The biology of arboreal rodents in Douglas-fir forests.

Abstract

Arboreal rodents in Douglas-fir forests west of the Cascade crest in Oregon and Washington include (listed in decreasing order of dependence on trees) red tree vole (Phenacomys longicaucfus), northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), Douglas' squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii), dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes), bushy-tailed woodrat (Neotoma cinerea), and Townsend's chipmunk (Tamias townsendi). The arboreal rodents constitute an ecological community group of species that interact and influence one another’s pattern of abundance and use of resources. All but the Douglas' squirrel and Townsend's chipmunk are important prey of the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis). The arboreal squirrels are mycophagists and have important functions in ecosystem processes. Individual species exist in many habitats, but the arboreal rodent community reaches its highest diversity and abundance in old-growth forests. The rodents are not evenly distributed, however, across the Pacific Northwest; maximum diversity and abundance in the community occurs in mixed-conifer, old-growth forests that contain streams. Although the species differ in life histories and ecologies, all seem sensitive to timber harvesting because of both elimination of habitat and creation of barriers to dispersal.

Citation

Carey, Andrew B. 1991. The biology of arboreal rodents in Douglas-fir forests. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-276. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 46 p. (Huff, Mark H.; Holthausen, Richard S.; Aubry, Keith B., tech. coords.; Biology and management of old-growth forests)