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• 1. [Article] Modeling sage-grouse habitat using a state-and-transition model

  Habitat for wildlife species that depend on sagebrush ecosystems is of great management concern. Evaluating how management activities and climate change may affect the abundance of moderate and high-quality ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modeling sage-grouse habitat using a state-and-transition model Author: Evers, Louisa Habitat for wildlife species that depend on sagebrush ecosystems is of great management concern. Evaluating how management activities and climate change may affect the abundance of moderate and high-quality habitat necessitates the development of models that examine vegetation dynamics, but modeling tools for rangeland systems are limited. I developed state-and-transition models using a combination of scientific literature and data for climate, soils, and wildfire to examine how different types of natural events, management activities, changing climate, and potential future vegetation dynamics may interact and affect the abundance of habitat for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Specific periods examined include the era prior to 1850, the current era, and late in the 21st century in southeastern Oregon. A primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of climate data to define most event probabilities and, subsequently, the relative mix of ecological states, community phases, and sage-grouse habitat with an eye towards a modeling approach that was objective, repeatable, and transferrable to other locations. Contrary to expectations, model results of the conditions prior to 1850 indicated fire may not have been the most important disturbance factor influencing sage-grouse habitat abundance, merely the most visible. Other, more subtle disturbances that thinned sagebrush density, such as drought, herbivory, and weather-related mortality, may have been equally or more important in shaping sage-grouse habitat. Sage-grouse breeding habitat may have been slightly more abundant than levels currently recommended by sage-grouse biologists, brood-rearing habitat may have been as or more abundant, but wintering habitat may have been less abundant. Under the current conditions, livestock grazing during severe drought, postfire seeding success, juniper expansion probabilities, and the frequency of vegetation treatments were the most important determinants of sage-grouse habitat abundance. The current vegetation trajectory would lead to considerably less nesting, brood-rearing, and wintering habitat than sage-grouse biologists recommend. Model results suggested reducing or eliminating livestock grazing during severe drought, increasing postfire seeding success, and treating at least 10% of the so-called expansion juniper each year was necessary to maintain higher levels of sage-grouse habitat, although nesting and brood-rearing habitat remained in short supply. I examined three potential future climates based on long-term climate trends in southeastern Oregon and modeled climate and ecosystem projections for the Pacific Northwest generally. The first scenario produced warmer and drier conditions than present, the second scenario warmer and wetter conditions in winter, and the third scenario warmer and wetter conditions in summer. The implications for sage-grouse habitat abundance were very different between these three scenarios, but all would likely result in the loss or near complete loss of cooler, moister sagebrush communities important for nesting and brood-rearing. Salt desert shrub and warmer, drier sagebrush communities could expand under the first scenario but would have a high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Juniper woodlands could increase in density and salt desert shrub may expand slightly under the second scenario. The remaining sagebrush communities would remain at high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Pinyon-juniper woodland could largely displace sagebrush in the third scenario. Sage-grouse habitat quality likely would decline in all three scenarios and the abundance decrease significantly in the second and third scenario. Title: Modeling sage-grouse habitat using a state-and-transition model Author: Evers, Louisa Habitat for wildlife species that depend on sagebrush ecosystems is of great management concern. Evaluating how management activities and climate change may affect the abundance of moderate and high-quality habitat necessitates the development of models that examine vegetation dynamics, but modeling tools for rangeland systems are limited. I developed state-and-transition models using a combination of scientific literature and data for climate, soils, and wildfire to examine how different types of natural events, management activities, changing climate, and potential future vegetation dynamics may interact and affect the abundance of habitat for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Specific periods examined include the era prior to 1850, the current era, and late in the 21st century in southeastern Oregon. A primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of climate data to define most event probabilities and, subsequently, the relative mix of ecological states, community phases, and sage-grouse habitat with an eye towards a modeling approach that was objective, repeatable, and transferrable to other locations. Contrary to expectations, model results of the conditions prior to 1850 indicated fire may not have been the most important disturbance factor influencing sage-grouse habitat abundance, merely the most visible. Other, more subtle disturbances that thinned sagebrush density, such as drought, herbivory, and weather-related mortality, may have been equally or more important in shaping sage-grouse habitat. Sage-grouse breeding habitat may have been slightly more abundant than levels currently recommended by sage-grouse biologists, brood-rearing habitat may have been as or more abundant, but wintering habitat may have been less abundant. Under the current conditions, livestock grazing during severe drought, postfire seeding success, juniper expansion probabilities, and the frequency of vegetation treatments were the most important determinants of sage-grouse habitat abundance. The current vegetation trajectory would lead to considerably less nesting, brood-rearing, and wintering habitat than sage-grouse biologists recommend. Model results suggested reducing or eliminating livestock grazing during severe drought, increasing postfire seeding success, and treating at least 10% of the so-called expansion juniper each year was necessary to maintain higher levels of sage-grouse habitat, although nesting and brood-rearing habitat remained in short supply. I examined three potential future climates based on long-term climate trends in southeastern Oregon and modeled climate and ecosystem projections for the Pacific Northwest generally. The first scenario produced warmer and drier conditions than present, the second scenario warmer and wetter conditions in winter, and the third scenario warmer and wetter conditions in summer. The implications for sage-grouse habitat abundance were very different between these three scenarios, but all would likely result in the loss or near complete loss of cooler, moister sagebrush communities important for nesting and brood-rearing. Salt desert shrub and warmer, drier sagebrush communities could expand under the first scenario but would have a high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Juniper woodlands could increase in density and salt desert shrub may expand slightly under the second scenario. The remaining sagebrush communities would remain at high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Pinyon-juniper woodland could largely displace sagebrush in the third scenario. Sage-grouse habitat quality likely would decline in all three scenarios and the abundance decrease significantly in the second and third scenario. Close

• 2. [Article] Video on the rocks : use of a video lander platform as a survey tool for a high-relief nearshore temperate rocky reef

  The nearshore waters off the Oregon coast (< 73 meters) are a region of high productivity and economic value, with a variety of habitats that include rock outcrops. Temperate reef habitats are important ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Video on the rocks : use of a video lander platform as a survey tool for a high-relief nearshore temperate rocky reef Author: Easton, Ryan Reid The nearshore waters off the Oregon coast (< 73 meters) are a region of high productivity and economic value, with a variety of habitats that include rock outcrops. Temperate reef habitats are important to many commercially important fishes inhabiting the Pacific coast, including canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) and yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus), which are currently listed as "overfished" by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Along the Pacific coast of North America, nearshore rocky reefs have been designated as essential fish habitat (EFH), while comprising approximately just seven percent of Oregon's territorial sea. Despite this EFH designation, the use of visual (SCUBA, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), human occupied vehicles (HOVs)) and non-visual (bottom trawl) survey methods within this region has been infrequent and scattered, providing limited information on species-habitat associations and species assemblages within nearshore waters. It is logistically difficult and costly to survey nearshore reefs. The factors that have led to the paucity of surveys include the depth (too deep for SCUBA surveys but too shallow for larger survey vessels), high seas limiting available days for field work, and the high-relief nature of the habitat (precluding the use of bottom trawls). In an effort to better understand species-habitat associations and community structure of Oregon's nearshore reefs, an autonomous underwater drop-camera termed the "video lander" was employed at the Three Arch Rocks reef, a nearshore reef off of Oceanside, Oregon. Video lander footage was used to identify and groundtruth habitat types, as well as species assemblages over two distinct seasons: spring/summer (n=272) and winter (n=108). Many species-habitat associations were statistically significant: yelloweye rockfish (large boulder p<0.0073), canary rockfish (small boulder p<0.0006), kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) (bedrock outcrop p<0.0162), and quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) (large boulder p<0.0016). Summer and winter surveys revealed similar habitat associations and distributions for these species. I found no significant difference in species composition between the northern and southern regions of the reef (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index (BCDI) = 71.71, ANOSIM p>0.1447), but a significant difference between spring/summer and winter seasons was identified on the outer section of the reef, due to the presence of spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) in the winter (BCDI =76.41, ANOSIM p < 0.0155). My study shows that data provided by the video lander can fill existing gaps in our understanding of nearshore distribution and habitat associations of temperate rocky-reef fishes off the Oregon coast. Title: Video on the rocks : use of a video lander platform as a survey tool for a high-relief nearshore temperate rocky reef Author: Easton, Ryan Reid The nearshore waters off the Oregon coast (< 73 meters) are a region of high productivity and economic value, with a variety of habitats that include rock outcrops. Temperate reef habitats are important to many commercially important fishes inhabiting the Pacific coast, including canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) and yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus), which are currently listed as "overfished" by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Along the Pacific coast of North America, nearshore rocky reefs have been designated as essential fish habitat (EFH), while comprising approximately just seven percent of Oregon's territorial sea. Despite this EFH designation, the use of visual (SCUBA, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), human occupied vehicles (HOVs)) and non-visual (bottom trawl) survey methods within this region has been infrequent and scattered, providing limited information on species-habitat associations and species assemblages within nearshore waters. It is logistically difficult and costly to survey nearshore reefs. The factors that have led to the paucity of surveys include the depth (too deep for SCUBA surveys but too shallow for larger survey vessels), high seas limiting available days for field work, and the high-relief nature of the habitat (precluding the use of bottom trawls). In an effort to better understand species-habitat associations and community structure of Oregon's nearshore reefs, an autonomous underwater drop-camera termed the "video lander" was employed at the Three Arch Rocks reef, a nearshore reef off of Oceanside, Oregon. Video lander footage was used to identify and groundtruth habitat types, as well as species assemblages over two distinct seasons: spring/summer (n=272) and winter (n=108). Many species-habitat associations were statistically significant: yelloweye rockfish (large boulder p<0.0073), canary rockfish (small boulder p<0.0006), kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) (bedrock outcrop p<0.0162), and quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) (large boulder p<0.0016). Summer and winter surveys revealed similar habitat associations and distributions for these species. I found no significant difference in species composition between the northern and southern regions of the reef (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index (BCDI) = 71.71, ANOSIM p>0.1447), but a significant difference between spring/summer and winter seasons was identified on the outer section of the reef, due to the presence of spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) in the winter (BCDI =76.41, ANOSIM p < 0.0155). My study shows that data provided by the video lander can fill existing gaps in our understanding of nearshore distribution and habitat associations of temperate rocky-reef fishes off the Oregon coast. Close

• 3. [Article] Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet

  Suggested citation: "Hansen, Everett; Reeser, Paul; Sutton, Wendy; Sims, Laura (2014): Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet. OSU Libraries. Dataset. http:...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet Author: Hansen, Everett, Reeser, Paul, Sims, Laura, Sutton, Wendy Suggested citation: "Hansen, Everett; Reeser, Paul; Sutton, Wendy; Sims, Laura (2014): Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet. OSU Libraries. Dataset. http://dx.doi.org/10.7267/N99G5JR4" Title: Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet Author: Hansen, Everett, Reeser, Paul, Sims, Laura, Sutton, Wendy Suggested citation: "Hansen, Everett; Reeser, Paul; Sutton, Wendy; Sims, Laura (2014): Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet. OSU Libraries. Dataset. http://dx.doi.org/10.7267/N99G5JR4" Close

• 4. [Article] Greater Sage-Grouse movements and habitat use during winter in central Oregon

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Brigham Young University and can be found at: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/ojs/index.php/wnan.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Greater Sage-Grouse movements and habitat use during winter in central Oregon Author: Miller, Richard F., Bruce, Jennifer R., Petersen, Steven L., Robinson, W. Douglas This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Brigham Young University and can be found at: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/ojs/index.php/wnan. Title: Greater Sage-Grouse movements and habitat use during winter in central Oregon Author: Miller, Richard F., Bruce, Jennifer R., Petersen, Steven L., Robinson, W. Douglas This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Brigham Young University and can be found at: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/ojs/index.php/wnan. Close

• 5. [Article] A landowner's guide for restoring and managing Oregon white oak habitats

  Bounding coordinates: West Bounding Coordinate: -124.961735; East Bounding Coordinate: -116.415546; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.344729; South Bounding Coordinate: 41.914842.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A landowner's guide for restoring and managing Oregon white oak habitats Author: Tucker, Gabe, Vesely, David Bounding coordinates: West Bounding Coordinate: -124.961735; East Bounding Coordinate: -116.415546; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.344729; South Bounding Coordinate: 41.914842. Title: A landowner's guide for restoring and managing Oregon white oak habitats Author: Tucker, Gabe, Vesely, David Bounding coordinates: West Bounding Coordinate: -124.961735; East Bounding Coordinate: -116.415546; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.344729; South Bounding Coordinate: 41.914842. Close

• 6. [Article] Analysis of habitat features and abundance of young-of-the-year fishes off of the central Oregon coast

  This project is part of ongoing research, which has been extended to include temporal variation. Dr. Lorenzo Ciannelli has also been brought onto this project as of Fall 2015.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Analysis of habitat features and abundance of young-of-the-year fishes off of the central Oregon coast Author: Brodeur, Richard, Yergey, Matthew, Wakefield, W. Waldo, Haven, Katlyn This project is part of ongoing research, which has been extended to include temporal variation. Dr. Lorenzo Ciannelli has also been brought onto this project as of Fall 2015. Title: Analysis of habitat features and abundance of young-of-the-year fishes off of the central Oregon coast Author: Brodeur, Richard, Yergey, Matthew, Wakefield, W. Waldo, Haven, Katlyn This project is part of ongoing research, which has been extended to include temporal variation. Dr. Lorenzo Ciannelli has also been brought onto this project as of Fall 2015. Close

• 7. [Article] Urban and rural-residential land uses : their role in watershed health and the rehabilitation of Oregon's wild salmonids

  This report was prepared by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Urban and rural-residential land uses : their role in watershed health and the rehabilitation of Oregon's wild salmonids Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team This report was prepared by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Title: Urban and rural-residential land uses : their role in watershed health and the rehabilitation of Oregon's wild salmonids Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team This report was prepared by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Close

• 8. [Article] Young-of-the-year rockfish (Sebastes spp.) settlement dynamics in Oregon estuaries

  In the Pacific Northwest, several species of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are under extreme conservation measures due to low population levels. Although currently at healthy population levels, one species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Young-of-the-year rockfish (Sebastes spp.) settlement dynamics in Oregon estuaries Author: Dauble, Alison D. In the Pacific Northwest, several species of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are under extreme conservation measures due to low population levels. Although currently at healthy population levels, one species of interest is the black rockfish (S. melanops), which has been shown to utilize estuarine habitat during its early life history stages. Black rockfish constitute a large portion of the recreational harvest in the Pacific Northwest, and are also a commercially fished species along the majority of the west coast. Annual recruitment in rockfishes has been shown to be extremely variable, and a better understanding of the factors behind successful recruitment and the subsequent settlement process would assist in prioritizing management and conservation efforts for this and other species. The overall goal of my study was to investigate the role that natural and anthropogenic influences play in the estuarine settlement dynamics of northeast Pacific rockfishes, using black rockfish as the primary study species. Genetic identifications confirmed that the majority of the young-of-the-year (YOY) rockfish captured during this study were S. melanops, with small numbers of S. caurinus and S. emphaeus present as well. Results from trapping surveys indicated that YOY black rockfish utilize multiple estuaries on the Oregon coast from spring through late fall, and may be present in highly developed estuaries through their first winter before moving to deeper habitats, as shown by late season increases in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUEs) and the capture of multiple age-1 juveniles in the estuary. Catches were higher in the more developed estuaries on the coast, suggesting that the presence of structure is an extremely important component to the settlement process in this species and that the continued development of Oregon estuaries may not adversely affect YOY rockfish settlement. Two years of dive surveys on a standardized set of artificial reef structures in Yaquina Bay showed that a settlement index of YOY rockfish within the estuary could reflect larger trends in the YOY population and suggest that habitat saturation is not a factor that affects the settlement process of YOY rockfish in estuaries. This study provides strong evidence of widespread use of estuarine habitat on the Oregon coast by black rockfish during their first year of life, and provides additional support that structure is an important component to the settlement process, and has set the groundwork for investigating inter-annual variation in the estuarine settlement of rockfish. Title: Young-of-the-year rockfish (Sebastes spp.) settlement dynamics in Oregon estuaries Author: Dauble, Alison D. In the Pacific Northwest, several species of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are under extreme conservation measures due to low population levels. Although currently at healthy population levels, one species of interest is the black rockfish (S. melanops), which has been shown to utilize estuarine habitat during its early life history stages. Black rockfish constitute a large portion of the recreational harvest in the Pacific Northwest, and are also a commercially fished species along the majority of the west coast. Annual recruitment in rockfishes has been shown to be extremely variable, and a better understanding of the factors behind successful recruitment and the subsequent settlement process would assist in prioritizing management and conservation efforts for this and other species. The overall goal of my study was to investigate the role that natural and anthropogenic influences play in the estuarine settlement dynamics of northeast Pacific rockfishes, using black rockfish as the primary study species. Genetic identifications confirmed that the majority of the young-of-the-year (YOY) rockfish captured during this study were S. melanops, with small numbers of S. caurinus and S. emphaeus present as well. Results from trapping surveys indicated that YOY black rockfish utilize multiple estuaries on the Oregon coast from spring through late fall, and may be present in highly developed estuaries through their first winter before moving to deeper habitats, as shown by late season increases in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUEs) and the capture of multiple age-1 juveniles in the estuary. Catches were higher in the more developed estuaries on the coast, suggesting that the presence of structure is an extremely important component to the settlement process in this species and that the continued development of Oregon estuaries may not adversely affect YOY rockfish settlement. Two years of dive surveys on a standardized set of artificial reef structures in Yaquina Bay showed that a settlement index of YOY rockfish within the estuary could reflect larger trends in the YOY population and suggest that habitat saturation is not a factor that affects the settlement process of YOY rockfish in estuaries. This study provides strong evidence of widespread use of estuarine habitat on the Oregon coast by black rockfish during their first year of life, and provides additional support that structure is an important component to the settlement process, and has set the groundwork for investigating inter-annual variation in the estuarine settlement of rockfish. Close

• 9. [Article] The effects of alternative future development scenarios on ecological processes and social-ecological resilience in Central Oregon

  This research sought to explore the implications of different tenure regimes for both landscape-level ecological processes and the overall resilience of a social-ecological system in Central Oregon. The ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The effects of alternative future development scenarios on ecological processes and social-ecological resilience in Central Oregon Author: Duncan, James A. This research sought to explore the implications of different tenure regimes for both landscape-level ecological processes and the overall resilience of a social-ecological system in Central Oregon. The purchase by an investor of former industrial timberlands known as the Bull Springs tract raised the specter of dispersed residential development on the periphery of Bend, Oregon, leading to legislation redefining tenure in the region. This research examined how different forms of tenure on the tract would affect landscapelevel ecological processes and how the enacted tenure redefinition might affect the resilience of the social-ecological system to future perturbations. Data simulating the future vegetation conditions under two tenure scenarios on the Bull Springs – dispersed residential development and working forest management – were used to map habitat for three species representing different ecosystem services. Landscape pattern metrics were used to compare the simulated differences in spatial patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) habitat, American marten (Martes americana) habitat and old-growth ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodlands. The results were then interpreted using a social-ecological systems framework describing linkages between tenure and ecological processes. Results from the simulation modeling showed multifunctional habitat patches for mule deer became more isolated and smaller when the Bull Springs was developed, and development of the tract led to greater average isolation of habitat patches, lowered extensiveness across the landscape and a reduction of most measures of total habitat area for both mule deer and American marten. Ponderosa pine woodlands grew substantially in quantity under both scenarios, but the development of the Bull Springs removed a large swath from the middle of the ponderosa pine belt, interrupted north-south connectivity and reduced the extent of potential ponderosa pine woodland conditions. Development projected to occur outside the Bull Springs largely determined the cumulative impacts of both scenarios, but working forest management would be an improvement over development for most metrics for the three species. With respect to resilience, the legislative tenure redefinition would change the linkages between communities in the region and the ecosystem services of value, and these linkages could vary in strength and in the scale of applicability. Understanding how forestland ownership change intersects with landscape ecology as land uses change is critical for evaluating policies that manage these changes. Identifying the ecological impacts avoided by managing the Bull Springs as a working forest can inform landscape-level planning to ensure that future development does not recreate these losses elsewhere in the region. Study of these components and linkages contributes to broader efforts to understand and manage the dynamics of social-ecological systems at multiple scales to make social wellbeing and ecological integrity resilient to future disturbances. Title: The effects of alternative future development scenarios on ecological processes and social-ecological resilience in Central Oregon Author: Duncan, James A. This research sought to explore the implications of different tenure regimes for both landscape-level ecological processes and the overall resilience of a social-ecological system in Central Oregon. The purchase by an investor of former industrial timberlands known as the Bull Springs tract raised the specter of dispersed residential development on the periphery of Bend, Oregon, leading to legislation redefining tenure in the region. This research examined how different forms of tenure on the tract would affect landscapelevel ecological processes and how the enacted tenure redefinition might affect the resilience of the social-ecological system to future perturbations. Data simulating the future vegetation conditions under two tenure scenarios on the Bull Springs – dispersed residential development and working forest management – were used to map habitat for three species representing different ecosystem services. Landscape pattern metrics were used to compare the simulated differences in spatial patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) habitat, American marten (Martes americana) habitat and old-growth ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodlands. The results were then interpreted using a social-ecological systems framework describing linkages between tenure and ecological processes. Results from the simulation modeling showed multifunctional habitat patches for mule deer became more isolated and smaller when the Bull Springs was developed, and development of the tract led to greater average isolation of habitat patches, lowered extensiveness across the landscape and a reduction of most measures of total habitat area for both mule deer and American marten. Ponderosa pine woodlands grew substantially in quantity under both scenarios, but the development of the Bull Springs removed a large swath from the middle of the ponderosa pine belt, interrupted north-south connectivity and reduced the extent of potential ponderosa pine woodland conditions. Development projected to occur outside the Bull Springs largely determined the cumulative impacts of both scenarios, but working forest management would be an improvement over development for most metrics for the three species. With respect to resilience, the legislative tenure redefinition would change the linkages between communities in the region and the ecosystem services of value, and these linkages could vary in strength and in the scale of applicability. Understanding how forestland ownership change intersects with landscape ecology as land uses change is critical for evaluating policies that manage these changes. Identifying the ecological impacts avoided by managing the Bull Springs as a working forest can inform landscape-level planning to ensure that future development does not recreate these losses elsewhere in the region. Study of these components and linkages contributes to broader efforts to understand and manage the dynamics of social-ecological systems at multiple scales to make social wellbeing and ecological integrity resilient to future disturbances. Close

• 10. [Article] Survival and Home-range Size of Northern Spotted Owls in Southwestern Oregon

  This is a scanned version of a published article. The original can be found at: http://www.raptorresearchfoundation.org/publications/journal-of-raptor-research. To the best of our knowledge, one or more ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Survival and Home-range Size of Northern Spotted Owls in Southwestern Oregon Author: Schilling, Jason W., Anthony, Robert G., Dugger, Katie M. This is a scanned version of a published article. The original can be found at: http://www.raptorresearchfoundation.org/publications/journal-of-raptor-research. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Title: Survival and Home-range Size of Northern Spotted Owls in Southwestern Oregon Author: Schilling, Jason W., Anthony, Robert G., Dugger, Katie M. This is a scanned version of a published article. The original can be found at: http://www.raptorresearchfoundation.org/publications/journal-of-raptor-research. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Close

• 11. [Article] Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species for macroinvertebrates along the Oregon coast

  Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species for macroinvertebrates along the Oregon coast Author: Moulton, Orissa M. Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species on the coast of Oregon in two studies. Chapter 2, which presents an observational survey of two Phyllospadix congeners, investigates the ways in which surfgrass morphology and observed oceanographic conditions influence associated macroinvertebrate communities throughout a calendar year. Chapter 3, which presents an experimental manipulation of the system, considers the ways in which macroinvertebrates and surfgrass interact. Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) are ubiquitous foundation species on the coast of Oregon, USA, protecting resident invertebrates from waves and providing them access to sandy substrate in an otherwise rocky habitat. We investigated whether native congeneric species function similarly by comparing the two species' resident macroinvertebrates, plant morphology, and sediment accretion at three capes that vary in oceanographic conditions. The results showed that while the macroinvertebrate abundance was the same between surfgrass species, species richness, composition, and functional groups varied considerably. P. serrulatus also had fewer tillers, rhizomes, and lower biomass per given area but greater sediment accretion than its congener P. scouleri. There was a large difference in macroinvertebrate abundance among capes, with Cape Perpetua having 2.5-3 times more animals per given area than Cape Foulweather or Cape Blanco. Overall, we found that while the two co-occurring surfgrass congeners provided functionally different habitat for resident macroinvertebrate species, regional oceanographic processes (upwelling, productivity) were more influential in determining the overall abundance and productivity of these highly diverse animal communities. The interaction between surfgrass (P. scouleri) and resident macroinvertebrates may be an example of mutual facilitation if surfgrass provides shelter and macroinvertebrate residents reciprocate with nutrient input. We hypothesized that this positive interaction could vary depending on oceanographic conditions. Sites with intermittent upwelling, low retention of upwelled waters, and high nutrient delivery to the intertidal are often dominated by macroalgae and seagrasses, while sessile invertebrates dominate intermittent upwelling sites with high water higher retention and relatively low nutrient delivery to the intertidal. We expected the positive influence of macroinvertebrates upon surfgrass to be strongest at a site with possible nutrient limitation stress. We used manipulative field experiments to examine the interaction between Phyllospadix and macroinvertebrate residents at sites known to differ in coastal oceanography. Treatments were applied in situ to vary presence/absence of residents and nutrient conditions. Results indicate that the community of macroinvertebrates varies greatly in both abundance and composition between the two sites (ca. three fold higher abundance at Strawberry Hill than at Fogarty Creek), but the amount Phyllospadix habitat available to macroinvertebrates does not vary between the two sites. This variation is therefore driven by something external to local habitat, and is likely related to regional oceanography. Furthermore, there is some evidence that macroinvertebrates do have some positive nutrient effect upon surfgrass productivity. Together, these studies provide critical descriptive information about community structure associated with the Phyllospadix system on the Oregon coast. This work contributes to the ever-increasing body of literature suggesting importance of regional oceanography in structuring coastal communities. Title: Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species for macroinvertebrates along the Oregon coast Author: Moulton, Orissa M. Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species on the coast of Oregon in two studies. Chapter 2, which presents an observational survey of two Phyllospadix congeners, investigates the ways in which surfgrass morphology and observed oceanographic conditions influence associated macroinvertebrate communities throughout a calendar year. Chapter 3, which presents an experimental manipulation of the system, considers the ways in which macroinvertebrates and surfgrass interact. Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) are ubiquitous foundation species on the coast of Oregon, USA, protecting resident invertebrates from waves and providing them access to sandy substrate in an otherwise rocky habitat. We investigated whether native congeneric species function similarly by comparing the two species' resident macroinvertebrates, plant morphology, and sediment accretion at three capes that vary in oceanographic conditions. The results showed that while the macroinvertebrate abundance was the same between surfgrass species, species richness, composition, and functional groups varied considerably. P. serrulatus also had fewer tillers, rhizomes, and lower biomass per given area but greater sediment accretion than its congener P. scouleri. There was a large difference in macroinvertebrate abundance among capes, with Cape Perpetua having 2.5-3 times more animals per given area than Cape Foulweather or Cape Blanco. Overall, we found that while the two co-occurring surfgrass congeners provided functionally different habitat for resident macroinvertebrate species, regional oceanographic processes (upwelling, productivity) were more influential in determining the overall abundance and productivity of these highly diverse animal communities. The interaction between surfgrass (P. scouleri) and resident macroinvertebrates may be an example of mutual facilitation if surfgrass provides shelter and macroinvertebrate residents reciprocate with nutrient input. We hypothesized that this positive interaction could vary depending on oceanographic conditions. Sites with intermittent upwelling, low retention of upwelled waters, and high nutrient delivery to the intertidal are often dominated by macroalgae and seagrasses, while sessile invertebrates dominate intermittent upwelling sites with high water higher retention and relatively low nutrient delivery to the intertidal. We expected the positive influence of macroinvertebrates upon surfgrass to be strongest at a site with possible nutrient limitation stress. We used manipulative field experiments to examine the interaction between Phyllospadix and macroinvertebrate residents at sites known to differ in coastal oceanography. Treatments were applied in situ to vary presence/absence of residents and nutrient conditions. Results indicate that the community of macroinvertebrates varies greatly in both abundance and composition between the two sites (ca. three fold higher abundance at Strawberry Hill than at Fogarty Creek), but the amount Phyllospadix habitat available to macroinvertebrates does not vary between the two sites. This variation is therefore driven by something external to local habitat, and is likely related to regional oceanography. Furthermore, there is some evidence that macroinvertebrates do have some positive nutrient effect upon surfgrass productivity. Together, these studies provide critical descriptive information about community structure associated with the Phyllospadix system on the Oregon coast. This work contributes to the ever-increasing body of literature suggesting importance of regional oceanography in structuring coastal communities. Close

• 12. [Article] Twenty-year changes in riparian bird communities of east-central Oregon

  Over the last 50 years, riparian zones in the semi-arid West have gained recognition as disproportionately important habitats for both breeding bird communities and agricultural operations. Despite growing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Twenty-year changes in riparian bird communities of east-central Oregon Author: Ellis, Michael S. Over the last 50 years, riparian zones in the semi-arid West have gained recognition as disproportionately important habitats for both breeding bird communities and agricultural operations. Despite growing interest in exploring avian-habitat relationships in these systems to better inform land management, few studies have attempted to describe temporal changes in the region's riparian bird communities. To provide a frame of reference for these changes, we compared indices of avian abundance and diversity from three streamside vegetation associations in east-central Oregon during the 2014 breeding season with baseline data collected by TA Sanders and WD Edge in 1993 and 1994 (Sanders and Edge 1998). Our objectives were to identify patterns of change in the avian community with a focus on riparian shrub-dependent species, to re-examine previously reported relationships between avian abundance and vegetation volume, and to identify possible causes of declines in abundance and diversity with the goal of providing land managers in the semi-arid region information to be used in the guidance and adaptation of management practices. We combined field protocols used by Sanders and Edge to survey birds along point count transects and to measure riparian vegetation with modern analytical techniques. We found few major differences in overall diversity between study periods, but documented precipitous declines in detections for two of three riparian shrub-dependent focal species - Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) and Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii). Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) detections declined by a smaller margin. Changes in number of detections for these species did not reflect trends in mesic shrub volume, which had been identified as a likely driver of obligate species abundance by Sanders and Edge but remained relatively unchanged between study periods. Declines of all three focal species reflected regional Breeding Bird Survey trends, corroborating our finding that their declines may not be a result of changes in local site conditions. Compositional similarity between avian communities was significantly higher in 2014 than in 1993-1994, exhibiting a shift toward greater homogenization between structurally distinct riparian habitats. Our results suggest managing working lands for riparian shrub cover or volume, an important metric of grazing intensity and riparian system health, may not be enough to conserve diversity and abundance of riparian-shrub dependent birds, and more work should be done to identify and alleviate factors contributing to these species' declines. Title: Twenty-year changes in riparian bird communities of east-central Oregon Author: Ellis, Michael S. Over the last 50 years, riparian zones in the semi-arid West have gained recognition as disproportionately important habitats for both breeding bird communities and agricultural operations. Despite growing interest in exploring avian-habitat relationships in these systems to better inform land management, few studies have attempted to describe temporal changes in the region's riparian bird communities. To provide a frame of reference for these changes, we compared indices of avian abundance and diversity from three streamside vegetation associations in east-central Oregon during the 2014 breeding season with baseline data collected by TA Sanders and WD Edge in 1993 and 1994 (Sanders and Edge 1998). Our objectives were to identify patterns of change in the avian community with a focus on riparian shrub-dependent species, to re-examine previously reported relationships between avian abundance and vegetation volume, and to identify possible causes of declines in abundance and diversity with the goal of providing land managers in the semi-arid region information to be used in the guidance and adaptation of management practices. We combined field protocols used by Sanders and Edge to survey birds along point count transects and to measure riparian vegetation with modern analytical techniques. We found few major differences in overall diversity between study periods, but documented precipitous declines in detections for two of three riparian shrub-dependent focal species - Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) and Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii). Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) detections declined by a smaller margin. Changes in number of detections for these species did not reflect trends in mesic shrub volume, which had been identified as a likely driver of obligate species abundance by Sanders and Edge but remained relatively unchanged between study periods. Declines of all three focal species reflected regional Breeding Bird Survey trends, corroborating our finding that their declines may not be a result of changes in local site conditions. Compositional similarity between avian communities was significantly higher in 2014 than in 1993-1994, exhibiting a shift toward greater homogenization between structurally distinct riparian habitats. Our results suggest managing working lands for riparian shrub cover or volume, an important metric of grazing intensity and riparian system health, may not be enough to conserve diversity and abundance of riparian-shrub dependent birds, and more work should be done to identify and alleviate factors contributing to these species' declines. Close

• 13. [Article] Geomorphic response to restoration and disturbance: Grazing, fire, and flooding on the Middle Fork John Day River, OR

  xii, 64 p. : ill. (some col.), maps

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geomorphic response to restoration and disturbance: Grazing, fire, and flooding on the Middle Fork John Day River, OR Author: Michelsen-Correa, Stephani Year: 2011 xii, 64 p. : ill. (some col.), maps Title: Geomorphic response to restoration and disturbance: Grazing, fire, and flooding on the Middle Fork John Day River, OR Author: Michelsen-Correa, Stephani Year: 2011 xii, 64 p. : ill. (some col.), maps Close

• 14. [Article] Factors influencing nest success of greater sandhill cranes at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

  I developed a priori hypotheses and used logistic regression to model Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) nest success in relation to weather, habitat and management variables for cranes breeding ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Factors influencing nest success of greater sandhill cranes at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Author: Ivey, Gary L. I developed a priori hypotheses and used logistic regression to model Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) nest success in relation to weather, habitat and management variables for cranes breeding at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) in southeast Oregon. My primary interest was to investigate the effects of habitat conditions and management practices on nest success as these factors can be influenced by managers. However, I also included variables for weather, water supply, and nest initiation date to provide a context for understanding the relative importance of management actions and habitat conditions. I monitored 506 nests over 9 breeding seasons; mean apparent nest success was 72% ± 4% and varied from 51 to 87%. Nest success varied by habitat management within a field, nest-season temperatures, and water at the nest site. A second analysis which included a subset of nests with nest initiation data revealed that nest success declined with initiation and was higher during years of moderate recipitation. Variable importance analysis indicated initiation date had a greater influence on nest success (0.99) than land use (0.74), water depth (0.50), water supply (0.42), or temperature (0.30). Grazing, haying and predator control had no effect on nest success, while burning had a negative effect, but only during the nesting season following the burn. The lack of a predator control effect may have been due to elimination of individual problem animals before the study commenced, and a protracted effect of the control program. It may also be due to the relatively smaller importance of predator control at higher nest success rates. Nest success at MNWR was higher during my study than in most studies and the low proportion of failed nests may have reduced my ability to detect influences of some variables such as land use practices and predator control. My study is the first to quantify the effect of temperature and moisture conditions on nest success and the results suggest adequate water availability is important for nesting cranes. It affirms the importance of water depth, but not concealment, indicating that the height of cover surrounding a nest is not very important. During the 8-year coyote (Canis latrans) and Common Raven (Corvus corax) control program at MNWR non-target predator populations increased. Such control programs can have unforeseen consequences, such as release of mesopredator populations which can cause additional crane productivity problems. Nest success was relatively high during my study yet productivity was very low, averaging around 3.3 young per 100 pairs from 1995-1998 (GLI, unpublished data). Efforts to further increase nest success at MNWR using predator control are not warranted. The effect of predators on chick survival is likely of more importance and should be quantified to aid in the interpretation of predator control as a management tool. Managers should focus on providing early water to crane territories to facilitate earlier nesting and water levels should be maintained through the nesting season to limit abandonment. Haying and grazing of meadows will likely encourage cranes to nest in deeper water marsh sites. Although burning showed negative effects on nest success during the first season following burns, I advocate continued, but careful use of this important habitat management tool. Lastly, in addition to management to improve nest success, managers should consider efforts to enhance chick and adult survival, as these factors are likely more important than nest success in maintaining populations. Title: Factors influencing nest success of greater sandhill cranes at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Author: Ivey, Gary L. I developed a priori hypotheses and used logistic regression to model Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) nest success in relation to weather, habitat and management variables for cranes breeding at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) in southeast Oregon. My primary interest was to investigate the effects of habitat conditions and management practices on nest success as these factors can be influenced by managers. However, I also included variables for weather, water supply, and nest initiation date to provide a context for understanding the relative importance of management actions and habitat conditions. I monitored 506 nests over 9 breeding seasons; mean apparent nest success was 72% ± 4% and varied from 51 to 87%. Nest success varied by habitat management within a field, nest-season temperatures, and water at the nest site. A second analysis which included a subset of nests with nest initiation data revealed that nest success declined with initiation and was higher during years of moderate recipitation. Variable importance analysis indicated initiation date had a greater influence on nest success (0.99) than land use (0.74), water depth (0.50), water supply (0.42), or temperature (0.30). Grazing, haying and predator control had no effect on nest success, while burning had a negative effect, but only during the nesting season following the burn. The lack of a predator control effect may have been due to elimination of individual problem animals before the study commenced, and a protracted effect of the control program. It may also be due to the relatively smaller importance of predator control at higher nest success rates. Nest success at MNWR was higher during my study than in most studies and the low proportion of failed nests may have reduced my ability to detect influences of some variables such as land use practices and predator control. My study is the first to quantify the effect of temperature and moisture conditions on nest success and the results suggest adequate water availability is important for nesting cranes. It affirms the importance of water depth, but not concealment, indicating that the height of cover surrounding a nest is not very important. During the 8-year coyote (Canis latrans) and Common Raven (Corvus corax) control program at MNWR non-target predator populations increased. Such control programs can have unforeseen consequences, such as release of mesopredator populations which can cause additional crane productivity problems. Nest success was relatively high during my study yet productivity was very low, averaging around 3.3 young per 100 pairs from 1995-1998 (GLI, unpublished data). Efforts to further increase nest success at MNWR using predator control are not warranted. The effect of predators on chick survival is likely of more importance and should be quantified to aid in the interpretation of predator control as a management tool. Managers should focus on providing early water to crane territories to facilitate earlier nesting and water levels should be maintained through the nesting season to limit abandonment. Haying and grazing of meadows will likely encourage cranes to nest in deeper water marsh sites. Although burning showed negative effects on nest success during the first season following burns, I advocate continued, but careful use of this important habitat management tool. Lastly, in addition to management to improve nest success, managers should consider efforts to enhance chick and adult survival, as these factors are likely more important than nest success in maintaining populations. Close

• 15. [Article] Urban and rural-residential area land uses in Oregon: a synthesis of an IMST technical workshop on watershed functions and salmonid recovery

  On June 21-22, 2011, the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) hosted a technical workshop for local and regional natural resource managers and practitioners in urban and rural-residential ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Urban and rural-residential area land uses in Oregon: a synthesis of an IMST technical workshop on watershed functions and salmonid recovery Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team On June 21-22, 2011, the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) hosted a technical workshop for local and regional natural resource managers and practitioners in urban and rural-residential land uses. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss management and rehabilitation actions in developed areas that could improve watershed functions, aquatic habitats, and salmonid populations. This workshop was designed to follow up and expand on key findings from IMST’s 2010 report titled Urban and Rural-residential Land Uses: Their role in Watershed Health and the Rehabilitation of Oregon’s Wild Salmonids Workshop invitees, representing municipal, county, and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and universities, were selected to reflect experience in managing, monitoring,and/or rehabilitating salmonid and aquatic habitats in urban and rural-residential areas. Invitees were also chosen to represent the varied geographic areas in Oregon.The findings from the workshop are intended to help the State of Oregon and local governments better understand the technical issues regarding, and impediments to implementing, plans for minimizing development impacts on water quality, watershed hydrology, and aquatic ecosystems. Title: Urban and rural-residential area land uses in Oregon: a synthesis of an IMST technical workshop on watershed functions and salmonid recovery Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team On June 21-22, 2011, the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) hosted a technical workshop for local and regional natural resource managers and practitioners in urban and rural-residential land uses. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss management and rehabilitation actions in developed areas that could improve watershed functions, aquatic habitats, and salmonid populations. This workshop was designed to follow up and expand on key findings from IMST’s 2010 report titled Urban and Rural-residential Land Uses: Their role in Watershed Health and the Rehabilitation of Oregon’s Wild Salmonids Workshop invitees, representing municipal, county, and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and universities, were selected to reflect experience in managing, monitoring,and/or rehabilitating salmonid and aquatic habitats in urban and rural-residential areas. Invitees were also chosen to represent the varied geographic areas in Oregon.The findings from the workshop are intended to help the State of Oregon and local governments better understand the technical issues regarding, and impediments to implementing, plans for minimizing development impacts on water quality, watershed hydrology, and aquatic ecosystems. Close

• 16. [Article] The effects of interspecies interactions and environmental conditions on biomass accumulation of sessile organisms within Oregon’s rocky mid-intertidal habitats

  With changing climate conditions and human impacts on ecosystems becoming a big focus of study, it has become even more crucial to understand how our ecosystems work. Community structure within rocky intertidal ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The effects of interspecies interactions and environmental conditions on biomass accumulation of sessile organisms within Oregon’s rocky mid-intertidal habitats Author: Carsh, Alexander C. With changing climate conditions and human impacts on ecosystems becoming a big focus of study, it has become even more crucial to understand how our ecosystems work. Community structure within rocky intertidal habitats is governed by a mix of environmental conditions and species interactions. This project examined the effects of different treatments designed to test three different methods of interspecies interaction: predation, competition, and facilitation. We then examined the data in relation to the sites where the samples were collected using MANOVA and linear-contrast analysis. We found that biomass of barnacles, mussels, and algae often tended to be similar in different treatments, suggesting that interspecies interactions were overall fairly weak. The site of origin, on the other hand, had a consistent effect in determining biomass, with a general pattern of northern sites accumulating more biomass than southern sites. We believe that this is due to the interaction between upwelling strength and the width of the continental shelf along the Oregon coast with regard to the roles they play in nutrient, phytoplankton, and larval retention, leading to differences in growth rates. Title: The effects of interspecies interactions and environmental conditions on biomass accumulation of sessile organisms within Oregon’s rocky mid-intertidal habitats Author: Carsh, Alexander C. With changing climate conditions and human impacts on ecosystems becoming a big focus of study, it has become even more crucial to understand how our ecosystems work. Community structure within rocky intertidal habitats is governed by a mix of environmental conditions and species interactions. This project examined the effects of different treatments designed to test three different methods of interspecies interaction: predation, competition, and facilitation. We then examined the data in relation to the sites where the samples were collected using MANOVA and linear-contrast analysis. We found that biomass of barnacles, mussels, and algae often tended to be similar in different treatments, suggesting that interspecies interactions were overall fairly weak. The site of origin, on the other hand, had a consistent effect in determining biomass, with a general pattern of northern sites accumulating more biomass than southern sites. We believe that this is due to the interaction between upwelling strength and the width of the continental shelf along the Oregon coast with regard to the roles they play in nutrient, phytoplankton, and larval retention, leading to differences in growth rates. Close

• 17. [Article] Presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed forest landscapes in western Oregon

  I studied presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in western Oregon from May through September, 1999–2001. Species richness ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed forest landscapes in western Oregon Author: Arnett, Edward B. I studied presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in western Oregon from May through September, 1999–2001. Species richness was not related to elevation, density of snags, or length of edge or perennial streams in sampled landscapes. I captured bats more frequently in landscapes with moderate to high densities of snags and sex ratios were skewed toward males, especially in snag-rich landscapes at higher elevations. Elevation generally was negatively related to captures of female bats. I determined use of day roosts by female and male long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis), female long-legged myotis (Myotis volans), and female big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Relative to random structures, all three species used snags that had less canopy closure, more adjacent snags, and were closer to the edge of the stand. Diameter of snags was an important variable differentiating roost and random snags used by big brown bats and long-legged myotis. I found considerable overlap in structural and contextual characteristics of snags and trees used as roosts among the three species of bats. My findings provide evidence that females of sympatric species of bats may alter their choices of roosts when co-existing in landscapes with low densities of snags. Female and male long-eared myotis primarily used stumps and down logs in landscapes with low densities of snags, while using snags more frequently in landscapes with high snag densities. I found that tree species and structural characteristics of snags, stumps, and logs used as roosts generally were similar between female and male long-eared myotis and that context variables (e.g., elevation) best differentiated use of structures between sexes. Failure to account for differences in use of roosts among species, between sexes, and among landscapes with varied conditions could lead to erroneous conclusions and ineffective or inappropriate management recommendations. Elevational gradients and densities of snags are important factors to consider when developing snag and green tree retention strategies for bats in this region. Forest management practices that retain and create large snags in landscapes currently with low densities of snags would benefit female bats, especially at lower elevations. Title: Presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed forest landscapes in western Oregon Author: Arnett, Edward B. I studied presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in western Oregon from May through September, 1999–2001. Species richness was not related to elevation, density of snags, or length of edge or perennial streams in sampled landscapes. I captured bats more frequently in landscapes with moderate to high densities of snags and sex ratios were skewed toward males, especially in snag-rich landscapes at higher elevations. Elevation generally was negatively related to captures of female bats. I determined use of day roosts by female and male long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis), female long-legged myotis (Myotis volans), and female big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Relative to random structures, all three species used snags that had less canopy closure, more adjacent snags, and were closer to the edge of the stand. Diameter of snags was an important variable differentiating roost and random snags used by big brown bats and long-legged myotis. I found considerable overlap in structural and contextual characteristics of snags and trees used as roosts among the three species of bats. My findings provide evidence that females of sympatric species of bats may alter their choices of roosts when co-existing in landscapes with low densities of snags. Female and male long-eared myotis primarily used stumps and down logs in landscapes with low densities of snags, while using snags more frequently in landscapes with high snag densities. I found that tree species and structural characteristics of snags, stumps, and logs used as roosts generally were similar between female and male long-eared myotis and that context variables (e.g., elevation) best differentiated use of structures between sexes. Failure to account for differences in use of roosts among species, between sexes, and among landscapes with varied conditions could lead to erroneous conclusions and ineffective or inappropriate management recommendations. Elevational gradients and densities of snags are important factors to consider when developing snag and green tree retention strategies for bats in this region. Forest management practices that retain and create large snags in landscapes currently with low densities of snags would benefit female bats, especially at lower elevations. Close

• 18. [Article] 1980 Annual Report: Wildlife Division

  This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, large and small ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 1980 Annual Report: Wildlife Division Author: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, large and small game statistics for animals such as elk, deer, bears, pheasants, and quail. The document also discusses the wildlife habitat improvements completed during the time. Title: 1980 Annual Report: Wildlife Division Author: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, large and small game statistics for animals such as elk, deer, bears, pheasants, and quail. The document also discusses the wildlife habitat improvements completed during the time. Close

• 19. [Article] Oregon comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy: Voluntary conservation tools and programs

  This draft document describes different types of conservation tools and highlights some conservation programs currently available in Oregon, along with an assessment of their effectiveness for habitat ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy: Voluntary conservation tools and programs Author: Defenders of Wildlife This draft document describes different types of conservation tools and highlights some conservation programs currently available in Oregon, along with an assessment of their effectiveness for habitat conservation and for participating landowners. Title: Oregon comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy: Voluntary conservation tools and programs Author: Defenders of Wildlife This draft document describes different types of conservation tools and highlights some conservation programs currently available in Oregon, along with an assessment of their effectiveness for habitat conservation and for participating landowners. Close

• 20. [Article] Conservation incentives work group report to the seventy-second legislative assembly

  Report to the seventy-second legislative assembly. Presented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry. February 2003.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Conservation incentives work group report to the seventy-second legislative assembly Report to the seventy-second legislative assembly. Presented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry. February 2003. Title: Conservation incentives work group report to the seventy-second legislative assembly Report to the seventy-second legislative assembly. Presented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry. February 2003. Close