Food availability affects habitat use of Eurasian red squirrels (<i>Sciurus vulgaris</i>) in a semi-urban environment

Reher, Stephanie; Dausmann, Kathrin H.; Warnecke, Lisa; Turner, James M.

doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyw105

Cited by 41 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…For example, it may be that feeding sites are even more important for squirrels during poor cone years than during those years with average cone production, as in our case. However, Reher et al (2016) found that food provision in semi-urban habitat had positive effect on red squirrels also in years when natural food sources were available. One factor that might promote the urbanization of squirrels is the so-called "urban heat island" phenomenon (Adams, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

The role of urban habitats in the abundance of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, L.) in Finland

Jokimäki

Selonen

Lehikoinen

et al. 2017

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

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Because the amount of urban areas has increased, it is important to investigate the abundance of wildlife species in relation to urban environments. Analyzing the impact of urbanization on the presence of forest-dwelling mammals is of interest due to the possible effects of urbanization on human-wildlife relationships and urban biodiversity. The Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a declining forest species, and its occurrence in urban environments has been inadequately studied. The loss and fragmentation of forests due to urbanization may be detrimental for squirrels, whereas the abundant and predictable food resources and the low number of natural predators in urban areas may encourage squirrels to invade towns. We used large-scale data collected by volunteer bird watchers along a 950 km south-north gradient to study whether the winter abundance of squirrels in Finland is dependent on urbanization, while controlling for effects of habitat type, food abundance (spruce cone crop; number of winter feeding sites), predator abundance (northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis; feral cat Felis catus), season and latitude. We found that squirrel abundance increased with human population density, number of feeding sites and spruce cone crop and decreased with latitude and season. Feral cats showed weak negative connection with squirrel numbers, but there were no effect of goshawks. Relative squirrel abundance was approximately twice as high in urban habitats than in forests. Artificial feeding rather than a low number of predators may attract squirrels in urban environments. Planting spruce trees in urban environments will also benefit squirrels. Our results indicate that urban areas are an important habitat for the red squirrel even along the northern edge of their distribution range, where natural forest areas are still widespread. We conclude also that a citizen science-based bird survey protocol associated with mammal surveys seems to be a good largescale monitoring method to study the urbanization of squirrels.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

The role of urban habitats in the abundance of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, L.) in Finland

Jokimäki

Selonen

Lehikoinen

et al. 2017

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

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“…For instance, urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) forage at waste piles and scavenge meat, fruit and crops (Contesse et al, 2004). Similarly, urban red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) adjust their homeranges when resources are scarce to incorporate anthropogenic foods, with heavier animals being found closer to these resources (Reher et al, 2016). In addition to consuming food waste, many insectivorous taxa, including bats, birds, spiders and herpetofauna, feed on arthropods attracted to artificial lights and waste in urban areas (Heiling, 1999;Henderson & Powell, 2001;Jung & Kalko, 2010;Russ et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The perils of city life: patterns of injury and fluctuating asymmetry in urban lizards

Winchell

Briggs

Revell

2019

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society

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Animals that live in cities face a number of challenges particular to the urban environment that may impact on overall health and survival. Nevertheless, relatively few studies have investigated injury and health in urban species. We measured body condition, injury rate and fluctuating asymmetry in urban and forest populations of the tropical lizard Anolis cristatellus. We found that although there were strong differences in body condition between urban and forest populations, the direction of this difference varied between municipalities. We also found that injury rates (amputated digits and bone fractures) were slightly, but significantly, more common in urban populations; this phenomenon may be due to changes in intraspecific interactions or predation pressure in urban sites. Contrary to our expectations, we found that fluctuating asymmetry was greater in forest compared to urban populations. Because our data were collected from adults, this may be a sign of stronger natural selection on the symmetry of functional traits in urban than in forest environments. Finally, we found no persuasive evidence that city living is inherently detrimental to individuals of this species despite a slightly higher rate of injury. Being able to overcome the challenges of city life may be integral to urban persistence and a step along the path to urban adaptation.

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“…In our study site, mostly in Pasakų park, additional feeding could likely support a population with a higher density of individuals than in a natural habitat and ensure year-round food availability (e.g. Reher et al 2016). However, the negative effects on the number of red squirrels are also possible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In recent years, there have been a number of studies on red squirrel ecology in Europe, specifically in Belgium, Italy, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom (Wauters et al 2008, Amori et al 2012, Biancardi & Gnoli 2016, Di Cerbo & Biancardi 2013, Flaherty et al 2012, Gurnell et al 2004, Gurnell et al 2011, Verbeylen et al 2003, Reher et al 2016, Turner et al 2017, Kopij 2009, Babińska-Werka & Żółw 2008. However, very little data have been collected on the biology and ecology of this species in Lithuania.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological aspects of Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) dreys in city parks

Stirkė¹

2019

Acta Zool Acad Sci H

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Modified habitats often pose challenges to native fauna. Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) successfully inhabits territory of the cities. However research on quite abundant red squirrel populations in urban parks of Lithuania was lacking. The investigation was carried out in two city parks (area of Giruliai park 152 ha, Pasakų park forest-31 ha) in Vilnius, Lithuania. Both areas were mainly coniferous, dominated with pine (Pinus sylvestris). Drey (N = 415) counts were done in February and March 2014-2016. Dreys were found in eight tree species. The red squirrels' dreys were mainly built in most widespread tree species: pine (84.8% of all dreys) and birch (8.1%). Most of the found dreys were built on the side branches at the stem (47.7%). 21.8% of the dreys were built on the branches further from the stem, 18.5% on the top branches and 12% in the stem fork-off. Most of the dreys were set in the southern exposition (33.9%). Average number of red squirrels in both parks in 2014-2016 was 0.20±0.01 squirrels/ha, the average number of dreys-0.75±0.05 dreys/ha. The population of urban red squirrels in Vilnius city parks can be regarded as stable and having medium abundance, which is supported by supplementary feeding.

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Food availability affects habitat use of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in a semi-urban environment

Cited by 41 publications

References 78 publications

The role of urban habitats in the abundance of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, L.) in Finland

The role of urban habitats in the abundance of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris, L.) in Finland

The perils of city life: patterns of injury and fluctuating asymmetry in urban lizards

Ecological aspects of Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) dreys in city parks

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