Abstract
Climate change, caused by anthropogenic influence, has resulted in rising temperatures across the globe. This has contributed to sea level rise which has negatively impacted coastal endangered species. Rising temperatures threaten habitat conditions through fragmentation and encroachment of invasive species. Habitat fragmentation and the spread of invasive species have already been worsened by European colonialistic ideas of exploiting the environment for its natural resources, which makes sea level rise an additional issue. California has been affected by sea level rise in various ways and dune ecosystems are experiencing many of those impacts. In Humboldt County, our project site borders the Pacific Ocean at the North Spit of the Ma-le’l dunes with few endangered species present. The brown elfin butterfly (Callophrys augustinus) serves an important role in the dunes. The butterflies and their host plant, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick or bearberry) are abundant, so data collection and analysis can help determine management practices for the endangered, Incisalia polia maritima (Seaside hoary elfin) butterfly in Oregon. By assessing the habitat of the brown elfin butterfly, our team measured the patch size of its host plant kinnikinnick by using a handheld GPS receiver and a thirty-meter tape. We observed butterfly and ant-hill sightings to expand on our findings, as well. We recorded seventy-two kinnikinnick patches and calculated a median of 25 meters and a standard deviation of 193.7 meters. Two groups of kinnikinnick patches with pseudoabsence data generated in ArcGIS Pro were created, but no conclusions were drawn. Sightings of butterflies were on sunny or overcast days, with little to no precipitation. Results suggest that further data would be necessary to determine the adequate patch size of kinnikinnick for the habitat of the seaside hoary elfin. Lastly, we identified sources of error, future management for seaside hoary elfin, and promoting kinnikinnick outside of dune ecosystems.
Date
Spring 2024
Department
Environmental Science & Management
Advisor/Professor
Daniel Lipe
Citation Style
APA