2004 - Squirrel Declines and Camp Expansions

Squirrel WorkshopNovember 20-21, 2004

Cone Abundance

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

year

avg

num

ber p

er tr

ee

KLLLSU

Spring Densities

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

indi

vidu

als/

ha

SUKLLLAG

Fall Densities

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

indi

vidu

als/

ha

SUKLLLAG

Overwinter Survival

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

prop

ortio

n su

rviv

ing

SU adultsSU juvsKL adultsKL juvs

May Females

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

num

ber o

f fem

ales

SUKLAG

Breeding Females

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

prop

ortio

n of

fem

ales

bre

edin

g

SUKLLLAG

Age of Breeding Females

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

aver

age

age

SUKLLLAG

Yearly Julian Birthdates of 1st Litters

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

aver

age

Julia

n da

te

SUKLLLAG

Litter Sizes

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

aver

age

litte

r siz

e

SUKLLLAG

Daily Growth Rates

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

daily

gro

wth

(g/d

ay)

SUKLLLAG

Emerging Juveniles

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

prop

ortio

n of

juve

nile

s

SUKLLLAG

Yearly Core Data Collected

• Trapping– March-August; December (not 98, 03)– Weights, reproductive conditions

• Behaviour– SU territory mapping (A-J, 1-10)– Focals (10 breeding females,once/week, 1 obs

every 30 sec for 10 min)– Bequeathal information– Casual observations

• Nests– Parturition dates– Growth rates– Genetic samples– Sex ratio– Nest locations and types

• Middens– Ownership census (May, August)– Condition, defense, activity

Yearly Core Data Collected

• Other– Cones– Buds– Mushrooms

• Files– Trapping– Behaviour– Juv– Midden– Admums– Flastall

Yearly Core Data Collected

Costs To Run Squirrel Camp

• Salaries– $2200/month x 2 months x 2 people = $ 8,800– $2000/month x 4 months x 4 people = $32,000

• Food & Accommodation– $200/month x 2 months x 2 people = $ 800– $200/month x 4 months x 4 people = $ 3,200

• Vehicle Fuel, Maintenance and Repairs = $ 6,500• Airfare to/from Whitehorse = $ 1,500

• Equipment Purchases and Repairs– Refurbish 60 collars = $ 3,650– Purchase 15 collars = $ 2,875– Repair and service 7 receivers = $ 900

• Miscellaneous – Satellite phone = $ 280– Trapping kits = $ 260– Peanut butter = $ 200– Other = $ 400

Total cost for 4 person crew for 1 year = $61,165

Costs To Run Squirrel Camp