Green foliage losses from ponderosa pines induced by Abert squirrels and snowstorms: A comparison. [Sciurus aberti; Pinus pondersosa]

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States)

OSTI ID:6470687

Allred, W S; Gaud, W S ^[1]

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1. Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff (United States)

Abert squirrels (Sciurus aberti) are obligate herbivores on ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). The inner bark of pine shoots is considered one of the predominant food resources obtained by foraging squirrels. As squirrels forage for this resource they induce green needle losses from chosen feed trees. Amounts of induced green needle losses appear to vary according to the availability of alternative foods and squirrel population densities. Weather also induces green needle losses to ponderosa pines. Results of this study indicate that, at least in some years, heavy snowstorms can induce greater amounts of green needle losses than squirrels. Squirrel herbivory was not indicated as a factor in any tree mortality. However, losses due to snowstorms are more severe since they may cause the actual depletion of trees in the forest because of the tree mortality they inflict.

• OSTI ID: 6470687
• Journal Information: Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States), Vol. 8:1; ISSN 0085-6095
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LEAVES
INJURIES
PINES
PLANT GROWTH
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FEEDING
MORTALITY
STORMS
WILD ANIMALS
ANIMALS
CONIFERS
DISASTERS
EVALUATION
GROWTH
PINOPHYTA
PLANTS
TREES
540150* - Environment
Atmospheric- Site Resources & Use Studies- (1990-)