Patch occupancy, population density and dynamics in a fragmented red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris population

摘要: We studied population dynamics of red squirrels in a group small forest fragments, that cover only 6.5% the total study area (4664 ha) and where distances to nearest source were up 2.2 km. tested effects patch size, quality isolation supplementary feeding on occupation during 1995-99. Larger patches with had higher probability being occupied. No < 3.5 ha was ever found, suggesting habitat is not sufficiently fragmented influence squirrel distribution across patches. For medium sized (3.7-21 ha), occupied some years, there an increase over even though overall size tended decrease. These high turnover, especially males. Patches which went extinct recolonized within year. at least years density depended only. winter temperature found. data suggest our fragmentation has no effect local random sample hypothesis explains pattern