Assessing environmental requirements effects on forest fragmentation sensitivity in two arboreal rodents

Abstract

The study of the effect of habitat fragmentation on species that inhabit residual patches requires the investigation of the relationship existing between species distribution and landscape components. To understand which components of landscape mosaics are more influential for species’ persistence, we compared the distribution of two arboreal rodents proved to be sensitive to habitat fragmentation, the\ud hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius and the red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris. Their occurrence in residual oak woods in central Italy was studied with nest-boxes and hair-tubes, developing a new method for hair analysis. Their distributions were analysed considering patch, matrix composition and configuration, and landscape vegetation variables. The two species showed a different degree of plasticity, with the squirrel being significantly more specialised at the landscape scale. The comparison of the two distribution patterns highlighted the influence of different ecological constraints and the existence of different strategies to cope with fragmentation. Patch size and patch attributes were generally weaker determinants of occurrence, compared to landscape metrics. The squirrel presence was significantly influenced by the presence of shared perimeter between hedgerows and woods and by the lack of isolation of the\ud residual patches, suggesting the use of several fragments to compensate the low habitat quality. Conversely the hazel dormouse seemed to be more affected by the internal management of the woods, and in particular by the mean DBH. Our results highlight how the recognition of the extrinsic constraints and the influence of multi-scale habitat selection may help guiding land use management, to ensure species conservation in profoundly exploited landscapes

Hazel dormouse in managed woodland select for young, dense, and species-rich tree stands

“…Small-scale thinning and clear-cuts may even improve the quality of potential dormouse habitats by creating light open patches with structurally heterogeneous young shrubs (Berg, 1996; Wolton, 2009; Ramakers et al ., 2014; Sozio et al ., 2016; Juškaitis, 2020). Large-scale management practices can however be detrimental to the dormouse populations causing fragmentation, isolation, and loss of important forest patches of high quality (Mortelliti et al ., 2011; Trout et al ., 2012; Zapponi et al ., 2013; Mortelliti et al ., 2014; Sozio et al ., 2016).…”

“…As a strictly arboreal rodent with low recruitment rate and low population densities (Bright and Morris, 1996; Büchner et al ., 2003; Juškaitis, 2014a, b) the dormouse is particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and habitat loss that follows intense management of woodlands (Trout et al ., 2012). In regions where forest is sparse, fragmented, and managed, silvicultural management practices may be of great importance for the density and ultimately viability of the remaining dormouse populations (Mortelliti et al ., 2011; Zapponi et al ., 2013; Mortelliti et al ., 2014; Dondina et al ., 2016). There is a need for improved evidence-based knowledge on the habitat requirements of the hazel dormouse in heavily managed woodlands to improve conservation and management options of potential dormouse forest habitats (Cartledge et al ., 2021).…”

Habitat preferences of edible dormouse,Glis glis italicus: implications for the management of arboreal mammals in Mediterranean forests

“…Nest chambers inside the trunks and branches of comparable size with large nestboxes can be found only in mature and old forests and might become a limiting factor in Temperate or Boreal forests managed for industrial logging (Ecke et al 2002, Lampila et al 2009, Bogdziewicz & Zwolak 2014, as well as in Mediterranean forests periodically subjected to large summer wildfires (Sarà et al 2006, Moreira & Russo 2007. In addition to the destruction of mature stands suitable for dormice reproduction, wildfires promote scrubland expansion; thus increasing habitat fragmentation detrimental for dormice and arboreal rodents (Mortelliti et al 2009, Zapponi et al 2013). According to our modelling, predictors would outline a preference for mixed oak-stands, and the connectivity of canopies can facilitate arboreal movements and provide abundant food (Juškaitis & Siozinyte 2008, Sevianu & David 2012.…”

The forest biodiversity artery: towards forest management for saproxylic conservation

“…Further benefits of managing forests at the landscape scale include the combination of retention forestry with other land uses (Gustafsson et al 2012) and vice versa, the integration of conservation actions in the existing land use practices (Hansbauer et al 2010, Zapponi et al 2013. The combination of statistical and remote sensing methods, such as LIDAR, could allow the calibration of forest harvesting on local stochastic natural dynamics, overcoming artificial stand constraints.…”