pikas as models for connecting low-mobility mammals across i-90
DESCRIPTION
Pikas as models for connecting low-mobility mammals across I-90. Kristina Ernest, Patricia Garvey-Darda, Paul Houghtaling, Patrick Emblidge, and Crystal Davidson. Pikas ( Ochotona princeps ) Talus-obligate patchy distribution Low mobility heat predation Talus unique habitat type - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Pikas as models for connecting low-mobility mammals across I-90
Kristina Ernest, Patricia Garvey-Darda, Paul Houghtaling, Patrick Emblidge, and Crystal Davidson
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• Pikas (Ochotona princeps)– Talus-obligate
• patchy distribution
– Low mobility• heat• predation
• Talus– unique habitat type– permanent and temporary refugia
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Project Objectives
• Information to help design and place effective crossing structures
1. Habitat availability
2. Habitat characteristics
• Baseline population data before crossing structures are built
3. Distribution
4. Abundance
5. Population genetics
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1. Habitat Availability
Methods– previous talus maps– ground surveys
• Hyak to Easton• within ~ 1 mile of I-90
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Results• 47 sites mapped
– 25 North/east of I-90– 20 South/west of I-90– 2 under I-90 bridges
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2. Habitat Characteristics
Methods
• talus characteristics at trapping sites
• talus type• slope• aspect• patch size (area)• isolation (distance to
nearest talus)• rock size
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Results• Variety of talus types
Natural talus slope(Mt. Amabalis)
Natural talus, disturbed by quarrying (Hudson Creek “Quarry Nob”)
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Human-made talus adjacent to I-90(Photo: C. Davidson)
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John Wayne Trailnear Keechelus Lake boat ramp
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Talus patchPatch size
(acres)
Slope aspect
(degrees)
Slope angle (%)
Canopy Cover(%)
Distance to nearest
talus (m)
Amabilis West C 1.8 295 57 12 < 100
Amabilis West D 1.5 155 70 33 < 50
Gold Creek Trail 2.7 284 47 2 ?
Gold Creek Bridges 0.4 61 69 32 < 100
Hudson Creek Quarry 19.0 14 66 38 < 100
Hyak NF 9070 3.2 142 76 30 < 100
I-90 milepost 66 1.7 181 74 23 15
Keechelus boat ramp 1.1 75 55 69 ~ 100
Keechelus boat ramp- JWT
0.5 157 76 73 ~ 100
• Talus characteristics
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Rock Size Distribution (all trapping sites)
0
50
100
150
200
dirt/g
rave
l1-
2"
2-12
"1-
22-
33-
44-
55-
66-
77-
8 >8
Rock length (ft.)
Fre
qu
en
cy
(#
ro
ck
s)
(n = 338 rocks)
• Rock size
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Methods:• visual observations of pikas
3. Pika distribution/ habitat occupancy
Photo: C. Davidson
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Methods:• listen for pika calls• search for pika haystacks• search for pika latrines
(Photo: C. Davidson)
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Results:• 40 sites surveyed 95% occupied
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Methods:• 9 trapping sites (1 included 3 distinct patches)
• elevational range 2520 – 3880 ft.
• live-trapped and marked individual pikas
4. Pika abundance
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Photo: P. Garvey-Darda
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Methods:• marked locations of tagged and untagged
individuals; estimated minimum number of pikas
Gold Creek Trail
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Results:• 29 individuals trapped (at 6 sites)
Gold Creek Trail
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Talus site# pikas marked
# others observed
min. # indiv.
patch size (acres)
min. density (#/acre)
I-90 milepost 66 0 0 0 1.7 0.0
Amabilis West C 0 2 2 1.8 1.1
Keechelus boat ramp 0 11 11 1.1 10.0
Hyak NF 9070 3 4 7 3.2 2.2
Hudson Creek Quarry 4 7 11 19 0.6
Gold Creek Bridges 4 2 6 0.4 15.0
Amabilis West D 6 5 11 1.5 7.3
Gold Creek Trail 6 30 36 2.7 13.3
Keechelus BR – JWT 6 9 15 0.5 30.0
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Methods• ear tissue samples from all trapped individuals• fecal pellet samples from other individuals• all tissues stored for future genetic analyses
5. Population Genetics
(Photo: P. Mackay)
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Results • Ear tissues – 27 pikas• Fecal pellets – 9 pikas
Pika latrine (Photo: C. Davidson)
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2009 Plan
• Intensive sampling in Gold Creek CEA• Both sides of I-90• Trap in new talus patches • Resample 2008 areas for additional individuals
• Intensive survey between Gold Creek bridges and Keechelus boat ramp
• for possible dispersing individuals
• Determination of subspecies in area• Ochotona princeps fenisex (Ashnola pika)• O. p. brunescens (Cascade pika)
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2009 Plan (cont.)
• Continue to identify and map talus patches• entire project area (Gold Creek to Easton)
• Talus habitat measurements• Same as 2008 measurements• Add talus temperatures - dataloggers
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Photo: C. Davidson
Acknowledgments
• WSDOT - fundingWSDOT - funding
• WTI - contract WTI - contract
• CWU - equipmentCWU - equipment
• USFS - equipmentUSFS - equipment– John LehmkuhlJohn Lehmkuhl
• Mary PeacockMary Peacock
• Nancy HuntlyNancy Huntly