Restoration of Red Spruce (Picea rubens) and Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) Habitat in West Virginia

Abstract

The Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus, VNFS) is a rare subspecies that relies on high-elevation red spruce (Picea rubens) forests in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and Virginia. Existing habitat suitability models emphasize the composition of the red spruce canopy but lack insights into the structural characteristics of the forest that are critical for VNFS occupancy. I examined VNFS habitat preference through previous survey presence data and a spatial raster concerning forest stand structure variables. My results indicate that VNFS presence is associated with mature forest conditions across all spruce composition classes. Meanwhile, a long-term silvicultural restoration study assessed red spruce's growth responses to four hardwood removal levels (0%, ~33%, ~67%, ~100%). By 2024, trees released demonstrated a significantly greater diameter at breast height (DBH) and height growth than the controls, with the high removal treatment exhibiting the strongest response. However, the growth differences between the treatments and the controls diminished over time, suggesting that these treatments may need multiple releases or a larger removal area. Integrating forest structural metrics with habitat models could enhance VNFS conservation and inform red spruce restoration efforts to improve forest resilience and long-term habitat viability.