Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl
Little information is available on the winter ecology of the small, geographically isolated, genetically-unique population of great gray owls (Strix nebulosa) in the central Sierra Nevada, California. This population is comprised of facultative, elevational winter migrants and access to winter habit...
Published in: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
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The Wildlife Society
2011
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ftbioone:10.1002/jwmg.239 2024-06-02T08:14:58+00:00 Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl Eric P. B. Jepsen John J. Keane Holly B. Ernest Eric P. B. Jepsen John J. Keane Holly B. Ernest world 2011-11-01 text/HTML https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.239 en eng The Wildlife Society doi:10.1002/jwmg.239 All rights reserved. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.239 Text 2011 ftbioone https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.239 2024-05-07T00:47:03Z Little information is available on the winter ecology of the small, geographically isolated, genetically-unique population of great gray owls (Strix nebulosa) in the central Sierra Nevada, California. This population is comprised of facultative, elevational winter migrants and access to winter habitat is an important component of their ecology. Winter observations and remotely sensed habitat variables were used to inform a predictive model of the environmental requirements and geographic distribution of this owl population. Using the modeled distribution map we assessed the distribution of 20% probability of occurrence classes relative to owl habitat associations, ownership, current development, and projected future development patterns. Our findings indicate that high probability class (81–100%) areas and the broader joint medium/medium-high/high probability class (41–100%) areas are uncommon on the landscape (0.2% and 5.0% of study area, respectively). 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. Approximately 32% of the high probability areas and 48% of the medium/medium-high/ high probability areas occur on private lands. Of the areas on private lands, 32% of the high probability and 42% of the medium/medium-high/high probability areas occur on currently developed lands. Projected future development on private lands indicated that an additional 12% of the high and 18% of medium/ medium-high/high suitability areas are slated for development by the year 2040. Future conservation planning efforts for the great gray owl in the Sierra Nevada will need to address management issues on both public and private lands. For future planning of development projects around great gray owl wintering habitat, the results from our study supplement current knowledge of breeding distributions to provide land and wildlife managers guidance on conservation priorities. Text Strix nebulosa BioOne Online Journals The Journal of Wildlife Management 75 8 1678 1687 |
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description |
Little information is available on the winter ecology of the small, geographically isolated, genetically-unique population of great gray owls (Strix nebulosa) in the central Sierra Nevada, California. This population is comprised of facultative, elevational winter migrants and access to winter habitat is an important component of their ecology. Winter observations and remotely sensed habitat variables were used to inform a predictive model of the environmental requirements and geographic distribution of this owl population. Using the modeled distribution map we assessed the distribution of 20% probability of occurrence classes relative to owl habitat associations, ownership, current development, and projected future development patterns. Our findings indicate that high probability class (81–100%) areas and the broader joint medium/medium-high/high probability class (41–100%) areas are uncommon on the landscape (0.2% and 5.0% of study area, respectively). 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. Approximately 32% of the high probability areas and 48% of the medium/medium-high/ high probability areas occur on private lands. Of the areas on private lands, 32% of the high probability and 42% of the medium/medium-high/high probability areas occur on currently developed lands. Projected future development on private lands indicated that an additional 12% of the high and 18% of medium/ medium-high/high suitability areas are slated for development by the year 2040. Future conservation planning efforts for the great gray owl in the Sierra Nevada will need to address management issues on both public and private lands. For future planning of development projects around great gray owl wintering habitat, the results from our study supplement current knowledge of breeding distributions to provide land and wildlife managers guidance on conservation priorities. |
author2 |
Eric P. B. Jepsen John J. Keane Holly B. Ernest |
format |
Text |
author |
Eric P. B. Jepsen John J. Keane Holly B. Ernest |
spellingShingle |
Eric P. B. Jepsen John J. Keane Holly B. Ernest Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl |
author_facet |
Eric P. B. Jepsen John J. Keane Holly B. Ernest |
author_sort |
Eric P. B. Jepsen |
title |
Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl |
title_short |
Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl |
title_full |
Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl |
title_fullStr |
Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl |
title_full_unstemmed |
Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl |
title_sort |
winter distribution and conservation status of the sierra nevada great gray owl |
publisher |
The Wildlife Society |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.239 |
op_coverage |
world |
genre |
Strix nebulosa |
genre_facet |
Strix nebulosa |
op_source |
https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.239 |
op_relation |
doi:10.1002/jwmg.239 |
op_rights |
All rights reserved. |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.239 |
container_title |
The Journal of Wildlife Management |
container_volume |
75 |
container_issue |
8 |
container_start_page |
1678 |
op_container_end_page |
1687 |
_version_ |
1800738982981533696 |