文章基本信息

标题：Developing a Topographic Model to Predict the Northern Hardwood Forest Type within Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel (<i>Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus</i>) Recovery Areas of the Southern Appalachians
本地全文：下载
作者：Andrew Evans ; Richard Odom ; Lynn Resler 等
期刊名称：International Journal of Forestry Research
印刷版ISSN：1687-9368
电子版ISSN：1687-9376
出版年度：2014
卷号：2014
DOI：10.1155/2014/179415
出版社：Hindawi Publishing Corporation
摘要：The northern hardwood forest type is an important habitat component for the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (CNFS; Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) for den sites and corridor habitats between boreo-montane conifer patches foraging areas. Our study related terrain data to presence of northern hardwood forest type in the recovery areas of CNFS in the southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia. We recorded overstory species composition and terrain variables at 338 points, to construct a robust, spatially predictive model. Terrain variables analyzed included elevation, aspect, slope gradient, site curvature, and topographic exposure. We used an information-theoretic approach to assess seven models based on associations noted in existing literature as well as an inclusive global model. Our results indicate that, on a regional scale, elevation, aspect, and topographic exposure index (TEI) are significant predictors of the presence of the northern hardwood forest type in the southern Appalachians. Our elevation