Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA submitted to NRP
FOREST MAMMAL DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION IN SKY ISLAND FORESTS RELICTS: IMPACTS OF INTRODUCED SPECIES AND FOREST DISTURBANCE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
MCINTIRE-STENNIS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0188636
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2008
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2011
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
888 N EUCLID AVE
TUCSON,AZ 85719-4824
Performing Department
Natural Resources & the Environment
Non Technical Summary
Arizona possesses four species of tree squirrel (Aberts squirrels, Sciurus aberti, Arizona gray squirrel, S. arizonensis, Mexican fox squirrels, S. nayaritensis, and red squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus: Brown, 1984) and all inhabit a subset of the sky islands of southeastern Arizona. Three of the four species have sky island populations that are of special concern and have received legal protection. The Mt. Graham red squirrel (T. h. grahamensis) in the Pinalenos is endangered while the Santa Catalina gray squirrel (S. arizonensis catalinae) and Chiricahua fox squirrel (S. n. chiricahuae) are both of special concern with listings as a Category II species before that category was eliminated recently. Two protected populations (Pinalenos and Santa Catalinas) are threatened by the introduction of non-native Aberts squirrels in the 1940s . In other montane forests, all species are considered game species and provide revenue to agencies and recreation to the residents of Arizona. As a result, the proposed investigations are timely and tree squirrels are excellent models of forest-dwelling specialists to examine and monitor the forest ecosystems of the sky islands. Herein, I propose investigation of the ecology of forest dwelling mammals in the sky islands with particular emphasis on species of special concern. Projects will investigate the ecology of uncommon forest mammals, examine the impact of the introduced Aberts squirrels, and assess the factors that influence the diversity of forest mammals with an emphasis on forest thinning practices. The results of these field efforts will yield a better understanding of the pressures facing our uncommon native forest mammals and suggest strategies for continued conservation and use of our forest resources under threat from catastrophic wildfire, insect damage, introduced species, and climate change.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1360830107010%
1360850107010%
1360860107030%
1220612107010%
1220830107010%
1220850107010%
1220860107010%
1360612107010%
Knowledge Area
136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 122 - Management and Control of Forest and Range Fires;

Subject Of Investigation
0612 - Conifer forests of the West; 0850 - Wildlife habitats; 0830 - Wild animals; 0860 - Endangered species;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
The general purpose of the proposed projects is to continue to investigate mammalian species of special concern that are restricted to the montane island archipelago found in Arizona. This will be accomplished via a concerted effort to integrate several projects on mammals of southeastern Arizona's sky islands and to examine common aspects of their ecology and threats to their conservation. 1. Examine the ecology of uncommon and unstudied tree squirrels in the mature forests of the Pinaleno, Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Huachuca, and Chiricahua Mountains as indicators of quality forest. Additionally, I will begin to extend these studies to other endemic small mammals. Final Products: The results of these studies will provide required information on the basic ecology of these scantily studied species. Conservation Biology, Journal of Wildlife Management, Biological Conservation, and Journal of Mammalogy will serve as likely outlets for this research. 2. Quantify the impact of introduced mammals on the ecology of forests and forest-dwelling species. Final Products: The results will enable quantification of the ecological overlap of the species and assessment of the potential impact of the introduced and increasingly common Aberts squirrel on the decline of the Catalina gray squirrel. Publications on habitat use, home range/ecological overlap and nest sites of each species are anticipated and will be targeted for the Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal of Mammalogy, Biological Conservation, and Biological Invasions. 3. Examine the response of tree squirrels to forest thinning operations to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and begin incorporating data into predictive models. Final Products: The results of this project will be submitted for publication in the Journal of Wildlife Management, Forest Ecology and Management, and Southwestern Naturalist.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Twenty-five squirrels are fitted with radio collars. Two successful methods for estimation of abundance will be used, time-area counts and leaf nest surveys. The research team traverses the areas to locate leaf nests in the canopy. Nests are scored as to their condition (active, mild or extreme disrepair) and their location plotted using a GPS. Habitat type in which the nest is found permits the distribution of nests to be compared with known availability of the habitats as determined from aerial photographs. 100 random point plots that measure canopy, subcanopy, shrub and ground level vegetation will be compared with the nest sites. Home range size and core area use will be calculated using Ranges 6. Habitat use of squirrels will be examined to identify preferred habitat types. The actual use of habitat as indicated by radiolocations will be compared to the availability of habitat. Basic information on litter size and birthing season are unknown for the sky island tree squirrels. Radiotelemetry permits the nests of females to be located and sample sizes will be enhanced by locating lactating females during their evening return to the nest. Observations at den entrances of lactating females will permit litter size to be assessed as juveniles begin to leave natal dens. Objective 2: Radio collars will be affixed to 20 Aberts and 20 Catalina gray squirrels and habitat and space use assessed in sympatry. Nocturnal locations will identify nests of each species. 100 random point plots that measure canopy, subcanopy, shrub and ground vegetation will be compared with nests to assess species specific differences. Home ranges will be calculated and the overlap between and among squirrel species compared for evidence of interspecific avoidance. Use vs. availability (from aerial photographs) of habitat by both species will compared (Ranges 6) to assess their level of similarity in habitat use. Objective 3: Due to concerns over catastrophic wildfires, managers are pursuing proactive and adaptive forestry management. Experimental treatment blocks will be compared with reference sites. Red squirrels are territorial and defend an aboveground larder of cones (middens) from conspecifics. Middens and resident squirrels are conspicuous. Each midden has been visited on a quarterly basis over the last 12 months to monitor occupancy and midden and random microclimates. Sign of recent feeding and caching at middens are used to indicate occupancy, which is then verified by observation of resident squirrels wherever possible. The prevalence of lactation will be tallied during the midden occupancy surveys. Middens of nursing females will be revisited to count size at emergence. Litter sizes and prevalence of lactation will be compared among treatment and control areas. A subsample of animals will be live trapped and marked with uniquely colored and numbered ear tags to permit survivorship of squirrels to be assessed. Animals are radio collared and regularly monitored as noted in Obj 1; activities will be extended to experimental forest blocks. Capture, monitoring, and analyses of territory size, configuration, and use will be completed as in Obj 1.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Information was disseminated primarily through traditional methods. Our findings on the response of montane mammals to fire suggest that some lower elevation species respond positively to modest levels of fire that open understory. Species such as Mexican fox squirrels, Abert's squirrels and perhaps Arizona gray squirrels benefit from such natural or anthropogenic forest treatments. However, endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels, an extremely high elevation species, appear to more often be impacted negatively. We disseminated these findings through more than 40 presentations at scientific meetings throughout the United States as well as in Asia. Furthermore, we published 16 papers in which these results have been featured. We also work closely with several state and federal land management agencies to include the USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Department in an effort to assist in informed decision making as these agencies develop plans to manage their lands and wildlife that inhabit them. As a result, we presented 3 sessions during a workshop on the use of LiDAR to assist managers from the southwestern United States on the utility of the technology when applied to forest management for wildlife. One of our publications listed below is a summary document from this educational effort. PARTICIPANTS: The following graduate students worked on these projects and obtained significant training: Katherine Leonard, Seafha Blount, Nichole Cudworth, Sandra Doumas, R. Nathan Gwinn, Melissa Merrick, Timothy Jessen TARGET AUDIENCES: Our findings are disseminated to the scientific and state/federal land management communities through presentation and publication. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Our findings that have been disseminated through more than 40 presentations and 16 papers have had impact on the scientific community with already more than 40 citations. Because our findings on the response of montane mammals to fire suggest that some lower elevation species respond positively to modest levels of fire that open understory whereas other species appear to more often be impacted negatively, we believe that my research group has brought more clarity to management practices in the forests of the southwestern United States with respect to fire, insects and habitat degradation. We have also had impact on the land management agencies with which we interact and believe that we have provided useful data to inform regional management practices for uncommon forest wildlife. We work closely with several state and federal land management agencies to include the USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Department in an effort to assist in informed decision making as these agencies develop plans to manage their lands and wildlife that inhabit them. As a result, we presented 3 sessions during a workshop on the use of LiDAR to assist managers from the southwestern United States on the utility of the technology when applied to forest management for wildlife. One of our publications listed below is a summary document from this educational effort. Furthermore, members of my research group have been members of several panels and committees to develop effective management plans, forest thinning actions, and funding priorities through these agencies. Our findings and outputs have had impact in how agencies are currently managing for the extremely rare (<300 species) and federally endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) restricted to a single population in the Pinaleno Mountains of southeastern Arizona. By integrating our data on habitat use, response to disturbance, and demography, forest management actions were modified to maximize value in fuels reduction and minimize impacts on this endangered species.

Publications

  • Leonard, K.M., J.L. Koprowski. 2010. Effects of fire on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis): responses of individuals with known fates. Southwestern Naturalist 55: 217-224.
  • Cudworth, N.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2013. Foraging and reproductive behavior of Arizona gray squirrels (Sciurus arizonensis): impacts of climatic variation. Journal of Mammalogy 94, In press.
  • Doumas, S.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2013. Return of fire as a restoration tool: long-term effects of burn severity on habitat use by Mexican fox squirrels. Restoration Ecology 20: In press.
  • Doumas, S.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2013. Effect of heterogeneity in burn severity on Mexican fox squirrels following the return of fire. International Journal of Wildland Fire. In press.
  • Ramos-Lara, N., J.L. Koprowski, D.E. Swann. 2013. Nest-site characteristics of the montane endemic Mearnss squirrel (Tamiasciurus mearnsi): an obligate cavity-nester Journal of Mammalogy 94, In press.
  • Koprowski, J.L., S. Doumas, M. Merrick, B. Oleson, E. Posthumus, T. Jessen, R.N. Gwinn. 2013. Its lonely at the top: biodiversity at risk to loss from climate change. In Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago III. Proceedings RMRS-P-In press. (Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., eds.) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins.
  • Merrick, M.J., J.L. Koprowski, C. Wilcox. 2013. Into the third dimension: benefits of incorporating LiDAR data in wildlife habitat models. In Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago III. Proceedings RMRS-P-In press. (Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., eds.) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins.
  • Chen, H.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2013. Effects of roads on wildlife in Arizona: how far have we traveledIn Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago III. Proceedings RMRS-P-In press. (Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., eds.) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins.
  • Ketcham, S.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2013. Impacts of wildfire on wildlife in Arizona: a synthesis.In Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago III. Proceedings RMRS-P-In press. (Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., eds.) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins.
  • Blount, S.J., J.L. Koprowski. 2012. Small mammal response to post-fire conditions: case of the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel. Southwestern Naturalist 57: 8-15.
  • Ramos-Lara, N., J.L. Koprowski. 2012. Communal nesting behavior in Mearnss squirrels (Tamiasciurus mearnsi). Southwestern Naturalist 57: 195-198.
  • Cudworth, N.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2011. Importance of scale in nest-site selection in Arizona gray squirrels. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:1668-1674.
  • Merrick, M.J., J.L. Koprowski, R.N.Gwinn, G.H. Palmer, C.A. Zugmeyer. 2011. Surveys to determine the status of red squirrels in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas. Southwestern Naturalist 56: 24-28.
  • Pasch, B.S., J.L. Koprowski. 2011. Impacts of fire suppression on space use of Mexican fox squirrels.Journal of Mammalogy 92: 227-234.
  • Cudworth, N.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2010. Influences of mating strategy on space use of Arizona gray squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 91: 1235-1241.
  • Cudworth, N.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2010. First record of a breeding population of cliff chipmunk (Tamias dorsalis) in the Huachuca Mountains. Western North American Naturalist 70:418-420.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During 2010, I continued to investigate forest-wildlife interactions in the sky island (montane forest isolates) of SE Arizona that are being impacted by drought and climate change, fire, and insect damage. Major findings include documentation of the negative but also the positive impacts of fire on several forest wildlife species. Our findings confirm that modest and patchy levels of prescribed/wild fire can result in reduced home range sizes and distance traveled by forest-dwelling species. Climate change impacts have the potential to not only influence forest structure through increased incidence of fire and insect damage but also to have significant influence on wildlife. Through publication (this year's are listed below) and presentation at conferences (16 presentations in 2010), and 3 media requests, we are able to disseminate our findings. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators on this project include Arizona Game and Fish Dept, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Although 7 graduate students benefited from association with this project, none were directly funded by the project; only the PI, a faculty member, was afforded direct support. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The impacts of the project are four-fold: 1. Basic ecological data on some of the most poorly known of Arizona's mammals continue to be collected and published. 2. Baseline monitoring data on the mammalian biodiversity and population numbers of forest-obligate wildlife continue to be accrued. 3. Although graduate students are not directly funded by this source, 7 graduate students participated in the research and this provides important educational opportunities 4. Critical data collection and discovery were accomplished on forest health and forest-wildlife interactions, in particular on 3 virtually unknown but highly protected species (endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels, Arizona gray squirrels, and Mexican fox squirrels)

Publications

  • Buecher, D.C., R. Sidner, J.L. Koprowski. 2010. Finding that 4-star diner or how bats might anticipate productive foraging areas. Pp. 253-262 in: Halvorson, W., Schwalbe, C., Van Riper, C., III (eds.). Southwestern Desert Resources, University of Arizona Press.
  • Cudworth, N.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2010. Influences of mating strategy on space use of Arizona gray squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 91: 1235-1241.
  • Cudworth, N.L., J.L. Koprowski. 2010. First record of a breeding population of cliff chipmunk (Tamias dorsalis) in the Huachuca Mountains. Western North American Naturalist 70:418-420.
  • Leonard, K.M., J.L. Koprowski. 2010. Effects of fire on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis): responses of individuals with known fates. Southwestern Naturalist 55: 217-224.
  • Merrick,, M.J. R.N.Gwinn, R.L. Minor, R.R. Jessen, T.G. Jessen, V.L. Greer, J. L. Koprowski. 2010. Endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) uses nest following lightning strike. Southwestern Naturalist 55: 123-124.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: ANALYSES: Research on the ecology, conservation, and management of montane forest 'sky-island' mammals continued through 2009 in the Pinaleno, Chiricahua, White, and Huachuca Mountains of southeastern and eastern Arizona. Mark-recapture and radiotelemetric methods were applied to obtain data on the demographics, space use, and habitat needs of tree squirrels as indicators of forest condition. Standard 10 m radius center-point methods were used to collect site variation and use vs. availability assessments of habitat. In addition, high resolution spatial imagery was used to expand the scale of these analyses to larger areas that included mountain-wide assessments; we incorporated detailed LiDAR imagery into our preliminary analyses. Strides were made in delineating key components of habitat structure and composition to endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels and introduced Abert's squirrels in the Pinalenos, Mexican fox squirrels in the Chiricahuas, and Arizona gray squirrels in the Huachuca Mountains. In some cases, such as that of Mexican fox squirrels, our results suggest a potential dependence on fire-induced habitat states, whereas in other species such as endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels fire altered habitat conditions appear detrimental. EVENTS: Members of my research group provided more than 15 presentations originating from the current funding at the University of Arizona, Michigan State University, Iowa State University, The USDA Forest Service Coronado National Forest, and the annual meetings of The Wildlife Society, American Society of Mammalogists, 5th International Arboreal Squirrel Colloquium, and AZ/NM Chapters of The Wildlife Society. SERVICES AND DISSEMINATION: Land management agencies (USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, Arizona Department of Transportation) were provided data to inform decision making. University students were provided research experiences. Professional scientists received oral presentations at conferences and manuscripts published. A web page was maintained at: www.ag.arizona.edu/research/redsquirrel PARTICIPANTS: Seafha Blount, MS Student, Univ of Arizona R. Nathan Gwinn, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Rebecca Minor, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Sandra Doumas, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Nichole Cudworth, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Claire Zugmeyer, MS Student, Univ of Arizona, Rosa Jessen, MS Student, Univ of Arizona, Tim Jessen, MS Student, Univ of Arizona, Melissa Merrick, PhD Student, Univ of Arizona, Hsiang Ling Chen, PhD Student, Univ of Arizona, Vicki Greer, Wildlife Biologist Senior, Univ of Arizona TARGET AUDIENCES: Land management agencies (USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, Arizona Department of Transportation) were provided data to inform decision making. University students were provided research experiences. Professional scientists received oral presentations at conferences and manuscripts published. A web page was maintained at: www.ag.arizona.edu/research/redsquirrel PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Due to severe budget restrictions, the allocation for 2009 was reduced to $0 and thus projects were continued at a maintenance level using other funding sources.

Impacts
My research group's efforts have paid great dividends during the past year with more than 15 research presentations, 14 manuscripts in press or published during 2009, another 10 submitted and frequent attention from the various land management agencies in Arizona. The results of this project have already been incorporated into management plans of the USDA Forest Service, the National Park Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Dept as well as the recovery efforts of the federally endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel. Data provided to agencies has clearly assisted in the execution of informed decision-making. For example, we have assisted the USDA Forest Service's Coronado and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests directly by providing information on mammal use of forests and potential impacts of future management scenarios involving proposed harvest and/or forest thinning projects. We have also collaborated with the USDA Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station on forest insect-forest wildlife interactions and climate change research. Several efforts, such as a population and resource based, spatially explicit computer models of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel population dynamics and integration with high resolution spatial imagery (Quickbird and LiDAR), show great promise for application in the coming years.

Publications

  • Koprowski, JL, RJ Steidl. 2009. The dilemma of the small population: potential consequences of the isolation of Mt. Graham red squirrels. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). Last Refuge of the The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press.
  • Koprowski, J.L., T. Snow. 2009. A comparison of the census methods used to monitor Mt. Graham red squirrels. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel: Ecology of Endangerment, University of Arizona Press.
  • Alanen, M I, Koprowski, J L, Grinder M I, Greer, V L., Coates, C A, Hutton, K A. 2009. Habitat characteristics of the territories of Mt. Graham red squirrels: do sex differences exist In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel: Ecology of Endangerment, University of Arizona Press.
  • Bertelsen, S.R., J.L. Koprowski. 2009. Site characteristics of traditional and newly established middens of the Mount Graham red squirrel. In: Sanderson, H.R., Koprowski, J.L. (eds). The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel: Ecology of Endangerment, University of Arizona Press.
  • Edelman, AJ, JL Koprowski, SR Bertelsen. 2009. Potential for nest site competition between native and exotic tree squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 90:167-174.
  • Edelman, AE, JL Koprowski. 2009. Introduced Abert's squirrels on Mt. Graham: Could they be contributing to the decline of the red squirrel. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel: Ecology of Endangerment, University of Arizona Press.
  • Greer, VL, JL Koprowski. 2009. Time budget of the Mt. Graham red squirrel. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel: Ecology of Endangerment, University of Arizona Press.
  • Zugmeyer, CA, JL Koprowski. 2009. Severely insect-damaged forest: A temporary trap for red squirrels Forest Ecology and Management 257: 464-470.
  • Zugmeyer, C. A. and J. L. Koprowski. 2009. Habitat selection is unaltered after severe insect infestation: Concerns for forest-dependent species. Journal of Mammalogy 90: 175-182.
  • King, SRB, JL Koprowski. 2009. Effect of human and non-human disturbance on Mt. Graham Red Squirrels. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel: Ecology of Endangerment, University of Arizona Press.
  • Leonard, KM, JL Koprowski. 2009. A comparison of habitat use and demography of red squirrels at the southern edge of their range. American Midland Naturalist 161: 125-138.
  • Leonard, K. M. and J. L. Koprowski. 2009. Effects of fire on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis): responses of individuals with known fates. Southwestern Naturalist 54: In press.
  • Munroe, K.E, J.L. Koprowski, V.L. Greer. 2009. The social and mating systems of red squirrels: do Mt. Graham red squirrels fit the pattern In: Sanderson, H.R, Koprowski, J.L. (eds). The Last Refuge of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel: Ecology of Endangerment, University of Arizona Press.
  • Sanderson, H. R. and J. L. Koprowski, editors. 2009. The last refuge of the Mt. Graham red squirrel: ecology of endangerment. University of Arizona Press, Tucson.


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research on the ecology, conservation, and management of montane forest 'sky-island' mammals continued through 2007 in the Pinaleno, Chiricahua, White, and Rincon Mountains of southeastern and eastern Arizona. Mark-recapture and radiotelemetric methods were applied to obtain data on the demographics, space use, and habitat needs of tree squirrels as indicators of forest condition. Standard 10 m radius center-point methods were used to collect site variation and use vs. availability assessments of habitat. In addition, high resolution spatial imagery was use to expand the scale of these analyses to larger areas that included mountain-wide assessments. Strides were made in delineating key components of habitat structure and composition to endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels and introduced Abert's squirrels in the Pinalenos, Mexican fox squirrels in the Chiricahus, and Arizona gray squirrels in the Huachuca Mountains. In some cases, such as that of Mexican fox squirrels, our results suggest a potential dependence on fire-induced habitat states, whereas in other species such as endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels fire altered habitat conditions appear detrimental. Further efforts have emphasized population modelling using spatially-explicit approaches to demonstrate the importance of competition with exotic species, predation, and habitat degradation. PARTICIPANTS: Seafha Blount, MS Student, Univ of Arizona R. Nathan Gwinn, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Rebecca Minor, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Sandra Doumas, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Nichole Cudworth, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Claire Zugmeyer, MS Student, Univ of Arizona David Wood, MS Student, Univ of Arizona Elizabeth Baker, Undergraduate Student, Univ of Arizona Lori De Young, Undergraduate Student, Univ of Arizona Melissa Merrick, Wildlife Biologist Senior, Univ of Arizona Vicki Greer, Wildlife Biologist Senior, Univ of Arizona Tim Jessen, Research Aide, Univ of Arizona Rosa Jessen, Research Aide, Univ of Arizona TARGET AUDIENCES: Land management agencies were provided data to inform decision making University students were provided research experiences Professional scientists received oral presentations at conferences and manuscripts published PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Due to severe budget restrictions, the allocation for 2007 was reduced to $200 and thus projects were continued at a maintenance level using other funding sources.

Impacts
My research group's efforts have paid great dividends during the past year with more than 20 research presentation, more than 20 manuscripts in press or submitted during 2007, and frequent attention from the various land management agencies in Arizona. The results of this project have already been incorporated into management plans of the USDA Forest Service, the National Park Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Dept as well as the recovery efforts of the federally endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel. Data provided to agencies has clearly assisted in the execution of informed decision-making. Several efforts, such as a population and resource based, spatially explicit computer model of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel population dynamics, show great promise for application in the coming years.

Publications

  • Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). 2008. The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • Koprowski, J.L. 2007. Reproductive strategies and alternative reproductive tactics of tree squirrels. In: Wolff, J. Sherman, P (eds). Rodent Societies: an ecological and evolutionary perspecitve. Chapter 7: pages 86-95. University of Chicago Press.
  • Koprowski, J.L., R.J.Steidl. 2008. The dilemma of the small population: potential consequences of the isolation of Mt. Graham red squirrels. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form
  • Alanen, M I, Koprowski, J L, Grinder M I, Greer, V L., Coates, C A, Hutton, K A. 2008. Habitat characteristics of the territories of Mt. Graham red squirrels: do sex differences exist? In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • Edelman, AE, JL Koprowski. 2008. Introduced Abert's squirrels on Mt. Graham: Could they be contributing to the decline of the red squirrel. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • Greer, VL, JL Koprowski. 2008. Time budget of the Mt. Graham red squirrel. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • King, SRB, JL Koprowski. 2008. Effect of human and non-human disturbance on Mt. Graham Red Squirrels. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • Koprowski, J.L., T. Snow. 2008. A comparison of the census methods used to monitor Mt. Graham red squirrels. In: Sanderson, HR, Koprowski, JL. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • Munroe, K.E, J.L. Koprowski, V.L. Greer. 2008. The social and mating systems of red squirrels: do Mt. Graham red squirrels fit the pattern? In: Sanderson, H.R, Koprowski, J.L. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • Bertelsen, S.R., J.L. Koprowski. 2008. Site characteristics of traditional and newly established middens of the Mount Graham red squirrel. In: Sanderson, H.R., Koprowski, J.L. (eds). The Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and its Last Refuge, University of Arizona Press. Accepted in final form.
  • Koprowski, J.L., N. Rajamani. 2008. Global hotspots, centers of diversity, and conservation of the tree and flying squirrels. Current Science 92: In press.
  • Koprowski, J.L., S.R.B. King, M. Merrick. 2008. Home ranges are expanded in a peripheral population of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Endangered Species Research 3: In press.
  • Lurz, P.W.W., J.L. Koprowski, D.J.Wood. 2008. The use of GIS and modelling approaches in squirrel population management and conservation: a review. Current Science 92: In press.
  • Edelman, A.J., J.L. Koprowski. 2007. Communal nesting in asocial Aberts squirrels: the role of social thermoregulation and breeding strategy. Ethology 113: 147-154.
  • Merrick, M., S.R. Bertelsen, J.L. Koprowski. 2007. Characteristics of Mount Graham red squirrel nest sites in a mixed conifer forest. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1958-1963.
  • Wood, D.J., J.L. Koprowski, P.W.W. Lurz. 2007. Tree squirrel introductions: A theoretical approach with population viability analysis. Journal of Mammalogy 88:1271-1279
  • Wood, D.J., S. Drake, S.P. Rushton, D. Rautenkranz, P. Lurz, J.L. Koprowski. 2007. Fine-scale analysis of Mount Graham red squirrel habitat following disturbance. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2357-2364.
  • Zugmeyer, C.A., J.L. Koprowski. 2007. Avian nest predation by endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Southwestern Naturalist 52: 155-157.


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Research on the ecology, conservation, and management of montane forest 'sky-island' mammals continued through 2006 in the Pinaleno, Chiricahua, White, and Rincon Mountains of southeastern and eastern Arizona. Mark-recapture and radiotelemetric methods were applied to obtain data on the demographics, space use, and habitat needs of tree squirrels as indicators of forest condition. Standard 10 m radius center-point methods were used to collect site variation and use vs. availability assessments of habitat. In addition, high resolution spatial imagery was use to expand the scale of these analyses to larger areas that included mountain-wide assessments. Strides were made in delineating key components of habitat structure and composition to endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels and introduced Abert's squirrels in the Pinalenos, Mexican fox squirrels in the Chiricahus, and to a lesser extent uncommon Arizona gray squirrels and introduced Abert's squirrels in the Rincon Mountains. In some cases, such as that of Mexican fox squirrels, our results suggest a potential dependence on fire-induced habitat states, whereas in other species such as endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels fire altered habitat conditions appear detrimental. Further efforts have emphasized population modelling using spatially-explicit approaches to demonstrate the importance of competition with exotic species, predation, and habitat degradation.

Impacts
My research group's efforts have paid great dividends during the past year with more than 20 research presentation, more than 20 manuscripts in press or submitted during 2006, and frequent attention from the various land management agencies in Arizona. The results of this project have already been incorporated into management plans of the US Forest Service and the National Park Service as well as the recovery efforts of the federally endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel. Data provided to agencies has clearly assisted in the execution of informed decision-making. Several efforts, such as a population and resource based, spatially explicit computer model of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel population dynamics, show great promise for application in the coming year.

Publications

  • Pasch, B.S., J.L. Koprowski. 2006. Annual cycles in body mass and reproduction of Chiricahua fox squirrels (Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahuae). Southwestern Naturalist, 51: In press.
  • Edelman, A.J., J.L. Koprowski. 2006. Seasonal changes in home ranges of Aberts squirrels: impact of mating season and a novel habitat. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 84: 404-411.
  • Koprowski, J.L., N. Ramos, B.S. Pasch, C.A. Zugmeyer. 2006. Observations on the ecology of the endemic Mearnss Squirrel (Tamiasciurus mearnsi). Southwestern Naturalist, 51:426-430.
  • Rushton, S, D.J. Wood, P. Lurz, J.L. Koprowski. 2006. Population viability analysis of the Mt. Graham red squirrel: can we predict its future in a changing environment? Biological Conservation, 131:121-131.
  • Koprowski, J.L., K.M Leonard, C.J. Zugmeyer, J.L. Jolley. 2006. Direct effects of fire on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Southwestern Naturalist, 51: 59-63.
  • Edelman, A.J., J.L. Koprowski. 2006. Characteristics of Aberts squirrel (Sciurus aberti) cavity nests. Southwestern Naturalist, 51: 64-70.
  • Pasch, B. S., J. L. Koprowski. 2006. Sex differences in space use of Chiricahua fox squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy, 87: 380-386.


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Investigations continued and progress was made in 3 aspects of the research during 2005. Renewal was granted late in fall 2005 and the project will continue for the next 3 years. I review each of the areas in which significant progress was made during the past year. 1. Ecology of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. a. Our success in radiocollaring individuals has led to success in determining the amount of space that this endangered species requires. Animals on Mt. Graham traverse home ranges 4 to 10 times larger than those reported for most other populations. The spatial scale of forest management strategies may need to be adjusted to account for individuals in this population that range widely. b. The near catastropic Nuttall Complex fire that burned in the Pinaleno Mountains impacted many middens of this endangered species; however, >50% of animals with middens that burned survived the fire. The long-term consequences of the fire are yet to be ascertained. c. Modeling of the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel population has been and a suitable model has been developed. Continued refinement of the model and the input data are underway but show great promise as a tool to evaluate management options. 2. Ecology of introduced Abert's squirrels and their impact on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels and native Arizona gray squirrels. a. Abert's squirrels are found throughout the habitat of the uncommon native species in both the Pinaleno Mountains (Mt. Graham red squirrels) and Rincon Mountains (Arizona gray squirrels). b. Abert's squirrels appear to exhibit significant ecological overlap with both of the uncommon species.As a result of potential indirect forest impacts and direct influences on uncommon natives, Abert's squirrels may have subtle but significant impacts on the forests of Arizona where squirrels were introduced outside of their natural range. c. Abert's squirrel have a clear effect on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels through modeling runs. The role of this non-native tree squirrel may warrant further examination. 3. Ecology of Mexican Fox Squirrels and the Role of Fire. a. Mexican fox squirrels have extraordinarily low rates of reproduction, among the lowest reported for any tree squirrel. This means that populations will recover from disturbances at very slow rates. b. Mexican fox squirrels exhibit enlarged home ranges and reduced survivorship in areas where understory and ground cover vegetation are dense as the result of fire suppression. Maintenance of historical fire regimes may be a key component to management and conservation of this species. This project will be extended to a greater spatial scale to test these findings within the mosaic of wildfire and controlled burns in the Chiricahua Mtns.

Impacts
The data that have been collected as part of field surveys and remote monitoring by radiotelemetry have already provided valuable insight into the impact of introduced animals on the unique and endemic mammalian fauna of Arizona's sky islands. Additionally, basic ecological data on the three native species of special concern (Chiricahua fox squirrels, Catalina gray squirrels, and Mt. Graham red squirrels) have been collected to assist in the management of Arizona's forest wildlife resources.

Publications

  • Koprowski, J.L., K.M Leonard, C.J. Zugmeyer, JL Jolley. 2006. Direct effects of fire on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Southwestern Naturalist, 51: In press.
  • Koprowski, J.L., M.I. Alanen, A.M. Lynch. 2005. Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide: response of endemic Mt. Graham red squirrels to catastrophic forest damage. Biological Conservation, 126:491-498.
  • Koprowski, JL. 2005. Impacts of fragmentation on tree squirrels: a review and synthesis. Animal Conservation 8: 369-376.
  • Koprowski, JL, MC Corse. 2005. Activity, time budgets, and behavior of Mexican fox squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 86: 947-952.
  • Edelman, A.J., J.L. Koprowski. 2005. Selection of drey sites by Abert's squirrels in an introduced population: the role of structure versus tree species. Journal of Mammalogy 86: 1220-1226.
  • Koprowski, JL. 2005. Management and conservation of tree squirrels: the importance of endemism, species richness, and forest condition. Pp. 245-250 In Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proceedings RMRS-P-36. (Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., and C. Edminster, eds.) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins.
  • Koprowski, J.L, A.J. Edelman, B.S. Pasch, D.J. Buecher. 2005. A dearth of data on mammals in the Madrean Archipelago: what we think we know and what we do know. Pp. 412-415 In Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proceedings RMRS-P-36. (Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., and C. Edminster, eds.) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, In press.
  • Edelman, A.J., J.L. Koprowski, J.L. Edelman. 2005. Kleptoparasitic behavior and species richness at Mt. Graham red squirrel middens. In Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proceedings: 395-398. Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., & Edminster, C. (Eds). RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
  • Pasch, B.S., J.L. Koprowski. 2005. Correlates of vulnerability in Chiricahua Fox Squirrels. Pp. 326-329 In Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proceedings RMRS-P-36. (Gottfried, G. J., Gebow, B. S., Eskew, L. G., and C. Edminster, eds.) United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins.
  • Edelman, A.J., J.L. Koprowski. 2006. Characteristics of Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) cavity nests. Southwestern Naturalist, 51: In press.
  • Pasch, B. S., J. L. Koprowski. 2006. Sex differences in space use of Chiricahua fox squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy, 87: In press.
  • Edelman, A.J., J.L. Koprowski. 2005. Diet and tree use of Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) in a mixed- conifer forest. Southwestern Naturalist, 50: 461-465.
  • Koprowski, JL. 2005. Annual cycles in body mass and reproduction in the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel, a montane island endemic. Journal of Mammalogy, 86:30-313.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Investigations continued and progress was made in 3 aspects of the research during 2004. The project will continue for the next 3 years. I review each of the areas in which significant progress was made during the past year. 1. Ecology of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. a. Our success in radiocollaring individuals has led to success in determining the amount of space that this endangered species requires. Animals on Mt. Graham traverse home ranges 4 to 10 times larger than those reported for most other populations. The spatial scale of forest management strategies may need to be adjusted to account for individuals in this population that range widely. b. The near catastropic Nuttall Complex fire that burned in the Pinaleno Mountains impacted many middens of this endangered species; however, >50% of animals with middens that burned survived the fire. The long-term consequences of the fire are yet to be ascertained. c. Preliminary modeling of the endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel is underway and a suitable model appears to have been developed. Continued refinement of the model and the input data are underway but show great promise as a tool to evaluate management options. 2. Ecology of introduced Abert's squirrels and their impact on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels and native Arizona gray squirrels. 1 graduate student completed their MS thesis on this aspect of the project during 2004. a. Abert's squirrels are found throughout the habitat of the uncommon native species in both the Pinaleno Mountains (Mt. Graham red squirrels) and Rincon Mountains (Arizona gray squirrels). b. Abert's squirrels appear to exhibit significant ecological overlap with both of the uncommon species.As a result of potential indirect forest impacts and direct influences on uncommon natives, Abert's squirrels may have subtle but significant impacts on the forests of Arizona where squirrels were introduced outside of their natural range. c. Abert's squirrel have a clear effect on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels through preliminary modeling runs. The role of this non-native tree squirrel may warrant further examination. 3. Ecology of Mexican Fox Squirrels and the Role of Fire. 1 graduate student completed their MS thesis on this aspect of the project during 2004. a. Mexican fox squirrels have extraordinarily low rates of reproduction, among the lowest reported for any tree squirrel. This means that populations will recover from disturbances at very slow rates. b. Mexican fox squirrels exhibit enlarged home ranges and reduced survivorship in areas where understory and ground cover vegetation are dense as the result of fire suppression. Maintenance of historical fire regimes may be a key component to management and conservation of this species.

Impacts
The data that have been collected as part of field surveys and remote monitoring by radiotelemetry have already provided valuable insight into the impact of introduced animals on the unique and endemic mammalian fauna of Arizona's sky islands. Additionally, basic ecological data on the three native species of special concern (Chiricahua fox squirrels, Catalina gray squirrels, and Mt. Graham red squirrels) have been collected to assist in the management of Arizona's forest wildlife resources.

Publications

  • Koprowski, JL. 2005. Annual Cycles in Body Mass and Reproduction in the Endangered Mt. Graham Red Squirrel, a Montane Island Endemic. Journal of Mammalogy 86 (2): In press.
  • Koprowski, JL. 2005. Management and conservation of tree squirrels: the importance of endemism, species richness, and forest condition. Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II, US Forest Service. In press.
  • Koprowski, JL, AJ Edelman, BS Pasch, DJ Buecher. 2005. A dearth of data on mammals in the Madrean Archipelago: what we think we know and what we do know. Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II, US Forest Service. In press.
  • Edelman, AJ, JL Koprowski, JL Edelman. 2005. Kleptoparasitic behavior and species richness at Mt. Graham red squirrel middens. Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II, US Forest Service. In press.
  • Pasch, BS, JL Koprowski. 2005. Ecology and conservation of Chiricahua fox squirrels (Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahuae), a sky island endemic. Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II, US Forest Service. In press.
  • Koprowski, J.L. 2005. Reproductive strategies and alternative reproductive tactics of tree squirrels. In: Wolff, J. Sherman, P (eds). Rodent Societies. University of Chicago Press. In press.
  • Edelman, AJ, JL Koprowski. 2006. Selection of drey sites by introduced Aberts squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy. Accepted.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
During the 3rd year of this research, several portions of the project were conducted as part of this long-term research. The 2003 efforts focused on introduced populations of Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) in the Pinalenos and to some extent the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains of southeastern Arizona. These squirrels were believed to be obligates of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) and therefore thought to have little impact on native Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) and Catalina gray squirrels (Sciurus arizonensis catalinae) when the translocations occured in the early 1940's. Since their release, however, Abert's squirrels are now found throughout most forested portions of the Pinalenos and Santa Catalina Mountains and we have evidence to suggest that ecological overlap with native species does occur. Currently, we are conducting experiments to assess the extent and potential positive or negative consequences of such overlap. Following the great fires of summer 2002 and 2003 in the Santa Catalina Mountains, the only site where Catalina gray squirrels were seen in 2001 was revisited and the continued presence of this species was documented. Additional funding was obtained to initiate a similar project in the Rincon Mountains adjacent to the Santa Catalinas and surveys in fall 2003 detected the presence of Catalina gray squirrels. These locations will serve as focal study areas in the coming years. On Mt. Graham, Abert's squirrels are being tracked via radiotelemetry in an effort to learn more about how this introduced species makes use of non-traditional spruce-fir and mixed forests. These data will also provide insight into the potential ecological overlap of this species with the now endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel. We monitored 20 radiocollared Abert's squirrels and 50 endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels on during the 2003 field season. Another aspect of this project involves a study to assess the status and ecology of another of Arizona's sky island endemic species, the Chiricahua fox squirrel (Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahua), found only in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. To assess nest site preferences and habitat use of this virtually unstudied species, radiotelemetry is being used on free-ranging animals in the Chiricahua National Monument. We continued to monitor 15 animals during the 2003 field season.

Impacts
The data that have been collected as part of field surveys and remote monitoring by radiotelemetry have already provided valuable insight into the impact of introduced animals on the unique and endemic mammalian fauna of Arizona's sky islands. Additionally, basic ecological data on the three native species of special concern (Chiricahua fox squirrels, Catalina gray squirrels, and Mt. Graham red squirrels) have been collected to assist in the management of Arizona's forest wildlife resources.

Publications

  • Hutton KA, Koprowski JL, Greer VL, Alanen MI, Schauffert CA, Young PJ. 2003. Use of mixed-conifer and spruce-fir forests by an introduced population of Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti). Southwestern Naturalist, 48:257-260.


Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
During the 2nd year of this research, several portions of the project were conducted as part of this long-term research. The 2002 efforts focused on introduced populations of Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) in the Pinalenos and to some extent the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains of southeastern Arizona. These squirrels were believed to be obligates of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) and therefore thought to have little impact on native Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) and Catalina gray squirrels (Sciurus arizonensis catalinae) when the translocations occured in the early 1940's. Since their release, however, Abert's squirrels are now found throughout most forested portions of the Pinalenos and Santa Catalina Mountains and we have evidence to suggest that ecological overlap with native species does occur. Currently, we are conducting experiments to assess the extent and potential positive or negative consequences of such overlap. Following the great fires of summer 2002 in the Santa Catalina Mountains, the only site where Catalina gray squirrels were seen in 2001 was revisited and the continued presence of this species was documented. Additional funding was obtained to initiate a similar project in the Rincon Mountains adjacent to the Santa Catalinas. These locations will serve as focal study areas in the coming years. On Mt. Graham, Abert's squirrels are being tracked via radiotelemetry in an effort to learn more about how this introduced species makes use of non-traditional spruce-fir and mixed forests. These data will also provide insight into the potential ecological overlap of this species with the now endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel. We monitored 20 radiocollared Abert's squirrels and 20 endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels on during the 200203 field season. Another aspect of this project involves a study to assess the status and ecology of another of Arizona's sky island endemic species, the Chiricahua fox squirrel (Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahua), found only in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. To assess nest site preferences and habitat use of this virtually unstudied species, radiotelemetry is being used on free-ranging animals in the Chiricahua National Monument. We continued to monitor 20 animals during the 2002-03 field season.

Impacts
The data that have been collected as part of field surveys and remote monitoring by radiotelemetry have already provided valuable insight into the impact of introduced animals on the unique and endemic mammalian fauna of Arizona's sky islands. Additionally, basic ecological data on the three native species of special concern (Chiricahua fox squirrels, Catalina gray squirrels, and Mt. Graham red squirrels) have been collected to assist in the management of Arizona's forest wildlife resources.

Publications

  • 4 manuscripts are currently in various stages of completion based upon the first 1.5 years of funding held; however, these manuscripts will not be submitted until mid-to-late 2003. My research group is presenting 9 distinctly different papers at conferences during early to mid 2003 that are the early draft versions of the manuscripts to be submitted in late 2003 and early 2004.


Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Several portions of the project were initiated during the first 6 months of this long-term research. The 2001 efforts focused on introduced populations of Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) in the Pinalenos and Santa Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona. These squirrels were believed to be obligates of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) and therefore thought to have little impact on native Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) and Catalina gray squirrels (Sciurus arizonensis catalinae) when the translocations occured in the early 1940's. Since their release, however, Abert's squirrels are now found throughout most forested portions of the Pinalenos and Santa Catalina Mountains. During the last 6 months of 2001, we visited the collection localities of museum specimens from the Santa Catalina Mountains and only observed Catalina gray squirrels at one location. This location will serve as a focal study area in the coming years. On Mt. Graham, Abert's squirrels are being tracked via radiotelemetry in an effort to learn more about how this introduced species makes use of non-traditional spruce-fir and mixed forests. These data will also provide insight into the potential ecological overlap of this species with the now endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel. We anticipate monitoring 20-25 radiocollared Abert's squirrels on each of these two sites during the 2002 field season. Another aspect of this project involves a study to assess the status and ecology of another of Arizona's sky island endemic species, the Chiricahua fox squirrel (Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahua), found only in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. To assess nest site preferences and habitat use of this virtually unstudied species, radiotelemetry is being used on free-ranging animals in the Chiricahua National Monument. We anticipate monitoring 20-25 animals during the 2002 field season.

Impacts
The field surveys and remote monitoring by radiotelemetry will provide valuable insight into the impact of introduced animals on the unique and endemic mammalian fauna of Arizona's sky islands. The data on the three native species of special concern (Chiricahua fox squirrels, Catalina gray squirrels, and Mt. Graham red squirrels) will provide basic ecological information to assist in the management of Arizona's forest wildlife resources.

Publications

  • No publications were produced during the 6 months of funding provided in 2001