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Estimating density of a territorial species in a dynamic landscape

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Abstract

Context

Conservation planning for at-risk species requires understanding of where species are likely to occur, how many individuals are likely to be supported on a given landscape, and the ability to monitor those changes through time.

Objectives

We developed a distribution model for northern spotted owls that incorporates both habitat suitability and probability of territory occupancy while accounting for interspecies competition.

Methods

We developed range-wide habitat suitability maps for two time periods (1993 and 2012) for northern spotted owls that accounted for regional differences in habitat use and home range size. We used these maps for a long-term demographic monitoring study area to assess habitat change and estimate the number of potential territories based on available habitat for both time periods. We adjusted the number of potential territories using known occupancy rates to estimate owl densities for both time periods. We evaluated our range-wide habitat suitability model using independent survey data.

Results

Our range-wide habitat maps predicted areas suitable for territorial spotted owl presence well. On the demographic study area, the amount of habitat declined 19.7% between 1993 and 2012, while our estimate of the habitat-based carrying capacity declined from 150 to 146 territories. Estimated number of occupied territories declined from 94 to 57.

Conclusions

Conservation and recovery of at-risk species depends on understanding how habitat changes over time in response to factors such as wildfire, climate change, biological invasions, and interspecies competition, and how these changes influence species distribution. We demonstrate a model-based approach that provides an effective planning tool.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for monitoring spotted owl populations was primarily provided by USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management as agreed upon under the Northwest Forest Plan. This study was facilitated by over two decades of spotted owl monitoring data that were collected through a large group effort focused on monitoring the effectiveness of the NWFP. Our work would not have been possible without the continued hard work of many dedicated biologists who annually collect the spotted owl data used to train and test our habitat models. We thank the state (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Forestry) and federal (USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI National Parks Service) agencies for providing spotted owl data to evaluate our models. J. Reid facilitated and graciously responded to questions regarding spotted owl data for the Tyee study area. This publication represents the views of the authors, and any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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  1. Elizabeth M. Glenn

    Present address: Department of the Interior Northwest Climate Science Center, 777 NW 9th St., Suite 400, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office, 2600 SE 98th Ave. Suite 100, Portland, OR, 97266, USA

    Elizabeth M. Glenn

  2. Forestry Sciences Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Damon B. Lesmeister

  3. Forestry Sciences Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Corvallis, OR, 97731, USA

    Raymond J. Davis

  4. Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office, 1220 SW. 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR, 97204, USA

    Bruce Hollen

  5. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Regional Office, 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR, 97204, USA

    Anne Poopatanapong

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Correspondence to Elizabeth M. Glenn.

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Glenn, E.M., Lesmeister, D.B., Davis, R.J. et al. Estimating density of a territorial species in a dynamic landscape. Landscape Ecol 32, 563–579 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0467-6

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