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Effects of Logging Pattern and Intensity on Squirrel Demography
Author(s) -
HERBERS JIM,
KLENNER WALT
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.2193/2004-320
Subject(s) - basal area , logging , ecology , population , forestry , biology , population density , geography , demography , sociology
We examined the effect of harvesting intensity and pattern on red squirrels ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ), northern flying squirrels ( Glaucomys sabrinus ), and yellow‐pine chipmunks ( Tamias amoenus ) in mature inland Douglas‐fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii glauca ) forests in south‐central British Columbia, Canada. We sampled squirrels 1 year before harvesting through 4 years after harvesting and estimated population parameters using open‐population models. Relative to unharvested stands, each of the 3 species showed a strong response to tree removal. From 2 years to 4 years after logging, red squirrel density was 40% (SE = 7.1) lower in stands with 50% basal‐area tree removal. From 1 year and up to 4 years after logging, northern flying squirrel density averaged 60% (SE = 5.2) lower in harvested treatments regardless of intensity or pattern of logging. In contrast, density of yellow‐pine chipmunks increased markedly with increased logging intensity. Beginning 3 years after logging, yellow‐pine chipmunk density was 734% (SE = 269) greater in stands with 50% basal‐area tree removal. In the short term, harvesting intensity was a more important determinant of squirrel density than harvesting pattern. Retaining >10 m 2 per ha of live residual stand structure in mature inland Douglas‐fir forests maintained habitat for forest‐dependent species such as red squirrels and northern flying squirrels, albeit at lower densities.