The proportion of pastures next to forest with depredation (n = 33, 48.5%) was not distinguished to the proportion of pastures not bordering forest with depredation (n = 35, 51.5%).
However, the proportion of pastures next to forest with depredation represented 54% (n = 33) of the 61 total pastures that were at least partially surrounded by forest patches or riparian forests that comprised eight continuum blocks of forest fragments of different sizes in the ranch and adjacent areas.
By contrast, areas adjacent to Białowieża Forest are characterized by a higher proportion of pastures and meadows and more extensive agriculture (Statistical Yearbook of Agriculture 2009).
Average slope, river network density, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), and proportion of pasture were treated as independent variables.
At the sub-watershed level, zones that use a high proportion of pasture but low proportion of cropland in the land use mix will accordingly have low area-weighted average OCs and vice versa.
Nevertheless, given the spatial distribution of pastures and high intensity agriculture in the watershed, we find that payments for forest recuperation are likely to be cost-effective in sub-watersheds with a high proportion of pasture land.
Sensitivity analysis indicated that model projections of general trends in the main land use and cover categories were not overly sensitive to changes in important model parameters, although further study is necessary to improve our estimates of the proportion of pasture requirements supplied by clearing low shrubland.
Bivariate analyses of variables with F. hepatica seroprevalence data revealed positive correlations with rainfall and temperature, cattle and herd density, proportion of pasture per PCA, broad-leaved forest, Eutric Cambisol soil, Dystric Leptosol soil, and Fe and Mg concentrations in soil.
We analyzed their relative abundance and habitat use at two spatial scales: (1) Local, where three different successional stages of tropical deciduous forest were compared, and (2) Landscape, where available habitats were compared in terms of landscape composition (proportion of forests, pastures and croplands within 113 ha).
There are about 700 alpine pastures in the whole canton, which equals 1,689 km (approximately 24% of the total cantonal surface, i.e. highest proportion of alpine pastures of the country).
P. spinosa was more frequently deposited in the most forested landscape (Parada), whereas Frangula and Sorbus were more deposited in the landscapes with the greater proportions of scrublands, pastures and crops (Seceda and Ferramulín; Fig. 5, see also Fig. 1).
