Habitat use and population density of the red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris meridionalis in the Sila Grande mountain range (Calabria, South Italy)

Counts of squirrel nests (dreys) and vegetation surveys in 32 1-ha census s tations were carried out to estimate densities in different forest types an d determine habitat selection of the subspecies of red squirrel Sciurus vul garis meridionalis in the Sila Grande forests, Calabria, South Italy. Dreys were nor built randomly, but the majority was constructed at 60-70% of the total height of the nest-tree, pines and oaks being the preferred tree spe cies. Mean drey densities, 2.75/ha, 2.78/ha, and 2.00/ha in, respectively, Calabrian black pine Forest, beech dominated mixed forest, and chestnut woo dlands, did not differ between forest types and extrapolated to estimated s quirrel densities ranging from 0.44 to 0.61 squirrels/ha. Variation between stations in a tree species diversity index and in distance from the neares t plot of pine woodland significantly affected variation in drey density: s quirrels preferred forest habitats dominated by beech. with also black pine and oak available, or chestnut woodlands that were within the range of one (male) squirrel home range diameter (310 m) of a plot of pine forest (mean drey density 5.4/ha). Fewer dreys were found in deciduous (beech or chestn ut) woodland >310 m away from areas a with pine forest (1.1 dreys/ha). Henc e, the availability, at least in the vicinity of the census station. of pin e seeds of the Calabrian black pine as main food resource strongly influenc ed habitat choice.