Characteristics of feeding sites of California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) in the human-dominated landscape of southern California

摘要: Wildlife conservation is often improved by understanding the movement ecology of species and adapting management strategies to dynamic conditions associated with movement. Despite a remarkable recovery over past 30 years, establishment self-sustaining populations California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) has been challenging in human-dominated landscapes southern California. Among these challenges are those imposed condor ground-foraging behavior that exposes them environmental contamination. These include lead poisoning from ingestion spent ammunition micro-trash and, during takeoff landing, collisions human structures. We tracked 28 for 24 months patagially mounted GPS telemetry units investigate characteristics ground sites condors visited identify spatiotemporal trends might aid this critically endangered species. Ground occurred on wide variety land cover types, primarily steep slopes, more frequently used were open cover. concentrated their visits around 3 h period near midday, usage increased winter late summer. Our study first use remotely sensed data describe fine-scale ecological correlates therefore important relevance ongoing The descriptions we provide can be target or actions.