Effects of Forest Fragmentation on Burrow-site Selection by the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Abstract

-We compared habitat variables associated with burrow sites of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) and random sites in a reference (uncut) and a managed, fragmented (by even-aged clearcutting) forest sector in central Pennsylvania. Burrow sites typically were characterized by steeper slope, higher number of logs, and higher numbers of stumps in both forest sectors. Our findings suggest that despite differences in extent of forest fragmentation and availability of habitat variables, chipmunks select burrow sites associated with similar physical and vegetative characteristics.