Snow Cover as a Factor Influencing Mortality of Abert's Squirrels
Stephenson RL and Brown DE. 1980. Snow Cover as a Factor Influencing Mortality of Abert's Squirrels. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 44(4):951-955
The Abert's squirrel is an important game animal in many ponderosa pine forests in the Southwest. Its ecological relationships with this tree species have been documented. Fluctuations in population have been reported but factors influencing these were unknown. Winter mortality might be related to the amount and duration of snow cover because deep snow could affect feeding habits and limit the availability of quality foods. We tested for potential relationships between climatic factors and population levels, mortality and recruitment of Abert's squirrels.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Stephenson, Richard; Brown, David
- Units
- SODN
- Keywords
- Abert's squirrel, Mortality, Snow cover, Winter