Red Squirrel Studies Unit 4 sample

Red Squirrel Studies Level 6 Unit 4

Red Squirrel Studies (Status of the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Britain) Level 6

Unit 4: Habitat and Ecology of the Red Squirrel In Britain and Europe Approximate study time: 20 hours

Intellectual Property of Animal Biology & Care Ltd. with Dr. J. Cooper

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Learning Outcome

4.0 Investigate the status of the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the UK compared to the European mainland & set objectives for their study


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4.0 Habitat and Ecology of the Red Squirrel In Britain and Europe

4.0 Investigate the status of the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the UK compared to the European mainland & set objectives for their study

Introduction

Unit 4 is presented in lecture format with selected references to support habitat and ecological aspects for the Red squirrel in Britain and mainland Europe.

You are expected to read extensively to complete this unit successfully. Where possible, references are provided with an online, freely-available source. You need to select which references are the most appropriate for the topic area.

Unit 4 contains research, formative assessment exercises and suggestions for further investigation that you are advised to complete in preparation for the assignment.

You are expected to refer to unit 3 and the resources provided with that unit to demonstrate the ability to cross—reference and use prior learning.


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Upland woodland in Britain Diagram 1 (page 4)

Diagram 1 describes an area of upland woodland in southern Scotland. Size 15 km x 10 km of small fragmented woodland blocks on steep-sided terrain. Main woodland species are Scots pine and some remnant upland oak, with varying amounts of holly, rowan and hazel as the understorey, any wet woodland dominated by alder, birch and willow. Such woods are also often rich in fungi, lichens and ferns. Several fresh water courses run through the site and there are also small lochs. The surrounding terrain is of moorland and some hills (max height 384m), with rough grazing for sheep, scattered farm buildings and rocky outcrops. The town of Hawick is situated approx. 8 km south east of the centre of the survey site. A few single-track roads run around the edges of the site. Hawick has a population of approx. 14,570. Red squirrel density is estimated as a maximum of 2 per hectare.


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Diagram 1 Area of upland woodland in southern Scotland


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Referring to diagram 1, there are specific features and areas that can be considered red squirrel habitat. However, these features do not necessarily match those of a red squirrel niche. Another aspect to consider is whether diagram 1 shows a Red squirrel stronghold.

Policies and plans of the Scottish Forestry Commission may be in conflict maintaining a habitat for red squirrels. To access the plans and policies: http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/ accessed 28.09.17

Read and make notes relevant to red squirrel habitat.


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Woodland in Normandy, France Diagram 2 (page 8)

Diagram 2 shows a comparative area of forestry near Normandy, France in the province of Le Perche. It is a similar size to the area shown in diagram 1, has a town at a similar distance and comparable water courses and types of terrain and habitat, albeit fewer and smaller hills (max. height 220m).

Some of the surrounding land is farmed for arable and there are several small orchards. Long, mature, mixed-species hedgerows are used as field boundaries.

Several small roads (equivalent to UK B-roads) and two D-roads (D-roads are mostly like the UK A-Roads, some are duelled), permeate the area. The name Perche is from the Latin Sylva pertica, Sylva meaning forest and pertica referring to the tall trees that define the territory.

Oak is the main species and there are many examples of ancient oaks – hundreds of years old. Other common trees are beech, hornbeam, chestnut, and other hardwood species, similar to those found in Britain. In addition, numerous poplar stands have been planted over the past 30 years for the timber industry. Softwoods, especially pines, dominate in damper areas, followed by fir and spruce. The Perche countryside is the closest green belt to Paris (although it is still approx. 140 km away). The nearest village is Longny-au-Perche, which has a population of 1624. Red squirrel density is estimated as 4-8 per hectare.


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Diagram 2 An area of forestry near Normandy, France in the province of Le Perche.


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A comparison of these similar woodlands can be made using a table as shown in the example (table 1)

Table 1: Comparing Habitat and Niche within a specified British upland woodland and comparable site in France. Features

Diagram 1 - Britain

Diagram 2 - France

1. Habitat size 2. Niche size 3. Red squirrel numbers km2 4. Human exploitation of the

Tree

general habitat

walking,

mountain

hunting,

fishing,

felling,

access

e.g.

biking, camping,

agriculture. 5. Surrounding terrain 6. Abiotic variations 7. Possible predators 8. Plant species diversity

Considering captive management of S. vulgaris, two of the features in the diagrams would be beneficial if changed or managed in a red squirrel enclosure.


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Diet of the red squirrel

In Britain, red squirrels can be found more often in the tree canopy and seem to prefer conifers to deciduous trees but they do have a varied diet. Various tree seeds (and nuts) are the most important food, but they eat a range of other plant material such as buds and shoots, as well as fruit, for example blackberries. More recently, fungi have been identified as a significant food source. Food is often cached – stored by hiding or burying, as most fresh foodstuffs are only available for part of the year. Red squirrels are thought to favour Scots pine seeds because although the seeds are ripe in the autumn, the cones remain closed until the following spring, so it is possible to access the seed by eating into the cones through the lean winter months. Various studies have identified a link between prolific tree seed years (mast years) and number of young squirrels ‘kits’ in the following year. Figure 1 shows some pine cones which have been gnawed by red squirrels to remove the seeds. This damage to pine cones is distinctive and can be used to identify if red squirrels are in the area.

Image courtesy of ARKIVE.com Photographer: Phillipe Clement.

Figure 1 Gnawed pine cones

Using such information a simple ecological study can be designed to establish if red squirrels are in an area of woodland.


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Niche and Habitat

Specific elements are found within a red squirrel niche and their habitat is also defined by particular elements.

Refer to diagrams 1 and 2 for elements of Red squirrel habitat and niche. The Red squirrel shares the resources in this habitat with other, similar organisms but their niches are different.

A Stronghold

The term ‘stronghold’ is used in red squirrel conservation. Five main criteria are necessary in developing and managing a red squirrel stronghold:

1. Manage the forest to maintain a dependable food supply. 2. Seek to resolve conflicts with other management objectives without compromising the success of red squirrel strongholds. 3. Plan for red squirrels at the landscape scale. 4. Plan forest operations to reduce short-term impacts on populations and sustain long-term resilience. 5. Establish a monitoring system and a review process. (ref: Forestry Commission Scotland)

To assess whether the habitat shown in diagram 1 could be termed a “stronghold”, the five key criteria need to be examined against its composition.

Red squirrels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (W&CA) and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. However, the red squirrel stronghold’s programme in Scotland and various conservation programmes in England are non-statutory schemes. Legislation could be used to implement criterion 1 of stronghold objectives.


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Surveys

Habitat surveys are important tools in ecology and conservation. Understanding the components of a habitat and niche requirements for a diverse range of species is very useful when compiling a survey.

The two sites as described in diagrams 1 and 2 can be compared by producing a field report for each. These would contain a ‘Site Description’ followed by a ‘Conclusion & Recommendation’ for each site as a suitable red squirrel stronghold.

Such reports use published data to compare habitat and niche sizes and ranges between such sites to support its validity.

Red squirrel density in a given habitat

To gather data on density, the standard procedure is to produce a field trial proposal. This would contain an hypothesis and methodology for assessing red squirrel density within the given habitat.

The proposed methodology would need to include at least three non-invasive methods for assessing the presence of red squirrels and an estimate of numbers based on reliable calculations. Diagrams would be produced to support the written content.


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The Value of Concepts

A ‘niche’ is a concept that aims to clarify the particular place an organism takes within a habitat. From the niche concept comes the ‘fundamental niche’ and ‘realised niche’ and all are assessed according to abiotic factors and biotic factors that influence niche availability.

They are put into use within ecological surveys for example, to assess density changes due to abiotic variations for single species. Such variations can influence food sources and will influence species’ presence.

However, significant understanding of the different terms (‘fundamental niche’ and ‘realised niche’) is needed as well as the strengths and limitations of such concepts.

Producing an Ecological Report

Scientific posters are useful in delivering concise amounts of information supported by accurate data in graphic or tabulated form. Graphs and charts are simple methods to display a lot of numerical information in one image, but they must not be misleading or too complicated. Many scientists produce A4 handouts of their posters to other delegates at conferences and these still have to readable. Points to remember are as follows: •

Title should be short and interesting – it can be a play on words, but not too trivial!

•

Word count should be no more than 300 words

•

Text should be clear and to the point

•

A good abstract and conclusion are paramount – that is what readers will focus on.

•

Use of bullets, numbering, and sub-headings will make it easier to read

•

Be aware of effective use of graphics, colour and fonts, but beware of nursery style!

•

Layout should be consistent and clean

•

Include references/acknowledgments, and the name of the author(s)

Comprehensive guidance can be found in Alley. M. (2007) The Craft of Scientific Presentations, Springer with materials drawn from this publication retrieved from: https://courses.physics.illinois.edu/phys596/fa2013/Lectures/ScientificPosterTips_FA12.pdf accessed 27.09.17

Completion of unit 4


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Selected references:

1. Alley. M. (2007) The Craft of Scientific Presentations, Springer with materials drawn from this publication retrieved from: https://courses.physics.illinois.edu/phys596/fa2013/Lectures/ScientificPosterTips_F A12.pdf accessed 27.09.17 2. Lurz, P. W. W., Garson, P. J. & Wauters, L. A. (1997) Effects of temporal and spatial variation in habitat quality on red squirrel dispersal behaviour. Anim. Behav., 1997, 54, 427–435

3. Flaherty, S., Patenaude, G., Close, A. & Lurz, P. W. W. (2012) The impact of forest stand structure on red squirrel habitat use. Forestry, May 2012 retrieved from: http://forestry.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/05/20/forestry.cps042.full accessed 27.09.17 4. Bryce, J., Cartmeland, S. & Quine, P. (2005) Habitat Use by Red and Grey Squirrels: Results of Two Recent Studies and Implications for Management. Forestry Commission Information Note October 2005 retrieved from: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcin076.pdf/$file/fcin076.pdf. accessed 27.09.17 5. Verboom. L. B. &. van Apeldoorn. R. (1990) Effects of habitat fragmentation on the red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris. Landscape Ecology vol. 4 nos. 2/3 pp 171-176 retrieved from: http://landscape.forest.wisc.edu/LandscapeEcology/Articles/v4i2p171.pdf.

Accessed

27.09.17


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