Our research over the past several years has provided a greater understanding of the necessary resources to restore New England cottontails (NEC) and young forests. Recent findings show that with the introduction of eastern cottontails (EC), a non-native species that competes with NEC, have caused seasonal resource selection by NEC to shift significantly (Figure 1).
NEC typically choose early and mid-successional habitat, as it provides the best cover and food resources that the species needs, however, when EC presence is high, NEC shift from using these higher resource areas to late successional habitat, which typically provides less cover and nutritional forage.
Why do EC out-compete NEC?
EC are typically larger, which means they also have larger eyes and ears. This allows EC to better detect predators and thus exploit a variety of habitat. Therefore, when an area becomes early successional habitat, EC are better able to reach this area compared to NEC, meaning that they "stake claim" to the area first.
How can habitat management help NEC when EC are present?
In an effort to promote healthy and sustainable woodlands for NEC and the many species of wildlife associated with these habitats, habitat management such as selective thinning of canopy and invasive plant removal has been conducted. Our research shows that EC typically will not use areas where the canopy closure is much higher- such as in late successional areas. Therefore by doing selective thinning, where we cut just a few trees to open up the canopy to allow for understory growth, we create an area where NEC can live but not EC! We leave the felled trees in order to provide necessary food and cover for species while the understory is regenerating. We are also removing invasive plant species, such as Japanese barberry, which may provide good cover but are attributed to high tick counts and are poor forage.
NEC typically choose early and mid-successional habitat, as it provides the best cover and food resources that the species needs, however, when EC presence is high, NEC shift from using these higher resource areas to late successional habitat, which typically provides less cover and nutritional forage.
Why do EC out-compete NEC?
EC are typically larger, which means they also have larger eyes and ears. This allows EC to better detect predators and thus exploit a variety of habitat. Therefore, when an area becomes early successional habitat, EC are better able to reach this area compared to NEC, meaning that they "stake claim" to the area first.
How can habitat management help NEC when EC are present?
In an effort to promote healthy and sustainable woodlands for NEC and the many species of wildlife associated with these habitats, habitat management such as selective thinning of canopy and invasive plant removal has been conducted. Our research shows that EC typically will not use areas where the canopy closure is much higher- such as in late successional areas. Therefore by doing selective thinning, where we cut just a few trees to open up the canopy to allow for understory growth, we create an area where NEC can live but not EC! We leave the felled trees in order to provide necessary food and cover for species while the understory is regenerating. We are also removing invasive plant species, such as Japanese barberry, which may provide good cover but are attributed to high tick counts and are poor forage.