Wildfire impacts on California spotted owl nesting habitat in the Sierra Nevada.

摘要: California spotted owls (CSOs) (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) have received significant conservation attention beginning with the U.S. Forest Service interim management guidelines in 1992. The most commonly reported forest habitat feature for successful nesting of CSO is canopy cover > 70%. Loss and degradation Sierra Nevada habitat, however, has been a growing concern, initially from commercial tree harvesting and, more recently, wildfire. This study examined trends wildfire impacts on potential discusses different approaches that might lead to fire-dependent forests. A total 85,046 ha was burned by fire resulted ≥ 50% basal area (BA) mortality, reducing average < 25%, during 2000–2014; this included 2.7%, 12.3%, 7.6% dense red fir (Abies magnifica), eastside pine, westside forests, respectively. Based regression predictions, within next 75 yr, cumulative amount at mortality will exceed existing habitat. Four strategies are discussed could enhance CSO: (1) increased suppression, (2) strategically hazards using mechanical treatments and/or prescribed fire, (3) increasing managed (4) developing landscape strategy uses historical structure information identify areas where high-canopy forests sustainable. Our estimates how moderate- high-severity may affect into future poise substantial threat persistence. More comprehensive restoration activities be needed avoid losses older