scholarly journals Density of red squirrels and their use of non-native tree species in the Rogów Arboretum

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49
Author(s):  
Dagny Krauze-Gryz ◽  
Kinga Mazur ◽  
Jakub Gryz

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the densities of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the arboretum and a neighbouring forest and to investigate which tree species the squirrels used. The study was conducted in the area of the Rogów Arboretum (53.76 ha) and the so-called Zimna Woda and Wilczy Dół forest complexes (altogether 536 ha), all being part of an Experimental Forest Station in Rogów. The density of squirrels in the arboretum and the neighbouring forest was estimated and compared by means of snow tracks on transect routes. Changes in the abundance of squirrels throughout one year as well as their behaviour were determined on the basis of direct observations along transects running through the arboretum. More than half of the area of the arboretum was searched in order to record feeding signs of squirrels. Additionally, trees with bark stripping were recorded. The density of snow tracks was higher in the arboretum (0.19 tracks/100 m/24 h) than in the neighbouring forest (0.09 tracks/100 m/24 h). The largest number of observations of red squirrels along transects was made between February and April, in July and August and in October and November. In about half of the cases, squirrels were feeding on one of six non-native tree species (most often on cones of Macedonian pine, Pinus peuce). Feeding signs were found on 39 plots (17%) and 16 different tree species. The most numerous feeding signs were found on plots with Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and also on plots with the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Swiss pine (Pinus cembra), mountain silverbell (Halesia monticola) as well as shagbark (Carya ovata) and shellbark hickories (C. laciniosa). On eight plots, trees with signs of bark stripping were found, most commonly on Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera). Its soft bark was probably used to build dreys. In the area of the arboretum, the natural food sources (seeds of native trees) are supplemented with numerous non-native tree species, which seeds are also consumed by squirrels. The highly abundant and diverse food sources promote a higher density of the red squirrel in the area of the arboretum. Additionally, when tree seeds are scarce in the neighbouring forest, squirrels migrate into the arboretum.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime O. Yazzie ◽  
Peter Z. Fulé ◽  
Yeon‐Su Kim ◽  
Andrew Sánchez Meador

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Román-Dañobeytia ◽  
Jorge Castellanos-Albores ◽  
Samuel I. Levy-Tacher ◽  
James Aronson ◽  
Neptalí Ramírez-Marcial ◽  
...  

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9573
Author(s):  
Tetsuto Abe ◽  
Nobuyuki Tanaka ◽  
Yoshikazu Shimizu

Invasive alien tree species can exert severe impacts, especially in insular biodiversity hotspots, but have been inadequately studied. Knowledge of the life history and population trends of an invasive alien tree species is essential for appropriate ecosystem management. The invasive tree Bischofia javanica has overwhelmed native trees on Haha-jima Island in the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. We explored forest community dynamics 2 years after a typhoon damaged the Sekimon primary forests on Haha-jima Island, and predicted the rate of population increase of B. javanica using a logistic model from forest dynamics data for 19 years. During the 2 years after the typhoon, only B. javanica increased in population size, whereas populations of native tree species decreased. Stem diameter growth of B. javanica was more rapid than that of other tree species, including native pioneer trees. Among the understory stems below canopy trees of other species, B. javanica grew most rapidly and B. javanica canopy trees decreased growth of the dominant native Ardisia sieboldii. These competitive advantages were indicated to be the main mechanism by which B. javanica replaces native trees. The logistic model predicted that B. javanica would reach 30% of the total basal area between 2017 (in the eastern plot adjacent to a former B. javanica plantation) and 2057 (in the western plot distant from the plantation site), which is a maximum percentage allowing to eradicate under the present guideline of the National Forest. The results suggest immediate removal of B. javanica is required to preserve native biodiversity in these forests.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-703
Author(s):  
Maria Luciana Zequim Colado ◽  
Letícia Koutchin Reis ◽  
Angélica Guerra ◽  
Bruno Henrique dos Santos Ferreira ◽  
Diego Rezende Fonseca ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Amin Shodiq ◽  
Tati Budiarti ◽  
Nizar Nasrullah

Trees in the landscape have many important roles; one of them is aesthetics function. Therefore, tree species selection must be considered well. Indonesia has big number of tree biodiversity that can use for tree selection purposes. The selection can be considered based on physical characteristics and ecological characteristics of the tree species. Therefore, purposes of this study are 1) to identify ecological distribution of native tree species in Java island, 2) to identify native tree species which have high aesthetic value, and 3) to arrange native tree species list that have potential to be developed for aesthetic use in the landscape. This study conducted in Cibodas Botanical Garden. The method used for this research is literature study from Botanical Garden Catalogue, direct survey method, aesthetic analyze using Key Performance Index for aesthetic quality assessment. The results of this research is there are 223 Java Island native tree species collection in Cibodas Botanical Garden. The habitat of these collections of tree species is evenly distributed throughout the island of Java. Most can grow well in tropical zones (0-1000 masl) and tropical-mountain zones (0-2400 masl). Based on the aesthetic criteria assessment there are 50 species belonging to the good category, 101 species are included in the moderate category, and only one species is categorized as bad.


Interação ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-84
Author(s):  
Gildomar Alves dos Santos ◽  
David Francis Robert Philip Burslem ◽  
Milton Serpa de Meira Jr ◽  
Stanislau Parreira Cardozo

Experimental restoration using tree seedlings is a common strategy for accelerating succession on degraded post-agricultural land formerly occupied by Cerrado vegetation. Seedling growth in degraded tropical lands is constrained by various factors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the seedling growth and survival of seven native tree species used to accelerate forest recovery in a gully area with stressful environmental conditions. The experimental design involved fenced and unfenced blocks, presence and absence of fertilization and use of an adhesive to prevent ant herbivory (four treatments with four replicates). Seedlings were planted in December 2006 and collection of data on seedling basal diameter, height, mortality and herbivory started on January 24th 2007 and continued every three months, until final data collection on January 31st 2009 (9 measurement dates). Overall seedling survival was 38 % and protecting seedlings did not influence growth, but seedlings grew faster in response to the addition of fertilizer containing N, P and K. The use of the adhesive Tanglefoot to exclude leaf cutter ants had no influence on growth. Fencing reduced seedling mortality, but combining fencing with Tanglefoot did not. Nutrient availability limits seedling growth and survival in the gully. Direct planting of seedlings of native trees may accelerate succession in degraded Cerrado lands subject to interventions that overcome constraints on seedling growth and survival.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document