Fox squirrel response to forest restoration treatments in longleaf pine

Boone, Wesley W.; McCleery, Robert A.; Reichert, Brian E.

doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyx110

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Non-random co-occurrence may result from species-specific habitat preference, and thus, we controlled for species-specific habitat preference by measuring variables known to influence fox and gray squirrel occupancy. These variables included pine and oak density, understory cover, canopy closure, and canopy heterogeneity (Cottam and Curtis, 1956;Conner et al, 1999;Boone et al, 2017;Greene and McCleery, 2017a). We hypothesized that structural elements such as canopy cover, canopy cover heterogeneity, understory cover, and local and landscape fragmentation and connectivity mitigate squirrel interactions due to the ability of each species to move about the matrix differently (Goheen et al, 2003).…”

Section: Environmental Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Woody Cover Mediates Fox and Gray Squirrel Interactions

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human activities are changing the environments that animal communities utilize, altering competition and coexistence dynamics as well as changing species distributions. A global consequence of human activity is increased woody cover, which changes environmental conditions on landscape, local, and fine spatial scales. These multi-scale processes are likely to change species interactions and distributions in unexpected ways. To elucidate these effects, we investigated the co-occurrence of two interacting species in a rapidly changing ecosystem. Eastern fox (Sciurus niger) and gray (Sciurus carolinensis) squirrels occur sympatrically throughout the southeastern United States. We used single-season, two-species occupancy modeling to understand what factors influence competition between the squirrels at three spatial scales. We found evidence that fox and gray squirrels compete at fine scales but not at local and landscape scales. The best model to explain fox and gray squirrel co-occurrence at fine scales was an additive fine-scale understory and tree canopy closure model. Increased finescale canopy closure correlated with increased fox and gray squirrel occupancy, while increased fine-scale understory cover correlated with decreased gray and fox squirrel occupancy. Fox squirrel occupancy probability declined in the presence of gray squirrels. The intensity of interaction was modified by fine-scale canopy cover and understory density. These findings support the hypothesis that species interactions can be an important factor in structuring biotic communities; however, the strength of the effect changes across spatial scales. Our results support the importance of considering species interactions at multiple scales when predicting and addressing changes in community composition in human modified and managed systems.

show abstract

Section: Environmental Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Woody Cover Mediates Fox and Gray Squirrel Interactions

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…), and their response to restoration policies (Boone et al. ), whereas molecular techniques can shed light on seed dispersal processes (e.g., seed dispersal distances and spatial patterns of seed rain, Jordano et al. , Lavabre et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study of such relationships, however, is crucial as different bird species provide complementary seed dispersal services (Garc ıa et al 2013, Lavabre et al 2016, Gonz alez-Varo et al 2017. Non-intrusive tracking methods (e.g., camera trapping) can elucidate the composition of animal communities (Burton et al 2015), their associated services (e.g., seed removal, Mokotjomela et al 2016), and their response to restoration policies (Boone et al 2017), whereas molecular techniques can shed light on seed dispersal processes (e.g., seed dispersal distances and spatial patterns of seed rain, Jordano et al 2007, Lavabre et al 2016; effects of fragmentation, Mart ınez-L opez et al 2017) and dispersal networks of bird communities (Gonz alez-Varo et al 2017). However, these genetic tools have been rarely applied to restoration studies (Galimberti et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering mechanisms of bird seed dispersal in semiarid environments to help to restore them

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mediterranean semiarid areas are suffering a growing process of agricultural abandonment that represents a challenge for restoration. Limited seed arrival, drought, and scarce suitable microhabitats in oldfields make plant colonization difficult. Restoration through ecological succession can take advantage of increased seed dispersal through animal vectors, but precise knowledge of the factors involved (e.g., seed disperser behavior, rate of effective recruitment of dispersed seeds, and effectiveness of the applied restoration structures) is critical. Otherwise, efforts to foster the processes of interest may be misdirected. We propose and test a methodological approach based on the combination of ecological (bird censuses and camera trapping) and genetic tools (DNA barcoding), to assess seed dispersal of fleshy‐fruited shrub species by birds toward oldfields in one of the driest areas of southeastern Spain. We assisted natural restoration with artificial bird attractors (perches and water troughs) in two abandoned areas with different ages. Furthermore, we provided microenvironments (rocks) and prevented herbivory (by fencing) to enhance plant recruitment. Results revealed strong differences among assessment techniques in the characterization of dispersal interactions. While bird censuses only informed about frugivores occurrence, camera trapping and barcoding enabled the quantification of species responses. Attractors proved to be effective in triggering a quantifiable seed arrival, but no subsequent plant establishment occurred. We highlight the importance of implementing different techniques to characterize and assess avian seed disperser performance. Water provision increased seed arrival, but our design failed to enhance plant recruitment. The next logical step in the restoration of Mediterranean oldfields is the optimization of conditions for seed germination and successful plant establishment.

show abstract

“…Furthermore, there is also a need to collectively explore and implement effective long-term restoration programmes to ensure speedy rehabilitation of habitats (Benayas and Bullock 2012), particularly in human settlements and plantations. Restoration of plantations to suitable bush squirrel habitat can, in part, be achieved by the use of prescribed fires while avoiding herbicide application (Boone et al 2017). We also propose adding to plantations tree species preferred by bush squirrels to improve their nest group sizes.…”

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of environmental factors on the behaviour and nest group sizes of Smith's bush squirrels, Paraxerus cepapi, in a Zambezian bioregion

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The responses of wildlife to environmental factors are of conservation importance. However, the absence of relevant information due to inadequate studies, and lack of understanding of the influences of environmental factors on wildlife, particularly in the Zambezian bioregion, remain a conservation concern. For instance, there is a shortage of knowledge on the relationship between fixed effects of environmental factors and behaviour as well as nest group sizes of Smith’s bush squirrels, Paraxerus cepapi Smith, 1836. Our study examined the relationship between fixed effects of several environmental factors (i.e., with focus on ecological factors) and the behaviour as well as nest group sizes of the bush squirrels in and around Zambia’s Chembe Bird Sanctuary (CBS). Flight initiation distances (FIDs) as an index of bush squirrel behaviour, and nest group sizes were simultaneously surveyed to understand the drivers of biological and population responses, respectively. The results revealed that higher tree height (m) and larger canopy coverage (%) could increase FIDs for bush squirrels. The nest group sizes of bush squirrels could also increase with canopy coverage (%) and presence of termite mounds. By focusing on the two different squirrels' responses, the results of this study highlight the most important environmental factors to consider in minimizing the impacts of human activities on bush squirrels, especially in conservation planning and management by taking into consideration the bush squirrels’ natural history, habitat protection and safe distance between humans and bush squirrels.

show abstract

Fox squirrel response to forest restoration treatments in longleaf pine

Cited by 9 publications

References 46 publications

Woody Cover Mediates Fox and Gray Squirrel Interactions

Woody Cover Mediates Fox and Gray Squirrel Interactions

Uncovering mechanisms of bird seed dispersal in semiarid environments to help to restore them

Effects of environmental factors on the behaviour and nest group sizes of Smith's bush squirrels, Paraxerus cepapi, in a Zambezian bioregion

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About