Spatial Organization of Unexploited Beavers (Castor Canadensis) in Southern Illinois (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Understanding use of space leads to elucidation of species ecology, evolution, and the factors that influence populations (Young and Shivik, 2006). Generally, spatial organization and movement of species is influenced by distribution of crucial resources and their spatiotemporal variation, which are essential to survival and reproduction (Krebs and Davies, 1993; Borger et al., 2008). Species develop territories to obtain exclusive access to these resources, where the benefits of holding a territory outweigh the cost and energy put into defending it, and the maximum benefit represents the optimal territory size (Krebs and Davies, 1993).