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Marbled Murrelet Use of Landscapes in Southern Oregon and California

EPA Grant Number: U914997
Title: Marbled Murrelet Use of Landscapes in Southern Oregon and California
Investigators: Meyer, Carolyn B.
Institution: University of Wyoming
EPA Project Officer: McClure, Karen
Project Period: January 1, 1996 through January 1, 1999
Project Amount: $102,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1996)
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Ecology and Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Description:

Objective:

The objective of this research project was to develop a predictive landscape-level habitat model of marbled murrelet occupancy and abundance within potential nesting habitat in a region extending from southwestern Oregon to central California. Specifically, I determined the important spatial sea and landscape variables that affect nesting use in old-growth forests and offshore bird densities.

Approach:

I centered overmore than 1,000 circular plots of varying radii (0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 km) on murrelet survey stations, and quantified landscape fragmentation indices on the vegetation polygons within the circles. Climatic and topographic variables were determined for each station. Distance to important marine features, roads, and streams were calculated from the center of the plots. Mean tree size (dbh) of the central stand also was also recorded. I regressed these variables against probability of occupancy and number of murrelet detections in occupied sites.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, landscape-level habitat model, marbled murrelet, Oregon, California, occupancy, nesting use.

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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