The effects of hoarding habitat selection of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on natural regeneration of the Korean pines

Cone-cores discarded by Eurasian red squirrels were used to study the habitat selection of Korean pine-seeds hoarding, in forest patch Nos. 16 and 19 in Liangshui Nature Reserve, China. Ten transects with a total length of 15 km were uniformly set, and data from 343 valid samples were collected in a 369 hm² area. One hundred and eighty four were hoarding samples which were determined according to the cluster analysis based on the number of the cone-cores, while the other 159 were control samples. The principal component analysis, using 11 habitat factors, suggested that the distance from Korean pine forest, forest type, number of Korean pine seedlings, density and type of bush significantly influenced the habitat selection of hoarding by Eurasian red squirrels. The results of Bailey’s method indicated that the squirrels showed (1) preference for natural coniferous forest, natural fir and spruce forest and planted spruce forest; (2) avoidance of planted Korean pine forest and planted larch forest; and (3) random use of natural Korean pine forest. Moreover the distance from the Korean pines in the range of 150–600 m showed no effect on the habitat selection of hoarding by the Eurasian red squirrels. More than 50% of the cone-cores were discarded in either fringe or gap of the Korean pine forest with more cone-cores found at <300 m than at 300 m away (One-Way ANOVA; df = 3, 183, F = 5.76, p = 0.0009). This demonstrated that the Eurasian red squirrels could take the cone-cores out of the Korean pine forest. The density of bushes in samples of hoarding area was significantly lower than that in control samples (Kruskal–Wallis test; df = 1, χ² = 83.99, p < 0.0001). The number of the Korean pine seedlings in samples of hoarding area was significantly higher than that in the control samples (Kruskal–Wallis test; df = 1, χ² = 104.13, p < 0.0001). This illustrated that the hoarding habitat favoured the germination of the Korean pine seedlings. In conclusion the behavior of hoarding Korean pine seeds by the Eurasian red squirrels can promote the regeneration and dispersal of the Korean pines.     

Coupling effects of altitude and human disturbance on landscape and plant diversity in the vicinity of mountain villages of Beijing, China

Cone-cores discarded by Eurasian red squirrels were used to study the habitat selection of Korean pine-seeds hoarding, in forest patch Nos. 16 and 19 in Liangshui Nature Reserve, China. Ten transects with a total length of 15 km were uniformly set, and data from 343 valid samples were collected in a 369 hm² area. One hundred and eighty four were hoarding samples which were determined according to the cluster analysis based on the number of the cone-cores, while the other 159 were control samples. The principal component analysis, using 11 habitat factors, suggested that the distance from Korean pine forest, forest type, number of Korean pine seedlings, density and type of bush significantly influenced the habitat selection of hoarding by Eurasian red squirrels. The results of Bailey’s method indicated that the squirrels showed (1) preference for natural coniferous forest, natural fir and spruce forest and planted spruce forest; (2) avoidance of planted Korean pine forest and planted larch forest; and (3) random use of natural Korean pine forest. Moreover the distance from the Korean pines in the range of 150–600 m showed no effect on the habitat selection of hoarding by the Eurasian red squirrels. More than 50% of the cone-cores were discarded in either fringe or gap of the Korean pine forest with more cone-cores found at <300 m than at 300 m away (One-Way ANOVA; df = 3, 183, F = 5.76, p = 0.0009). This demonstrated that the Eurasian red squirrels could take the cone-cores out of the Korean pine forest. The density of bushes in samples of hoarding area was significantly lower than that in control samples (Kruskal–Wallis test; df = 1, χ² = 83.99, p < 0.0001). The number of the Korean pine seedlings in samples of hoarding area was significantly higher than that in the control samples (Kruskal–Wallis test; df = 1, χ² = 104.13, p < 0.0001). This illustrated that the hoarding habitat favoured the germination of the Korean pine seedlings. In conclusion the behavior of hoarding Korean pine seeds by the Eurasian red squirrels can promote the regeneration and dispersal of the Korean pines.     

凉水自然保护区松鼠和星鸦贮食生境选择差异

2003 年9 月30 日～2005 年10 月8 日,在黑龙江凉水国家级自然保护区,应用样方调查法, 采用Vanderploeg和Scavia 选择系数Wi和选择指数Ei作为衡量指标,对松鼠和星鸦贮食生境选择进行了研究。结果表明, 二者贮食生境选择优先顺序略有不同,松鼠偏爱的贮食生境依次是: 云杉林、原始红松林、人工红松林、针阔混交林、人工云杉林、白桦林、针叶混交林、人工落叶松林、阔叶混交林、冷杉林和其它。星鸦对贮食生境的偏爱程度依次为: 人工红松林、原始红松林、云杉林、人工云杉林、针阔混交林、阔叶混交林、白桦林、针叶混交林、人工落叶松林、冷杉林和其它。在对贮食微生境因子的选择利用上, 二者大致相同,只是在对优势灌丛的选择上略有差异, 松鼠优先选择在狗枣猕猴桃优势灌丛内贮藏红松种子, 而星鸦优先选择在刺五加优势灌丛内贮食。松鼠和星鸦贮食生境选择的差异将对随后的红松天然更新过程产生不同的影响。     

凉水自然保护区松鼠巢址选择的特征

2006 年6 月11 日至9 月27 日和2007 年8 月14 日至9 月21 日采用样线法,并结合定位观察的方法在凉水国家级自然保护区对松鼠的巢址选择进行了定量研究,共获取107 个巢样方和230 个对照样方。对每个样方分别测定了12 个巢树参数和7 个环境参数。统计分析结果表明,松鼠仅在针叶树上营巢,59.8 ± 4. 7% 的巢建于红松上,但对枝叶比红松更为浓密的云杉和臭冷杉有显著的选择性,而且显著倾向于在以云杉、臭冷杉为优势树种的生境中营巢。松鼠选择比较高大(树高21.5 ± 0.4 m)、活动通道比较多(3.6 ±0.1)的树营巢,巢树周围的树木密度(169 ± 4 株/ hm² )和多样性(辛普森指数0.51 ± 0.01)显著高于对照样方。巢址生境多位于南向的中、下坡位。巢址高12.4 ± 0.4 m,紧贴树干,多朝南。红松树上的巢多建于树冠的中下部,云杉和臭冷杉树上的巢多建于树冠的上部。松鼠巢对包括道路在内的林隙没有显著的回避。     

Hoarding habitat selection of squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Liangshui Nature Reserve, China

This study was conducted during October 2003–April 2004 in the Liangshui National Nature Reserve of the Xiao Xing'an Mountains of Northeast China. Results showed that hoarding behavior of squirrels exhibited selectivity. The preference order of hoarding habitat selection of squirrels is as follows: original Korean pine forest, secondary natural fir forest, artificial fir forest, mix-conifer leaf forest, artificial fallen leaves pine forest, mix-conifer-broadleaf forest, mix-broadleaf forest birch forest, and artificial Korean pine forest. Compared with the existing results, using the cache spots as an index, the order of habitat selection changed, revealing that this research should include more factors, such as pilferage from other animals and secondary dispersal by the squirrels or other species. The Vanderploeg and Scavia selectivity indexes, Wi and Ei, were used to evaluate the use of microhabitat by squirrels in the original Korean pine forest. Results indicated that the squirrels exhibited a significant microhabitat utilization pattern: (1) Squirrels prefer to use the microhabitat in original Korean pine forest with high canopies, the medium shrubby density, and the medium stub density, where pilferage animals are few (Ei > 0.2); (2) Squirrels did not prefer to use the microhabitat in the original Korean pine forest with a low slope degree, high density of fallen logs and stumps, a high herbage coverage, and an abundance of pilferage animals (Ei < ?0.2), and they showed an aversion for a shaded slope (Ei = ?0.5368). The selectivity of microhabitat utilization for the hoarding behavior of squirrels plays an important role in determining the spatial pattern of Korean pine seedlings.     

凉水自然保护区松鼠（Sciurus vulgaris）贮食生境选择

2003年10月~2004年4月,在黑龙江省小兴安岭凉水国家级自然保护区,应用跟踪观察法、样线调查法、样方调查法等研究方法,采用Vanderploeg和scavia选择系数Wi和选择指数Ei作为衡量指标,对松鼠贮食红松种子生境选择进行了研究。研究表明,松鼠贮食对生境具有选择性:以主要林型为划分标准,松鼠偏爱贮食生境依次为:原始红松林,云杉林,人工云杉林,针叶混交林,人工落叶松林,针阔混交林,阔叶混交林,次生白桦林和人工红松林。在原始红松林内,松鼠对微生境的利用存在选择性差异:松鼠对郁闭良好(郁闭度大于0.6)、灌丛密度中等、倒木和枯立木密度中等(1~5个)、盗食动物活动较弱(大林姬鼠Apodemus peninsulae为主要盗食动物)的原始红松林生境表现出较强的选择性(Ei>0.2);而对坡度小于5°、基质为霉菌土、倒木和枯立木密度较高(大于5个)、草本盖度较高、盗食动物活动中等(花鼠Eutamias sibiricus为主要盗食动物)的原始红松林生境表现出较强的负选择性(Ei<-0.2),对阴坡表现出强烈的回避性(Ei=-0.5368)。     

红松结实量与松果可利用量对松鼠和花鼠贮食行为的影响

植物通过每隔几年产生大量种子的丰年策略提高贮食动物传播种子效率,但人为采摘活动降低了种子的可利用量,从而影响贮食动物行为及种群动态。为研究红松球果采摘如何通过降低松果可利用量而影响贮食动物行为,我们基于黑龙江凉水自然保护区2003-2012年红松结实量和采摘量的变化,比较分析了结实大小年间松鼠贮点大小、贮点深度、贮食密度和贮藏量、松鼠花鼠种群以及2010年和2011年花鼠洞穴贮藏量的差异。结果显示：结实大年松鼠的平均贮点大小显著高于小年,大贮点比例增加,贮食密度和贮藏量也明显高于结实小年,但随着结实量的增大,球果采摘量增加,使松果可利用量减少,由此结实大年2011年松鼠贮食密度并未随结实量增加而增加,反而低于2003年和2008年,松鼠遇见率也没有在该结实大年有所增长。而花鼠种群和洞穴松籽贮藏量在结实大年和小年间没有显著差异。研究表明红松球果采摘对松果可利用量和松鼠贮食行为有较大影响,应合理确定大年的采摘量以保证贮食动物的食物丰度,维系红松生态系统健康。     

星鸦的贮食行为及其对红松种子的传播作用

1994－1998年秋在小兴安岭凉水自然保护区对星鸦（Nucifraga caryocatact）的贮食行为及具对红松（Pinus koraiensis）种子的传播作用进行了研究,星鸦在秋季至翌年早春主要以红松种子为食,偶食浆果。秋季种子成熟时,星鸦在取食的同时储藏大量种子作为冬季和早春的食物,这些种子中未被完全吃掉的遗留部分在第三年春天即可发芽,在地上取食部分种子后,星鸦通常储存30－50粒于舌下囊中,飞行2－5km后,将种子埋藏在土层下2.5-3.5cm深处,每个贮点从为2－4粒,贮点生境主要有8种：林缘（路边）、保护区周围空阔地、人工落叶松林、人工自冷杉林、人工红松林、人工红皮云杉林、天然更新的杨桦林和天然原始红松阔叶林（母树林）。星鸦每天至少搬运种子10次,达400粒。一个贮藏季节一只星鸦可贮藏至少16000粒种子,对红松1年生和2年生幼苗调查表明,幼苗在上述8种生境中均有分布,并且在人工落叶林、天然更新杨桦林和母树林下有幼树分布,因此星雅能有效地扩散红松种子,有利于红松的天然更新。     

动物与红松天然更新关系的研究综述

红松球果成熟后,种子自身不能脱落到达适宜的萌发地,因而无法自身完成天然更新而要依赖动物帮助传播种子。捕食红松种子的动物包括啮齿类、鸟类和一些大型兽类。其中,松鼠、星雅和普通币鸟具有分散贮藏的行为,以前两者为重要。这些动物从球果中取出种子,吃掉一部分后,靠颊囊或舌下囊搬运至贮藏地,将种子埋藏在地被物下准备冬、春食物缺乏时再重新捕食。搬运的距离远达数百米至几公里。分散贮藏的贮点数量很大。每个贮点有一至数粒种子。贮点小生境比较适合红松种子的萌发,因此大量的未被重新发现和捕食的贮点的种子在20个月后可能萌发。虽然动物贮藏的生境适合幼苗的萌发,但是不一定适合幼苗的继续生长。由于动物的捕食和贮藏行为,阔叶红松林内红松种子运转途径在4个层次（树上、地面、地被物下和洞穴）进行,最后只有少数种子萌发为幼苗。幼苗的生长过程同样受到动物的捕食和破坏。由于红松结实的丰欠年度变化,动物种群也随之变动。     

Hoarding habitat selection of squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Liangshui Nature Reserve, China

This study was conducted during October 2003–April 2004 in the Liangshui National Nature Reserve of the Xiao Xing'an Mountains of Northeast China. Results showed that hoarding behavior of squirrels exhibited selectivity. The preference order of hoarding habitat selection of squirrels is as follows: original Korean pine forest, secondary natural fir forest, artificial fir forest, mix-conifer leaf forest, artificial fallen leaves pine forest, mix-conifer-broadleaf forest, mix-broadleaf forest birch forest, and artificial Korean pine forest. Compared with the existing results, using the cache spots as an index, the order of habitat selection changed, revealing that this research should include more factors, such as pilferage from other animals and secondary dispersal by the squirrels or other species. The Vanderploeg and Scavia selectivity indexes, Wi and Ei, were used to evaluate the use of microhabitat by squirrels in the original Korean pine forest. Results indicated that the squirrels exhibited a significant microhabitat utilization pattern: (1) Squirrels prefer to use the microhabitat in original Korean pine forest with high canopies, the medium shrubby density, and the medium stub density, where pilferage animals are few (Ei > 0.2); (2) Squirrels did not prefer to use the microhabitat in the original Korean pine forest with a low slope degree, high density of fallen logs and stumps, a high herbage coverage, and an abundance of pilferage animals (Ei < ?0.2), and they showed an aversion for a shaded slope (Ei = ?0.5368). The selectivity of microhabitat utilization for the hoarding behavior of squirrels plays an important role in determining the spatial pattern of Korean pine seedlings.     

Composition and seasonal dynamics of seed rain in broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest in Changbai Mountain, China

To explore the composition and spatio-temporal dynamics of seed rain in broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest, 150 seed traps were set up in a 25 hm2 plot in Changbai Mountain. Seeds, fruits, anthotaxy and others in seed traps were collected, identified and divided into 4 types. From 2005 to 2006, we collected 47 different types. Total number of seeds and fruits was 121291, including 23147 mature seeds and fruits (19.1% of the total). Tilia amurensis and Fraxinus mandshurica, with the most seeds and fruits, accounted for 90% of the total. The analysis on seasonal dynamics of seed rain showed that there were the largest number of seeds and fruits between July and October, which were composed of immature seeds and fruits. In mid-October, mature seeds and fruits reached their peak, but immature seeds and fruits still accounted for high proportion. There were 91 traps that contained 100–200 mature seeds and fruits, and one trap without any mature seed or fruit. The largest number of species found in a trap was 7, and usually 3 or 4 species were found in most of the traps. There were obvious relationships between spatial patterns of mature seeds and fruits and their parent trees, indicating that their mature seeds and fruits were not dispersed far from their parent trees.     

凉水自然保护区阔叶红松林林分空间结构特征及其与影响因子关系简

根据凉水自然保护区28块典型阔叶红松林样地的5个林分空间结构参数和18个影响因子数据,采用典范对应分析（CCA）方法,对凉水自然保护区阔叶红松林林分空间结构与影响因子间关系进行分析。研究结果表明：（1）研究区域阔叶红松林整体具有较好的林分空间结构,其水平分布格局主要表现为随机分布,树木生长整体处于中庸状态,林木的整体混交程度较高;（2）林分空间结构的CCA排序较好的揭示了该区林分空间结构与影响因子的关系;CCA第一排序轴反映了林龄、坡度、阔叶比和坡向的变化,第二排序轴反映了坡向、土壤有机质和平均胸径的变化,上述6因子的组合是决定林分空间结构特征的主要影响因子;（3）影响林分空间结构的变量中,地形、土壤和林分因子共解释了林分空间结构变化的59.20%,其中纯地形因子占30.68%,纯林分因子占19.01%,纯土壤因子占8.21%,未能解释部分为40.80%。     

厦门水域中华白海豚栖息地选择的初步研究

中华白海豚（Sousa chinensis）在中国水域主要包括3个种群,分别分布在珠江口（包括香港）、九龙江口（厦门水域）和北部湾广西沿岸水域,近年来在台湾西海岸和广东的雷州又陆续发现了新的种群（Wang et al．,2004;周开亚等,待发表资料）。该物种主要以中小种群分布于近岸浅水水域,易受各种人类活动的影响,如渔业捕捞、船舶航运、港口建设和水体污染等,其保护状况引起了人们的广泛关注。在1988年颁布的《中华人民共和国野生动物保护法》中,已将该物种列为国家一级保护动物。     

边缘效应带促进红松生长的光合生理生态学研究

以一个经过12a边缘效应带处理的14年生红松幼林生态系统为研究对象,通过对3种宽度(4m,6m,8m)边缘效应带及保留带内红松幼树的光合日进程、碳素日积累量及相关生理生态学因子(光照、气孔导度、小枝木质部水势、叶片温度、叶面饱和蒸气压亏缺)的研究,探讨了造成不同效应带和保留带内红松生长差异的光合生理生态学原因。结果：4m效应带光照不足引起的碳素日积累量过低导致红松生长较差,8m效应带气孔导度过低引起的光合午休现象导致了碳素日积累量低、红松生长较差。8m效应带引起气孔导度下降的因素主要是过强光照引起叶片温度较高、叶面饱和蒸气压亏缺较大以及小枝木质部水势过低。研究认为,太宽的8m带和太窄的4m带都在一定程度上引起了光合生理生态学的不适应,导致生长水平下降,6m宽度的边缘效应带是人工促进红松生长的最佳边缘效应带。     

择伐对阔叶红松林资源可持续利用的影响

科学评估目前的择伐方式对森林结构与功能的影响对区域森林资源的可持续利用具有重要意义。以择伐过的阔叶红松林为研究对象,并以原始林为对照,分析了择伐对物种组成、林分结构以及对木材生产的影响。结果表明,低强度择伐(≤20%)对物种组成和蓄积结构均没有显著影响,而高强度择伐则显著改变了物种组成和蓄积结构。择伐后林分蓄积量均显著小于原始林,不同择伐强度间没有显著差异。择伐显著影响了用材树种的数量和质量,导致择伐后样地中用材树种的株数和蓄积量均显著减少,严重影响了林分的木材持续生产能力。因此,从阔叶红松林木材可持续利用角度来看,需要重新思考红松不作为采伐树种的用材林经营技术模式。     

Winter foraging habitat selection of brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) and the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in Huanglong Mountains, Shaanxi Province

The foraging habitat selections of brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) and the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) were studied in Huanglongshan Nature Reserve Shaanxi, China. Foraging habitat characteristics were measured on the basis of expected differences between species at 183 sites from November to December 2006 and January 2007. The results showed that both species selected foraging habitats with altitude (<1200 m), conifer forest, half sunny and half shady slope, sunny slope, density of trees (<5 individuals/100 m²), cover of shrub (>50%), visibility class (<10%) and distance to water source (<300 m). However, the brown-eared pheasant selected habitats with cover of trees (30–50%), middle or lower slope location, distance to edge of woods (<300 m) and human disturbance (<500 m), and the selection on density of shrub was not observed, compared to the selections on cover of trees (<30%), lower slope location, distance to edge of woods (<500 m) and human disturbance (<300 m), and density of shrub (>500 individuals/100 m²) for common pheasant. We also found that the common pheasant avoid predators by concealment whereas brown-eared pheasant evade predations by running away strategy.     

Interspecific effects of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) on the space use and population demography of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in conifer plantations

Interspecific competition between red squirrels and grey squirrels was investigated by comparing the population demography, spacing behavior and habitat use of red squirrels in two large conifer plantations in northern England: one site had only red squirrels (the red-only site), in the other both red and grey squirrels occurred (the red–grey site). Despite more abundant food at the red–grey site, red squirrel densities (0.26 ha^–1 at the red–grey site, 0.29 ha^–1 at the red-only site), adult survival rates and the breeding rates of females were similar at both study sites. Grey squirrels at the red–grey site occurred at higher densities (0.92–1.1 ha^–1) than did the reds and tended to have higher breeding rates. In the presence of grey squirrels, the recruitment pattern of red squirrels changed and there was little recruitment of subadults. The juvenile recruitment rate in the red–grey site (13%) was much lower than in the red-only site (50%). Grey squirrels, in contrast, had higher juvenile recruitment rates at the red–grey site (41%). The core areas of the home ranges of red squirrels in the red–grey site were more strongly overlapped by grey squirrels than by conspecifics. Red squirrels did not select the habitat with the best tree seed crop (Scots pine) but preferred dense Sitka spruce plantations; they appeared to avoid the Scots pine area with its high grey squirrel density. Data on foot length and body condition indicated decreased body growth in young red squirrels when grey squirrels were present. Our data suggest that adult red squirrels suffered little from interspecific competition with grey squirrels and that the key factor is decreased juvenile recruitment in red squirrels.     

Habitat selection by wapiti (Cervus elaphus xanthopygus) in Wandashan Mountains, China, based on habitat availability

In 2004 and 2005, we studied winter habitat use and selection by wapiti in Wandashan Mountains, Heilongjiang Province, China. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), we measured habitat availability in terms of the area of each habitat category in the study area. We compared winter habitats used by wapiti and their availability. The results showed that the habitats used by wapiti were disproportional to their availability. Wapiti preferred clear-cuttings, low vegetation coverage (No. 2, 3 NDVI classes), 200–300 m elevation range, south aspect, and 600–700 m distance range away from roads. They also showed different preferences for feeding and resting. The feeding sites tended to be located at broad-leaved stands and clear-cuttings, No. 2, 3 NDVI classes, and south slope, whereas the bedding sites tended to be clear-cuttings, and No. 2, 3, 4 NDVI classes. Using the logistic regression model to predict the probability of habitat use by wapiti in winter, we found that the overall prediction accuracy was 74.4% for the total habitat samples, with 84.2% for the habitat samples used by wapiti and 62.4% for the control samples correctly predicted by using this model.     

贺兰山马鹿冬春季生境的选择

2007年12月～2008年1月和2008年4～5月,在贺兰山利用痕迹检验法和直接观察法对马鹿阿拉善亚种冬春季生境选择进行研究.通过在选定的15条沟段里进行调查,冬春季各测定了131个和181个样方的18种生态因子.结果表明,冬春季贺兰山马鹿在植被类型、优势乔木、灌木密度、灌木高度、灌木距离、坡向、坡位、海拔高度、距裸岩距离和隐蔽级10种生态因子上差异极显著(P ＜ 0.001),其余生态因子无显著差异(P ＜ 0.05),相对于冬季生境而言,马鹿春季更偏爱选择以油松和青海云杉为优势乔木的山地针叶林带,灌木密度大、高度高、距离近,半阴半阳坡的中坡位,海拔较高,距裸岩较近,隐蔽程度高的生境.典则判别系数显示冬春季马鹿在生境选择上存在一定程度的重叠,但春季马鹿的分布范围要比冬季更广一些,Wilk's λ值显示冬春季马鹿的生境选择具有较高的差异性(Wilk's λ = 0.683,x2 = 116.995,df = 13,P ＜ 0.001).逐步判别分析表明在区分冬春季马鹿生境方面有一系列生态因子发挥作用,依照贡献值的大小依次为:乔木密度、灌木距离、坡度、海拔高度、距水源距离、距裸岩距离和隐蔽级,由这7个变量构成的方程对冬春季马鹿生境的正确区分率达到79.9%,其中对春季的误判率为22.1%,对冬季的误判率为20.6%.