Study

Squirrel nest boxes: are they effective in young hardwood stands?

  • Published source details Nixon C.M. & Donohoe R.W. (1979) Squirrel nest boxes: are they effective in young hardwood stands?. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 7, 283-284.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide artificial dens or nest boxes on trees

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Provide artificial dens or nest boxes on trees

    A replicated study in 1973–1975 of two stands of young hardwood trees in Ohio and Illinois, USA (Nixon & Donohoe 1979) found that nest boxes were used by gray squirrels Sciurus carolinensis at one site and by flying squirrels Glaucomys volans at both sites. At a 21–23-year-old forest stand, gray squirrels did not make active use of any of 10 boxes but flying squirrels occupied 7–10 boxes over six inspections. At a 32–36-year-old forest stand, gray squirrels occupied 7–18 boxes across five inspections and flying squirrels occupied 2–6 boxes. Ten boxes were installed in autumn 1973 in the 21–23-year-old stand, which covered 1.9 ha. They were inspected six times from April 1974 to November 1975. Twenty boxes were installed in April 1973 in the 32–36-year-old stand, which covered 4 ha. They were inspected five times from August 1973 to March 1975.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust