Arboreal Squirrel Abundance in Response to a Gradient of Mountain Pine Beetle Attack in Sub-boreal Forests

摘要

To assist in evaluating habitat retention options, the abundance of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) and North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) wer examined in 2005 and again in 2010 across a gradient of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) attack intensity in sub-boreal forests of west-central British Columbia.Among 30, 16-ha live-trapping grids, estimated mean abundance of both species increased non-linearly with remaining basal area of live overstorey (live trees ≥ 7.5 cm diameter at 1.3 m height).