Effects of habitat fragmentation on Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in a forest landscape

摘要: We studied the effects of habitat fragmentation, measured as forest stand size and isolation, on distribution Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Squirrel density was surveyed during four years in 46 forest stands (0.1–500 ha) a landscape south-central Sweden. The only factor that significantly influenced index proportion spruce within fragment. Neither fragment nor degree isolation were significant. Furthermore, none interactions with year significant, suggesting same pattern all years. Thus, effect fragmentation this study seems to be pure loss, i.e. halving preferred should result squirrel population. Therefore, can viewed functionally continuous for squirrels, although divided into fragments. most likely explanation difference between other studies found due is combination shorter distances less hostile surroundings our area. To identify requires multiple because single usually consider one landscape.