Year	2021
Authors	Lien WT, Wang CT, Lam TY
Author Type	Corresponding Author
Paper Title	Rapid Assessment of Squirrel Damage Severity and Spatial Distribution in a Cryptomeria japonica Plantation in Xitou
Journal Title	Journal of the Experimental Forest of National Taiwan University
Vol.No	35
Issue.No	3
Page(s)	163-170
Level Type	Others
Total Pages	8
Date of Publication	2021-09-01
Abstract	For many years, red-bellied tree squirrel has caused significant damage to Cryptomeria japonica plantations at Xitou Nature Education Area such that it has raised serious concerns among researchers and managers. This research aimed at applying a published rapid assessment mechanism to visually assess squirrel damage among the C. japonica trees in a pure species planted stand at Xitou to understand whether the mechanism could assess damage severity and map its spatial distribution. The rapid assessment found that 80.98% (± 7.65%) of trees were affected by squirrel with the severity increasing from Southwest to Northeast. When using coloration at tree crown as an indicator, squirrel damage appeared to move from Southwest to Northeast as well. The middle section of the stand received the most severe damage and the highest number of forking suggested repeated damage by squirrel. Tree height to fork increased from South to North and from West to East suggesting less amount of merchantable wood on the Southwest section of the stand than the Northeast section. As a result, this study presents the applicability of the rapid assessment mechanism to spatially observe squirrel damage, which could benefit stand management and silvicultural treatment design.
Language	Chinese