Distribution of Tree Squirrels in California: a Species Distribution Modeling Approach to Analyzing Data

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Distribution of Tree Squirrels in California: a Species Distribution Modeling Approach to Analyzing Data Distribution of Tree Squirrels in California: A Species Distribution Modeling Approach to Analyzing Data R. Garcia1 , A. Muchlinski2 , F. Shilling3 , H.L. Qiu1 , K. Tiedeman3 1Department of Geosciences and Environment, California State University Los Angeles, CA 2Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, CA 3Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California Davis, CA Key Players Western Gray Squirrel, Eastern Fox Squirrel, Sciurus griseus Sciurus niger rufiventer Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus) • Found along the forested eastern slopes of the mountains from Washington to California, then westward (except for the California Central Valley) through the coast ranges. Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus(Sciurus niger nigerrufiventer) ) • Found in much of the eastern and central United States extending northward into the southern prairie provinces of Canada. Distribution of Tree Squirrels Wait…. The Eastern Fox Squirrel is here! What is the big issue? • It has been shown that the non-native species replaces (completely) the native species when the two come into contact. Red Squirrel • The American Eastern Gray Squirrel has taken over most of Europe and has mostly replaced the European Red Squirrel. Hypothesis • The non-native Eastern Fox Squirrel will have an increasing negative effect on the native Western Gray Squirrel in California. Main Take-Home Points • The Eastern Fox Squirrel will continue to expand its geographic range in CA • There are populations of the Western Gray Squirrel “in the way” of continued expansion of the Eastern Fox Squirrel • GIS & Remote Sensing are valuable tools to understand future “conflict” between Eastern Fox Squirrels and Western Gray Squirrels in CA Goals for My Study 1: Gather data on the all-time distribution of the non-native and native species within the US 2: Map the distribution of each species in CA 3: Construct and Compare Ecological Niche Models for Each Species Goal 1: Gathering Data, Achieved! So Far: ~37,000 records, ~29,000 locations Goal 2: Mapping Distribution, Achieved! • Google Fusion Tables Western Gray Squirrel Eastern Fox Squirrel Goal 3: Construct and Compare Ecological Niche Models for Each Species • Use MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy Species Distribution Software) to find suitable habitat • Use ESRI ArcMap to classify the habitat Goal 3: Construct and Compare Ecological Niche Models for Each Species Landcover gradient Altitude gradient Habitat model based on suitable Current Observation landcover and altitude zones in combination with current observations. Goal 3: Construct and Compare Ecological Niche Models for Each Species BIOCLIM data • Altitude • Mean Annual Temperature • Annual Precipitation • Land Cover Type* • Imperviousness* • Tree Canopy* Eastern Fox Squirrel California Sightings National Sightings Eastern Fox Squirrel to Binary Ecological Niche Model Apply Binary Threshold S. griseus Model to Binary Ecological Niche Model Apply Binary Threshold Goal 3: Compare the Ecological Niche Models of the two species. Eastern Fox Squirrel Western Gray Squirrel Overlap of Both Species Unsuitable for Both Suitable for Both Suitable for S. niger only Suitable for S. griseus only S. griseus will lose over 99% of its projected niche area Validation with New Range Maps Validation with New Range Maps Future Work • Analyzing the importance of certain biotic features that would aid in determining future range (Land Cover Type, Imperviousness, Tree Canopy, NDVI). • Looking at how the model changes due to different time frames. • Determining specific migration areas and rates over time. Hypothesis – Supported! • The non-native Eastern Fox Squirrel will have an increasing negative effect on the native Western Gray Squirrel in California. Conclusions – Take-Home Points • The Eastern Fox Squirrel will continue to expand its geographic range in CA • There are populations of the Western Gray Squirrel “in the way” of continued expansion of the Eastern Fox Squirrel • GIS & Remote Sensing are valuable tools to understand future “conflict” between Eastern Fox Squirrels and Western Gray Squirrels in CA Acknowledgements • Dr. Alan Muchlinski, Dr. Qiu, Dr. Aguilar, Carly Creley, Ruby Alvidrez • Sources of Data: Arctos, CDPH, California Living Museum, California Wildlife Center, Critter Creek, Gold Country Wildlife Rescue, Lindsey Wildlife, Orange County Vector Control, Peninsula Humane Society, SPCA Monterey County, Shasta Rehab, Sonoma County, Squirrelmender, Stanislaus Wildlife Rehab, Suisun Wildlife, Sulphur Creek Nature Center, Tehama Wildcare, Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center, WildCare, Wildlife Center Silicon Valley • Individuals: Fraser Shilling, Janel Ortiz, Julie King, Sheila Byrnes, and private citizens. Questions? facebook.com/californiatreesquirrels Sciurus niger rufiventer Nationwide Population .
Recommended publications
  • Behavioral Aspects of Western Gray Squirrel Ecology
    Behavioral aspects of western gray squirrel ecology Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Cross, Stephen P. Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 11/10/2021 06:42:38 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/565181 BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL ECOLOGY by Stephen Paul Cross A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of. the DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY WITH A MAJOR IN ZOOLOGY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1 9 6 9 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE I hereby recommend that this dissertation prepared under my direction by St e p h e n Paul Cross_______________________________ entitled B E H A V I O R A L A S P E C T S OF W E S T E R N G RAY__________ S Q U I R R E L E C O LOGY___________________________________ be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement of the degree of D O C T O R OF P H I L O S O P H Y_____________________________ Dissertation Director Date After inspection of the final copy of the dissertation, the following members of the Final Examination Committee concur in its approval and recommend its acceptance:* This approval and acceptance is contingent on the candidate's adequate performance and defense of this dissertation at the final oral examination.
    [Show full text]
  • Tree Squirrels
    Tree Squirrels When the public is polled regarding suburban and urban wildlife, tree squirrels generally rank first as problem makers. Residents complain about them nesting in homes and exploiting bird feeders. Interestingly, squirrels almost always rank first among preferred urban/suburban wildlife species. Such is the Figure 1. The Eastern gray squirrel is from the deciduous paradox they present: We want them and we don’t and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests of eastern North want them, depending on what they are doing at any America, and was introduced into city parks, campuses, given moment. and estates in Washington in the early 1900s. (Drawing by Elva Paulson) Although tree squirrels spend a considerable amount of time on the ground, unlike the related ground squirrels, they are more at home in trees. Washington is home to four species of native tree squirrels and two species of introduced tree squirrels. Native Washington Tree Squirrels The Douglas squirrel, or chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasii) measures 10 to 14 inches in length, including its tail. Its upper parts are reddish-or brownish-gray, and its underparts are orange to yellowish. The Douglas squirrel is found in stands of fir, pine, cedar, and other conifers in the Cascade Mountains and western parts of Washington. The red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Fig. 4) is about the same size as the Douglas squirrel and lives in coniferous forests and semi-open woods in northeast Washington. It is rusty-red on the upper part and white or grayish white on its underside. The Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus, Fig. 2) is the largest tree squirrel in Washington, ranging from 18 to 24 inches in length.
    [Show full text]
  • Thurston County Species List
    Washington Gap Analysis Project 202 Species Predicted or Breeding in: Thurston County CODE COMMON NAME Amphibians RACAT Bullfrog RHCAS Cascade torrent salamander ENES Ensatina AMMA Long-toed salamander AMGR Northwestern salamander RAPR Oregon spotted frog DITE Pacific giant salamander PSRE Pacific treefrog (Chorus frog) RAAU Red-legged frog TAGR Roughskin newt ASTR Tailed frog PLVA Van Dyke's salamander PLVE Western redback salamander BUBO Western toad Birds BOLE American bittern FUAM American coot COBR American crow CIME American dipper CATR American goldfinch FASP American kestrel TUMI American robin HALE Bald eagle COFA Band-tailed pigeon HIRU Barn swallow STVA Barred owl CEAL Belted kingfisher THBE Bewick's wren PAAT Black-capped chickadee PHME Black-headed grosbeak ELLE Black-shouldered kite (White-tailed kite DENI Black-throated gray warbler DEOB Blue grouse ANDI Blue-winged teal EUCY Brewer's blackbird CEAM Brown creeper MOAT Brown-headed cowbird PSMI Bushtit CACAL California quail BRCA Canada goose VISO Cassin's vireo (Solitary vireo) BOCE Cedar waxwing PARU Chestnut-backed chickadee SPPA Chipping sparrow NatureMapping 2007 Washington Gap Analysis Project ANCY Cinnamon teal HIPY Cliff swallow TYAL Common barn-owl MERME Common merganser CHMI Common nighthawk COCOR Common raven GAGA Common snipe GETR Common yellowthroat ACCO Cooper's hawk JUHY Dark-eyed (Oregon) junco PIPU Downy woodpecker STVU European starling COVE Evening grosbeak PAIL Fox sparrow ANST Gadwall AQCH Golden eagle RESA Golden-crowned kinglet PECA Gray jay ARHE Great
    [Show full text]
  • Acoustic Comunication of Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus): Field Observations and Plaiback Experiments
    ACOUSTIC COMUNICATION OF RED SQUIRRELS (TAMIASCIURUS HUDSONICUS): FIELD OBSERVATIONS AND PLAIBACK EXPERIMENTS A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Stephen George Frost IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF EASTER OF SCIENCE IDEGREE GRANTED June 1978 i; TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Site Sound Level Measurements Playback Methods Laboratory Work RESULTS Vocalizations 11 Peep 11 Groan 13 Chuck 14 Trill 15 Scream 18 Chatter (air) 19 Whine 22 Multiple-Chuck 23 Growl 25 Chuckle 27 Buzz 28 Squeak 30 Non-vocal Acoustic Sounds 30 Drumming 30 Substrate Scratching and Rapid Ascent 31 Teeth Chattering 32 Tail Movements Accompanying Acoustical Communication 32 Vocal Behavior upon Release from Captivity 32 Sound Levels of Red Squirrel Sounds 33 Graded Nature of Red Squirrel Vocalizations 34 Playback Experiments 35 DISCUSSION 4o SUMMARY 57 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 58 LITERATURE CITED 59 APPENDIX A: FIGURES 61 APPENDIX B: TABLES 90 ii LIST OF FIGURES Page Fig. 1. Grid map of Itasca Biology Station study area. • • . 63 Fig. 2. Dye-marking number locations. • . • . • • • .. 65 Fig. 3. Sonograms of red squirrel vocalizations. .. 67 Fig. 4. Sonograms of red squirrel vocalizations. • . • • . 69 Fig. 5. Gradations of some red squirrel vocalizations. .. 71 Fig. 6. Gradations of some red squirrel vocalizations. .. 73 Fig. 7. Histograms of behavioral responses of the red squirrel to playbacks of a one minute alarm sequence of 127 Peep, twelve Chuck, and three Groan vocalizations. .. • • • • • • ... 75 Fig. 8. Histograms of behavioral responses of the red squirrel to playbacks of a Trill vocalization (preceded by five Peeps) three times during one minute.
    [Show full text]
  • Studies of Ecological Factors That Affect the Population and Distribution of the Western Gray Squirrel in Northcentral Oregon
    Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 1992 Studies of ecological factors that affect the population and distribution of the western gray squirrel in northcentral Oregon Susan Ann Foster Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, and the Environmental Monitoring Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Foster, Susan Ann, "Studies of ecological factors that affect the population and distribution of the western gray squirrel in northcentral Oregon" (1992). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2383. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.2380 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. STUDIES OF ECOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL IN NORTHCENTRAL OREGON by SUSAN ANN FOSTER A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND RESOURCES: BIOLOGY Portland State University ©1992 TO THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES: The members of the Committee approve the dissertation of Susan Ann Foster presented January 10, 1992. Richard B. Forbes, Chair Robert O. Tinnin Richard R. Petersen Daniel M. Johnson David W. McClure Thomas Palm / APPROVED: Robert O. Tinnin, Chair, Department of Biology C. William Savery, Interim Vice Provost foi$2radraduate Studies and Research ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank the many people who have encouraged me in the process of this dissertation, especially Professors Richard Forbes, Robert Tinnin, and Richard Petersen.
    [Show full text]
  • Managing Forests for Fish and Wildlife
    Wildlife Habitat Management Institute Managing Forests for Fish and Wildlife December 2002 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflet Number 18 Forested areas can be managed with a wide variety of objectives, ranging from allowing natural processes to dictate long-term condition without active management of any kind, to maximizing production of wood products on the shortest rotations possible. The primary purpose of this document is to show how fish and wildlife habitat management can be effectively integrated into the management of forestlands that are subject to periodic timber harvest activities. For forestlands that are not managed for production of timber or other forest products, many of the principles U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station in this leaflet also apply. Introduction Succession of Forest Vegetation Forests in North America provide a wide variety of In order to meet both timber production and wildlife important natural resource functions. Although management goals, landowners and managers need commercial forests may be best known for production to understand how forest vegetation responds following of pulp, lumber, and other wood products, they also timber management, or silvicultural prescriptions, or supply valuable fish and wildlife habitat, recreational other disturbances. Forest vegetation typically opportunities, water quality protection, and other progresses from one plant community to another over natural resource benefits. In approximately two-thirds time. This forest succession can be described in four of the forest land (land that is at least 10% tree- stages: covered) in the United States, harvest of wood products plays an integral role in how these lands are managed. Sustainable forest management applies Fish and Wildlife Air and Water biological, economic, and social principles to forest Wood Products Habitat Quality regeneration, management, and conservation to meet the specific goals of landowners or managers.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammal Watching in the Pacific Northwest, Summer 2019 with Notes on Birding, Locations, Sounds, and Chasing Chipmunks
    Mammal watching in the Pacific Northwest, summer 2019 With notes on birding, locations, sounds, and chasing chipmunks Keywords: Sciuridae, trip report, mammals, birds, summer, July Daan Drukker 1 How to use this report For this report I’ve chosen not to do the classic chronological order, but instead, I’ve treated every mammal species I’ve seen in individual headers and added some charismatic species that I’ve missed. Further down I’ve made a list of hotspot birding areas that I’ve visited where the most interesting bird species that I’ve seen are treated. If you are visiting the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find information on where to look for mammals in this report and some additional info on taxonomy and identification. I’ve written it with a European perspective, but that shouldn’t be an issue. Birds are treated in detail for Mount Rainier and the Monterey area, including the California Condors of Big Sur. For other areas, I’ve mentioned the birds, but there must be other reports for more details. I did a non-hardcore type of birding, just looking at everything I came across and learning the North American species a bit, but not twitching everything that was remotely possible. That will be for another time. Every observation I made can be found on Observation.org, where the exact date, location and in some cases evidence photos and sound recordings are combined. These observations are revised by local admins, and if you see an alleged mistake, you can let the observer and admin know by clicking on one of the “Contact” options in the upper right panel.
    [Show full text]
  • Periodic Status Review for the Western Gray Squirrel
    STATE OF WASHINGTON February 2016 Periodic Status Review for the Western Gray Squirrel Gary J. Wiles Washington Department of FISH AND WILDLIFE Wildlife Program The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of endangered, threatened, and sensitive species (Washington Administrative Codes 232-12-014 and 232-12-011). In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted listing procedures developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies (Washington Administrative Code 232-12-297). The procedures include how species list- ings will be initiated, criteria for listing and delisting, a requirement for public review, the development of recovery or management plans, and the periodic review of listed species. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is directed to conduct reviews of each endangered, threat- ened, or sensitive wildlife species at least every five years after the date of its listing by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. In addition, as was the case with this western gray squirrel periodic status review, the Department may initiate a review of a species if a petition is received from an interested person setting forth specific evidence and scientific data to suggest that a species may be in need of reclassification. The periodic status reviews are designed to include an update of the species status report to determine whether the status of the species warrants its current listing status or deserves reclassification. The agency notifies the general public and specific parties who have expressed their interest to the Department of the periodic status review at least one year prior to the five-year period so that they may submit new scientific data to be included in the review.
    [Show full text]
  • Chewing and Sucking Lice As Parasites of Iviammals and Birds
    c.^,y ^r-^ 1 Ag84te DA Chewing and Sucking United States Lice as Parasites of Department of Agriculture IVIammals and Birds Agricultural Research Service Technical Bulletin Number 1849 July 1997 0 jc: United States Department of Agriculture Chewing and Sucking Agricultural Research Service Lice as Parasites of Technical Bulletin Number IVIammals and Birds 1849 July 1997 Manning A. Price and O.H. Graham U3DA, National Agrioultur«! Libmry NAL BIdg 10301 Baltimore Blvd Beltsvjlle, MD 20705-2351 Price (deceased) was professor of entomoiogy, Department of Ento- moiogy, Texas A&iVI University, College Station. Graham (retired) was research leader, USDA-ARS Screwworm Research Laboratory, Tuxtia Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. ABSTRACT Price, Manning A., and O.H. Graham. 1996. Chewing This publication reports research involving pesticides. It and Sucking Lice as Parasites of Mammals and Birds. does not recommend their use or imply that the uses U.S. Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin No. discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesti- 1849, 309 pp. cides must be registered by appropriate state or Federal agencies or both before they can be recommended. In all stages of their development, about 2,500 species of chewing lice are parasites of mammals or birds. While supplies last, single copies of this publication More than 500 species of blood-sucking lice attack may be obtained at no cost from Dr. O.H. Graham, only mammals. This publication emphasizes the most USDA-ARS, P.O. Box 969, Mission, TX 78572. Copies frequently seen genera and species of these lice, of this publication may be purchased from the National including geographic distribution, life history, habitats, Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, ecology, host-parasite relationships, and economic Springfield, VA 22161.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of the Western Gray Squirrel in the South Puget Sound Lorreen A
    Lorreen Ryan 8120 Libby Road Northeast Olympia, Washington 98506 Ecology of the Western Gray Squirrel in the South Puget Sound Lorreen A. Ryan Abstract The western gray squirrel, Sciurus griseus, was one of the most common mammals in the Northwest. Recently it has become rare and been accorded a “threatened species” by the State of Washington. The western gray squirrel occurs in California, Oregon and Washington, with its distribution in the Puget Trough centered at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Base. The western gray squirrel uses the ecotone of Oregon White Oak and Douglas-fir. It requires continuous canopy of these trees since it prefers arboreal travel. Food sources are varied and include truffles, mushrooms, acorns, and other seeds and nuts. Western gray squirrels scatter horde, burying individual acorns in the soil and relocating them through smell. Tree cavities and stick nests are used over winter, to rear young and rest to rest during the day, especially summer days. Predators are varied, including domestic dogs and cats. Automobiles may affect squirrel numbers, especially during peaks of juvenile dispersal. Potential management activities include increased monitoring to determine locations of squirrels, public awareness and education and controlling introduced squirrel species. Status and Distribution Description The western gray squirrel was one of the most commonly seen mammals in the The western gray squirrel is the largest northwest (Bowles 1921). Recently, native tree squirrel in Washington. It is however, the state of Washington accorded a silver gray with dark flanks and creamy “threatened species” status to the western white underparts. Adults may weigh 17.6 to gray squirrel, Sciurus griseus due to loss of 33.4 ounces (Asserson 1974, Barnum 1975, oak habitat, fluctuating food supplies, Gilman 1986) with total body lengths disease, and illegal hunting (Washington (including tail) ranging from 19.7 to 23.6 Department of Wildlife 1993).
    [Show full text]
  • Tree Squirrels: Identification and Management
    Information for pest management professionals and pesticide applicators Green Bulletin Vol. 5 l No. 1 l May 2015 Tree Squirrels: Identification and Management quirrels can be problem pests in many throughout much of California, S landscapes, gardens, and structures. primarily in oak woodlands of the California is home to several species foothills and valleys and in pine/oak of squirrels which can be divided into forests. The western gray squirrel is three groups: tree squirrels, ground gray above with distinct white under- squirrels, and flying squirrels. While parts and prominent ears. They are ground squirrels and some species distinguished from the eastern gray of tree squirrels can be pests, flying and other squirrel species by their squirrels are very elusive and not con- very long bushy tails that are primarily sidered pests. gray with white-frosted outer edges. Figure 1. Western gray squirrel. There are four species of tree squirrels Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus (Dr. Lloyd Glenn Ingles © California Academy of Sciences) in California (Table 1); two species are carolinensis) (Figure 2) were originally native and two are introduced from introduced from the eastern United the eastern part of the United States. States into Golden Gate Park in San Although it is easy to distinguish the Francisco, California. They are also different squirrel groups from each established in areas of Calaveras and other, often it is difficult to tell the San Joaquin counties in California and difference between the species within may be expanding their range. They the groups; this is especially true for can be variable in color. As their name the tree squirrels.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Gray Squirrel Recovery Plan
    STATE OF WASHINGTON November 2007 Western Gray Squirrel Recovery Plan by Mary J. Linders and Derek W. Stinson by Mary J. Linders and Derek W. Stinson Washington Department of FISH AND WILDLIFE Wildlife Program In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted procedures for listing and de-listing species as en- dangered, threatened, or sensitive and for writing recovery and management plans for listed species (WAC 232-12-297, Appendix E). The procedures, developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies, require preparation of recovery plans for species listed as threatened or endangered. Recovery, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the process by which the decline of an en- dangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats to its survival are neutralized, so that its long-term survival in nature can be ensured. This is the final Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel. It summarizes the historic and current distribution and abundance of western gray squirrels in Washington and describes factors af- fecting the population and its habitat. It prescribes strategies to recover the species, such as protecting the population and existing habitat, evaluating and restoring habitat, potential reintroduction of western gray squirrels into vacant habitat, and initiating research and cooperative programs. Interim target population objectives and other criteria for reclassification are identified. The draft state recovery plan for the western gray squirrel was reviewed by researchers and representatives from state, county, local, tribal, and federal agencies, and regional experts. This review was followed by a 90-day public comment period.
    [Show full text]