Graduation Date
Fall 2021
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources: option Environmental Science and Management
Committee Chair Name
Dr. James Graham
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Matthew Johnson
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Michael McGrann
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Community Member or Outside Professional
Keywords
Modeling, Suitability, Birds, MaxEnt, Passerine, Woodpecker, Distribution, BlueSpray
Subject Categories
Environmental Science and Management
Abstract
Spatial models that describe species distributions are valuable in determining how environmental impacts, such as drought, fire, and bark beetle infestations, have shifted these distributions and guide management decisions. In this thesis, I begin by comparing the utility of two datasets by building habitat suitability models for Black-headed Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. By combining the datasets, I created response curves that explain habitat associations I expected from each species. I expanded upon the methods section to compare pre- and post-drought data from the 2011 California multi-year drought and evaluate how the three avian species have shifted their habitat use due to drought, fire, and bark beetle infestation. I then related these changes back to vegetation productivity from remotely sensed data. I found that these three species have experienced large shifts in their suitable habitat due to drought, fire, and bark beetle infestation. Hairy Woodpeckers, which normally can use fire-impacted habitat, have shifted out these areas perhaps due to increased fire intensity and longevity that has mismatched with the lay periods of their food resource. Yellow-rumped Warblers and Black-headed Grosbeaks have tightened in around water sources and shifted out of areas where vegetation has been severely impacted by the drought. I also found a weak correlation between vegetation productivity and these avian distribution shifts. As climate change continues to impact the intensity and longevity of drought with the cascading influences from fires and bark beetles, it is ever more critical to study how species are shifting in response and identify areas that continue to meet their biological needs.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Pruhsmeier, Holli Nicole, "Building habitat suitability models to examine distribution shifts for the Black-headed Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, and Yellow-rumped Warbler due to drought, fire, and bark beetle infestation in the Pacific Northwest" (2021). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 516.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/516