Article
Ecology
Julianna M. A. Jenkins, Damon B. Lesmeister, Eric D. Forsman, Katie M. Dugger, Steven H. Ackers, L. Steven Andrews, Scott A. Gremel, Bruce Hollen, Chris E. McCafferty, M. Shane Pruett, Janice A. Reid, Stan G. Sovern, J. David Wiens
Summary: The study found that breeding dispersal rates of northern spotted owls increased as invasive barred owl numbers rose, with monitored owl dispersal rates increasing from around 7% to 25% over the study period. Factors such as historical reproduction levels and prior dispersal events influenced breeding dispersal probabilities in the owl population.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Damon B. Lesmeister, Raymond J. Davis, Stan G. Sovern, Zhiqiang Yang
Summary: The study found that interior nesting forests in the range of the northern spotted owl generally burned at lower severity during large wildfires. In areas with high severity fire regimes, all forest types burned at similar severity. During two active wildfire years with rare and extreme weather conditions, there was a bimodal distribution of fire severity in all forest types.
Article
Forestry
Robert A. Andrus, Anthony J. Martinez, Gavin M. Jones, Arjan J. H. Meddens
Summary: Wildfires have significant effects on wildlife habitat, with 'fire refugia' serving as areas within fire perimeters that facilitate species persistence post-fire. While most fire refugia are of low quality, each fire contains a few high-quality refugia co-occurring with suitable habitat characteristics for species like the northern spotted owl.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Sage S. Dale, Julianna M. A. Jenkins, Zachary J. Ruff, Leila S. Duchac, Christopher E. McCafferty, Damon B. Lesmeister
Summary: Passive acoustic methods can be used to determine breeding status and sex of Northern Spotted Owls based on their vocalizations. This research has significant implications for noninvasive monitoring and conservation efforts.
JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Matthew E. Hane, Jamie E. Thornton-Frost, Aaron Springford, Andrew J. Kroll
Summary: Automated signal detection of passive acoustic data is a challenging task that requires efficient processing and accurate categorization and assessment of the data. In this study, a machine learning algorithm specifically designed for detecting Northern Spotted Owl calls outperformed commercially developed software packages in determining occupancy. However, the detection distance still needs to be further evaluated.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicholas F. Kryshak, Emily D. Fountain, Daniel F. Hofstadter, Brian P. Dotters, Kevin N. Roberts, Connor M. Wood, Kevin G. Kelly, Isabel F. Schwarcz, Paige J. Kulzer, Amy K. Wray, H. Anu Kramer, John P. Dumbacher, John J. Keane, Paula A. Shaklee, R. J. Gutierrez, M. Zachariah Peery
Summary: Invasive predators have detrimental impacts on native species and biological communities. Through studying invasive barred owls in northeastern California, researchers found that they have a broad diet and do not serve as ecological replacements for other owl species. DNA metabarcoding proves to be a powerful tool for assessing species consumed by invasive predators and promoting conservation actions.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Marilyn E. Wright, M. Zachariah Peery, Jessalyn Ayars, Brian P. Dotters, Kevin N. Roberts, Gavin M. Jones
Summary: Wildfire has played a significant role in shaping the biodiversity of western North American forests, but human activities have altered fire patterns and ecological functions. Fuel reduction treatments can mitigate extreme fire events, but their potential effects on sensitive wildlife species, such as the California spotted owl, have been controversial. A study on the relationship between spotted owls and fuel reduction treatments found that these treatments could improve owl foraging habitat and mitigate the impacts of large wildfires on forest ecosystems.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Gavin M. Jones, Andrew J. Shirk, Zhiqiang Yang, Raymond J. Davis, Joseph L. Ganey, R. J. Gutierrez, Sean P. Healey, Shaula J. Hedwall, Serra J. Hoagland, Ron Maes, Karl Malcolm, Kevin S. McKelvey, Jamie S. Sanderlin, Michael K. Schwartz, Mark E. Seamans, Ho Yi Wan, Samuel A. Cushman
Summary: Understanding habitat dynamics is crucial for effective conservation. This study developed a dynamic model of Mexican spotted owl habitat using an automated habitat monitoring system. The study explored environmental correlates, spatial non-stationarity in habitat selection, long-term trends, and the impact of wildfires on habitat changes. The results showed that topography and climate had a significant influence on the owl's habitat, with a decline in total habitat area over the past 35 years, and wildfires accounting for a portion of the habitat loss.
Article
Forestry
Monica L. Bond, Tonja Y. Chi, Curtis M. Bradley, Dominick A. DellaSala
Summary: This study examined the impact of logging and competition from Barred Owls on the habitat of Northern Spotted Owls after severe wildfires. The results suggest that both logging and the presence of Barred Owls contribute to the rarity of suitable habitat for the Northern Spotted Owls after severe wildfires. Changes to habitat modeling and management practices are recommended.
Article
Ornithology
Manuel A. Salazar-Borunda, Jose H. Martinez-Guerrero, Luis A. Tarango-Arambula, Pablito M. Lopez-Serrano, Martin E. Pereda-Solis
Summary: The Mexican Spotted Owl is an understudied raptor species that is facing rapid population decline. By using the Maxent algorithm with climate variables, researchers have generated a distribution model that accurately predicts potential areas of occurrence in Mexico. Four weather variables were found to significantly contribute to the model's prediction. The study recommends population monitoring in these predicted areas to improve understanding of the status of the Mexican Spotted Owl.
JOURNAL OF RAPTOR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Anu Kramer, Gavin M. Jones, Sheila A. Whitmore, John J. Keane, Fidelis A. Atuo, Brian P. Dotters, Sarah C. Sawyer, Sarah L. Stock, R. J. Gutierrez, M. Zachariah Peery
Summary: Wildland fires play a crucial role in shaping the ecosystems and wildlife species like the California spotted owl. This study focused on how the owls respond to different fire severity levels and patch characteristics in their habitats. The research indicates that owls neither prefer nor avoid areas burned by low to moderate-severity fires, but tend to avoid larger severely-burned patches, suggesting the importance of patch characteristics in owl habitat selection.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Tara D. Durboraw, Clint W. Boal, Mary S. Fleck, Nathan S. Gill
Summary: Dry mixed-conifer forests in the southwestern United States are experiencing rapid fire regime change, which poses uncertainties for the nesting habitat of the Mexican spotted owl. High-severity fires have the strongest negative impact on forest structure vital for owl nesting, and it takes around 80-100 years to recover the desired structural conditions after such fires.
Article
Ornithology
Brendan K. Hobart, H. Anu Kramer, Gavin M. Jones, Brian P. Dotters, Sheila A. Whitmore, John J. Keane, M. Zachariah Peery
Summary: This study found that in national parks with long-standing fire management programs, the California Spotted Owls consumed more Flying Squirrels when their territories experienced more extensive and frequent fires. The unexpected consequences of fire on trophic interactions of raptor species highlight the importance of understanding these dynamics for conservation efforts.
Article
Ornithology
Ashlee J. Mikkelsen, Damon B. Lesmeister, Kathleen M. O'Reilly, Katie M. Dugger
Summary: Animals have mechanisms to respond to physical challenges and maintain homeostasis, but this uses energy needed for growth and maturation, resulting in smaller individuals with lower survival chances. Through studying hormone concentrations and body mass of Northern Spotted Owls, we found that greater mass, intermediate hormone concentrations, and early banding were associated with higher survival and recruitment probabilities. Understanding early life stages can improve population monitoring and conservation efforts for imperiled species.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Daniel F. Hofstadter, Nicholas F. Kryshak, Mourad W. Gabriel, Connor M. Wood, Greta M. Wengert, Brian P. Dotters, Kevin N. Roberts, Emily D. Fountain, Kevin G. Kelly, John J. Keane, Sheila A. Whitmore, William J. Berigan, M. Zachariah Peery
Summary: Pesticide use is widespread and poses a significant threat to non-target wildlife, with anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) being particularly problematic in western forests of the United States. Barred Owls and hybrids in California were found to have high rates of AR exposure, especially females, with exposure linked to proximity to the wildland-urban interface (WUI) rather than illegal cannabis cultivation. This study highlights the growing evidence of the additional stressor that ARs may pose to Spotted Owls and native fauna in western forest ecosystems.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)