The response of tree squirrels to fragmentation: a review and synthesis

摘要: Habitat fragmentation is often considered a major threat to biodiversity; however, our understanding of how impacts populations poor. Identifying appropriate models for such studies difficult. Tree squirrels are dependent on mature forests food, cover and nests; these habitats that being fragmented rapidly easily defined by humans. Squirrels represent excellent study fragmentation. The literature tree was reviewed glean data density home-range size in forest fragments. Sufficient were available four species (Sciurus carolinensis, S. niger, vulgaris, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). Density negatively related fragment carolinensis niger marginally so T. hudsonicus. Sciurus vulgaris did not exhibit this relationship. Home-range analysed three positively niger. Again, only show rarely found small fragments believed be especially sensitive fragmentation; other appear more subtle ways. Home range compaction provides mechanism which densities may increase demographic consequences resultant from the high woodlots known but explain damage, avian nest predation reduced diversity cited occur woodland