Graduation Date
Spring 2024
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Biology
Committee Chair Name
Terry W. Henkel
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Erik S. Jules
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Daniel Barton
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fourth Committee Member Name
James Graham
Fourth Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fifth Committee Member Name
David K. Imper
Fifth Committee Member Affiliation
Community Member or Outside Professional
Keywords
Habitat suitability models, Endangered, California endemic, Serpentine, Assisted migration, Lupinus, MaxEnt
Subject Categories
Botany
Abstract
The Lassics lupine, Lupinus constancei, is a serpentine species endemic to the Lassics Mountains of northern California, listed as critically imperiled and federally endangered. Increased encroachment from reduced fire intervals has led to elevated herbivory from small mammals. While deployment of exclosure cages has decreased negative impacts, diminishing snowpack from shifting climate continues to threaten the Lassics lupine. To locate possible refugia, I evaluated alternative sites for assisted migration. I built a habitat suitability model (HSM) using MaxEnt software and WorldClim variables to predict optimal habitat. I then evaluated aerial imagery, topography, and geology to identify areas for microhabitat data collection. The final study sites included Black Rock, Bug Creek Butte, Dry Lake, and Red Mountain, and were compared to the Lassics lupine demographic monitoring transects. Although soil temperature data suggested the four sites were not statistically different from the monitoring transects, more data should be evaluated prior to translocation to ensure microhabitat features are compatible for the Lassics lupine. Soil elemental analyses showed a high similarity between the Lassics lupine habitat, Black Rock, and Red Mountain; similar botanical diversity existed within Red Mountain and the Lassics lupine demographic monitoring transects. According to the HSM, the most important variable for modeling optimal habitat was precipitation of the wettest quarter of the year. This research informs agencies of suitable habitat for assisted migration of the Lassics lupine and provides insight into building HSMs with small datasets to inform research for other imperiled species.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Allchin, Caitlyn M., "Assessing relocation habitats and assisted migration of the Lassics lupine, an endangered California serpentine-endemic" (2024). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 729.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/729