Search USGS⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70030858

Linking landscape characteristics to mineral site use by band-tailed pigeons in Western Oregon: Coarse-filter conservation with fine-filter tuning

C.T. Overton·R.A. Schmitz·Michael L. Casazza
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Mineral sites are scarce resources of high ion concentration used heavily by the Pacific Coast subpopulation of band-tailed pigeons. Over 20% of all known mineral sites used by band-tailed pigeons in western Oregon, including all hot springs, have been abandoned. Prior investigations have not analyzed stand or landscape level habitat composition in relation to band-tailed pigeon use of mineral sites. We used logistic regression models to evaluate the influence of habitat types, identified from Gap Analysis Program (GAP) products at two spatial scales, on the odds of mineral site use in Oregon (n = 69 currently used and 20 historically used). Our results indicated that the odds of current use were negatively associated with non-forested terrestrial and private land area around mineral sites. Similarly, the odds of current mineral site use were positively associated with forested and special status (GAP stewardship codes 1 and 2) land area. The most important variable associated with the odds of mineral site use was the amount of non-forested land cover at either spatial scale. Our results demonstrate the utility of meso-scale geographic information designed for regional, coarse-filter approaches to conservation in fine-filter investigation of wildlife-habitat relationships. Adjacent landcover and ownership status explain the pattern of use for known mineral sites in western Oregon. In order for conservation and management activities for band-tailed pigeons to be successful, mineral sites need to be addressed as important and vulnerable resources. Management of band-tailed pigeons should incorporate the potential for forest management activities and land ownership patterns to influence the risk of mineral site abandonment.

Explore related subjects

Natural Areas JournalArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

C.T. Overton, R.A. Schmitz, Michael L. Casazza. 2006. Linking landscape characteristics to mineral site use by band-tailed pigeons in Western Oregon: Coarse-filter conservation with fine-filter tuning. https://doi.org/10.3375/0885-8608(2006)26%5B38%3Allctms%5D2.0.co%3B2

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Conducting feasibility assessments of potential conservation reintroductions: A case study with the imperiled foothill yellow-legged frog, Rana boylii

Conservation translocations are an increasingly common and often necessary component of recovering species that have become extirpated from portions of their range. Understanding and ameliorating potential threats that reduce the likelihood of successful population establishment at recipient sites is a key component of successful translocation planning. We examined multiple potential threats, including pathogens, contaminants, and invasive species, as well as habitat suitability and food resources, to assess the feasibility of reintroducing threatened, stream-obligate foothill yellow-legged frogs, Rana boylii , to Pinnacles National Park. Foothill yellow-legged frogs were extirpated from this protected area more than half a century ago. Although invasive species, disease, contaminants, food resources, and water temperatures are unlikely to inhibit foothill yellow-legged frog population establishment, potential recipient streams at Pinnacles National Park had shorter hydroperiods and much higher canopy cover than reference streams with extant foothill yellow-legged frog populations. Although the exact cause of extirpation of foothill yellow-legged frogs from Pinnacles National Park is unknown, translocations of foothill yellow-legged frogs to the park are more likely to succeed if riparian canopy cover is reduced and stream hydroperiods increased to better match those at nearby populations. Thoroughly understanding the threats to and characteristics of potential recipient sites could improve the likelihood of success of translocation outcomes in natural areas.

California↗
USGS2026

A template for integrated ecological restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring: Case study from the Little Saint Francis River Chat Pile mining site

We present here a template for integrated ecological restoration planning and monitoring, using a case study from the Little Saint Francis River chat pile restoration site in Madison County, Missouri, USA. We used US Department of Agriculture Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs) to identify a range of potential target vegetation communities given the site's biophysical setting. Preliminary site inspection allowed qualitative assessment of current vegetation condition in relation to potential ESD community types and identification of broad restoration goals (for example, “restore woodlands”). By examining the results of the site assessment with ESD descriptions, we identified specific and achievable objectives for those goals as well as relevant metrics for monitoring vegetation change through time. Pre-restoration vegetation sampling enabled refinement of objectives and quantified conditions against which to assess change as restorations mature. Because the sampling methods were adopted to address the specific objectives for the restoration, they continue to provide the framework for monitoring vegetation changes following restoration implementation. Herein we describe how this approach was applied in each of the broad community types encountered at the Little Saint Francis River site, relating pre-restoration species abundance measures to abundance values typical of community types associated with each ESD. In so doing, we demonstrate an iterative, data-driven process that can be applied to restoration planning and monitoring in many ecological systems and restoration contexts.

Missouri↗
USGS2026

A little-known piñon from the Mogollon Highlands: Natural history of Pinus x fallax in the Prescott National Forest, Arizona, USA

The Mogollon Highlands is an area of rich biodiversity in central Arizona and western New Mexico. The piñon-juniper/chaparral in the Mogollon Highlands is unique from other piñon-juniper woodlands in both taxonomy and structure. The hybridization of the common piñon there, Pinus × fallax (Mogollon Highlands piñon, MHP), is hypothesized to render it more tolerant to heat and aridity than one of the parent plants, Pinus edulis (Colorado piñon). Yet as Climate Water Deficit continues to increase, so does concern for the future of these woodlands and the MHP. Using demographic data on MHP from the last four decades, we evaluate fecundity and mortality patterns in woodlands where MHP is co-dominant with three Juniperus species and numerous perennial shrubs. Our data indicate that MHP stands continue to reproduce and that mortality is low relative to the more northern P. edulis stands. We also present a simple calculation of historical fire rotation in Prescott National Forest woodlands, estimating a fire rotation of two centuries, far shorter than other piñon-juniper associations. We also explore fire patterns since 1985 across the ecoregion; abundant charcoal indicates small patchy fires were common. In spite of widespread fires, most Mogollon Highlands fires have occurred in Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine) forests, leaving piñon-juniper/chaparral intact. Together these trends indicate that MHP and associated perennial co-dominants are tolerant of current climates. We suggest that hybrid genetic combinations, the complex perennial understory (e.g., actinorhizal shrubs, rich diversity of nurse microsites), and fire patterns are responsible for this resiliency.

Arizona↗