Fine-scale space use of European hedgehogs in urban parks: a barrier-aware approach to home-range estimation

Context Understanding how animals use space in heterogeneous landscapes is central to landscape ecology. Urban environments contain barriers and spatial variation in habitat quality that can limit space use, yet these factors are often overlooked in home range estimation. In cities, the spatial arrangement of built structures and fragmented resource patches forces wildlife to navigate complex corridors, directly altering possible paths and consequently home ranges. Objectives We evaluated how landscape heterogeneity influences home range estimates of urban European hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus ). Specifically, we compared a movement-based method that incorporates landscape resistance with a traditional geometric estimator and assessed how environmental and individual factors affect home range size. Methods We tracked 30 hedgehogs with global positioning system (GPS) devices between December 2016 and October 2017 in two urban parks with contrasting habitat characteristics and management regimes, both offering regular access to pet food dispensers. Home ranges were estimated using the Randomized Shortest Path (RSP) method and compared with Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) estimates. Results Urban landscapes were heterogeneous for hedgehog movement. Slope reduced habitat affinity, and habitat use differed between sexes. MCP method produced unrealistic results, including unused areas and overestimated particularly male home range size, inflating apparent sex differences. In contrast, RSP produced spatially constrained estimates consistent with observed barriers. Body mass positively influenced home range size under the RSP approach. Hedgehogs incorporated multiple cat feeders into their home ranges while intensively utilizing a subset of them within their core areas. Conclusions Incorporating landscape resistance yields more realistic home range estimates and reduces bias in identifying drivers of space use. Urban planning that considers slope, vegetation structure, and barrier distribution can improve connectivity and support viable hedgehog populations.