Journal of Ecology and Environment

The Ecological Society of Korea (한국생태학회)
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Distribution and habitat use of the endangered Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

  • Lim, Sang Jin (Institute of Forest Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Ki Yoon (Division of Forest Science, College of Forest & Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Eui Kyeong (Division of Ecological Survey, Research Institute of Korea National Park) ;
  • Han, Chang Wook (Environmental Research Institute, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Park, Yung Chul (Division of Forest Science, College of Forest & Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University)
  • Received : 2021.03.07
  • Accepted : 2021.08.11
  • Published : 2021.12.31
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Abstract

Background: Understanding the habitat characteristics of the endangered Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans is the first step in conserving and managing the forests it requires for nesting, gliding, and feeding. Therefore, in the present study, we characterized the habitats of P. volans using GIS analysis of 411 forest sites in South Korea where fecal droppings were found. Results: Fecal signs of P. volans were found in various regions in South Korea, including the Baekdudaegan Mountains. GIS analysis with six environmental layers (vegetation type, wood-age class, diameter at breast height [DBH], crown density, elevation, and distance from stream) revealed that fecal signs of P. volans were more frequently found in broad-leaved deciduous forests (42%) located 200-399 m above sea level (43.1%) and 0-199 m from the nearest stream (53%), with 5th class wood-age (35.3%), middle size class DBH (51.1%), and high crown density (71%). Conclusions: The present study provides information on the biotic and abiotic characteristics of P. volans habitats. In South Korea, the fecal droppings of P. volans were found predominantly old deciduous broadleaf forests. Further studies are needed to reveal whether the more frequent occurrence of P. volans dropping in broadleaf forests may be due to a particular preference of this species for the forests or to a simple reflection of the area of the broadleaf forests occupying a much larger area than other forest types in Korea.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on a draft of this paper.

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