Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance
We studied great gray owls (Strix nebulosa Forster) in Yosemite National Park, California, measuring variables that could potentially influence patterns of occurrence and conservation of this state endangered species. We found that owl presence was closely tied to habitat (red fir (Abies magnifica A...
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ftunivnebraskali:oai:digitalcommons.unl.edu:ncfwrustaff-1133 2023-11-12T04:26:54+01:00 Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance van Riper, Charles, III Fontaine, Joseph J. van Wagtendonk, Jan W. 2013-01-01T08:00:00Z application/pdf https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ncfwrustaff/134 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/ncfwrustaff/article/1133/viewcontent/van_Riper_et_al_NAJ_2013_Great_Gray_Owls.pdf unknown DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ncfwrustaff/134 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/ncfwrustaff/article/1133/viewcontent/van_Riper_et_al_NAJ_2013_Great_Gray_Owls.pdf Nebraska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit -- Staff Publications distribution great gray owl habitat selection human disturbance meadows prey selection Yosemite National Park text 2013 ftunivnebraskali 2023-10-30T11:09:16Z We studied great gray owls (Strix nebulosa Forster) in Yosemite National Park, California, measuring variables that could potentially influence patterns of occurrence and conservation of this state endangered species. We found that owl presence was closely tied to habitat (red fir (Abies magnifica A. Murray) and the abundance of meadows), prey, and snags across the landscape. We also found that indicators of human recreational activities negatively influenced owl distribution and habitat use. Great gray owls appear to prefer mid-elevation red fir forest with meadows that are drier and more productive in terms of small mammal populations. That these areas also have the highest human activity presents a paradox, both for individual owls and for the future conservation and management of this California endangered species. The extent to which human recreation in natural areas affects animal behavior, species distribution, and productivity is a growing issue in natural area management. We present information that will allow land managers to better understand how existing natural resources, coupled with human recreation, influence the distribution and habitat use of the great gray owl. Text Strix nebulosa University of Nebraska-Lincoln: DigitalCommons@UNL |
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln: DigitalCommons@UNL |
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ftunivnebraskali |
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topic |
distribution great gray owl habitat selection human disturbance meadows prey selection Yosemite National Park |
spellingShingle |
distribution great gray owl habitat selection human disturbance meadows prey selection Yosemite National Park van Riper, Charles, III Fontaine, Joseph J. van Wagtendonk, Jan W. Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance |
topic_facet |
distribution great gray owl habitat selection human disturbance meadows prey selection Yosemite National Park |
description |
We studied great gray owls (Strix nebulosa Forster) in Yosemite National Park, California, measuring variables that could potentially influence patterns of occurrence and conservation of this state endangered species. We found that owl presence was closely tied to habitat (red fir (Abies magnifica A. Murray) and the abundance of meadows), prey, and snags across the landscape. We also found that indicators of human recreational activities negatively influenced owl distribution and habitat use. Great gray owls appear to prefer mid-elevation red fir forest with meadows that are drier and more productive in terms of small mammal populations. That these areas also have the highest human activity presents a paradox, both for individual owls and for the future conservation and management of this California endangered species. The extent to which human recreation in natural areas affects animal behavior, species distribution, and productivity is a growing issue in natural area management. We present information that will allow land managers to better understand how existing natural resources, coupled with human recreation, influence the distribution and habitat use of the great gray owl. |
format |
Text |
author |
van Riper, Charles, III Fontaine, Joseph J. van Wagtendonk, Jan W. |
author_facet |
van Riper, Charles, III Fontaine, Joseph J. van Wagtendonk, Jan W. |
author_sort |
van Riper, Charles, III |
title |
Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance |
title_short |
Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance |
title_full |
Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance |
title_fullStr |
Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance |
title_full_unstemmed |
Great Gray Owls ( Strix nebulosa ) in Yosemite National Park: on the Importance of Food, Forest Structure, and Human Disturbance |
title_sort |
great gray owls ( strix nebulosa ) in yosemite national park: on the importance of food, forest structure, and human disturbance |
publisher |
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
publishDate |
2013 |
url |
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ncfwrustaff/134 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/ncfwrustaff/article/1133/viewcontent/van_Riper_et_al_NAJ_2013_Great_Gray_Owls.pdf |
genre |
Strix nebulosa |
genre_facet |
Strix nebulosa |
op_source |
Nebraska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit -- Staff Publications |
op_relation |
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ncfwrustaff/134 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/ncfwrustaff/article/1133/viewcontent/van_Riper_et_al_NAJ_2013_Great_Gray_Owls.pdf |
_version_ |
1782340705561083904 |