Journal article
Spatial and temporal dynamics of Mexican spotted owl habitat in the southwestern US
Landscape ecology, Vol.38(1), pp.23-37
01/01/2023
DOI: 10.1007/s10980-022-01418-8
Abstract
Context Understanding habitat dynamics is essential for effective conservation as landscapes rapidly change. In a companion paper in this issue, Shirk et al. (2022) introduced an automated habitat monitoring system using Google Earth Engine and applied this framework to develop a dynamic model of Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) habitat across the southwestern US from 1986 to 2020. Objectives We explored the application of this dynamic model of Mexican spotted owl habitat in the context of the species' ecology.
Methods We evaluated environmental correlates of Mexican spotted owl habitat, assessed potential spatial non-stationarity in habitat selection, estimated long-term trends in habitat by quantifying changes in habitat amount and quality between 1986 and 2020, and evaluated the extent to which habitat changes over the past 35 years have been driven by wildfire.
Results Topography and climate appeared to outweigh reflectance-based (vegetation) metrics in describing Mexican spotted owl habitat and habitat selection was non-stationary across modeling subregions. Total habitat area for Mexican spotted owls declined by -21% since 1986 (0.6% annually), but trends varied spatially and some even reversed over the past decade. Wildfire was responsible for between 8 and 35% of total habitat loss, depending on the subregion considered.
Conclusions The automated habitat monitoring system allowed trend estimation and accurate assessment of current habitat status for Mexican spotted owls; maps were accurate, spatially detailed, and current. The ability to continually produce accurate maps for large land areas for threatened species such as the Mexican spotted owl facilitates science-based land management on public lands in the southwestern US.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Spatial and temporal dynamics of Mexican spotted owl habitat in the southwestern US
- Creators
- Gavin M. Jones - Rocky Mountain Research StationAndrew J. Shirk - University of WashingtonZhiqiang Yang - Rocky Mountain Research StationRaymond J. Davis - Pacific Northwest Research StationJoseph L. Ganey - Rocky Mountain Research StationR. J. Gutierrez - University of MinnesotaSean P. Healey - Rocky Mountain Research StationShaula J. Hedwall - United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceSerra J. Hoagland - Rocky Mountain Research StationRon Maes - US Forest ServiceKarl Malcolm - US Forest ServiceKevin S. McKelvey - Rocky Mountain Research StationJamie S. Sanderlin - Rocky Mountain Research StationMichael K. Schwartz - Rocky Mountain Research StationMark E. Seamans - United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceHo Yi Wan - Cal Poly HumboldtSamuel A. Cushman - Rocky Mountain Research Station
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Landscape ecology, Vol.38(1), pp.23-37
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10980-022-01418-8
- ISSN
- 0921-2973
- eISSN
- 1572-9761
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2023
- Academic Unit
- School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
- Record Identifier
- 9985219300302771
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