PS 41-190 - Impact of ponderosa pine thinning on Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) populations in Boulder County, CO

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Exhibit Hall NE & SE, Albuquerque Convention Center
Kelly J. Worden, Biology, Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood, CO and Catherine Kleier, Biology, Regis University, Denver, CO
Background/Question/Methods

This study provides baseline data on Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti) populations in thinned and unthinned stands of ponderosa pine in Boulder County, CO and tests methodologies that can later be employed in a much needed monitoring program of the species. Twenty seven 4-hectare (200mx200m) monitoring plots (8 in thinned stands, 19 in unthinned stands) were sampled for incidence of Abert’s squirrel over-wintering feeding activity and general vegetation characteristics important to their populations. Abert’s squirrel density for each monitoring plot was estimated using a recognized feeding sign index regression model. 

Results/Conclusions

Feeding sign was found on all but 2 of our 27 monitoring plots with no difference in squirrel density between thinned and unthinned stands. Vegetation characteristics of the various stands indicate some differences between thinned and unthinned stands but only a slight, non-significant preference for stands with a high density of large ponderosa pines by Abert’s squirrels. With knowledge of the current status of Abert’s squirrel and their associated habitat preferences, management agencies will now be able to consider including forest structure that is beneficial to the squirrels in their treatments and management plans.

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