Habitat Use and Relative Abundance of Gray Squirrels in Southern Alabama

Abstract

We studied habitat use and estimated relative abundance of gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in 3 habitats at the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center, Covington and Escambia counties in southern Alabama, from January 1987 to September 1988. Three representative stands of even-aged pine, mixed pine-hardwood, and hardwood were selected for study, and a 50-station trapping grid was established in each. We captured 603 squirrels 1,586 times. Relative abundance was based on the minimum number of squirrels known alive. Squirrel abundance in hardwood and in mixed pine-hardwood habitat did not differ (P=0.47), but abundance in even-aged pine was lower (P<0.001) than either of the other 2 habitats. We measured 6 habitat variables in each study area. Moderately open understories with a dense shrub crown (vegetation between 1 and 5 m) component appear to be important to squirrel abundance. To determine habitat preference, we fitted 17 gray squirrels with radio transmitters. Narrow bands of hardwoods along ephemeral streams (i.e., hardwood stringers) were an important component of gray squirrel habitat in even-aged pine and mixed pine-hardwood stands. Forest management should include the retention of hardwood stringers within pine and mixed pine-hardwood stands