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Microhabitat Utilization of the Tatra Marmot (Marmota marmota latirostris) in the Western Carpathian Mountains, Europe

Abstract The function of Alpine marmot subspecies burrows and factors influencing their distribution were investigated at 17 sites in the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia, Europe. Topographic variables and habitat types expected to influence the location of the Tatra marmot burrows were observed and examined. In the various locations of the studied home ranges (summer, winter and grazing areas, marmot trails) and outside the family territories, we recorded 36 vegetation samples including several reliefs. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate analysis. The summer areas of the marmot home ranges in the Tatra Mountains are often located within the alpine zone in communities of the Braun-Blanquet alliance Juncion trifidi (siliceous short stem grasslands) and in chionophilous communities on stable scree slopes of the alliance Festucion picturatae (tall stem grasslands). Marmots usually avoid habitats that have the lowest trophic benefits and the most extreme sites with low-stems or mat-grass communities in the alliance Nardion strictae, dense stands of dwarf pine in the alliance Pinion mugo (krummholz), and dwarf-shrub and lichen communities in the alliance Loiseleurio-Vaccinion. Marmot habitats in summer have suitable grazing areas. The most preferred habitats for foraging are grasslands and tall herb plant communities dominated by Calamagrostis villosa, Trisetum fuscum, and similar tall grass species. The most important factor influencing the locations of different parts of home ranges is the gradient of the relief structure. According to their functional differentiation, the location of a marmot burrow is most significantly influenced by the presence of convex geomorphic features and reinforced rock forms.