The Distribution Abundance and Habitat Requirements of the Sierra Mountain Beaver in Yosemite National Park
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1990 The distribution abundance and habitat requirements of the Sierra mountain beaver in Yosemite National Park Paul A. Todd The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Todd, Paul A., "The distribution abundance and habitat requirements of the Sierra mountain beaver in Yosemite National Park" (1990). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 7024. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/7024 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. $ Mike and Maureen MANSFIELD LIBRARY Copying allowed as provided under provisions of the Fair Use Section of the U.S. COPYRIGHT LAW, 1976. Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be under^en only with the author’s written consent. MUniversity ontana of Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. The Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Requirements of the Sierra Mountain Beaver in Yosemite National Park by Paul A. Todd B.S., Lewis and Clark College, 1984 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science University of Montana 1990 Approved Chairman, Board ofl^aminers )ean. Graduate School Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: EP37825 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT Dias«rtation Publishing UMI EP37825 Published by ProQuest LLC (2013). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code uest ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor. Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. .s.» February 1990 Wildlife Biology The Distribution, Abundance and Habitat Requirements of the Sierra Mountain Beaver in Yosemite National Park ( 56 pp.) Director: Lee H. Metzgar Abstract A 2-year study of the Sierra mountain beaver (Aplodonria rufa califomica) in Yosemite National Park, California was undertaken to describe distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements and to compare historic and present distributions. Three of 7 subspecies are now designated as candidates for the Federal Endangered Species List and general concern over their status led to this study. I surveyed 8, 15 km long random tracts of riparian habitat in Yosemite for the presence of mountain beavers. Thirty-three active sites were found in the random survey and 8 others were located from historic records or by chance. Mountain beavers were found between elevations of 5,200 ft. and 10,700 ft., near small perennial springs and streams. Historic distribution has changed in the park due to dispersal and natural and human caused local extinctions. Abundance has probably not changed significantly in the park over the past 100 years, but development pressures have impacted several active sites. I utilized discriminant function analysis to identify variables that distinguish used from unused habitat, and to develop a model that will facilitate predicting and enhancing potential habitat. Out of 12 variables, shrub and herbaceous plant abundance, stream depth, andrstreahl'giadieut weie must âssociatëd~v^ habitat use. ManageËüenTâctions should focus on monitoring abundance and distribution" in the park and evaluating the status of mountain beavers in adjacent areas where they are more threatened by human disturbances. u Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank all persons who helped with technical, logistical, financial and moral support throughout my study. Without their knowledge and patience the project would have been impossible. The study was funded by a grant from Yosemite Association and the B&B Dawson Award from the Environmental Studies Program, University of Montana. I am particularly indebted to my committee members at the University of Montana, all of whom were extremely supportive and encouraging. My committee chairman. Dr. Lee Metzgar, Director of Wildlife Biology, gave me endless technical advice and personal encouragement. His positive attitude and ability to solve problems were invaluable. Dr.’s Kerry Foresman, Bert Pfeiffer, and Les Marcum all gave their undivided attention through critiques and technical advice. Dr. Jan van Wagtendonk, Research Scientist, Yosemite National Park, initially informed me of the need for research on the Sierra mountain beaver. He supported my study the entire time; lending expertise, encouragement, equipment and office space. Tom Roy, Director of Environmental Studies gave me crucial logistical and personal backing in the early phases of my investigation. Two mountain beaver researchers supplied me with essential background information and advice. Dale Steele encouraged me to pursue the investigation and accompanied me to several mountain beaver sites. He lent photographs, technical reports, and reviewed my material. Paul Beier contributed his technical assistance and publications in wildlife habitat modeling. Without his advice, the analysis would have been extremely difficult. I am indebted to Dr.’s Hans Zuuring and David Patterson for advising me on statistical methods and problems. Steve Chaddee provided writing assistance and constant support I must also thank my mother and father, for they more than anyone have allowed me to pursue my wishes - always backing my endeavors and instilling in me a love for the environment Last of all I want to thank Mary Beth. She had to listen to more explanations about what mountain beavers are than anyone would dream of, but gave constant support throughout the project. I am lucky. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Eleven historic mountain beaver sites relocated in Yosemite National Park .......................................................27 2. Geographic extent and number of burrow holes for active mountain beaver sites in Yosemite National P a rk .................................................................................................... 28 3. Plant species used by mountain beavers in Yosemite National P a rk ....................................................................................30 4. Mean and Median values for 12 habitat variables on reaches used vs. unused by mountain beavers in Yosemite National Park ................................................................. 32 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Distribution of the 7 subspecies of mountain beavers .................. 4 2. Eight, 15 km random survey tracts for estimating mountain beaver abundance and distribution in Yosemite National Park ................................................................. 20 3. Boxplots of 3 predictor variables for reaches used vs. unused by mountain beavers in Yosemite National P ark ............... 34 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Page A. Habitat data for 41 mountain beaver sites in Yosemite National P a rk.............................................................. 51 B. Location descriptions of 41 mountain beaver sites in Yosemite National Park ....................................................53 VI Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT.................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................. üi LIST OF TABLES......................................................................... iv LIST OF FIG U R ES...................................................................... v LIST OF APPENDICES .............................................................. vi CHAPTER L INTRODUCTION ................................................................... 1 S tatu s .............................................................................................. 1 Objectives ...................................................................................... 3 Animal Characteristics ........................................................... 3 L METHODS ................................................................................. 17 Study A rea..................................................................................