MULTI-SPECIES PRESENCE CONCURRENT WITH RED TREE VOLE (ARBORIMUS LONGICAUDUS) NEST USE IN MANAGED FORESTS OF THE OREGON COAST RANGE

Salix R Scoresby; NCASI; Evergreen State College; salixmigratorius@gmail.com; Jason Piasecki, Katie Moriarty

For species occupying the forest canopy, finding adequate shelter can be a limiting resource. Understanding nest preference and use is challenging and may hold great value in better understanding species of conservation interest. Red tree voles (Arborimus longicaudus) are elusive canopy-dwelling rodents and little information exists regarding interspecific use of their nests. While monitoring has occurred on artificial nest platforms used by tree voles, quantifiable use of natural tree vole nests by other mammals in managed forests is unknown. We climbed 713 trees with nests in 45 stands from 20 to >300 years old. We documented recent use by red tree voles (e.g., resin ducts, debarked twigs) and installed cameras to record species occurrence. We observed multiple species using red tree vole nests, often simultaneously within a day. Our data suggests nest construction and usage frequently cannot be attributed to a single species, and that not all interspecific nest usage is antagonistic. We will use our data to investigate whether concurrent nest use, relative nest availability, and a relative index of mammal diversity were associated with stand age. Our data on these interspecific relationships provides new ecological information and can aid in management and conservation of canopy obligate species.

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