scholarly journals A Possible Role for Red Squirrels in Structuring Breeding Bird Communities in Lodgepole Pine Forests

The Condor ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Siepielski
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Cavity Nesters

Abstract Nest predation is thought to play an important role in structuring certain breeding bird communities. One potential consequence of nest predation is lower recruitment in breeding birds, which may be manifested as lower breeding bird abundance. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia) forests east and west of the Rocky Mountains became isolated following glacial retreat 12 000 years ago and differ in whether or not red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), which are a key nest predator, are present. Breeding bird abundance in lodgepole pine forests was compared between four ranges with red squirrels and four ranges without red squirrels. Species grouped into canopy and understory nesting guilds were, on average, two and three times more abundant, respectively, in forest ranges without red squirrels than in ranges with red squirrels; no statistically significant differences were found for midstory, ground, or cavity nesters. These results suggest that geographic variation in the presence or absence of red squirrels is likely important in structuring breeding bird communities in lodgepole pine forests across the landscape.

scholarly journals The Role of Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus) in Shaping Spatial Patterns of Serotiny in Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta) Forests

2011 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
Matt Talluto ◽  
Craig Benkman
Keyword(s):  
Seed Predation ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ecosystem Processes ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Sapling Density

Understanding the effects of individual species on community- and ecosystem-level processes is of critical importance in ecology. Recent work has demonstrated that variation in genetically controlled traits within foundation species can have large implications for ecosystem processes. Identifying these traits and the selective pressures on them is crucial in understanding how ecosystems are structured and how the systems will respond to disturbance. Serotiny, the long-term storage of seeds in the canopy, is thought to be an adaptation to stand replacing fire. Seeds from serotinous plants are released following a fire, and the proportion of serotinous trees determines sapling density following a fire. The effects of serotiny are not limited to the serotinous species, as sapling density is an important determinant of plant community structure and ecosystem processes (including primary productivity and nutrient cycling). Seed predation may select against serotiny, however, no studies have addressed how the relative strengths of selection from fire and seed predation combine to produce the spatial pattern of serotiny on the landscape. Here, we report on an ongoing study of the effects of selection from seed predation in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), a serotinous North American conifer. Red squirrels are negatively associated with serotiny at broad geographic scales, and may select against the serotinous trait. This project examined the correlation between red squirrel density and the frequency of serotiny in lodgepole pine forests and the mechanisms underlying potential selection against serotiny by red squirrels. Specifically, we tested whether this correlation was present at landscape scales, whether the fitness of serotinous trees was reduced in the presence of red squirrels, and what factors controlled the density of red squirrels. Preliminary results indicate that serotiny and squirrel density is negatively correlated, but only at low elevations. In the presence of squirrels, we observed significantly lower cone survival in serotinous trees, suggesting reduced fitness. Squirrel density was strongly affected by several measures of forest structure, including species composition, overhead canopy cover, and tree size (mean DBH).

scholarly journals The Role of the American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus) in the Evolution of Serotiny in Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta).

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Matt Talluto ◽  
Craig Benkman
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Fire Frequency ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Seed Predator ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
And Function ◽  
High Elevations

Coevolutionary interactions can have dramatic effects on the structure and function of ecosystems, particularly when spatial structure leads to local adaptation. Here we report on an ongoing study of the interaction between lodgepole pine and its primary pre-dispersal seed predator, the American red squirrel. Lodgepole pine is serotinous, meaning seeds are held in closed cones until released by the heat of a fire. Serotiny has been shown to increase seedling density following stand replacing fire, and can have far-reaching ecosystem- and community-level implications. Red squirrels are negatively associated with serotiny at broad geographic scales, and may select against the serotinous trait. This project aims to examine the correlation between red squirrel density and the frequency of serotiny in lodgepole pine forests and the mechanisms underlying potential selection against serotiny by red squirrels. Specifically, we will determine whether this correlation is present when other factors affecting serotiny (i.e., fire frequency, elevation) are held constant, whether the fitness of serotinous trees is reduced in the presence of red squirrels, and what factors control the density of red squirrels. Preliminary results indicate that serotiny and squirrel density is strongly negatively correlated, but only at low elevations. Serotiny was nearly absent at high elevations, but squirrel density varied as much as at low elevations, suggesting that serotiny does not control squirrel density, but that increasing squirrel density may lead to increasing selection against serotiny.

scholarly journals Influence of Fertilization on Feeding Attacks to Lodgepole Pine by Snowshoe Hares and Red Squirrels

1982 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Sullivan ◽  
Druscilla S. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Average Amount ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Animal Damage ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
And Control

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) shows favourable growth and yield responses to spacing (thinning) and potentially to fertilization, but is susceptible to feeding injuries by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Erxleben). This study was designed to determine the incidence of animal damage to crop trees in a fertilized-spaced stand, compared with those in spaced only and control (unspaced) stands. There was little variation in the percentage of crop trees (range 53.6% to 63.3%) damaged by hares in the three stands. Hares removed an average of 92.2 cm2 of bark and associated vascular tissues per attack from fertilized stems compared with 46.2 cm2 in the spaced only stand. This latter value was nearly double that recorded in the control stand (27.4 cm2). Squirrels damaged more fertilized trees (38.9%) than trees in the spaced (30.9%) or control (14.3%) stands. Squirrels removed the largest average amount of bark (66.9 cm2) per attack from fertilized stems with little difference between spaced (41.6 cm2) and control (42.3 cm2) stands. We conclude that hares and squirrels clearly prefer to feed on fertilized lodgepole pine stems over those in non-fertilized or un-managed stands.

Predation on different-sized quail eggs in an artificial-nest study in western Newfoundland

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 1170-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith P Lewis ◽  
William A Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Japanese Quail ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Riparian Buffer Strips

In artificial-nest studies, Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs have been used as surrogates for passerine eggs, although small mammals that prey on passerine eggs may be unable to consume Japanese Quail eggs. To determine the influence of egg size on nest predation in different landscapes on insular Newfoundland, we placed either a Japanese Quail egg or a smaller Chinese Painted Quail (Xexcalfactoris chinensis) egg in artificial ground nests along lakeshore forest edges and along riparian buffer strips. Clay eggs were used to identify nest predators. Levels of predation on nests with Japanese Quail and Chinese Painted Quail eggs were similar. Based on clay eggs, predation was attributed to red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and we found no evidence that smaller mammals preyed on artificial nests. We conclude that the Japanese Quail egg is acceptable for use in artificial-nest studies in Newfoundland, and we discuss the implications of egg size and small mammals in nest-predation experiments.

Simulated fire behaviour in young, postfire lodgepole pine forests

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellen N. Nelson ◽  
Monica G. Turner ◽  
William H. Romme ◽  
Daniel B. Tinker
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Fire Initiation ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
Simulated Fire

Early-seral forests are expanding throughout western North America as fire frequency and annual area burned increase, yet fire behaviour in young postfire forests is poorly understood. We simulated fire behaviour in 24-year-old lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) stands in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States using operational models parameterised with empirical fuel characteristics, 50–99% fuel moisture conditions, and 1–60kmhr−1 open winds to address two questions: [1] How does fireline intensity, and crown fire initiation and spread vary among young, lodgepole pine stands? [2] What are the contributions of fuels, moisture and wind on fire behaviour? Sensitivity analysis indicated the greatest contributors to output variance were stand structure mediated wind attenuation, shrub fuel loads and 1000-h fuel moisture for fireline intensity; crown base height for crown fire initiation; and crown bulk density and 1-h fuel moisture for crown fire spread. Simulation results predicted crown fire (e.g. passive, conditional or active types) in over 90% of stands at 50th percentile moisture conditions and wind speeds greater than 3kmhr−1. We conclude that dense canopy characteristics heighten crown fire potential in young, postfire lodgepole pine forests even under less than extreme wind and fuel moisture conditions.

scholarly journals Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (02) ◽  
pp. 165-173
Author(s):  
Martin E. Alexander ◽  
Miguel G. Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Conifer Forest ◽  
Fire Propagation ◽  
Current State ◽  
General Recommendation ◽  
Canopy Bulk Density

A 3-m between crown spacing is a commonly cited criterion found in the wildland-urban interface fire literature for minimizing the likelihood of a fully-developed crown fire from occurring in a conifer forest on level terrain. The validity of this general recommendation is examined here in light of our current state-of-knowledge regarding crown fire propagation in relation to canopy bulk density. Given the characteristics of the overstory structure for 20 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stands located in Alberta, as sourced from the literature, the canopy fuel properties following a virtual thinning to a 3-m crown spacing and then to a targeted canopy bulk density of 0.05 kg/m3 were computed. On the basis of these computations, crown fire potential was then analyzed and interpreted. The conclusion reached is that, in the majority of cases, a less widely spaced stand would be adequate for preventing crown fire development in lodgepole pine forests.

Breeding bird communities associated with land cover in intensively managed pine forests of the southeastern U.S.

2017 ◽  
Vol 406 ◽  
pp. 112-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Parrish ◽  
Steve Demarais ◽  
T. Bently Wigley ◽  
Phillip D. Jones ◽  
Andrew W. Ezell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Intensively Managed

scholarly journals Pest Damage Incidence in Natural and Thinned Lodgepole Pine in Alberta

1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. E. Bella
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Pest Damage ◽  
West Central ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Management Implication

Thinned stands of young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) in west-central Alberta had a higher incidence of attack by common pest organisms than unthinned stands. Based on a sample of nearly 3000 potential crop trees (on 240 temporary plots) growing on 120 naturally regenerated cut blocks, the rate of attack in thinned vs. unthinned stands was 30% and 18% for western gall rust (Endo-cronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka) and 25%. and 16% for leader damage due to terminal weevil (Pissodes terminalis Hopp.) and pitch twig moth (Petrova spp.) Damage from other agents, including that from small mammals, was low and little affected by thinning. Forest management implication of these results are discussed. Key words: western gall rust terminal weevil, pitch twig moth, snowshoe hares, red squirrels.

Egg loss among spruce grouse inhabiting lodgepole pine forests

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1034-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Boag ◽  
Stéphan G. Reebs ◽  
Michael A. Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Red Squirrels

The loss of eggs from clutches deposited in simulated and natural nests of spruce grouse was investigated during the spring of 1983 in lodgepole pine forests of southwestern Alberta. Two-thirds of all clutches, both in simulated and natural nests, were partially or completely lost. Density of simulated nests had no impact on proportional loss. Evidence suggests that nests under a conifer-dominated canopy, in an area lacking extensive shrub coverage, and at distances greater than 15 m from trails were the most vulnerable to egg predators. We conclude that red squirrels were the principle predator destroying these clutches.

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