Geospatial modeling of Common Raven activity in Snowy Plover habitats in coastal northern California

Graduation Date

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Wildlife, 2015

Committee Chair Name

Mark A. Colwell

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

modeling, Charadrius nivosus, Corvus corax, Geospatial, Generalized Additive Model, Common Raven, Snowy Plover, Modeling, geospatial, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Wildlife

Abstract

The Common Raven (Corvus corax) poses a conservation dilemma because as a native predator it can negatively affect populations of other native species, including the Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus). In Humboldt County, the Common Raven is one of the primary causes of low reproductive success in Snowy Plovers. To better understand Common Ravens, I investigated their activity and distribution in Snowy Plover habitats using 11 years of point count data (2004-2014). Furthermore, I analyzed several landscape factors known to influence raven activity at three spatial scales and related them to Common Raven activity using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). Common Raven distribution varied appreciably across Snowy Plover habitats and this spatial patterning was consistent across the 11 years. Moreover, Common Raven activity was highest in Snowy Plover habitats that were near more agricultural lands and low-intensity urban areas at all scales (small and large scale). Common Ravens were found to be in high abundance coinciding with areas of high Snowy Plover breeding activity, which warrants prioritizing predator management in these beach habitats.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/m039k7201

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