SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF SMALL TERRESTRIAL MAMMAL COMMUNITIES

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF SMALL TERRESTRIAL MAMMAL COMMUNITIES

Sponsoring Institution

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Status

COMPLETE

Funding Source

HATCH

Reporting Frequency

Annual

Accession No.

0172407

Grant No.

(N/A)

Cumulative Award Amt.

(N/A)

Proposal No.

(N/A)

Multistate No.

(N/A)

Project Start Date

Oct 1, 2011

Project End Date

Sep 30, 2016

Grant Year

(N/A)

Program Code

[(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
410 MRAK HALL
DAVIS,CA 95616-8671

Performing Department
Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology

Non Technical Summary
Small mammals have critical roles in many ecosystems, both as consumers and as prey for numerous other species. Some small mammals have been implicated in zoonoses such as plague, lyme disease, hantavirus, etc. While some species are habitat generalists and are widely distributed in California, others are habitat specialists and require particular habitat features for their survival. California has a higher diversity of small mammal species than any other state in the country, and has more endemic species (found only in California) and more threatened species than any other state. Most of California has been greatly modified from its original landscape, but in addition to the historic influences of agriculture, urbanization, and habitat fragmentation and loss, global climate change threatens to redesign the very structure and distribution of habitats in the state. Understanding the ecological needs of, and interactions among, small mammals is critical if managers are to develop plans to mitigate ongoing and unexpected stressors. My research provides basic information on the ecological needs of small mammals but also on their role in ecological systems, as well as insight to how we should manage habitats to maintain the biological diversity that makes this such a remarkable state.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
135	0830	1070	10%
135	0840	1070	10%
135	0850	1070	10%
135	0860	1070	10%
135	0899	1070	10%
136	0830	1070	10%
136	0840	1070	10%
136	0850	1070	10%
136	0860	1070	10%
136	0899	1070	10%

Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife; 136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity;

Subject Of Investigation
0840 - Fur-bearing animals; 0850 - Wildlife habitats; 0830 - Wild animals; 0899 - Wildlife and natural fisheries, general/other; 0860 - Endangered species;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

spatiotemporal organization

habitat fragmentation

applied ecology

habitat management

Goals / Objectives
I propose to continue with ongoing investigations on spatial and temporal characteristics of small terrestrial mammal assemblages (including shrews, rodents, rabbits, bats), and to evaluate how these respond to ecological stress (e.g., ecological gradients, including elevational, ecotonal; and anthropogenic factors such as grazing). In recent years I have expanded my work to evaluate the influence of habitat fragmentation and ecosystem management (e.g., forest treatment) on native and introduced mammal species and mammal assemblages. Objectives of this research program are to further refine our understanding of how small mammals are impacted by anthropogenic (human) and natural stressors and impacts, and how managers might be able to accommodate such influences. Specifically: 1) assess ecological structure for communities of small mammals native to California, at sites located across significant ecological gradients (e.g., desert - shrubland - forest); 2) determine the micro- and macrohabitat correlates of species distributions and how these vary across ecological gradients; 3) follow small mammal communities over a sufficient time period to assess indirect interactions that might be missed in a short-term project; and 4) evaluate characteristics of habitats and habitat fragments that allow for the survival of native species. Outputs of this will emphasize primary publications in the ecological and management literature, as well as technical reports to funding agencies and appropriate outreach targets.

Project Methods
Small mammals will be live-trapped and individually marked, generally on permanently marked grids but on transient grids during general survey efforts, and community structure and population dynamics will be followed over time via mark-recapture techniques. Habitat characteristics, including vegetative structure and abiotic features, will be quantified, allowing for an evaluation of the influence of habitat on population and community dynamics. Finally, by establishing series of grids across ecological gradients, I will be able to evaluate population and community responses to ecological stresses. I provisionally expect that my efforts will emphasize two habitat types - deserts of southern California and forests of the northern Sierra Nevada and Coast Range. Additionally, I am becoming interested in the dynamics of small mammal communities in shrublands of the inner Coast Range, where two ecologically similar species of deer mice intergrade. Some evidence appears to suggest that one of these is declining in number, so further work to assess this could be important. I will look for a series of such fragments and evaluate the mammal composition of these fragments, both in terms of species composition and of demographic status. This will be evaluated in terms of habitat and structural characteristics of fragments that might explain observed patterns. Expanding upon ongoing work on ecological gradients, I will identify significant interfaces between ecologically different faunas (e.g., between forest and shrub habitat, between shrubland and grassland, or between grazed and ungrazed habitats). Small mammal community structure will be assessed by trapping at sites located across these gradients. One type of interface that I am hoping to investigate in the pending funding cycle is that produced by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation. Additionally, I will continue monitoring key populations (kangaroo rats in southern and, hopefully, central California) to assess demographic (and community-wide) responses to large climate patterns such as El Nino Southern Oscillation. Population and community structure will be evaluated by determining population size as well as the age and sex structure of the population. The ecological niches of species (in terms of diet and habitat use) will be assessed as a function of the location across the gradient, as well as over the entire gradient. Selectivity of habitat use will be evaluated by reference to the available background habitat. Additionally, spacing behavior (e.g., home ranges, immigration / emigration, persistence) will be assessed as needed. Radio tracking may be needed in order to follow the movements and more accurately plot the territories of certain species. Trapping grids will sampled over multiple years to follow population and community structure over greater temporal scales. This will allow me to follow small mammal responses to broad environmental patterns, which have been demonstrated to have important impacts on small mammal communities. Additionally, automatic cameras, tracking stations, and acoustic monitoring will be employed as needed to document the fauna of specific sites.

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:My target audience continues to be the general public interested in the ecology, biology, and conservation of California mammals, as well as state and federal land and wildlife managers. I have worked closely with colleagues in the US Forest Service, US Geological Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, California Fish & Game, California State Parks, Department of Water Resources, the National Wildlife Research Center, and others. I have interfaced with State and Federal biologists on issues concerning small mammal ecology; I continue to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for the development of a revised California Mammal Species of Special Concern listing. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As noted above, my graduate students are pursuing research of direct relevance to the AES and to my Hatch program, and they will soon become independent workers helping to promote wise management of California resources. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See lengthy list of publications, posters, and oral presentations, some of which are to scientific colleagues but others are aimed directly at the public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I continue to support a diverse and motivated group of graduate students and to continuing my own research. With colleagues in WFCB I recently secured two separate 10-year funding programs, to support applied and AES-relevant research on wildlife and environmental management in the Suisun Marsh region of the San Francisco Bay Delta, and to monitor and study bats along a major riparian corridor in the Central Valley.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I continue tracking small mammal numbers at key long-term sampling sites in California desert, now integrating the MS research of one of my students. My students continue their applied research on Sierra fisher, Salt Marsh harvest mice, desert small mammals, and bats in walnut orchards and riparian habitat. My PhD student, Kate Ingram, is distilling data and initiating analyses forher work on the ecology of bats in California walnut orchards. She also has completed a survey of local farmers to gauge knowledge of and interest in bats as "free pest control" - a publication has been submitted. My PhD student, Katherine Smith, has completed another year of research on the conservation needs of the State and Federally endangered Salt Marsh harvest mouse. She has completed a 2nd draft of a comprehensive assessment of needs for this species, and is proceeding to additional chapters now. My PhD student, Rebecca Green, has completed late drafts of her second dissertation chapter, on the reproductive ecology and management of California fisher in the southern Sierra Nevada and is currently finishing one chapter. She currently is working on her third and final dissertation chapter. My MS student, Aviv Karasov-Olson, is studying the ecology of small mammals in a desert region of southern California. She will complete field work in summer 2017, and she should be writing her thesis soon thereafter. My MS student, Jessica Lin, is initiating ground-breaking work to characterize the bat fauna of a local riparian corridor over an entire year.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Krause, S. K., C. Laursen, D. A. Kelt, J. P. Gionfriddo, and D. H. Van Vuren. 2015. Behavioral effects of an immunocontraceptive vaccine on eastern fox squirrels. Journal of Wildlife Management.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Aguilera, L. E., C. Armas, A. P. Cea, J. R. Guti�rrez, P. L. Meserve, and D. A. Kelt. 2016. Rainfall, microhabitat, and Small mammals influence the abundance and distribution of soil microorganisms in a Chilean semi-arid shrubland. Journal of Arid Environments 126:37-46.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Armas, C., J. R. Guti�rrez, D. A. Kelt, and P. L. Meserve. The Fray Jorge Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Area: Twenty-five years of research in the north-central Chilean arid zone. Journal of Arid Environments Deserts of the World series, vol. 126:1-88.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Armas, C, J. R. Guti�rrez, D. A. Kelt, and P. L. Meserve. Twenty-five years of research in the north-central Chilean semiarid zone: the Fray Jorge Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) site and Norte Chico. Journal of Arid Environments 126:1-6.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jim�nez, M. A., A. Gaxiola, J. J. Armesto, C. Gonz�lez-Browne, P. L. Meserve, D. A. Kelt, J. R. Guti�rrez, and F. M. Jaksic. 2016. Bet-hedging strategies of native and exotic annuals promote coexistence in semiarid Chile. Journal of Arid Environments 126:62-67.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kelt, D. A., H. Cofre, C. Cornelius, A. Engilis, Jr., J. R Guti�rrez, P. A. Marquet, R. Medel, P. L. Meserve, V. Quirici, H. Samaniego, and R. A. V�squez. The avifauna of Bosque Fray Jorge National Park and Chile's Norte Chico. Journal of Arid Environments 126:23-36.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Madrigal-Gonz�lez. J., D. A. Kelt, P. L. Meserve, F. A. Squeo and J. R. Guti�rrez. 2016. Shrub-ephemeral plants interactions in semiarid north-central Chile: is the nurse plant syndrome manifested at the community level? Journal of Arid Environments 126:47-53.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Meserve, P. L., D. A. Kelt, J. R. Guti�rrez, A. Previtali, and W. B. Milstead. 2016. Biotic interactions and community composition in a semiarid thorn scrub community in Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, north-central Chile: a paradigm revisited. Journal of Arid Environments 126:81-88.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Meserve, P. L., H. V�squez C., D. A. Kelt, J. R. Guti�rrez and W. B. Milstead. 2016. Patterns in arthropod abundance and biomass in the semiarid thorn scrub of Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, north-central Chile: a preliminary assessment. Journal of Arid Environments 126:68-75.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kelt, D. A., and P. L. Meserve. 2016. To what extent can and should revegetation serve as restoration? Restoration Ecology 24(4):441-448
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: L�pez, R. P., F. A. Squeo, C. Armas, D. A. Kelt, and J. R. Guti�rrez. 2016. Enhanced facilitation at the extreme end of the aridity gradient in the Atacama Desert: a community-level approach. Ecology 97(6):1593-1604.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wittmer, H.U., D.A. Kelt, P.A. Kelly, and D.F. Williams. Use of simulation modeling to evaluate management strategies for reintroduced riparian brush rabbits in California. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kelt, D. A., H. Cofr�, C. Cornelius, A. Engilis, Jr., J. R. Guti�rrez, P. A. Marquet, R. Medel, P. L. Meserve, V. Quirici, H. Samaniego, and R. A. V�squez. The avifauna of Chile's Norte Chico. VIII Southern Connection Congress 2016, invited oral presentation, Gondwana lessons from fine-scale, long-term bird vulnerability studies. Punta Arenas, Chile. 18-23 January 2016.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kelt, D. A. Philosophy and practice of peer review. Invited contribution to a workshop entitled How to be a good peer-reviewer: what editors and authors need from you. Organized by The ASM Education and Graduate Students Committee. American Society of Mammalogists, Minneapolis, MN. 25 June 2016.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kelt, D. A. Ecolog�a, marcoecolog�a,y conservaci�n de peque�os mam�feros en zonas �ridas. Invited plenary presentation, XXIX Jornadas Argentinas de Mastozoolog�a. 18-21 October 2016. San Juan, Argentina.

Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:My target audience continues to be the general public interested in the ecology, biology, and conservation of California mammals, as well as state and federal land and wildlife managers. I have worked closely with colleagues in the US Forest Service, US Geological Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, California Fish & Game, California State Parks, Department of Water Resources, the National Wildlife Research Center, and others. I have interfaced with State and Federal biologists on issues concerning small mammal ecology; I continue to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for the development of a revised California Mammal Species of Special Concern listing Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As noted above, my PhD students are pursuing research of direct relevance to the AES and to my Hatch program, and they will soon become independent workers helping to promote wise management of California resources. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See lengthy list of publications, posters, and oral presentations, some of which are to scientific colleagues but others are aimed directly at the public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In addition to supporting a diverse and motivated group of graduate students and to continuing my own research, I am working with colleagues no a potential 10-year funding program to support applied and AES-relevant research on wildlife and environmental management in the Suisun Marsh region of the San Francisco Bay Delta.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I continue tracking small mammal numbers at key long-term sampling sites in California desert. My students continue their applied research on Sierra fisher, Salt Marsh harvest mice, and bats in walnut orchards; my student studying invasive fox squirrels has completed her dissertation and now teaches in southern California. My research in Sierra Nevada forests has terminated but one final project is in review for publication My PhD student, Kate Ingram, completed her third field season on the ecology of bats in California walnut orchards. She also has initiated a survey of local farmers to gauge knowledge of and interest in bats as "free pest control". My PhD student, Katherine Smith, has completed another year of research on the conservation needs of the State and Federally endangered Salt Marsh harvest mouse. Part of her work will involve assessing responses to local flooding (part of broader management goals for the Suisun Marsh estuary), and another will evaluate the potential for "win-win" management of waterfowl and mice in this area. Waterfowl hunting is a major economic engine in this region and much of the area there is managed for waterfowl; if management can simultaneously favor ducks, geese, and mice, then all parties could be players in the proactive management of this species. My PhD student, Rebecca Green, has concluded her field work on the reproductive ecology and management of California fisher in the southern Sierra Nevada and is currently finishing one chapter, and moving on to her second dissertation chapter.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kelt, D.A., J.R. Aliperti, P.L. Meserve, W.B. Milstead, M.A. Previtali, and J.R. Guti�rrez. 2015. Energetic compensation is historically contingent and not supported for small mammals in South American or Asian deserts. Ecology 96(6):1702-1712.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kelt, D.A., and D.H. Van Vuren. 2015. Home ranges of Recent mammals. Ecology 96(6):1733.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Pyle, P., A. Engilis, Jr., and D. A. Kelt. 2015. Manual for ageing and sexing the landbirds of Bosque Fray Jorge National Park and north-central Chile, with notes on occurrence and breeding seasonality. Special Publication of the Occasional papers of The Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University (available for free download at http://www.museum.lsu.edu/occpap.html).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Pyle, P., A. Engilis, Jr., and D. A. Kelt. 2015. Manual para estimar edad y sexo de aves terrestres del Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge y Chile Central, con notas sobre rangos de distribuci�n y estaci�n reproductiva. Special Publication of the Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural Science (available for free download at http://www.museum.lsu.edu/occpap.html).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Acosta-Jamett, G., J. R. Guti�rrez, P. L. Meserve, D. A. Kelt, and A. Previtali. 2016. El Ni�o Southern Oscillation drives conflict between wild carnivores and livestock farmers in a semiarid area in Chile. Journal of Arid Environments 126:76-80

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: My target audience continues to be the general public interested in the ecology, biology, and conservation of California mammals, as well as state and federal land and wildlife managers. I have worked closely with colleagues in the US Forest Service, US Geological Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, California Fish & Game, California State Parks, Department of Water Resources, the National Wildlife Research Center, and others. I have interfaced with State and Federal biologists on issues concerning small mammal ecology; I continue to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for the development of a revised California Mammal Species of Special Concern listing Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? I continue to work closely and extensively with my graduate students, all of whom are pursuing applied ecological work that will contribute in important ways to management of natural resources in the face of potentially competing needs (agriculture, forestry, water diversion, urbanization). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? As outlined under "Accomplishments" I continue to publish my results in appropriate scientific outlets. Additionally, I correspond with regional land use managers (mostly US Forest Service) to convey the implications of my research on forest and desert management. My students have worked with regional (southern Sierra, SF Bay Delta, Sac valley) and local (UCD campus grounds) authorities to help in the management of natural resources. As noted above, one student (K. Ingram) is pursuing research to investigate the economic benefits to farmers that are provided by bats, which consume massive quantities of insects. This work will continue over at least one more seasons and is anticipated to be ground-breaking in terms of understanding the fiscal benefit of this. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I anticipate continuing with what I have done thus far. Specifically, tracking small mammals to assess their responses to climate change and such long-term dynamics as El Niño Southern Oscillation. I will continue fostering and promoting the applied research of my outstanding graduate students, whose work will contribute tangibly and importantly to California agriculture, forestry, and management of watersheds and invasive species.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I continue tracking small mammal numbers at key long-term sampling sites in California desert. My students continue their applied research on Sierra fisher, Salt Marsh harvest mice, bats in walnut orchards, and invasive fox squirrels in western urban parklands. My research in Sierra Nevada forests has terminated but we completed one more paper this year, and one more is pending. My PhD student, Sara Krause, completed her dissertation on the ecology of invasive fox squirrels, and has two chapters published and a third currently under review. My PhD student, Kate Ingram, completed her second field season on the ecology of bats in California walnut orchards; she suffered an unfortunate hard drive crash but is currently compiling available data and preparing for another season this spring and summer. She also has initiated a survey of local farmers to gauge knowledge of and interest in bats as "free pest control". My PhD student, Katherine Smith, has initiated research on the conservation needs of the State and Federally endangered Salt Marsh harvest mouse. Part of her work will involve assessing responses to local flooding (part of broader management goals for the Suisun Marsh estuary), and another will evaluate the potential for "win-win" management of waterfowl and mice in this area. Waterfowl hunting is a major economic engine in this region and much of the area there is managed for waterfowl; if management can simultaneously favor ducks, geese, and mice, then all parties could be players in the proactive management of this species. My PhD student, Rebecca Green, has concluded what I hope is her final field season on the reproductive ecology and management of California fisher in the southern Sierra Nevada. Her work is clarifying the denning requirements of this threatened species, and will feed directly into regional forest management. My PhD student, Susan Roberts (completed in 2008) completed a final paper that lingered from her research on spotted owls and small mammals in Yosemite National Park. This is now in press in the Journal of Mammalogy. I participated in a review of a decade of research in the Sierra National Forest (northern Sierra Nevada) to document responses in fire behavior and by plants, small mammals, birds, and spotted owls to forest manipulation. This was published in a very high-visibility outlet and should provide important guidance fo forest managers.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Krause, S.K., D.A. Kelt, J.P. Gionfriddo, and D.H. Van Vuren. 2014. Efficacy and health effects of a wildlife immunocontraceptive vaccine on fox squirrels. Journal of Wildlife Management 78(1):12-23.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kelt, D.A., P.A. Kelly, and D.F. Williams. 2014. Home range size and habitat selection of reintroduced Sylvilagus bachmani riparius. Journal of Mammalogy 95(3):516-524.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Stephens, S.L., S.W. Bigelow, R.D. Burnett, B.M. Collins, C.V. Gallagher, J. Keane, D.A. Kelt, M.P. North, L.J. Roberts, P.A. Stine, and D. H. Van Vuren. 2014. California spotted owl, songbird, and small mammal responses to landscape-scale fuel treatments. BioScience 64(10):893-906.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Krause, S.K., D.A. Kelt, D.H. Van Vuren, and J.P. Gionfriddo. 2014. Regulation of tree squirrel populations with immunocontraception: a fox squirrel example. Human-Wildlife Interactions 8(2):168-179.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Roberts, S.L., D.A. Kelt, J.W. Van Wagtendonk, A.K. Miles, and M.D. Meyer. Effects of fire on small mammal communities in frequent-fire forests in California. Journal of Mammalogy.

Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: During this review period I provide a lecture to the public in Palm Desert to discuss my long-term research on small mammals near there. This was part of the UCR Boyd Deep Canyon Lecture Series. I also discussed this work with public that were visiting the research station where this work is conducted. I have interfaced with State and Federal biologists on issues concerning small mammal ecology; I continue to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for the development of a revised California Mammal Species of Special Concern listing. Changes/Problems: If any “major” changes have occurred they pertain to the integration of bats into my research program. Bats are small mammals (and hence fit within the conceptual realm of my project) but are quite distinct from rats and mice (traditionally thought of as “small mammals” in key ecological parameters (life span, reproductive output, etc.). I now have two students studying the ecology of bats; one has initiated research on the role of bats in walnut orchards, while the second is developing research on the role of distinct bat species in the deserts of the Southwest. Both projects have tremendous potential, and they complement existing expertise and emphases of my lab. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Extensive training of my graduate students, all of whom are pursuing applied ecological work that will contribute in important ways to management of natural resources in the face of potentially competing needs (agriculture, forestry, water diversion, urbanization). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? I outlined this above. Apart from Journal publications I have met with public at one research site in southern California, have provided guest (invited) lectures to both public and scientific audiences. I have also corresponded with regional land use managers (mostly US Forest Service) to convey the implications of my research on forest and desert management. My students have worked with regional (southern Sierra, SF Bay Delta, Sac valley) and local (UCD campus grounds) authorities to help in the management of natural resources. As noted above, one student (K. Ingram) has initiated research to investigate the economic benefits to farmers that are provided by bats, which consume massive quantities of insects. This work will continue over at least 2 more seasons and is anticipated to be ground-breaking in terms of understanding the fiscal benefit of this. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I anticipate continuing with what I have done thus far. Specifically, tracking small mammals to assess their responses to climate change and such long-term dynamics as El Niño Southern Oscillation. I will continue fostering and promoting the applied research of my outstanding graduate students, whose work will contribute tangibly and importantly to California agriculture, forestry, and management of watersheds and invasive species.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I continue tracking small mammal numbers at key long-term sampling sites in California desert. My students continue their applied research on Sierra fisher, Salt Marsh harvest mice, bats in walnut orchards, and invasive fox squirrels in western urban parklands. My research in Sierra Nevada forests has terminated but we are completing final reports and papers. My PhD student, Sara Krause, has completed two chapters of her dissertation (one now published, the other in revision) on the ecology of invasive fox squirrels. She currently is completing a 3rd chapter on this topic. My PhD student, Kate Ingram, completed her first comprehensive field season on the ecology of bats in California walnut orchards; she is in the process of data distillation currently and looking forward to another season this spring and summer. My PhD student, Katherine Smith, has initiated research on the conservation needs of the State and Federally endangered Salt Marsh harvest mouse. Part of her work will involve assessing responses to local flooding (part of broader management goals for the Suisun Marsh estuary), and another will evaluate the potential for “win-win” management of waterfowl and mice in this area. Waterfowl hunting is a major economic engine in this region and much of the area there is managed for waterfowl; if management can simultaneously favor ducks, geese, and mice, then all parties could be players in the proactive management of this species. My PhD student, Rebecca Green, has concluded what I hope is her final field season on the reproductive ecology and management of California fisher in the southern Sierra Nevada. Her work is clarifying the denning requirements of this threatened species, and will feed directly into regional forest management. My colleagues and I completed a large manuscript documenting that small mammal communities in the Sierra National Forest (northern Sierra Nevada) are surprisingly invariant across a major gradient in ecological and forest structure/characteristics, with important implications for forest management in this region.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kelt, D.A., P.L Meserve, J.R. Guti�rrez, W.B. Milstead, and M.A. Previtali. 2013. Long-term monitoring in the face of biotic and abiotic influences at a semiarid site in north-central Chile. Ecology 94(4):977.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Guo, Q., D.A. Kelt, Z. Sun, H. Liu, L. Hu, H. Ren, and J. Wen. 2013. Global variation in elevational diversity patterns. Nature Scientific Reports 3, 7 pages, DOI:10.1038/srep03007
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kelt, D. A., D. H. Van Vuren, M. L. Johnson, J. A. Wilson, R. J. Innes, B. R. Jesmer, R. D. Burnett, K. P. Ingram, J. R. Smith, S. WE. Bigelow, and P. A. Stine. 2013. Small mammals exhibit limited spatio-temporal structure in Sierra Nevada forests. Journal of Mammalogy 94(6):1197-1213.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This year I made our eighth annual presentation to public and agency personnel in Quincy, CA, where field efforts on our long-term research on the ecological responses of small mammals to forest management have terminated; we are now completing final manuscripts from this extensive effort. I continue to document the contemporary distribution of small mammal species, and to monitor demographic responses to yearly variation in rainfall at a desert research site. Additionally at this site I am beginning to investigate the mechanisms underlying coexistence by multiple species of small granivorous rodents (pocket mice in the genus Chaetodipus). I make metadata available to the reserve manager for his use in understanding long-term patterns there. I continue to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for a group of colleagues revising the listing of California Mammal Species of Special Concern. This is funded by California Fish & Game but is voluntary on the part of TAC members. Research by my PhD student, Sara Krause, has led to important insights to the potential efficacy of a one-short reproductive prophylaxis for invasive eastern fox squirrels on the UC Davis campus, with relevance for other urban areas. She has one manuscript provisionally accepted for publication in the Journal of Wildlife Management (see below) and we currently are working on two more papers that will address local management options and behavioral responses to prophylactic treatment. My PhD student, Katherine Ingram, received an EPA STAR fellowship and this year will initiate an important study on the role of bats in walnut orchards; this will provide only the 2nd comprehensive study on the economic benefits associated with bat activity, and will be an important element of ongoing IPM programs in California. Part of her research aims to evaluate how receptive farmers in this region are to the incorporation of bats as part of an insect-control strategy, as well as evaluating how to most effectively incorporate bats into a local IPM strategy. An incoming PhD student, Katherine Smith, is studying the ecology and conservation/management needs of the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, an endangered species found ONLY in habitats bordering the San Francisco Bay/Delta region. Her efforts will focus on the role of natural (tidal) vs. managed (non-tidal) marshes and on means of integrating management of waterfowl, fish, and mice - a win-win result is hoped for. PARTICIPANTS: Sierra Nevada small mammal research. The research program includes 3 co-PIs (myself, Dr. Dirk Van Vuren, UCD/WFCB, and Dr. Michael Johnson, UCD/JMIE). Dr. Van Vuren and I have been the most active on this project, although I have been the lead PI. This work is conducted in close association with the US Forest Service, SW Research Center, who coordinate the larger project that includes five modules (vegetation, fire, songbirds, spotted owls, small mammals). Dr. Van Vuren and I both have structured this research to provide mentoring opportunities for graduate students, and we have completed 3 MS students (Ms. Stephanie Coppeto, Ms. Robin Innes, Mr. Jaya Smith). Ecology of invasive eastern fox squirrels. This project comprises the dissertation research of my student, Sara Krause, and is highly integrative with colleagues at the National Wildlife Research Center (Ft. Collins, CO). Our key collaborator there is Dr. James Gionfriddo California Mammal Species of Special Concern. Funded by Cal. Fish & Game to the Conservation Biology Institute (San Diego; PI Dr. Wayne Spencer), the TAC includes about half a dozen biologists knowledgable in the biology and status of mammals in California. Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse research. This work will comprise the dissertation research of PhD student, Katherine Smith. Agroecological role of bats in walnut orchards. This work comprises the dissertation research of Ms. Katherine Ingram. Research on desert mammals and the influence of climate change. Some of this work integrates separate research efforts in Chile and includes Dr. Peter L. Meserve (Northern Illinois University) and Dr. Julio Gutierrez (Universidad de La Serena, Chile). I also continue a 15-year project conducting biennial surveys at at desert site in southern California. TARGET AUDIENCES: My target audience continues to be the general public interested in the ecology, biology, and conservation of California mammals, but increasingly includes (or focuses on) state and federal land and wildlife managers. In particular, I have worked closely with colleagues in the US Forest Service, US Geological Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, California Fish & Game, California State Parks, Department of Water Resources, the National Wildlife Research Center, and others. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
My students and I strive to understand the ecological needs of California mammals as well as how this relates to past, current, and future management scenarios. Our efforts in the Sierra Nevada have underscored the consequences of a century of fire suppression; in many areas the small mammal fauna is hyper-dominated by generalist species (some of which may carry zoonotic diseases transmissible to humans), while ecologically more specialized species, many of which are of management concern, are increasingly restricted to very local habitats and/or found in very low numbers. Work by PhD student Sara Krause will directly help the UC Davis campus manage invasive fox squirrels and is being incorporated into plans by colleagues at the National Wildlife Research Center (Fort Collins, CO) to seek federal approval of a novel and highly effective reproductive prophylaxis. PhD student Kate Ingram's research will not only provide insight to the economic savings that bats provide to local farmers, but she also plans to address means by which farmers can capitalize on any such benefits with minimal time and cost. PhD student Katherine Smith's research will provide critical insight to the long-term management of a state and federally endangered species, while integrating the needs and interests of such diverse stakeholders as state and federal agency biologists, waterfowl hunters, and private landholders.

Publications

Innes, R.J., M.B. McEachern, D.H. Van Vuren, J.M. Eadie, D.A. Kelt, and M.L. Johnson. 2012. Genetic relatedness and spatial associations of dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes). Journal of Mammalogy 93(2):439-446. Kelt, D.A., A. Engilis, Jr., J. Monardez, R. Walsh, P.L. Meserve, and J.R. Gutierrez. 2012. Seasonal and multiannual patterns in avian assemblage structure and composition in northern Chilean thorn-scrub. Condor 113(1):30-43.
Kuo, C.-C., J.-L. Huang, P.-Y. Shu, P.-L. Lee, D.A. Kelt, and H.-S. Wang. 2012. Cascading effect of economic globalization on human risks of scrub typhus and tick-borne rickettsial diseases. Ecological Applications 22(6):1803-1816. In press Kelt, D.A. Commentary on Brown and Maurer 1987. Pp. xx-xx in Foundations of Macroecology (J. H. Brown, J. Gittleman, and F. A. Smith eds.). University of Chicago Press.
Kelt, D.A., P.L Meserve, J.R. Gutierrez, W.B. Milstead, and M.A. Previtali. 2010 Long-term monitoring in the face of biotic and abiotic influences at a semiarid site in north-central Chile. Ecology. In revision Kelt, D. A., D. H. Van Vuren, M. L. Johnson, J. A. Wilson, R. J. Innes, B. R. Jesmer, R. D. Burnett, K. P. Ingram, J. R. Smith, S. WE. Bigelow, and P. A. Stine. 2010 Small mammals exhibit limited spatio-temporal structure in Sierra Nevada forests. Journal of Mammalogy.
Krause, S.K., D.A. Kelt, J.P. Gionfriddo, and D.H. Van Vuren. Efficacy and health effects of a wildlife immunocontraceptive vaccine on fox squirrels. 2010 Journal of Wildlife Management. In revision Kelt, D. A., D. H. Van Vuren, M. L. Johnson, J. A. Wilson, R. J. Innes, B. R. Jesmer, R. D. Burnett, K. P. Ingram, J. R. Smith, S. WE. Bigelow, and P. A. Stine. 2012 Small mammals exchbit limited spatio-temporal structure in Sierra Nevada forests. Journal of Mammalogy.
Krause, S.K., D.A. Kelt, J.P. Gionfriddo, and D.H. Van Vuren. Efficacy and health effects of a wildlife immunocontraceptive vaccine on fox squirrels. 2012 Journal of Wildlife Management.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: I continue to be involved in an annual presentation to public and agency personnel in Quincy, CA, where our long-term research on the ecological responses of small mammals to forest management has begun to close down. I continue to document the contemporary distribution of small mammal species, and to monitor demographic responses to yearly variation in rainfall at a desert research site. I make metadata available to the reserve manager for his use in understanding long-term patterns there. I serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for a group of colleagues revising the listing of California Mammal Species of Special Concern. This is funded by California Fish & Game but is voluntary on the part of TAC members. Research by my PhD student, Laurissa Hamilton, has exposed concerns with the management of the endangered riparian brush rabbit, and provided important guidance for habitat modification as well as monitoring needs. Research by my PhD student, Sara Krause, is providing critical insight to humane management of invasive eastern fox squirrels on the UC Davis campus, with relevance for other urban areas. One of my PhD students is preparing for her first field season to assess the economic benefit to Central Valley farmers from the foraging activities of bats; initial research elsewhere has been extrapolated to suggest that bats save up to $50 billion annually by consuming pest species that otherwise would require costly control measures; my student will assess the importance of bats in the critical agricultural region of the northern Central Valley. PARTICIPANTS: Sierra Nevada small mammal research. I am seeking a no-cost extension for funds provided by the US Forest Service to allow my co-PIs and me to hire technical assistance over the summer to complete ongoing research on the role of fire suppression on small mammal ecology and diversity. The research program includes 3 co-PIs (me, Dr. Dirk Van Vuren, UCD/WFCB, and Dr. Michael Johnson, UCD/JMIE). Dr. Van Vuren and I have been the most active on this project, although I have been the lead PI. This work is conducted in close association with the US Forest Service, SW Research Center, who coordinate the larger project that includes five modules (vegetation, fire, songbirds, spotted owls, small mammals). Dr. Van Vuren and I both have structured this research to provide mentoring opportunities for graduate students, and we have completed 3 MS students (Ms. Stephanie Coppeto, Ms. Robin Innes, Mr. Jaya Smith). Riparian brush rabbit. This project was funded by the Endangered Species Recovery Program (ESRP) based at California State University, Turlock, and comprised the PhD dissertation research of my student, Laurissa Hamilton. Ecology of invasive eastern fox squirrels. This project comprises the dissertation research of my student, Sara Krause, and is highly integrative with colleagues at the National Wildlife Research Center (Ft. Collins, CO). Our key collaborator there is Dr. James Gionfriddo California Mammal Species of Special Concern. Funded by Cal. Fish & Game to the Conservation Biology Institute (San Diego; PI Dr. Wayne Spencer), the TAC includes about half a dozen biologists knowledgable in the biology and status of mammals in California. Research on desert mammals and the influence of climate change. Some of this work integrates separate research efforts in Chile and includes Dr. Peter L. Meserve (Northern Illinois University) and Dr. Julio Gutierrez (Universidad de La Serena, Chile). I also continue a 15-year project conducting biennial surveys at at desert site in southern California. TARGET AUDIENCES: My target audience continues to be the general public interested in the ecology, biology, and conservation of California mammals, as well as private and agency personnel involved in the conservation and management of California mammals and their habitats. Among the latter, the US Forest Service, US Geological Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, California Fish & Game, California State Parks, Department of Water Resources, and others. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Work from my lab helps to understand both the fundamental ecology of California mammals, and also how this relates to past, current, and future management scenarios. Our efforts in the northern Sierra Nevada is clarifying the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors influencing the abundance of deer mice, a key prey item (when abundant) for spotted owls and reservoir for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Recent analyses appear to be drawing attention to the homogenizing effects of forest management (in particular, fire suppression) with the result that small mammal species (and birds) do not exhibit much variation across large expanses of otherwise diverse forest. Work by graduate students working in the Sierra have greatly improved our understanding of the spatial ecology and habitat associations of northern flying squirrels and golden-mantled ground squirrels. Research by my PhD student, Susan Roberts, has helped managers at Yosemite National Park to build on their fire management strategy. PhD student Laurissa Hamilton's work on the endangered riparian brush rabbit highlights successes and errors in the management and reintroduction of this species. Work by PhD student Sara Krause will directly help the UC Davis campus manage invasive fox squirrels. PhD student Kate Ingram's research will not only provide insight to the economic savings that bats provide to local farmers, but she also plans to address means by which farmers can capitalize on any such benefits with minimal time and cost.

Publications

Roberts, S.L., J.W. van Wagtendonk, A.K Miles, and D.A. Kelt. 2010. Effects of fire on spotted owl site occupancy in a late-successional forest. Biological Conservation 144:610-619.
Hamilton, L.P. P.A. Kelly, D.F. Williams, D.A. Kelt, and H.U. Wittmer. 2010. Factors associated with survival of reintroduced riparian brush rabbits in California. Biological Conservation 143:99-1007.
Krause, S.K., D.A. Kelt, and D.H. Van Vuren. 2010. Invasion, damage, and control options for eastern fox squirrels. Proceedings 24th Vertebrate Pest Conference (R.M. Timm and K.A. Fagerstone, eds.):29-31.
Madrigal, J., D.A. Kelt, P.L. Meserve, F.A. Squeo, and J.R. Gutierrez. 2011. Bottom-up control of consumers leads to top-down indirect facilitation of invasive annual herbs in semiarid Chile. Ecology 92:282-288.
Smith, J.R., D.H. Van Vuren, D.A. Kelt, and M.L. Johnson. 2011. Spatial organization of northern flying squirrels, Glaucomys sabrinus: territoriality in females Western North American Naturalist 71:44-48.
Engilis, A., Jr., and D.A. Kelt. 2011. Foraging behavior of Plain-mantled Tit-spinetail (Leptasthenura aegithaloides) in semiarid scrublands, north-central Chile. Ornitologia Neotropical 22:247-256.
Krause, S.K., D.A. Kelt, and D.H. Van Vuren. 2011. Invasion, damage, and control options for eastern fox squirrels. Proceedings 24th Vertebrate Pest Conference, 2010:29-31.
Jimenez R., Milagros, F.M. Jaksic, J.A. Armesto, A. Gaxiola, P.L. Meserve, D.A. Kelt, and J.R. Gutierrez. 2011. Extreme climatic events change the dynamics and invisibility of semiarid annual plant communities. Ecology Letters 14:1227-1235.
Meserve, P.L., C.R. Dickman, and D.A. Kelt. 2011. Small mammal community structure and dynamics in aridlands: overall patterns and contrasts with Southern Hemispheric systems. Journal of Mammalogy 92(6):1155-1157.
Kelt, D.A. 2011. Comparative ecology of desert small mammals: a selective review of the past 30 years. Journal of Mammalogy 92(6):1158-1178.
Meserve, P.L., D.A. Kelt, M.A. Previtali, W.B. Milstead, and J.R. Gutierrez. 2011. Global climate change and small mammal populations in north-central Chile. Journal of Mammalogy 92(6):1223-1235.

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: I continue to be involved in an annual presentation to public and agency personnel in Quincy, CA, where our long-term research on the ecological responses of small mammals to forest management has begun to close down. I continue to document the contemporary distribution of small mammal species, and to monitor demographic responses to yearly variation in rainfall at a desert research site. I make metadata available to the reserve manager for his use in understanding long-term patterns there. I serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for a group of colleagues revising the listing of California Mammal Species of Special Concern. This is funded by California Fish & Game but is voluntary on the part of TAC members. We have scored all species on a series of metrics (from range size and change to sensitivity to anthropogenic influences including climate change). Research by my PhD student, Laurissa Hamilton, has clarified flaws in the management of the endangered riparian brush rabbit, and provided important guidance for habitat modification as well as monitoring needs. PARTICIPANTS: Sierra Nevada small mammal research. This project now is seeking a no-cost extension for funds provided by the US Forest Service. The research program includes 3 co-PIs (me, Dr. Dirk Van Vuren, UCD/WFCB, and Dr. Michael Johnson, UCD/JMIE). Dr. Van Vuren and I have been the most active on this project, although I have been the lead PI. This work is conducted in close association with the US Forest Service, SW Research Center, who coordinate the larger project that includes five modules (vegetation, fire, songbirds, spotted owls, small mammals). Dr. Van Vuren and I both have structured this research to provide mentoring opportunities for graduate students, and we have completed 3 MS students (Ms. Stephanie Coppeto, Ms. Robin Innes, Mr. Jaya Smith). California Mammal Species of Special Concern. Funded by Cal. Fish & Game to the Conservation Biology Institute (San Diego; PI Dr. Wayne Spencer), the TAC includes about half a dozen biologists knowledgable in the biology and status of mammals in California. TARGET AUDIENCES: My target audience continues to be the general public interested in the ecology, biology, and conservation of California mammals, as well as private and agency personnel involved in the conservation and management of California mammals and their habitats. Among the latter, the US Forest Service, US Geological Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, California Fish & Game, California State Parks, Department of Water Resources, and others. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Ongoing research in the northern Sierra Nevada has begun to clarify the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors influencing the abundance of deer mice, a key prey item (when abundant) for spotted owls and reservoir for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Work by my MS student, Jaya Smith, on the spatial ecology and habitat associations of another key species, northern flying squirrels, is now being submitted for publication. Work by my technician, Mr. Brett Jesmer, has led to improved understanding of the social ecology of golden-mantled ground squirrels in the Sierra. Research by my PhD student, Susan Roberts, has helped managers at Yosemite National Park to build on their fire management strategy. Another PhD student, Laurissa Hamilton, has completed her degree on the conservation biology of riparian brush rabbits. Her work highlights successes and errors in the management and reintroduction of this species, and unfortunately suggests that in the absence of ongoing reintroduction this species will not be self-sustaining (we are pursuing the potential role of habitat management in hopes this might improve the fate of this species). I recently completed a comprehensive review (>230 references) on the ecology of small mammals in desert systems. This review highlights what we DO know as a venue for highlighting the many issues for which further insight is sorely needed.

Publications

Bordes, F., S. Morand, D.A. Kelt, and D.H. Van Vuren. 2009. Home range and parasite diversity in mammals. American Naturalist 173:467-474. Meserve, P.L., J.R. Gutierrez, D.A. Kelt, M.A. Previtali, A. Engilis, Jr., and W.B. Milstead. 2009. Global climate change and biotic-abiotic interactions in the northern Chilean semiarid zone: potential long-term consequences of increased El Ninos. Pp. 139-162 in Ocean Circulation and El Nino: New Research (J. A. Long and D. W. Wells, eds.). Nova Science Publishers. Wengeler, W.R., D.A. Kelt, and M.L. Johnson. 2010. Feeding habits of Yellowstone river otters on two lakes a comparative study using scat and stable isotope analyses. Biological Conservation 143:1144-1153. Gutierrez J.R., P.L. Meserve, D.A. Kelt, A. Engilis, Jr., M.A. Previtali, W.B. Milstead, and F. Jaksic. 2010. Long-term research in Bosque Fray Jorge National Park: Twenty years studying the role of biotic and abiotic factors in a Chilean semiarid scrubland (Investigacion de largo plazo en el Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge: Veinte anos estudiando el rol de los factores bioticos y abioticos en un matorral chileno semiarido). Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 83:69-98. Jesmer, B.R., D.H. Van Vuren, J.A. Wilson, D.A. Kelt, and M. L. Johnson. Spatial organization in female golden-mantled ground squirrels. Am. Midl. Nat. 165:162-168. Kelt, D.A., M.S. Hafner, and the American Society of Mammalogists' ad hoc Committee for Guidelines on Handling Rodents in the Field. 2010. Updated guidelines for protection of mammalogists and wildlife researchers from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Journal of Mammalogy 91:1524-1527.

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Annual public presentations of collaborative research on vertebrate responses to forest management. We present in Quincy, CA, near the center of the Plumas National Forest where the research is conducted. As in recent years, I remain extensively involved in collecting and analyzing data on the distribution, habitat associations, and demographic responses to habitat changes, mostly in desert and mountain regions of California. Most of these activities are reflected in publications listed separately. I also continue to interact extensively with US Forest Service personnel, primarily in association with USFS-funded research in the Plumas National Forest but also with fire ecology researchers in Yosemite National Park and others studying raptor ecology in the Sierra Nevada. I currently am collaborating with diverse colleagues on revising the California Department of Fish & Game list of Mammal Species of Special Concern. PARTICIPANTS: Sierra Nevada small mammal research. This project continues to be funded by the US Forest Service, and includes 3 co-PIs (me, Dr. Dirk Van Vuren, UCD/WFCB, and Dr. Michael Johnson, UCD/JMIE). Dr. Van Vuren and I have been the most active on this project, although I have been the lead PI. This work is conducted in close association with the US Forest Service, SW Research Center, who fund this project and also supervise two of the other modules in this program - research on vegetative response to fire and forest treatments, and ecology of California spotted owls in the Plumas National Forest. Dr. Van Vuren and I both have structured this research to provide mentoring opportunities for graduate students, and we have completed 3 MS students (Ms. Stephanie Coppeto, Ms. Robin Innes, Mr. Jaya Smith). Yosemite Spotted Owls and prey. This project was the brainchild of my PhD student, Susan Roberts, who completed her degree in the review period. Susan worked with biologists with the USGS-WERC including Dr. Jan van Wagtendonk and Dr. Keith Miles. TARGET AUDIENCES: My non-academic target audience includes the general public interested in the ecology and biology of California mammals, as well as conservation and land-use managers such as US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Cal. Fish & Game, State and National Park Services, etc. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
My ongoing work in the Sierra Nevada has greatly refined out understanding of biotic responses to habitat structure and key habitat features. We recently characterized habitat needs of northern flying squirrels with the objective of helping forest managers strategize to maintain viable populations of this species which is a key prey item for California spotted owls. My student, Susan Roberts, recently completed her research in the responses of California spotted owls and their prey to natural wildfires, using the extensive temporal record available in Yosemite National Park. Some of this work was published in a Special Issue of the journal Fire Ecology; other results are being submitted. My student, Laurissa Hamilton, is completing her dissertation on the ecology and conservation biology of the endangered riparian brush rabbit. This species is endemic to riparian corridors in the northern San Joaquin Valley, but has been reduced to only a few relict populations. Ms. Hamilton's work has established criteria for reintroduction activities, and has characterized the spatial and habitat needs of this species. Her final chapter, to be completed soon, provides a PVA (population viability analysis) for this species. Ongoing research in Chile provides insight to California ecosystems since both represent Mediterranean climates on the western fringes of their respective continents. Research there has characterized mammalian responses to variation in rainfall and provided predictions for long-term demographic responses to global climate change. Finally, I was invited to present a capstone talk at an international symposium on desert small mammal ecology. The resulting paper is a comprehensive distillation of global literature to assess how typical North American desert rodents are; in fact, they are highly atypical, and my review summarizes the state of the art in several key foci of ecological and conservation research.

Publications

Roberts, S.L., J.W. van Wagtendonk, A.K. Miles, D.A. Kelt, and J.A. Lutz. 2008. Modeling the effects of fire severity and spatial complexity on small mammals in Yosemite National Park, California. Fire Ecology 4: 83-104 Previtali, M.A., M. Lima, P.L. Meserve, D.A. Kelt, and J.R. Gutierrez. 2009. Population dynamics of two sympatric rodent species in a highly variable environment: the influence of rainfall, resource availability, and predation. Ecology 90:1996-2006. Innes, R.J., D.H. Van Vuren, D.A. Kelt, J.A. Wilson, and M.L. Johnson. Spatial organization of dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes). Journal of Mammalogy 90:811-818. Previtali, M.A., P.L. Meserve, D.A. Kelt, W.B. Milstead, and J.R. Gutierrez. Effects of more frequent and prolonged El Nino events on life-history parameters of Octodon degus, a long-lived and slow-reproducing hystricognath rodent. Conservation Biology 24:18-28.

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: I participate annually (April) in public presentations of research being conducted in the Plumas National Forest and funded by the US Forest Service. This involves presentations by each module (ours being the small mammal research module) in Quincy, CA, and open to the public. Each year this has been well attended by Forest Service personnel as well as the general public. I have been extensively involved in collecting and analyzing data on the distribution, habitat associations, and demographic responses to habitat changes, mostly in desert and montane regions of California. Most of these activities are reflected in publications listed separately. I interact extensively with US Forest Service personnel, primarily in association with USFS-funded research in the Plumas National Forest but also with fire ecology researchers in Yosemite National Park and others studying raptor ecology in the Sierra Nevada. I participated in a training weekend for docents at the Jasper Ridge Reserve (administered by Stanford University) that involved travel to a research site in the Coachella Valley followed by field activities and informal presentations to docents. PARTICIPANTS: Sierra Nevada small mammal research. In this long-term project I am one of 3 co-PIs (along with Dr. Dirk Van Vuren, UCD/WFCB, and Dr. Michael Johnson, UCD/JMIE). Dr. Van Vuren and I have been the most active on this project, although I have been the lead PI. This work is conducted in close association with the US Forest Service, SW Research Center, who fund this project and also supervise two of the other modules in this program - research on vegetative response to fire and forest treatments, and ecology of California spotted owls in the Plumas National Forest. Dr. Van Vuren and I both have structured this research to provide mentoring opportunities for graduate students, and we have completed 2 MS students (Ms. Stephanie Coppeto, Ms.Robin Innes) and are finishing a third (Mr. Jaya Smith) this academic year. In my desert research I worked with UCD PhD candidate Mary Orland on an experimental study in the Coachella Valley. This PhD was completed in 2002 and the research she conducted at my site was published in 2007. TARGET AUDIENCES: My non-academic target audience includes the general public interested in the ecology and biology of California mammals, as well as conservation and land-use managers such as US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, State and National Park Services, etc. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Among the principal outcomes of my research program is a better understanding of mammalian responses to long-term climate change. We documented surprisingly rapid changes in faunal structure near Eagle Lake in response to a decade of declining precipitation. In the Plumas National Forest my research and that of my students is documenting fundamental issues in the ecology of small mammals that are key prey for carnivores (e.g., endangered fisher) and raptors (e.g., California spotted owl). Some of that work has been published in the review period but several papers are culminating now as students complete their graduate degrees.

Publications

Innes, R.J., D.H. Van Vuren, and D.A. Kelt. 2008. Characteristics and use of tree houses by dusky-footed woodrats in the northern Sierra Nevada. Northwestern Naturalist 89:109-112.
Wilson, J.A., D.A. Kelt, D.H. Van Vuren, and M.L. Johnson. 2008. Population dynamics of small mammals in relation to cone production in 4 forest types in the northern Sierra Nevada, California. Southwestern Naturalist 53:346-356.
Innes, R.J., D.H. Van Vuren, D.A. Kelt, M.L. Johnson, J.A. Wilson, and P.A. Stine. 2007. Habitat associations of dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) in Managed Mixed-conifer Forest of the Northern Sierra Nevada. Journal of Mammalogy 88:1523-1531.
Orland, M.C., and D.A. Kelt. 2007. Responses of a heteromyid rodent community to large- and small-scale resource pulses: diversity, abundance, and home range dynamics. Journal of Mammalogy 88:1280-1287.
Kelt, D.A., J.A. Wilson, E.S. Konno, J.D. Braswell, and D. Deutschman. 2008. Differential responses of two species of kangaroo rat (Dipodomys) to heavy rains: a humbling reappraisal. Journal of Mammalogy 91:252-254.
Wilson, J.A., D.A. Kelt, and D.H. Van Vuren. 2008. Home range and activity of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in the Sierra Nevada. Southwestern Naturalist 53:21-28.
Gillespie, S., D.H. Van Vuren, D.A. Kelt, D.W. Anderson, and J.M. Eadie. 2008. Dynamics of rodent population in semiarid habitats in Lassen County, California. Western North American Naturalist 68:76-82.

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
My USDA/USFS funded research on small mammals in the northern Sierra Nevada is coming to fruition, with 3 papers currently in press (not listed below - I'll list them next year when they are actually published) and 3 more in progress. One MS student - Ms. Robin Innes - recently completed her MS project on woodrats in the Sierra (I am a member of her thesis committee) and Mr. Jaya Smith has completed is final season of field work. Further south, Ms. Susan Roberts has completed two chapters of her dissertation research on fire history and California spotted owls, and I expect her to complete her degree within a few months. And, at the southern end of the Sierra, my past student Dr. Marc Meyer, has been completing some of his dissertation observations and publishing a number of smaller but informative papers. Away from the Sierra, Ms. Laurissa Hamilton has brought 2 dissertation chapters to near completion and a third is under way; her research on endangered riparian brush rabbits has turned out more interesting (and more useful to managers) than we even hoped for, and I anticipate she will complete her PhD this academic year. Ms. Sara Krause continues to study invasive squirrels in the Coast Range. Her work has been frustrated by logistical issues but now appears to be pulling together. Finally, several years ago one of my technicians (in the Sierra Nevada research) contracted hantavirus (but survived with no lasting problems). This led me and my colleagues to develop an interest in this topic, and we recently wrote a paper on the actual (as opposed to perceived) threat of hantavirus to field mammalogists. More recently, the President of the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) asked me to chair an ad hoc working group to develop recommendations for fieldworkers working with rodents potentially infected with sin nombre virus (which causes hantavirus). Our recommendations have been approved by the President of the Society and I am preparing to draft a cover memo so that the President can submit this to the ASM Board of Directors for approval before this is presented to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. I continue working on a long-term study on the ecology of arid ecosystems in northern Chile. We currently are working on a proposal to NSF for an additional 5 years of support, and we are expanding the current research (mostly on plants and small mammals) to include birds and introduced rabbits and hares.

Impacts
My research continues on the same line as in recent years, emphasizing applied ecology of small mammals and how this is influenced by habitat structure and land management. We aim to apply our observations to understanding how different species affect community structure and function, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology. Ongoing research is addressing the factors that structure mammalian communities as well as their habitat associations in arid and forested systems in California. Understanding such basic processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Marc D. Meyer, Malcolm P. North, and Douglas A. Kelt. 2007. Nest trees of northern flying squirrels in Yosemite National Park. Southwestern Naturalist 52:157-161.
Kelt, D. A., D. H. Van Vuren, M. S. Hafner, B. J. Danielson, and M. J. Kelly. 2007. Threat of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome to field biologists working with small mammals. Emerging Infectious Diseases 13:1285-1287. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/13/9/1285.htm.
Meyer, M. D., D. A. Kelt, and M. P. North. 2007. Effects of burning and thinning on lodgepole chipmunks (Neotamias speciosus) in the Sierra Nevada, California. Northwestern Naturalist 88:61-72.

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
My lab group continues pursuing research on applied ecology of California vertebrates, focusing mostly on mammals. Although productivity has been moderate, we have a number of projects approaching submission. These include further studies on small mammals in the northern Sierra Nevada, and on their responses to forest management. Three students are studying applied ecology in the northern Sierra Nevada. These include Robin Innes (MS, 2006; ecology of dusky-footed woodrat), Jaya Smith (MS in progress; ecology of northern flying squirrel), and Susan Roberts (PhD in progress; influence of fire history on California spotted owls and their prey). Additionally, Stephanie Coppeto (MS, 2005) published her thesis in the Journal of Mammalogy, and is working with me on an analysis on niche characteristics of two species of chipmunks. These species are very difficult to distinguish in the northern Sierra, and management decisions require further information on their distribution, relative abundances, and habitat requirements. Laurissa Hamilton (PhD) is writing her dissertation on the conservation ecology of the endangered Riparian brush rabbit, which is endemic to riparian (and adjacent) habitats the northern San Joaquin Valley. I anticipate that she will finish this coming year. Her study is emphasizing home range characteristics as well as population ecology of reintroduced populations. Sara Krause (PhD) has completed a field season in the Santa Cruz Mtns, where she is studying the potential for interactions between native western gray squirrels and introduced eastern gray and eastern fox squirrels. Preliminary analyses indicate that these species are entirely syntopic in some areas, such that the possibility for competitive interactions is greater than we had anticipated. We continue seeking funds for this work. I continue my long-term research at the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve, and have a paper in review with the Journal of Mammalogy, based on dissertation work by Dr. Mary Orland. In this study, we assessed demographic responses of pocket mice to supplemental food; interestingly, density of adult animals did NOT increase as a function of food supplementation, suggesting that territoriality precluded increased overlap and/or that animals did not respond to elevated food resources by reducing their home ranges. This indicates that home ranges are not influenced by temporary pulses of food, which was somewhat unexpected. I have contracted with California State Parks to survey small mammals at a series of holdings in the San Joaquin Valley. We have initiated this work, which will continue through Spring 2007. I continue working on a long-term study on the ecology of arid ecosystems in northern Chile. We recently installed a series of small herbivore exclosures, and we are tracking the soil seed bank as well as seasonal patterns in plant species composition (of annual forbs) to assess the relative impacts of different herbivore groups. We hope to expand this work with NSF support, and will be seeking this funding in the coming year.

Impacts
Much of my work and that of my students focuses on the applied ecology of mammals and how this is influenced by habitat structure and land management. We aim to apply our observations to understanding how different species affect community structure and function, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology. Ongoing research is addressing the factors that "drive" the ecology of both arid and forested systems in California. Understanding such basic processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Holmgren, M., P. Stapp, C. R. Dickman, C. Gracia, S. Graham, J. R. Gutierrez, C. Hice, F. Jaksic, D. A. Kelt, M. Letnic, M. Lima, B. C. Lopez, P. L. Meserve, W. B. Milstead, G. A. Polis, M. A. Previtali, M. Richter, S. Sabate, and F. A. Squeo. 2006. Extreme climatic events shape arid and semiarid ecosystems. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 4:87-95.
Coppeto, S. A. 2005. Habitat associations of small mammals at two spatial scales in the northern Sierra Nevada, California. Masters Thesis, University of California, Davis.
Innes, R. J. 2006. Habitat selection by dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) in managed mixed-conifer forest of the northern Sierra Nevada. Masters Thesis, University of California, Davis.

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Over the past year my students and I have continued synthesizing our data on mammals in the Sierra Nevada and in California deserts. This includes 3 papers with Marc Meyer (Ph.D. 2004) on flying squirrels and chipmunks in the southern Sierra, and one paper with MS student Stephanie Coppeto (MS 2005) on habitat associations of small mammals in the northern Sierra. My long-term research at the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve continued with visits in Spring and Fall this year. The big surprise there was that I finally have documented the presence of at least two pocket mouse species that were not convincingly present before. One of these, the desert pocket mouse, is best identified by cranial characters (difficult w/o sacrificing the animal) or habitat associations, but the latter overlap greatly with the more abundant long-tailed pocket mouse. Bailey pocket mouse reaches the extreme edge of its distribution in this region, and also is quite similar externally to the long-tailed pocket mouse, making ID challenging at best. Extreme drought led to very low numbers over the past year. Ongoing research in Chile aims to understand the ecology of arid ecosystems and the relative impacts of biotic and abiotic influences on them. This year we published two syntheses of the impacts of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), an issue highly topical to California. With Dirk Van Vuren (UCD-WFCB), Mike Johnson (UCD-JMIE), and James Wilson (postdoctoral associate), I have completed the third field season of a study evaluating the effects of forest management on ecological processes in the northern Sierra Nevada. Stephanie Coppeto (MS) is currently following up on her MS studies (In press below) with further analyses on habitat association of cryptic chipmunk species and on the role of habitat complexity in general on mammal community structure. Ph.D. student Susan Roberts is continuing her study of the role of fire history on spotted owl foraging and reproductive success in Yosemite National Park. This work will have important implications for managing western forests over large spatial scales. Incoming Ph.D. student Sara Krause is beginning work on two squirrel species in the Santa Cruz Mtns. The native western gray squirrel appears to be negatively impacted by the invasive eastern gray squirrel, but surprisingly, NO work has been pursued on this interaction. We are seeking additional funds to support Saras seminal study.

Impacts
My research aims to understand the role that different species play in structuring communities, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology; such information is critical for the wise management of Californias biota in the face of seemingly inevitable human population growth. Ongoing research is addressing the factors that drive the ecology of both arid and forested systems that characterize much of California. Fuller understanding of basic ecological processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Meyer, M.D., D.A.Kelt, and M.P.North. 2005. Nest trees of northern flying squirrels in a Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer and red-fir forest. Journal of Mammalogy 86: 275-280
Meyer, M.D., M.P.North, and D.A.Kelt. 2005. Short-term effects of fire and forest thinning on truffle abundance and consumption by Neotamias speciosus in the Sierra Nevada of California. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35:1061-1070.
Meyer, M.D., D.A.Kelt, and M.North. 2005. Fungi in the diets of northern flying squirrels and lodgepole chipmunks in the Sierra Nevada. Canadian Journal of Zoology 83:1581-1589
Lang, B.K., D.A.Kelt, and S.M. Shuster. 2005 The role of controlled propagation on an endangered species: demographic effects of habitat heterogeneity among captive and native populations of the Socorro Isopod (Crustacea: Flabellifera). Biodiversity and Conservation. (In Press)
Coppeto, S.A., D.A. Kelt, D.H. Van Vuren, J.A. Wilson, and S.Bigelow. 2005 Habitat associations of small mammals at two spatial scales in the northern Sierra Nevada. Journal of Mammalogy. (In Press)
Kelt, D.A. 2005 The effects of fragmentation in temperate rainforest on the abundance and diversity of small mammals. Invited chapter in a peer-reviewed volume on the effects of habitat fragmentation on Chilean biota. (In Press)
Holmgren, M., P.Stapp, C.R.Dickman, C.Gracia, S.Graham, J.R.Guteerez, C.Hice, F.Jaksic, D.A.Kelt, M.Letnic, M.Lima, B.C.Lopez, P.L.Meserve, W.B.Milstead, G.A.Polis, M.A.Previtali, M.Richter, S.Sabate, and F.A.Squeo. 2005 El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effects in arid and semiarid ecosystems: the state of the art. Frontiers in Ecology and Environment. (In Press)
Bahlman, J.W., and D.A.Kelt. 2005 Use of olfaction, vision and echolocation in prey location by the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). Biotropica. (In Press)
Holmgren, M., P.Stapp, C.R.Dickman, C.Gracia, S.Graham, J.R.Guteerrez, C.Hice, F.Jaksic, D.A.Kelt, M.Letnic, M.Lima, B.C.Lopez, P.L.Meserve, W.B.Milstead, G.A.Polis, M.A.Previtali, M.Richter, S.Sabate, and F.A.Squeo. 2005 A synthesis of ENSO effects on drylands in Australia, North America and South America. Advances in Geosciences. (In Press)

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Over the past year my 3 manuscripts with Rachel Brock (Ph.D. 2001) have been published, and with my postdoctoral associate, James Wilson, I have two more in press now, and we have completed much of the analyses for another paper that addresses the entire small mammal community at this site. The two papers currently in press detail very different responses by two species of kangaroo rat at this site; the endangered Stephens kangaroo rat was relatively unaffected by extensive rains associated with the 1997/98 El Nino event, whereas the more widespread Dulzura kangaroo rat was seriously impacted. We also document differential effects of mowing and grazing as management techniques for Stephens kangaroo rat. Ph.D. student Jessica Braswell has completed most analyses on habitat associations for these species, and is currently writing this manuscript. My long-term research at the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve continued with visits in Spring and Fall this year. Late-season rains spurred sufficient vegetative growth to influence primary consumers, and small mammal numbers were at a several year high. My spring censuses have been hindered in the past two years by societal responsibilities (jury duty) and minor health issues (now resolved) but recent rains (fall 2004) have dramatically impacted the populations here, and I look forward to tracking population and community responses to the coming El Nino event (whenever it finally arrives!). Ongoing research in Chile aims to understand the ecology of arid ecosystems and the relative impacts of biotic and abiotic influences on them. We published two book chapters recently (in Spanish). Work on the ecology of squirrels in the Sierra Nevada (Marc Meyer, Ph.D. 2003) has yielded one publications in press and two others are currently in review; Marc is following up with comparative studies in Yosemite National Park, in collaboration with the US Forest Service. With Dirk Van Vuren (UCD-WFCB), Mike Johnson (UCD-JMIE), and James Wilson (postdoctoral associate), I have completed the second field season of a study evaluating the effects of forest management on ecological processes in the northern Sierra Nevada. Stephanie Coppeto (MS, to finish in 2005) has assessed habitat associations by small mammals at 18 sites and is evaluating how the scale of observation influences understanding of habitat associations; this work will help guide land-use managers to assess habitat more efficiently. Incoming Ph.D. student Susan Roberts has initiated an exciting study of the role of fire history on spotted owl foraging and reproductive success in Yosemite National Park. This work will have important implications for managing western forests over large spatial scales. Finally, Ph.D. student Laurissa Hamilton continues with a ground-breaking reintroduction effort to restore population stability to the endangered Riparian Brush Rabbit in the Central Valley, in association with the Endangered Species Recovery Program (CSU Stanislaus). Her work has been incredibly successful, with high reproductive output by both captive and wild rabbits, and we will continue tracking these over the coming year.

Impacts
My research aims to understand the role that different species play in structuring communities, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology; such information is critical for the wise management of California's biota in the face of seemingly inevitable human population growth. Ongoing research is addressing the factors that drive the ecology of arid and forested systems that characterize much of California. Fuller understanding of basic ecological processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Tognelli, M. F., and D. A. Kelt. 2004. Analysis of determinants of mammalian species richness in South America using spatial autoregressive models. Ecography 27:427-436.
Gutierrez, J. R., P. L. Meserve, and D. A. Kelt. 2004. Estructura y dinamica de la vegetacion del ecosistema semiarido del Parque Nacional Bosque de Fray Jorge entre 1989 y 2002. In F. A. Squeo, J. R. Gutierrez & I. R. Hernandez (eds.) Historia Natural del Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge. Ediciones Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile. pp. 115-134.
Meserve, P. L., D. A. Kelt, W. B. Milstead & J. R. Gutierrez. 2004. Una investigacion de largo plazo sobre interacciones de factores bioticos y abioticos del ecosistema semiarido del Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge. In F. A. Squeo, J. R. Gutierrez & I. R. Hernandez (eds.) Historia Natural del Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge. Ediciones Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile. pp. 135-159.
Kelt, D. A., E. S. Konno, and J. A. Wilson. In press 2004. Habitat management for the endangered Stephens kangaroo rat: the effect of mowing and grazing. Journal of Wildlife Management.
Kelt, D. A., J. Wilson, and E. Konno. In Press 2004. Differential response of two kangaroo rat species (Dipodomys) to the 1997/98 El Nino Southern Oscillation event. Journal of Mammalogy.
Meyer, M. D., D. A. Kelt, and M. P. North. In Press 2004. Nest trees of northern flying squirrels in a Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer and red-fir forest. Journal of Mammalogy.

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Stephens kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi) at a research site near Temecula, Riverside Co. James Wilson (postdoctoral associate) and I are finalizing analyses that compare the response of this species and a congener (D. agilis) to the 1997-98 ENSO event; whereas the latter declined precipitously in numbers, the former species was evidently unaffected by the extensive rains associated with this ENSO. We also are initiating demographic analyses on the other common species of this site using data collected over a four-year period. Finally, Ph.D. student Jessica Braswell has completed most analyses on habitat associations for these species. My long-term research at the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve continued with visits in Spring and Fall this year. Late-season rains spurred sufficient vegetative growth to influence primary consumers, and small mammal numbers were at a several year high. With Mary Orland (Ph.D. 2003) I have one manuscript in review on the effect of food supplementation on a pocket mouse species (Chaetodipus formosus) at this site. Andy Engilis (WFCB Senior Museum Scientist) and I continue to work with California State Parks, conducting censuses of small mammals and birds at Point Lobos State Reserve and at South Yuba River State Park. We hope to summarize our results for Pt. Lobos in the coming year. Ongoing research in northern Chile has shown both similarities and differences with patterns of seed consumption in North American arid lands. We recently published a review of 14 years of data from this site, and I have six papers published in top-tier journals. I recently prepared an invited chapter for a book on the effects of habitat fragmentation on small mammals in Chile. As Chile has many ecosystems that are strongly parallel to those in California, I found this an exciting opportunity to summarize what is known, what is not known, and to emphasize needs for further research. Marc Meyer (Ph.D. 2003) completed his dissertation research on a tri-trophic interaction (flying squirrels, truffles, and conifers) in the Sierra Nevada. Flying squirrels in the southern Sierra appear to be restricted to near-stream habitat that provides conditions favorable to their primary food source, truffles. We have two papers in review right now, and two more in preparation. Finally, Dirk Van Vuren (UCD-WFCB), Mike Johnson (UCD-JMIE), James Wilson (postdoctoral associate), and I have completed the first field season on the effects of forest management on ecological processes in the northern Sierra Nevada. Aimed at evaluating the impact of the Sierra Nevada Framework, we and other biologists are tracking responses of various biotic groups to different landscape management regimes. This multi-year project will assist in finding a balance allowing for timber extraction without causing irreparable damage to the forest ecosystem. Results of the first year have documented heterogeneous distributions of several species, and will be used in the M.S. thesis of my student, Stephanie Coppeto (to complete spring 2004).

Impacts
My research aims to understand the role that different species play in structuring communities, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology; such information is critical for the wise management of California's biota in the face of seemingly inevitable human population growth. Ongoing research is addressing the factors that drive the ecology of arid and forested systems that characterize much of California. Fuller understanding of basic ecological processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Meserve, P. L., D. A. Kelt, W. B. Milstead, J.R. Gutierrez, and J. H. Brown. 2003. Thirteen years of shifting top-down and bottom-up control. BioScience 53:633-646.
Brock, R. E., and D. A. Kelt. In Press 2003. Conservation and social structure implications of burrow use behavior by the endangered Stephens kangaroo rat. Journal of Mammalogy.
Brock, R. E., and D. A. Kelt. In Press 2003. Keystone effects of the endangered Stephens kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi). Biological Conservation.
Kelt, D. A., P. L. Meserve, L. K. Nabors, M. L. Forister, and J. R. Gutierrez. In Press 2003. Foraging ecology of small mammals in semiarid Chile; the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic effects. Ecology.
Kelt, D. A., P. L. Meserve, M. L. Forister, L. K. Nabors, and J. R. Gutierrez. In Press 2003. Seed predation by birds and small mammals in semiarid Chile. Oikos.
Gutierrez, J. R., P. L. Meserve, and D. A. Kelt. In Press 2003. Estructura y dinamica de la vegetacio del ecosistema semiarido del Parque Nacional Bosque de Fray Jorge entre 1989 y 2002. Book chapter.
Kelt, D. A., P. L. Meserve, and J. R. Gutierrez. In press 2003. Seed removal by small mammals, birds, and ants in semiarid Chile: patterns and comparisons with other systems. Journal of Biogeography.
Brock, R. E., and D. A. Kelt. In press 2003. Influence of roads on the endangered Stephens kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi): are dirt and gravel roads different? Biological Conservation.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
I currently have one graduate student and one postdoctoral associate working with my on analyses based on the data collected over a four-year period (and including the 1997 ENSO event) in sage scrub habitat near Temecula and Hemet, Riverside Co. We will be finalizing assessments of small mammal demography and habitat associations, including approximately a dozen species and the endangered Stephens' kangaroo rat. Two other manuscripts have been submitted from this study, both pertaining to the ecology and ecological role of the Stephens' kangaroo rat. My long-term research at the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve (part of the UC Natural Reserve System) continued with visits both in Spring and Fall this year. Precipitation to date is the lowest recorded at Deep Canyon, and my long-term dataset is providing insights into how ecological communities respond to the 'boom and bust' dynamics of El Nino and La Nina events. Data to date served as a baseline for the research by one graduate student (Dr. Mary Orlond) who has completed her dissertation studies and is preparing to submit a feature manuscript on responses of small mammals to food supplementation at Deep Canyon. I continued to work with California State Parks personnel, assisting with censuses of small mammals at Point Lobos State Reserve, and both birds and mammals at South Yuba River State Park. At Point Lobos we found truly dramatic changes in the small mammal community since this was first sampled by Grinnell in the 1930's. These changes reflect changes in habitat caused by removal of dairy cattle and suppression of fire. Ongoing research in northern Chile has direct relevance to understanding the impact of anthropogenic influences on North American arid lands, continues fruitfully. I have published three papers based on this work and have three more in review currently. I recently completed a study on the ecology of Western Gray Squirrels along lower Putah Creek. With several students I anticipate summarizing and writing up these data soon. One of my students (Mr. Marc Meyer) is completing his dissertation research on the tri-trophic interaction between flying squirrels, truffles, and conifers in the southern Sierra Nevada. One preliminary result is that flying squirrels are relatively restricted in habitat in the southern Sierra, and are found primarily along montane streams that provide moist conditions favorable to their primary food source, truffles. Finally, I have initiated a large spatial and temporal scale study on the effects of forest management on ecological processes in the northern Sierra Nevada. Aimed at evaluating the impact of the Sierra Nevada Framework, I am interfacing with other biologists to track responses of small mammals, spotted owl, goshawk, passerine birds, and fire behavior as three levels of landscape management are implemented. We anticipate a multi-year effort that will assist in finding a balance allowing for extraction of timber without causing irreparable ecological damage to the forest ecosystem. .

Impacts
My research aims to understand the role that different species play in structuring communities, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology; such information is critical for the wise management of California's biota in the face of seemingly inevitable human population growth. Ongoing research will address the factors that 'drive' the ecology of arid and forested systems that characterize much of California. Fuller understanding of basic ecological processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Kelt, D. A. 2001. Differential effects of habitat fragmentation on birds and mammals in Valdivian temperate rainforests. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 74:769-777.
Kelt, D. A., M. L. Forister, and L. K. Nabors. 2002. Size-specific differences in tail loss and escape behavior in Liolaemus nigromaculatus. Journal of Herpetology 36:322-325.
Brown, J. H., D. A. Kelt, and B. J. Fox. 2002 in press. Assembly Rules and Competition in Desert Rodents. American Naturalist.
Tognelli, M. F., and D. A. Kelt. 2002 in press. Assessing conservation priorities of South American terrestrial mammals. Pp. xx-xx in Terrestrial Ecoregions of Latin America and the Caribbean: a conservation assessment (Schipper, J., ed.). Island Press.
Meserve, P. L., D. A. Kelt, W. B. Milstead, J.R. Gutierrez, and J. H. Brown. 2002 in press. A tail of two continents: parallels and contrasts in small mammal ecology from long-term experiments in two arid-semiarid systems in North and South America. BioScience.

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
The long-term data from my research SW Riverside County are completely input to computer files and have been checked for accuracy. I have begun the initial stages of checking for assumptions required for subsequent statistical analysis, and anticipate substantial progress on this in the coming months. I returned to the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve (part of the UC Natural Reserve System) once this year to sample small mammal populations across an elevational and habitat gradient. I continue to document spatial and temporal changes in small mammal communities at these sites in response to long-term climate changes (e.g., El Nino). One Ph.D. student (Mary Orlond) completed research at Deep Canyon on the role of food in the observed demographic and compositional changes at this site; she is analyzing data now and I anticipate tangible results in the coming months. I worked extensively with California State Parks personnel to design and implement a monitoring system for mammals in California State Parks. This was highly effective, and it is hoped that Parks personnel are now able to pursue this work independently. My research in northern Chile, which has direct relevance to understanding the impact of anthropogenic influences on North American arid lands, continues fruitfully. I now have two and one half years worth of data and am in the process of analysis and interpretation. Much of my research is aimed at understanding how anthropogenic habitat changes resulting from urban expansion, agriculture, water diversion, grazing, etc., might be expected to influence the function of natural assemblages. I continue working with undergraduate students in WFCB. Two projects that are just beginning are on the ecology and use of space by western gray squirrels, and the mammalian communities associated with riparian strips in the Central Valley.

Impacts
My research aims to understand the role that different species play in structuring communities, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology; such information is critical for the wise management of California's biota in the face of seemingly inevitable human population growth. Ongoing research will address the factors that 'drive' the ecology of arid systems that characterize much of California. Fuller understanding of basic ecological processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Bakker, V. J., and D. A. Kelt. 2000. Scale-dependent patterns in body size distributions of Neotropical mammals. Ecology 81:3530-3547.
Kelt, D. A., and D. Van Vuren. 2001. The ecology and macroecology of mammalian home range. American Naturalist 157:637-645.
Smith, M. F., D. A. Kelt, and J. L. Patton. 2001. Testing models of diversification in mice in the Abrothrix olivaceus/xanthorhinus complex in Chile and Argentina. Molecular Ecology 10:397-405.

Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
My long-term study in SW Riverside County is culminating after four years of data collection. The final census was carried out in November 2000, and I have hired one student as an RA to complete data entry and checking for errors. I anticipate time to synthesize these data over the coming year. I have returned to the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve (part of the UC Natural Reserve System) twice this year to sample small mammal populations across an elevational and habitat gradient. Small mammal communities there have changed dramatically since the recent El Nino, and I am hoping to follow them through the next El Nino. I continue working with a Ph.D. student (Mary Orlond) on a study at Deep Canyon to evaluate the role of food in the observed demographic and compositional changes at this site. Additionally, I completed a study on the ecology and impact of feral cats in a riparian corridor near Davis. This study is one of only a handful of studies to evaluate the role of feral cats in Mediterranean climates, and only the second study on feral cats in California. This study has great potential to impact management decisions on feral animals here. My research in northern Chile, which has direct relevance to understanding the impact of anthropogenic influences on North American arid lands, continues fruitfully. I anticipate wrapping up two facets of this research in the coming calendar year. Some of my work on evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) may appear somewhat esoteric, but it is critical that land use and conservation managers have a consistent standard to define as a species. While some authors have argued for genetic units as conservation entities, I believe that this is a well intentioned but impractical strategy in most areas. Much of my research is aimed at understanding how anthropogenic habitat changes resulting from urban expansion, agriculture, water diversion, grazing, etc., might be expected to influence the function of natural assemblages. In addition to the work listed here, I am working with several graduate students whose research explicitly address the role of anthropogenic habitat alteration on the demography and ecology of small mammal and bird populations, and I anticipate that these facets of my research program will develop even further in coming years.

Impacts
Only by understanding the role that different species play in structuring communities, and the impact of both biotic and abiotic factors on local ecology, can we hope to plan wisely for the inevitable growth of California. Such information is critical to predicting when and how populations might irrupt. Ongoing research will address the factors that "drive" the ecology of arid systems that characterize much of California. Fuller understanding of basic ecological processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Kelt, D. A. 2000. Small mammal communities in rainforest fragments in central southern Chile. Biological Conservation 92:345-358.
Kelt, D. A., and J. H. Brown. 2000. Species as units of analysis in ecology and biogeography: are the blind leading the blind? Global Ecology and Biogeography 9:213-217.
Kelt, D. A., P. A. Marquet, and J. H. Brown. 2000. Geographical ecology of South American desert small mammals: consequences of observations at local and regional scales. Global Ecology and Biogeography 9:219-233.
Hall, L. S., M. A. Kasparian, D. Van Vuren, and D. A. Kelt. 2000. Spatial organization, habitat use, and diet of feral cats along Putah Creek, California. Mammalia 64:19-28.
Curtin, C. G., D. A. Kelt, T. C. Frey, and J. H. Brown. 2000. On the relative importance of biotic and abiotic interactions in structuring Southwestern communities and landscapes. Ecology Letters 3:309-317.
Brown, J. H., B. J. Fox, and D. A. Kelt. 2000. Assembly rules: desert rodent communities are structured at scales from local to continental. American Naturalist 156:314-321.

Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
I continue to pursue research on the ecology of small mammal communities, with ongoing research projects at two sites in southern California. In SW Riverside County we have completed three full years of censuses at 30 permanent trapping grids, and we have collected detailed habitat metrics at every trapping point (n = 1470) in the Spring and Fall of 1999. The effects of the recent El Nino have not completely subsided, and I have deferred detailed analysis of these data until these have abated somewhat. I also continue to monitor small mammal populations at the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Natural Reserve (part of the UC Natural Reserve System), where changes in numbers and species composition through the recent El Nino appear to be quite fascinating. I am working with a Ph.D. student (Mary Orland) on a study at Deep Canyon to evaluate the role of food in the observed demographic and compositional changes at this site. I also continue with my studies on the relative roles of ecological and historical factors on small mammal communities, and have recently begun research on small mammals, birds, and ants in northern Chile, to evaluate the generality of patterns that have been well documented in North American deserts. All of my research is directly relevant to understanding how anthropogenic habitat changes resulting from urban expansion, agriculture, water diversion, grazing, etc., might be expected to influence the function of natural assemblages. Only through fuller appreciation of the intrinsic dynamics of natural systems will we be able to predict, and perhaps to ameliorate or reverse, the impacts of continued habitat usurpation and fragmentation. I am working with several other graduate students whose research interests explicitly address the role of anthropogenic habitat alteration on the demography and ecology of small mammal and insect populations, and I anticipate that these facets of my research program will develop even further in coming years.

Impacts
My research is helping address the role of biotic and abiotic factors on mammalian ecology. Such information is critical to predicting when and how populations might irrupt. Ongoing research will address the factors that "drive" the ecology of arid systems that characterize much of California. Fuller understanding of basic ecological processes, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors on these processes, is fundamental to wise management of these areas.

Publications

Shepherd, U. L., and D. A. Kelt. 1999. Mammalian species richness and morphological complexity along an elevational gradient in the arid southwest. Journal of Biogeography 26:843-855 (in press 1998).
Kelt, D. A. 1999. Assemblage structure and quantitative habitat relations of small mammals along an ecological gradient in the Colorado Desert of southern California. Ecography 22:659-673 (in press 1998).
Kelt, D. A., P. L. Meserve, B. D. Patterson, and B. K. Lang. 1999. Scale dependence and scale independence in habitat associations of Small Mammals in Southern Temperate Rainforest. Oikos 85:320-334. Kelt, D. A. 1999. On the relative role of history and ecology in structuring communities of desert small mammals. Ecography 22:123-137 (in press 1998).
Valone, T. J., and D. A. Kelt. 1999. Effects of fire and grazing on a recently established Chihuahuan Desert plant community. Journal of Arid Environments 42:15-28.
Kelt, D. A. 1999. California kangaroo rat / Dipodomys californicus. Pp. 523-524, in The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals (D. E. Wilson and S. Ruff, eds.). Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., 750 pp.
Kelt, D. A. 1999. Heermann's kangaroo rat / Dipodomys heermanni. Pp. 529-531, in The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals (D. E. Wilson and S. Ruff, eds.). Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., 750 pp.
Shepherd, U. L., and D. A. Kelt. 1999. Mammalian species richness and morphological complexity along an elevational gradient in the arid southwest. Journal of Biogeography 26:843-855.
Kelt, D. A., J. H. Brown, K. Rogovin, and G. Shenbrot. 1999. Patterns in the structure of Asian and North American desert small mammal communities. Journal of Biogeography 26:825-842.

Progress 01/01/98 to 12/01/98

Outputs
Research continues on small mammal communities in chaparral and sage scrub in SW Riverside County, with an additional six censuses (making a total of 13) taken at 30 permanent trapping grids, resulting in over 6000 captures of a dozen species of small mammals, including the Federally and State listed Stephen's kangaroo rat. Detailed habitat metrics were recorded at each trapping point (n = 1470) for Spring and Fall, 1998. (We now have four such compilations). Analysis of the data will begin in the coming year, after effects of El Nino have passed. At a second location, Deep Canyon Natural Reserve, I continue to monitor small mammal populations across a temporal transect. These studies have elucidated details of the structure of ecological communities across gradients (e. g., from Lower to Upper Sonoran Life Zones). Related work evaluated how perceived community structure varies as a function of both the spatial and temporal scale of observation. I continue to track food resources (e.g. seeds) by collecting soil samples and placing seed traps to collect seed rain. This will allow quantification of food availability, which I can compare against climatic data as well as small mammal abundances. Finally, I have pursued studies on the influence of ecological versus historical factors on small mammal communities in deserts, comparing North American and Asian deserts in part. Results so far provide evidence that the process of community assembly may be very different in different regions of the world.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

SHEPHERD, U. L., and D. A. KELT. Mammalian species richness and morphological complexity along an elevational gradient in the arid southwest. Journal of Biogeography (in press).
KELT, D. A. Assemblage structure and quantitative habitat relations of small mammals along an ecological gradient in the Colorado Desert of southern California. Ecography (in press).
KELT, D. A., P. L. MESERVE, B. D. PATTERSON, and B. K. LANG. Scale dependence and scale independence in habitat associations of small mammals in southern temperate rainforest. Oikos (in press).
KELT, D. A. On the relative role of history and ecology in structuring communities of desert small mammals. Ecography (in

Progress 01/01/97 to 12/01/97

Outputs
Seven censuses of small mammals have been undertaken at 30 permanent trapping grids in SW Riverside County, resulting in a total of approximately 5335 captures of a dozen species of small mammals, including the Federally and State listed Stephen's kangaroo rat. Detailed habitat metrics were recorded at every trapping point (n = 1470) in the Spring and Fall of 1997. Data are currently being proofread and prepared for analysis. Auxiliary studies are being conducted as well, which will allow a detailed analysis of the interaction between small mammals, precipitation, and food availability, as well as the influence of small mammals on the vegetative structure of local sites. Additionally, a separate study has been initiated at the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Station in Riverside County. There, small mammal censuses will be conducted four times per year, and quantitative measures of the seed rain and seed bank will be made. These will allow a detailed evaluation of the actual connection between precipitation and seed productivity and the population dynamics of seed eating rodents.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

No publications reported this period