Urban Green Belts Act as Habitats for Mammals in Urban Zones of Kanazawa City, Japan

抄録

 Management of wild mammals in urban green areas is a growing issue of concern in Japan, because some dangerous mammals have begun to use such areas as habitats or travel pathways. We investigated the mammal fauna in the linear green area located within the urban zone of Kanazawa City, Japan between June and December 2018. Using camera traps, we observed 11 mammal species or species-groups in the green area, the majority of which were medium-sized facultative omnivores. The long forest edge of the green area may have had positive effects on the otherwise low population-carrying capacity for some species. Large mammals did not inhabit the green area permanently, but the area may function as a travel pathway for these species into the city center. Further studies are required to clarify the essential characteristics of the green area, which harbors the mammal fauna revealed by the present survey, and to develop concrete management plans.