Species Conservation

How does the CA-CESU protect plant and animal species as they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic climate change and environmental disruptions? Conserving wildlife ensures that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that we live with. It is important to protect the survival of these species, especially those that are on the verge of extinction. Through species conservation research, the CA-CESU aims to develop strategies that improve the ability of vulnerable species to persist in the future. Learn more about species conservation projects below.

Post-wildfire Analysis of Joshua Trees and Banana Yucca

Years Active: 2021-2022

PI: Lynn Sweet (University of California, Riverside)

Wildfire is a significant force influencing vegetation worldwide; and where its frequency or intensity departs from natural or culturally-imposed historical intervals, it represents a real and present environmental threat. The Mojave National Preserve protects a rich diversity of plant species, including Eastern Joshua trees (Yucca jaegeriana) and banana yucca (Yucca baccata), both of which were found in great numbers within the Joshua tree woodland burned in the 2020 Dome Fire on Cima Dome. Generally, this vegetation does not readily recover from large and intense wildfires.

The study will provide qualitative and quantitative data for the purpose of interpretation and resource management. Specifically, the quantitative data will address rates of survival for two Yucca species based on size-class, pre-existing surrounding vegetation, topography, and other biogeographic factors. The qualitative data will be most impactful as an informative interactive online map with photos of past and present conditions. Photographic evidence is invaluable for describing intangible elements of an ecosystem, demonstrating change over time in a way that is easily understandable and readily communicated.

Bat Population and Disease Monitoring Program

Years Active: 2022-2027

PI: Shannon Rexin (California State University, Sacramento)

Bats face threats from drought, fire, habitat loss, pesticides, wind farms, disease, and invasive species. More recent work at SEKI has focused on overwinter ecology and roost selection, disease monitoring, fire response, and education. Starting in 2016, 9 acoustic recording units (ARUs) were deployed in various fire regimes to evaluate, among other things, bat biodiversity associated with fire. CSU Sacramento and SEKI are working collaboratively to develop a long-term bat monitoring program that includes population and disease metrics. This long-term monitoring program includes acoustic surveys and disease sample processing. Thus far, these projects have led to the purchase of 22 ARUs. The project's remaining objectives are to: 1) distribute ARUs to more recent wildfires and prescribed burns, 2) distribute ARUs to study the biogeography of bats across a larger elevation gradient, in more forest types, and in the subalpine and alpine zones, 3) continue to use one ARU to collect acoustic calls at all mist netting events, and 4) use one ARU to provide a live feed of acoustic calls during public discussions about bat acoustic ecology at mist netting events.

Assessing Endangered Black Abalone Recruitment

Years Active: 2019-2023

PI: Dr. Pete Raimondi (University of California, Santa Cruz)

The federally endangered black abalone underwent massive population declines from disease,overharvesting and habitat modification. High risk of extinction exists at Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore based on low numbers of mature individuals and limited distribution. Channel Islands National Park has significantly higher densities, but only one percent of historical populations persists in the park. All three parks are identified as high value critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

Slow or nonexistent recovery throughout the range is likely due to poor larval supply and/or habitat availability. Recruitment levels are not well known because abalone larvae are nearly undetectable with non-destructive surveys. To identify recruitment, we propose to deploy dismantle-able modules that mimic preferred habitat of larvae. Presence of recruits on modules and concurrent absence in natural environments may indicate a problem associated with habitat.

Protecting Wildlife Using New, Cost-Effective Methods

Years Active: 2019-2024

PI: Dr. Myra Finkelstein (University of California, Santa Cruz)

California condors once ranged over much of the Pacific West. In 1982, only 22 condors remained in the world and by 1987 the last remaining wild bird was taken into the San Diego Zoo for a captive-breeding program to save the species. Since that time, the captive-breeding program has been a success, though the wild-release programs encounter challenges. Primary among anthropogenic-associated mortality is lead poisoning.  For California condors, incidental ingestion of lead ammunition fragments from shot carcasses is their primary source of lead poisoning and a significant barrier to their population recovery. While progress has been made to improve understanding of the benefits of non-lead ammunition among hunters and ranchers of the region, it is clear that lead exposures in the condor flock remains a significant management issue for years to come.

Pinnacles National Park is a historic breeding area for California condors. Condors continued to be observed at Pinnacles well into the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, up until the last birds were taken from the wild into the captive breeding program. UCSC ecotoxicology laboratory will establish the use of additional biomarkers (e.g., feather, bone) to aid in the ability to assess lead exposure status and diagnose lead-related mortality events in California condors. The laboratory will conduct analyses to measure levels of lead in a range of body tissues with different lead turnover rates (bone, feathers, liver, and blood) to estimate past, current and future lead poisoning rates and risk factors for California condors. Tissue samples will be processed and analyzed using techniques established in the UCSC lab.

Managing the Barred Owl and California Spotted Owl

Years Active: 2022-2027

PI: Dr. M. Zachariah Peery

California spotted owls, endemic to the Sierra Nevada and mountains of coastal southern California from Monterey County south, have declined in abundance and distribution in recent years. In 2015, the California spotted owl  was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. This project uses non-invasive sophisticated technology to monitor presence of barred owls and California spotted owls in Yosemite. Yosemite biologists will use the information to design management responses that are aimed at protecting California spotted owls by controlling the spread of barred owls. We will place Acoustic Recroding Units in existing California spotted owl habitats that are accessible yet provide adequate spatial coverage across the park.