Graduation Date
Summer 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources, option Wildlife
Committee Chair Name
Barbara Clucas
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Frank Fogarty
Second Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Ho Yi Wan
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Common raven, RSF, SSF, Habitat selection, Anthropogenic, Coastal LiDAR
Subject Categories
Natural Resources
Abstract
Nest predation by common ravens (Corvus corax) is considered one of the most significant barriers to the recovery of the population of the federally threatened western snowy plovers (Anarhyncus nivosus nivosus) in Northern California. To increase productivity of snowy plovers, conservation managers in Northern California employ three main techniques; placing symbolic fencing to deter pedestrian entrance to snowy plover nesting areas, invasive vegetation cutback, and deposition of oyster shells to increase snowy plover nest crypsis. However, little is known on how these techniques affect habitat selection of ravens in the area. I modeled habitat selection of GPS-tracked beach-going ravens along the coast of Humboldt County, California. I used a resource selection function and a step selection function to understand raven habitat selection with a multi-scale approach. I assessed if ravens were attracted to habitat restoration techniques that may positively affect snowy plovers, anthropogenic resources, and previously unconsidered environmental habitat characteristics. The resource selection function and step selection function showed that beach-going ravens in Humboldt were not attracted to any habitat restoration technique but were attracted to roads with speed limits under 35 mph (56 kmph), and high concentrations of large woody debris when canopy height of surrounding vegetation is low. These results elucidate the habitat selection preferences of beach-going ravens whose home ranges overlap with snowy plover nesting sites and can inform local conservation managers on future raven management and snowy plover management techniques.
Citation Style
JWM
Recommended Citation
Averbuj, Alon, "Common raven habitat selection along the Northern California coast" (2025). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2338.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2338