Forest damage by tree squirrels in Japan.

Abstract

Fourteen papers on forest damage by tree squirrels : Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris ; one paper), Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans ; one paper), Japanese squirrels (S. lis ; three papers) and Japanese giant flying squirrels (Petaurista leucogenys; nine papers) were collected using search sites. The damages on Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa by P. leucogenys might be related to scarcity of food, while the damage to barking mushroom bed logs by S. lis was due to the feeding grubs inside the logs. The damage by tree squirrels was lower than that by other mammals such as deer and terrestrial rodents. The preservation of a healthy habitat for tree squirrels is important to improve an ecosystem. Therefore, suitable forest management strategies for tree squirrels, including preservation of cavities for rest and breeding site, creation of mixed forests for year-round food supply, and forest connectivity are necessary.