SUCCESSION OF CAVITY USE IN A FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPE IN NORTHWEST TENNESSEE

摘要

Tree cavities are used by many animals for protection from predators and harsh environmental conditions. In many ecosystems, the number of available cavities can influence the number of cavity users able to occupy the environment (Short 1979). In addition, competition for newly excavated cavities may be greater than for older cavities since they are less likely to have parasites and other vermin associated with them (Short 1979, Mazgajski 2007). Woodpeckers are considered primary excavators due to their ability to excavate new cavities, while secondary cavity users (including birds, frogs, squirrels, and bats) use cavities that are already available (Martin and Eadie 1999, Martin et al. 2004, Blanc and Walters 2008). Weak cavity excavators, like chickadees and nuthatches, can excavate cavities in highly decayed wood but may also use cavities that are already available in the environment (Martin and Eadie 1999, Martin et al. 2004, Blanc and Walters 2008).