Role of the Siberian flying squirrel as an umbrella species for biodiversity in northern boreal forests

One of the potentially useful indirect shortcut methods in biodiversity conservation is the umbrella species concept. An umbrella species can be seen relatively demanding for the size of the area and probably also for certain habitat types: conservation management for the umbrella species would thus encompass other species preferring similar habitats but with smaller area requirements. As such, it has a comprehensive spatial aspect for landscape planning. We tested the role of the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) as an umbrella species for wood dependent species among red-listed and old-growth forest associated polypores, epiphytic lichens and beetles. Flying squirrels inhabit home ranges of several to tens of hectares, and prefer mature spruce-dominated (Picea abies) mixed forests, which often have high amounts of dead wood. We carried out species surveys and trappings during 1 year from 20 mature spruce-dominated forest stands (altogether 162 ha), of which 12 were occupied by the flying squirrel. The amount of dead wood was higher in occupied stands than in unoccupied stands. We also found a tendency for a higher number of species and number of records in occupied stands, a relationship mostly due to the polypore species. The presence of the flying squirrel may reflect the habitat availability for species depending on dead and living wood, and assist in site selection of conservation areas. We suggest that the flying squirrel has potential as an umbrella species to partly enhance maintenance of biodiversity in northern boreal forests in Finland.     

Adaptive habitat preferences in the Tawny Owl Strix aluco

Capsule: Tawny Owls Strix aluco occupying nest boxes preferred habitats which were positively associated with the probability of nesting success.

Aims: We aimed to determine whether or not: (1) Tawny Owls showed habitat preferences when occupying nest boxes; (2) nesting performance was related to the habitats around occupied nest boxes and (3) habitat availability had changed around available and occupied nest boxes between 1995–2004 and 2005–14.

Methods: Tawny Owls were studied using nest boxes erected in a commercial forest. During nest boxes checks (724 cases), data on occupancy and nesting performance (88 cases) were recorded, and habitat within a 0.4?km radius around nest boxes was analysed.

Results: Tawny Owls had preferences for clearings within forests, mature forests and grasslands but avoided young forests. We found a positive relationship between nesting success and abundance of clearings within the forest, and a negative relationship between nesting success and abundance of young forests. A change in habitat preferences over the two decades was evident, but habitat availabilities remained similar.

Conclusions: Findings indicate adaptive habitat selection in Tawny Owls because preferred habitats were associated with higher fitness and this type of habitat became more frequently selected over time.     

Local habitat patch pattern of the Siberian flying squirrel in a managed boreal forest landscape

We examined how the structure of a boreal forest landscape is related to the occurrence of the Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans in northern Finland. The flying squirrel inhabits mature spruce-dominated ( Picea abies ) mixed forests and is categorised as vulnerable species due to habitat loss and change. We classified a landscape of 374.5 km² into potential habitat patches, potential dispersal areas, and areas incapable of being inhabited using national forest inventory data, and surveyed all 136 potential habitat patches for the presence of the species. Different landscape variables were defined, and also connections by the shortest distances to neighbouring habitat patches along both straight lines and least-cost distances based on specific movement costs were measured. Occupied patches were larger in size, contained more deciduous trees for food and nesting cavities, and were in closer proximity to the nearest occupied patches. Occupied patches were mainly located below 300 m a.s.l. The occurrence of flying squirrels was correctly predicted for 88% of the habitat patches using landscape variables. This modelling result proved to be rather general. In addition, the configuration of occupied patches was mainly clustered across the landscape, and distant occupied patches seemed to be linked to other patches via forested connections. We suggest that maintaining a clustered arrangement of good quality habitat patches and regenerating new potential habitat as well as dispersal areas between the habitat patches seem to be appropriate goals for long-term forest management planning to sustain populations of the flying squirrel in the landscape.     

Experimental test of nest-site limitation in mature mixed forests of central British Columbia,Canada

Nest-site availability limits cavity-using populations in many harvested forests; however, little is known about the extent of nest-site limitation in mature forests with a full complement of excavator species and intact processes of cavity creation and loss. To examine the role of nest-site availability in limiting cavity-using populations in mature mixed conifer forests in central British Columbia, Canada, we conducted an 11-year before-after control-impact experiment in which we increased nest-site availability via nest box addition. Our 7 sites (3 treatments, 4 controls) had low cavity densities (<2/ha) prior to treatment and cavity occupation rates were also low (<10%/yr), which is a relationship often cited in the literature as evidence of non-limitation in cavity-nesting populations. Following nest box addition at our treatment sites, which tripled the availability of cavities, total density of bird and mammal nests more than tripled. Density of mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli) nests increased 9-fold on treatment sites and returned to pre-treatment levels following box removal, suggesting that chickadee populations were limited by cavity availability at our study sites. Density of red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) nests and roosts also increased significantly at treatment sites following box addition and declined following box removal. We noted little change in chickadee or squirrel nest density at control sites monitored concurrently. Squirrels preferred large-sized over small-sized boxes, and significantly enlarged the entrance areas of small boxes by chewing, suggesting that there may have been a shortage of suitable nest and roost sites for them in our study area. We contend that low cavity occupancy rates may not accurately reflect nest-site availability for cavity nesters in mature forests, and that cavity size may influence the true availability of cavities on the landscape. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Determinants of smooth-coated otter occupancy in a rapidly urbanizing coastal landscape in Southeast Asia

Urbanization often has negative impacts on wildlife, nevertheless many species can persist in heavily modified habitats. Understanding factors that promote species persistence in urbanizing landscapes is therefore important for maintaining biodiversity in changing landscapes and may inform more biodiversity-friendly development. We investigated effects of landscape-scale variables on habitat occupancy of Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in the Inner Gulf of Thailand. In this internationally important wetland complex, 86% of natural habitats have been altered and are now highly urbanized. We conducted track and sign surveys in 60, 25 km² grid cells encompassing 1,474 km². Within each cell, we quantified the landscape cover types including urban areas, natural habitat (predominately thin ribbons of mangrove along waterways), agriculture, aquaculture, and potential prey availability using a GIS and field surveys. We used occupancy models to identify habitat variables that affected probability of detection and occupancy. Estimated otter occupancy, based on the top model, was 0.33 ± 0.07 (95% CI 0.18–0.48) and detection probability was 0.50 ± 0.05 (95% CI 0.41–0.60). Otter occupancy was positively associated with the proportion of natural habitat and the cover of traditional aquaculture ponds, but negatively associated with agriculture and urban cover. The remaining natural patches appear to act as critical refuges for otter, allowing them to persist in an otherwise heavily transformed landscape. Because aquaculture ponds are likely important prey sources for otters, it may lead to conflict with aquaculture farmers. Further studies of feeding and movement patterns in cooperation with aquaculture farmers would be beneficial for developing detailed management plans for the species in this human dominated landscape.     

Movements of the flying squirrel Pteromys volans in corridors and in matrix habitat

Elements of the landscape, such as patches of preferred habitat, matrix between patches, and corridors linking patches, differ as movement habitat for animals. To understand how landscape structure influences the movement and thus, population dynamics of animals, clear empirical knowledge on patterns of movement is needed. The Siberian flying squirrel inhabits spruce-dominated boreal forests from Finland to eastern Siberia. Numbers of flying squirrels have declined severely in Finland in past decades, probably due to modern forestry. We studied the movement of radio-collared adult flying squirrels in preferred (spruce forest) and in matrix habitat (open areas and other habitats with trees) in Finland 1997–2000, and determined whether the woodland strips connecting patches of preferred habitat could function as ecological corridors for flying squirrels.
Flying squirrels used woodland strips for inter-patch movements, but also used matrix with trees and were able to cross narrow open gaps. Males moved longer total distances and crossed edges more often than females. Males used matrix habitats for movement between spruce patches, and moved faster and more directly in the matrix than in the spruce forest. Females seldom changed spruce patches, but instead used the matrix for foraging. For both sexes probability of leaving the spruce forest patch correlated negatively with the size of the patch, but the type of connection the patch had to other patches did not affect the leaving probability. Due to efficient movement abilities of the flying squirrel and forest-dominated landscape structure of southern Finland, we suggest that conservation acts for maintaining viable populations of flying squirrels should focus on the quality of managed forest and the area of suitable breeding habitat (i.e. on habitat loss), but not necessarily on ecological corridors.     

Temporal patch occupancy dynamics of the Siberian flying squirrel in a boreal forest landscape

Ability to predict species distribution in a landscape is of crucial importance for natural resource management and species conservation. Therefore, the understanding of species habitat requirements and spatio-temporal dynamics in occurrence is needed. We examined patch occupancy patterns of the Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans in northern Finland across a seven year study period. Forest patches dominated by mature spruce ( Picea abies ) in a study area (375 km²) were surveyed to monitor the presence or absence of the flying squirrel. The patch occupancy pattern was dynamic: about half of the habitat patches were occupied at least once during the study period and more patches were colonised than were abandoned. Patches that were continuously occupied (i.e. occupied during all sample periods) were typically of high quality (based on habitat and landscape characteristics), continuously unoccupied patches were usually of low quality, and intermediate quality patches were occupied intermittently. The variables explaining patch occupancy were similar each year, and a statistical model based on data from the year 2000 also predicted occupancy in 2004 with similar accuracy. However, data from a single survey were inadequate for identifying patches used intermittently by flying squirrels. Despite inconsistent occupancy, these patches may be important for the local persistence of flying squirrels. The dynamic occupancy pattern may thus affect estimates of suitable habitat area and identification of functional patch networks for landscape planning. These results emphasise the need for follow-up studies to better understand population patterns and processes in time.     

The value of 'bat boxes' for attracting hollow-dependent fauna to farm forestry plantations in southeast Queensland

Summary Small artificial nest/roost boxes, originally designed for microbats, were deployed in three farm forest plantations and at one native forest site in southeast Queensland in order to assess their use by vertebrates and their contribution toward enhancing biodiversity in plantation forests through the provision of habitat. Two sites were located in a relatively 'intact' forest landscape (SF 351 and Strano) and two sites in a more 'fragmented' or 'variegated' landscape (Askham and Thomas). Twenty-four boxes were placed at each site over an area covering approximately 1.2–1.8 ha. Each site was checked from five (SF 351) to nine (Askham) times between April 1996 and November 2000. The artificial nest/roost boxes were attractive to a range of small fauna that included Feathertail Gliders ( Acrobates pygmaeus ), Sugar Gliders ( Petaurus breviceps ), Squirrel Gliders ( Petaurus norfolcensis ) and the Yellow-footed Marsupial Mouse ( Antechinus flavipes ), all of which constructed nests inside boxes. Gould's Long-eared Bats ( Nyctophilus gouldi ) used boxes primarily as roosts and maternity sites. In general, fewer animals were recorded in boxes at the two sites located within a relatively 'intact' landscape, while the highest numbers of animals were recorded in boxes in two farm forest plantations within 'variegated' landscapes. The availability of alternative natural hollows and landscape factors appear to be important determinants of the extent to which boxes are occupied. The present study indicates that the biodiversity of farm forests can be enhanced through simple habitat manipulation utilizing artificial roosting or nesting boxes.
Key words Antechinus, biodiversity, farm forestry, glider, marsupial, microbat, nest box, roost.     

Comparative evaluation of three sampling methods to estimate detection probability of American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

Measuring changes in species distribution and understanding factors influencing site occupancy are recurring goals in wildlife studies. Imperfect detection of species hinders such studies, resulting in the underestimation of the number of sites occupied by the species of interest. American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are sampled traditionally with live-traps that require substantial resources to deploy and monitor. Here, we assessed whether auditory methods yield similar detection probabilities. We compared the detection probability of American red squirrels in boreal forest using point counts, playback counts, and live-trapping. Over the summer of 2014, we conducted three trapping sessions in 60 sites within black spruce forests of northwestern Quebec, Canada. We also conducted 10 min point counts in the same sites, together with playback counts using recordings of American red squirrel alarm and territorial calls. Using dynamic occupancy models to analyse three primary periods, all composed of three secondary periods, we found that the detection probability of squirrels from point counts was as high as with live-trapping. Our results thus highlight the value of the point count method in measuring American red squirrel occupancy.     

Small mammal assemblages in a disturbed tropical landscape at Pozuzo,Peru

Deforestation in the Peruvian pre-montane forests has increased alarmingly in recent years. Particularly, fragmentation in these forests takes place against a background of very extensive continuous forest. Until now, no studies have detailed how Peruvian small mammals responded to forest fragmentation. In this paper, we report the results of an assessment of nonvolant small mammal fauna in forest remnants (one large fragment and one small fragment) and cattle pasture in a disturbed landscape at Pozuzo, formerly a pre-montane tropical forest in central Peru. In each forest remnant, we quantify habitat parameters and identified small mammals to know if there is a relationship between forest remnant size or microhabitat structure and small mammal assemblages. In addition, we investigated the influence of habitat structure on the presence of small mammal species. We did not find any evidence that habitat structure in large fragment was greater than small fragment. Actually, both forest remnants presented habitat features typical of forests subject to higher levels of disturbance. We found that abundance of small trees (10 - 19 cm DBH) was positively associated with the presence of Marmosops noctivagus, but negatively with the presence of Oecomys bicolor. Likewise, the presence of the arboreal Rhipidomys leucodactylus was associated with the abundance of larger trees (DBH > 50 cm). We recorded 12 small mammal species in large fragment, 9 in small fragment and 3 in cattle pasture. No significant differences were found in species richness between both fragments, but marsupial abundance in the small fragment was greater than large fragment. At Pozuzo, we recorded 9 species restricted to forest habitat and 3 to forest and cattle pastures. However, it is necessary to assess more fragments to improve our knowledge about species survival in this landscape.     

Landscape characteristics associated with the occurrence of the flying squirrel Pteromys volans in old-growth forests of northern Finland

We investigated whether the occurrence of the flying squirrel, a declined virgin forest species, was accounted for by the structure of the landscape in northeastern Finland We sampled 20 forest areas (1–77 km² in size) in 1995 for the occurrence of the species using a sampling plot method Landscape structure around occupied and unoccupied areas were compared using seven different radii ranging from 100 m lo 10 km Classified satellite images were analyzed with Geographic Information System (GIS) Ten areas could be determined to be occupied by the flying squirrel Results showed that occupied areas did not deviate from unoccupied ones in total area In unoccupied areas there were more mature pine-spruce forests, and less matrix habitat at the home range scale (100 m and 200 m radii) than in occupied areas Further more, in unoccupied forest areas open habitats (clear-cuts, open fens) were more common than in occupied ones at distances between 200 m and 2 km around sampling plots These differences resulted from both larger mean patch size of and smaller mean nearest neighbor distance between open habitat patches m unoccupied than in occupied forest areas According to a logistic regression analysis, information on the amount of open habitat within 1 km radius alone correctly classified 75% of the areas into occupied and unoccupied ones The probability of the presence of flying squirrel decreases with the increasing amount of open habitat within 1 km The results suggest that increasing the amount of open habitats (e g clear-cutting) at the local scale has a negative impact on the flying squirrel It is obvious that in the present situation where the population has severely declined and its optimal habitat is still diminishing, every patch suitable for the species - whether occupied or not -may be important for the population persistence     

Factors affecting nest choice by Pekin ducks

To encourage nest use in breeder poultry flocks, it is important that nest boxes are attractive. Few studies have evaluated factors affecting nest attractiveness to ducks. We assessed the effects of nest box experience (Experiments 1 and 2) and features of nests, including degree of enclosure (Experiments 1 and 2) and the presence of an egg (Experiment 3), on nest site selection by sexually mature Pekin ducks. The hens were tested individually in pens containing different nest box choices. Nest preferences were determined based on the locations of 14 successively laid eggs. Ducks in Experiment 1 were provided with nest box access prior to the onset of lay (20 weeks of age, EXP group, N = 12) or at the time of preference testing (35 weeks of age, DELAYED-EXP group, N = 12). Delaying nest box access by 15 weeks did not significantly affect the proportion of eggs laid in nest boxes rather than on the floor (P = 0.40). Regardless of experience ducks laid more than 66% of their eggs in nest boxes offering a higher degree of enclosure. Ducks in Experiment 2 were reared with either open-top (OP, N = 12) or closed-top (CL, N = 12) boxes. Regardless of rearing condition, ducks preferred boxes with the highest level of enclosure offered. Ducks laid twice the expected proportion (25%) of eggs in CL boxes with curtains (P = 0.0004). CL boxes without curtains were used as predicted by chance, 25% (P = 0.746), while OP boxes with (P = 0.009) and without (P = 0.015) curtains each contained only half the expected number of eggs. Ducks in Experiment 3 were provided with two nest boxes, one of which contained the egg laid the previous day. Each day, the newly laid egg was marked and either placed back in the nest box where it was found (HANDLED, N = 12) or moved into the adjacent nest box (MOVED, N = 12). Ducks in HANDLED and MOVED laid 97.6% and 79.8%, respectively, of their eggs in boxes containing the previous day's egg. While ducks in HANDLED were consistent in their choice throughout the test, those in MOVED developed the preference over time (P = 0.039), suggesting that the preference for laying in a nest containing an egg may be influenced by experience. These results indicate that nest box enclosure and the presence of an egg are important in determining the nesting choices of Pekin ducks. Incorporating these features into nest boxes may be useful for increasing consistency of nest use in breeder duck flocks.     

High plant species richness indicates management-related disturbances rather than the conservation status of forests

There is a wealth of smaller-scale studies on the effects of forest management on plant diversity. However, studies comparing plant species diversity in forests with different management types and intensity, extending over different regions and forest stages, and including detailed information on site conditions are missing. We studied vascular plants on 1500 20 m × 20 m forest plots in three regions of Germany (Schwäbische Alb, Hainich-Dün, Schorfheide-Chorin). In all regions, our study plots comprised different management types (unmanaged, selection cutting, deciduous and coniferous age-class forests, which resulted from clear cutting or shelterwood logging), various stand ages, site conditions, and levels of management-related disturbances. We analyzed how overall richness and richness of different plant functional groups (trees, shrubs, herbs, herbaceous species typically growing in forests and herbaceous light-demanding species) responded to the different management types. On average, plant species richness was 13% higher in age-class than in unmanaged forests, and did not differ between deciduous age-class and selection forests. In age-class forests of the Schwäbische Alb and Hainich-Dün, coniferous stands had higher species richness than deciduous stands. Among age-class forests, older stands with large quantities of standing biomass were slightly poorer in shrub and light-demanding herb species than younger stands. Among deciduous forests, the richness of herbaceous forest species was generally lower in unmanaged than in managed forests, and it was even 20% lower in unmanaged than in selection forests in Hainich-Dün. Overall, these findings show that disturbances by management generally increase plant species richness. This suggests that total plant species richness is not suited as an indicator for the conservation status of forests, but rather indicates disturbances.     

Space use of the Siberian flying squirrel Ptevomys volans in fragmented forest landscapes

We studied the space use of the Siberian flying squirrel in fragmented forest landscapes in southern Finland in 1996- 1999. Twenty-four adult males and 23 adult females were radio trucked in three different study areas. The use of different landscape elements by flying squirrels was compared to their availability using compositional analysis. Effects of fragmentation on flying squirrels were studied by comparing the use of different habitat types, number of used patches, and size of home range to the principal components formed from the landscape variables patch size, patch isolation, area of spruce-dominated forests, and area of other habitats with trees.
Flying squirrels preferred spruce- and deciduous-dominated forests, but other habitats with trees were also used for moving and foraging. These less preferred habitats connected spruce and deciduous forest patches in a matrix of open areas. Males used several separate patches of preferred habitat, but females usually stayed in one patch. The spacing behaviour of males was affected by the structure of the landscape in a way that home ranges were larger and males used more spruce patches in the more highly fragmented landscape. Home-range size of females was not affected by the landscape structure. Basically, the space use of males seemed lo be reflected by the location and number of female home ranges. In the study area where female density was high, the home ranges of males were small. Our results give empirical evidence of the effects of habitat loss and landscape connectivity for the Siberian flying squirrel and the implications of these for the conservation of the species.     

Contrasting seasonal dynamics in fleas of the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in Finland

Abstract.  1. The seasonal and spatial variation of the adult flea fauna (Siphonaptera) was examined in connection with live-trapping studies of the Siberian flying squirrel ( Pteromys volans ) in three study areas in southern Finland between 1997 and 2005.
2. The numerically dominant flea species of the Siberian flying squirrel were Tarsopsylla octodecimdentata octodecimdentata and Ceratophyllus (Monopsyllus) indages indages (Ceratophyllidae); the latter being a host specialist of the Siberian flying squirrel. Tarsopsylla octodecimdentata , which also commonly occurs on the red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ), infected a large proportion of the host population throughout the winter, whereas C. indages occurred predominantly during the summer and autumn, being practically the only flea species in nests during the flying squirrels' breeding season and on juveniles still inhabiting their natal nest.
3. The use of nest boxes by flying squirrels did not have any positive effects on flea populations, but it may have had a negative impact on T.   octodecimdentata .
4. The potentially vulnerable C.   i.   indages is a predictable, widespread component in the flea fauna of the Siberian flying squirrel at various spatial scales, and it is likely to occur in most of the permanent flying squirrel populations in Finland.     

Site occupancy and cavity use by the northern flying squirrel in the boreal forest

Tree cavities are used as shelter and breeding nests by numerous avian and mammalian species. In cold environments, tree cavities are often proposed as the best winter nest choice because of the superior protection they offer from precipitation, wind, cold temperatures, and predators. As such, they represent a critical resource, which has the potential to limit population size of non-excavating species. We assessed factors affecting site occupancy in the boreal forest by northern flying squirrels, a secondary user of tree cavities, and to identify which nest type is preferred during the colder days of the autumn–winter period. We trapped flying squirrels twice in 59 aspen-dominated stands in the autumn period using low- (1.5 m above ground-level) and high-mounted (4 m) traps to determine site occupancy. A total of 85 individuals were captured on 2,880 trap-nights. During the winter period, we radio-tracked 26 individuals to 87 diurnal nests in 220 locations. None of the habitat variables considered (cavity availability, woody debris, and lateral cover) explained site occupancy. Detectability decreased with precipitation, and was lower using high traps than low traps. Both females and males used tree cavities (26%), external nests (39%), and ground nests (35%). In cold weather, females preferred ground nests, whereas males preferred external nests. Our results do not support the hypothesis that tree cavities represent a limiting factor to northern flying squirrels in cold environments. Instead, this species seems to be a generalist and is opportunistic, using a variety of nest types. Nevertheless, practices ensuring the persistence of large diameter live cavity trees, providing better insulative properties, are likely to increase the relative use of tree cavities as nest sites by northern flying squirrels. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Predation on artificial nests in a forest dominated landscape – the effects of nest type, patch size and edge structure

We studied the effects of forest patch size and forest edge structure on nest predation in a boreal coniferous forest landscape. The following predictions were tested. Nest predation should be higher in small than in large stands, in edges than in interior areas of forest stands, and in barren forest/clear–cut edges created by forestry than in natural forest/open marsh edges. Four types of artificial above ground nests (total of 261) were used; open cup nests with reindeer Rangifer t. tarandus hair, open cup nests with domestic hen Gallus domesticus feathers, and unlined open cup and nest–box nests. Nests were baited with one Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica egg. Nest–boxes were depredated significantly less than open cup nests of all types. No edge- or stand size–related nest predation was found. The predation rate, regardless of the nest type, did not differ relative to the edge type and vegetation characteristics. However, better horizontal visibility of open cup nests due to more open vegetation structure increased predation risk in man–made edges compared to inherent edges. The results suggest that edge–related nest predation is absent or weak in forest dominated landscapes. This may be due to predator types present in the landscape and/or predators habitat use in forest dominated areas. Therefore, it might be that findings documented in other areas, such as in agricultural dominated landscapes, cannot be directly applied to managed forest landscapes.     

Nest boxes for Cape Parrots Poicephalus robustus in the Hogsback area,Eastern Cape,South Africa

Breeding propensity of tree-cavity nesting bird species are often limited by a shortage of natural nesting sites. Artificial nests can be used to provide alternative nest sites. Cape Parrots Poicephalus robustus are nationally endangered and nest in existing tree-cavities in high-altitude fragmented Afromontane forests in South Africa, assumed to be in short supply due to historic and current logging practices. To increase nest site availability, 179 wooden bird boxes and 28 bee boxes (to ‘pull’ bees) were erected during 2011–2012 in Hogsback, Eastern Cape. In 2016, no bird boxes were occupied by Cape Parrots. A total of 43% were used by other species, 51% were unused and 6% could not be inspected due to tree instability and inaccessibility. Two bird boxes were inspected by two pairs of Cape Parrots, but were never occupied. Occupancy of boxes by birds was not associated with nest, tree or habitat characteristics. However, occupancy of boxes by bees was associated with habitat type and tree species. Future conservation efforts will include locating natural Cape Parrot nesting sites and reforestation efforts to ensure the long-term availability of natural nesting sites.     

Post-fire dynamics of woody vegetation in seasonally flooded forests (impucas) in the Cerrado-Amazonian Forest transition zone

Fire disturbance alters the structural complexity of forests, above-ground biomass stocks and patterns of growth, recruitment and mortality that determine temporal dynamics of communities. These changes may also alter forest species composition, richness, and diversity. We compared changes in plant recruitment, mortality, and turnover time over three years between burned and unburned sites of two seasonally flooded natural forest patches in a predominantly savanna landscape (regionally called ‘impucas’) in order to determine how fire alters forest dynamics and species composition. Within each impuca, 50 permanent plots (20 m × 10 m) were established and all individuals ≥5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) identified and measured in two censuses, the first in 2007 and the second in 2010. Unplanned fires burned 30 plots in impuca 1 and 35 in impuca 2 after the first census, which enabled thereafter the comparison between burned and unburned sites. The highest mortality (8.0 and 24.3% year⁻¹ for impuca 1 and 2) and turnover time (69 and 121.5 years) were observed in the burned sites, compared to 3.7 and 5.2% year⁻¹ (mortality), and 28.4 and 40.9 years (turnover), respectively, for the unburned sites. Although these seasonally flooded impuca forests are embedded in a fire-adapted savanna landscape, the impucas vegetation appears to be sensitive to fire, with burned areas having higher mortality and turnover than unburned areas. This indicates that these forest islands are potentially at risk if regional fire frequency increases.     

Do nest boxes in restored woodlands promote the conservation of hollow‐dependent fauna?

Vegetation restoration is considered as an important strategy for reversing biodiversity decline in agricultural areas. However, revegetated areas often lack key vegetation attributes like large old hollow‐bearing trees. As these trees take a long time to develop, artificial cavities such as nest boxes are sometimes provided to address lag effects. We conducted a 3‐year experiment using 150 nest boxes with 4 designs to quantify patterns of occupancy within 16 replanted areas and 14 patches of remnant old‐growth eucalypt woodland. We quantified patterns of occupancy of nest boxes in physically connected versus isolated remnants and plantings, and multiple covariate effects on nest box occupancy at the nest box, tree, patch, and landscape levels. Our analyses revealed a lower probability of nest box occupancy within remnants (vs. plantings) for 2 of the 6 response variables examined: any species and the Feral Honeybee. Nest boxes in connected remnants and plantings were more likely to be occupied than those in isolated plantings and remnants by any mammal and the Common Brushtail Possum. Nest boxes in restored woodlands are used by some hollow‐dependent fauna but principally already common species and not taxa of conservation concern. Nest boxes were also used by pest species. A key management consideration must be to create connected habitat to facilitate colonization of nest boxes by mammals. Approximately 15% of the cavity‐dependent vertebrates within the study area used next boxes, possibly because the diverse requirements of the array of other species were not met by the range of nest boxes deployed.