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Independent effects of connectivity predict homing success by northern flying squirrel in a forest mosaic

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Abstract

Landscape composition and configuration, often termed as habitat loss and fragmentation, are predicted to reduce species population viability, partly due to the restriction of movement in the landscape. Unfortunately, measuring the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on functional connectivity is challenging because these variables are confounded, and often the motivation for movement by target species is unknown. Our objective was to determine the independent effects of landscape connectivity from the perspective of a mature forest specialist—the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). To standardize movement motivation, we translocated 119 squirrels, at varying distances (0.18–3.8 km) from their home range across landscapes representing gradients in both habitat loss and fragmentation. We measured the physical connectedness of mature forest using an index of connectivity (landscape coincidence probability). Patches were considered connected if they were within the mean gliding distance of a flying squirrel. Homing success increased in landscapes with a higher connectivity index. However, homing time was not strongly predicted by habitat amount, connectivity index, or mean nearest neighbour and was best explained as a simple function of sex and distance translocated. Our study shows support for the independent effects of landscape configuration on animal movement at a spatial scale that encompasses several home ranges. We conclude that connectivity of mature forest should be considered for the conservation of some mature forest specialists, even in forest mosaics where the distinction between habitat and movement corridors are less distinct.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following funders; Parks Canada, New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Province of New Brunswick (Department of Natural Resources), and Fundy Model Forest. This work would not have been possible without the hard work of these field technicians; Michael Avery, Blair Cabot, Angela Freeman, Luke Fryer, Shawn Gerrow, Mathieu McCann, Shavonne Meyer, Paul Morris, Carolyn Richardson, Trina Rytwinski, Eric Shaffer, and Jane Watts. We gratefully acknowledge the helpful comments and suggestions made by the coordinating editor and two anonymous reviewers. Live trapping, handling and housing procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Acadia University and University of New Brunswick and followed the guidelines established by the American Society of Mammalogists (Animal Care and Use Committee 1998).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fundy National Park, P.O. Box 1001, Alma, NB, E4H 1H7, Canada

    Matthew J. Smith

  2. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, 321 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Matthew G. Betts

  3. Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, P. O. Box 44555, Fredericton, NB, E3B 6C2, Canada

    Graham J. Forbes

  4. Resource Conservation Section, Atlantic Service Centre, Parks Canada, 1869 Upper Water St., Halifax, NS, B3J 1S9, Canada

    Daniel G. Kehler

  5. New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre, P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5H1, Canada

    Maryse C. Bourgeois

  6. Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site of Canada, P.O. Box 236, Maitland Bridge, NS, B0T 1B0, Canada

    Stephen P. Flemming

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  1. Matthew J. Smith
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Correspondence to Matthew J. Smith.

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Smith, M.J., Betts, M.G., Forbes, G.J. et al. Independent effects of connectivity predict homing success by northern flying squirrel in a forest mosaic. Landscape Ecol 26, 709–721 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-011-9595-1

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