strate size, riparian vegetation, proximity to roads and buildings, an d the coverage of surrounding vegetation and land use. All of the otte rs spent more of their time in relatively wide sections of river or st ream, with high boulder cover and many riparian trees. However, when u se was calculated as the time spent per unit area of water, narrow, gr avelly streams were selected by most animals. Some of the habitat feat ures traditionally thought to influence otter movements (e.g. riparian vegetation, land use) did not show the predicted effects. The conserv ation implications of these observations are discussed.