Home range and habitat selection of southern flying squirrels in fragmented forests

摘要: We investigated home range and habitat selection behaviors of 44 50 southern flying squirrels (Gtaucomys votans), respectively, on 5 study areas during the summers 1994 through 1996 in Ouachita National Forest Arkansas. Study consisted fragmented forests around 15-ha core stands which were captured nest boxes winter surveys radiocollared. Three mature pine-hardwood forest, one was a shelterwood harvest, last seedtree harvest. Home ranges males (x = 16.03 ha, SE 4.36, n 18) larger than those females at ∞ 0.10 level 5.88 0.74, 26) showed high variability. The largest associated with nesting foraging widely separated. Females generally demonstrated philopatry patterns within habitats. Male female relatively small where hard mast abundant. Where resources limited favored habitats, encompassed distant patches. Squirrels used forest corridors to travel plantations harvested areas. selected protected greenbelt riparian zones, hardwood nightly activity periods. Young (<15y old) immature (15–40 y pine avoided. Snag density correlated squirrel subset 9 snag abundance sampled. These results show be selective use sensitive disturbance, not generalists, as has been previously reported. Forests managed provide greatest opportunity for persistence should retain along ephemeral streams areas, forested connecting patches, component matrix seral stages. harvest regime, imposed an already appeared represent alteration incompatible successful occupation.