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Starr Ranch Sanctuary |
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Effects of Restoration on Small Mammals
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Monitoring Objectives |
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In the spring of 2004 we commenced a long-term study that examines effects of coastal sage scrub restoration on small mammals. The goal of our sampling effort is to produce estimates of small mammal species composition, richness, diversity, abundance, and density over the course of habitat restoration, beginning at baseline (before thistle removal) through at least five years after restoration begins or until the small mammal communities resemble those found in our reference sites (pristine coastal sage scrub).
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Methods |
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Trapping is conducted twice per year (every 6 months) for three consecutive nights. As of January 2007 there are two trapping areas, each of which consists of a pair of sites. One site is an artichoke thistle-invaded stand undergoing restoration and the other is composed of pristine coastal sage scrub. These paired sites have been closely matched in respect to physical characteristics such as aspect, slope degree, and soil phase. Each restoration and pristine site contains a 3 x 11 trap grid containing 33 non-collapsible Sherman traps spaced 4m apart. Traps are baited with a mixture of rolled oats and peanut butter in the late afternoon and checked shortly after sunrise. Captured mammals are identified, weighed, and marked at the base of their tail prior to release. Trapping is conducted during periods of intermediate moonlight. |
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Results |
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Abundance Richness
Biomass Composition of Pristine Sites
Composition of Restoration Sites
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Summary |
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As the restoration efforts in our two monitoring areas are still in their early stages, we have not yet observed the re-establishment of small mammal communities. It is our hope that as native vegetation continues to spread throughout restoration areas and the percentage of ground cover increases, small mammal populations in restoration sites will approximate those in matched pristine sites. An additional concern is the overall decreasing trend we have observed in the abundance, richness, and biomass of small mammals in the pristine coastal sage scrub sites. We will continue to monitor these areas to determine whether this is a cyclic phenomenon or a more serious downtrend in native small mammal populations. In 2007, we plan to add a third monitoring area to this project.
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Special Thanks to: |
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Stephen Bennet: Orange County Vector Ecologist
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How to Get Involved: |
Contact the project biologist:
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[ Home ]
[ About ] [ Research ]
[ Conservation ] [ Education ]
[ Internships ] [ Volunteer ]
[ Friends of Starr Ranch Sanctuary ]
[ Fundraising ] [ Checklists ]
[ History ] [ Photo Album ]
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Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary 100 Bell Canyon Road Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679 |
site
design: corie wong site author: sandy desimone |
Phone: 949-858-0309 |