1
|
Diggins CA. Anthropogenically-induced range expansion as an invasion front in native species: An example in North American flying squirrels. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1096244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions are typically framed as non-native species impacting the populations of native species or ecosystems. However, in a changing world, taxonomically similar native species that were previously parapatric or allopatric may become increasingly sympatric over short time periods (<100 years). In the context of climate change in the Northern Hemisphere, this may have a negative impact on northern species whose ranges are being invaded by southern species. To highlight factors that may influence invasion fronts in native species, I use two species of North American flying squirrels, small-bodied nocturnal arboreal Sciurids, as an example. I discuss what factors may enable or limit the expansion of southern flying squirrels (SFS; Glaucomys fuscus) into northern flying squirrel (NFS; Glaucomys sabrinus) habitat and potential impacts that anthropogenically-induced factors have on range shift dynamics. The range expansion of SFS may impact NFS via resource competition, hybridization, and parasite-mediation. Factors potentially enabling the expansion of SFS into NFS habitat include anthropogenic habitat disturbance and climate change, wherein historical land-use (i.e., logging) alters forest composition increasing habitat suitability for SFS and a warming climate allows SFS to expanded their ranges northward into colder regions. Shifts in forest species composition from historical logging may interact with a warming climate to enable SFS to quickly expand their range. Factors limiting SFS expansion include thermoregulation limitations and absence of potential food and denning resources. The factors influencing the dynamics between these two species may be applicable to the shifting ranges of other taxonomically and functionally similar native species in the context of a rapidly changing world in the Anthropocene.
Collapse
|
2
|
Diggins CA, Ford WM. Seasonal Activity Patterns of Bats in High-Elevation Conifer Sky Islands. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2022.24.1.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne A. Diggins
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 28061, USA
| | - W. Mark Ford
- U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Blacksburg, VA 28061, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Diggins CA, Ford WM. Effects of Surveying for the Federally Endangered Spruce-Fir Moss Spider (Microhexura montivaga Crosby & Bishop) on its Bryophyte Habitat. SOUTHEAST NAT 2021. [DOI: 10.1656/058.020.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne A. Diggins
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - W. Mark Ford
- US Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pettit JM, Burton JI, DeRose RJ, Long JN, Voelker SL. Epidemic spruce beetle outbreak changes drivers of Engelmann spruce regeneration. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessika M. Pettit
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah 84321 USA
- Department of Forest Ecology Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague 16521 Czech Republic
| | - Julia I. Burton
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah 84321 USA
- Department of Forest and Natural Resource Management State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse New York 13210 USA
| | - R. Justin DeRose
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah 84321 USA
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis 507 25th Street Ogden Utah 84401 USA
| | - James N. Long
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah 84321 USA
| | - Steve L. Voelker
- Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate Utah State University Logan Utah 84321 USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Atkins JW, Epstein HE, Welsch DL. Using Landsat imagery to map understory shrub expansion relative to landscape position in a mid-Appalachian watershed. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff W. Atkins
- Department of Environmental Sciences; University of Virginia; Charlottesville Virginia 22901 USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond Virginia 23284 USA
| | - Howard E. Epstein
- Department of Environmental Sciences; University of Virginia; Charlottesville Virginia 22901 USA
| | - Daniel L. Welsch
- American Public University System; Charles Town West Virginia 25414 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Assessing Climate Change Impact on Forest Habitat Suitability and Diversity in the Korean Peninsula. FORESTS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/f9050259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
7
|
Diggins CA, Silvis A, Kelly CA, Ford WM. Home range, den selection and habitat use of Carolina northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus). WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/wr16203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Understanding habitat selection is important for determining conservation and management strategies for endangered species. The Carolina northern flying squirrel (CNFS; Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) is an endangered subspecies found in the high-elevation montane forests of the southern Appalachians, USA. The primary use of nest boxes to monitor CNFS has provided biased information on habitat use for this subspecies, as nest boxes are typically placed in suitable denning habitat.
Aims
We conducted a radio-telemetry study on CNFS to determine home range, den site selection and habitat use at multiple spatial scales.
Methods
We radio-collared 21 CNFS in 2012 and 2014–15. We tracked squirrels to diurnal den sites and during night-time activity.
Key results
The MCP (minimum convex polygon) home range at 95% for males was 5.2±1.2ha and for females was 4.0±0.7. The BRB (biased random bridge) home range at 95% for males was 10.8±3.8ha and for females was 8.3±2.1. Den site (n=81) selection occurred more frequently in montane conifer dominate forests (81.4%) vs northern hardwood forests or conifer–northern hardwood forests (9.9% and 8.7%, respectively). We assessed habitat selection using Euclidean distance-based analysis at the 2nd order and 3rd order scale. We found that squirrels were non-randomly selecting for habitat at both 2nd and 3rd order scales.
Conclusions
At both spatial scales, CNFS preferentially selected for montane conifer forests more than expected based on availability on the landscape. Squirrels selected neither for nor against northern hardwood forests, regardless of availability on the landscape. Additionally, CNFS denned in montane conifer forests more than other habitat types.
Implications
Our results highlight the importance of montane conifer to CNFS in the southern Appalachians. Management and restoration activities that increase the quality, connectivity and extent of this naturally rare forest type may be important for long-term conservation of this subspecies, especially with the impending threat of anthropogenic climate change.
Collapse
|