Status And Distribution Of The Great Gray Owl In California

Author : Eric Paludan Bulow Jepsen
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781109511079
Total Pages : 42 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (11 download)

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Download or read book Winter Distribution, Habitat Use, and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl (Strix Nebulosa) written by Eric Paludan Bulow Jepsen and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Central Sierra Nevada great gray owls are facultative, elevational, winter migrants. Access to winter habitat is important to their ecology. Winter observations and remotely sensed habitat variables informed a predictive model of the environmental requirements and geographic distribution of this owl population. Using the modeled distribution map we analyzed habitat variables, ownership, development footprint, and projected development across 20% probability classes. The high probability class (80-100%) was only 0.2% of the total study area. High-probability areas were characterized by Sierran Yellow Pine forest surrounding relatively small, flat areas of grassland, wet meadow, and riparian habitats, within the mid-elevation range. Winter great gray owls preferred undeveloped, wildland areas. The major landowners of the high probability class were United States Forest Service (23%), National Park Service (43%), private landowners (32%), and miscellaneous agencies (2%). Less than 1% of preferred habitat on agency-owned lands was developed, while 38% of preferred habitat on private lands was developed past a rural density. Similarly, projected development involved only private lands, with 44% and 60% of high- and medium-to-high (40-100%) suitability areas respectively developed beyond rural by the year 2040. Our findings indicate that there is a strong overlap in winter areas preferred by great gray owls in the central Sierra Nevada and areas that are currently and projected to be developed in the near future. To ensure population viability of the central Sierra Nevada great gray owl, conservation efforts should prioritize habitat preservation in areas of private ownership that overlap with preferred great gray owl winter habitat.