Context

Previous research has shown how trees are susceptible to squirrel damage, but knowledge of what drives bark-stripping behaviour in grey squirrels is still lacking and current management is ineffective in targeting the behaviour. Gaining insight into the drivers and motivations of the behaviour will aid in the development of effective, humane and targeted management.

Research Aims and Objectives

To establish the drivers and motivations for squirrel bark stripping behaviour.

Project Description

This PhD project will investigate various potential causal pathways of bark-stripping behaviour in grey squirrels, and at each stage of the project aim to narrow down these pathways. It will:

• Identify and organise knowledge gaps within the squirrel bark-stripping literature
• Identify factors of woodland susceptibility to, and drivers of bark-stripping at the regional, landscape and local scales using existing datasets.
• Identify causal mechanisms underpinning bark-stripping behaviour in broadleaved woodlands in southern England.

Outputs

• A thesis plan, preliminary literature review and three annual reports .
• Peer-reviewed papers and technical recommendations for practical application of research.
• A PhD thesis.