FINAL Dusky-footed woodrat monitoring in Point Reyes National Seashore

Fehring, Katherine; PRBO Conservation Science

In response to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) concerns about the impacts of fuel reduction activites on Dusky-footed Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) and Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) populations, we studied woodrat house densities in a variety of habitats and along roadsides and measured the relative importance of woodrats as prey of Northern Spotted Owls. Through pellet analysis, we confirmed this importance and found woodrats made up 76% and 82% of prey biomass consumed in 1997 and 2002 respectively. In general, densities of woodrats houses found here are among the highest reported in similar habitats. Woodrat house densities in 50m plots were highest in California bay (Umbellularia californica) and red alder (Alnus rubra) habitats and lowest in grassland habitat where no houses were found. Average roadside density was higher than plot density and marking woodrat houses along roads so treatment crews could avoid them is important. We recommend that efforts continue to minimize the impacts to Dusky-footed Woodrats and subsequently, Northern Spotted Owls.