Development of a predictive model for habitat of the Mexican spotted owl in Northern New Mexico

摘要

The Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. We developed a predictive, vegetation-based model for habitat of the species in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, using logistic-regression modeling techniques and analyzed seven habitat variables with six of the variables included in the final model. A plot analysis using Receiver Operating Characteristics indicated a high performance of the model, and validation of the model confirmed proper function. Compared with random unoccupied sites, the model indicates that owls in the Jemez Mountains prefer habitat with greater diversity, density, and height of trees, canopy cover, and shrub density, which is in agreement with much of the literature on biology of the Mexican spotted owl. This model can be used with fine-scale assessments of habitat for land-management agencies that have a priority to accurately delineate habitat of the Mexican spotted owl. Los Alamos National Laboratory will use this model to re-delineate habitat of owls to reduce assessment costs and to better protect appropriate habitat.