Genetic Monitoring of the Great Gray Owl in Yosemite National Park
Project ID: P22AC02370
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Idaho
Fiscal Year: 2022
Initial Funding: $37,590
Total Funding: $77,593
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Yosemite National Park
Principal Investigator: Waits, Lisette
Agreement Technical Representative: Stock, Sara
Abstract: Great gray owls (GGOs) are one of the rarest and most endangered birds in the state of California. With fewer than 200 individuals remaining, this Sierra Nevada endemic subspecies has a smaller population size than that of the California Condor. Yosemite National Park (YOSE) represents the core of the owl’s habitat, supporting two thirds of the remaining individuals, and the park provides a sanctuary for the southern range of the species, yet their population stability and trends are unknown.
Recent research has revealed the fragility of the park’s population and has highlighted information gaps that limit our ability to manage and protect the species. There are genetic concerns about decreasing genetic diversity and increased relatedness of this geographically isolated population, and just outside the park boundaries, the owl is threatened by impacts from timber harvest, grazing, recreation, and hydrologic diversions. Much of the GGO habitat within the park is bisected by highways and highly trafficked meadows, and current and future construction sites.
A research group led by Dr. Lisette Waits at the University of Idaho (UI) conducts genetic work to develop single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels using next generation sequencing such as GT-Seq and RAD-Seq. Under this agreement, YOSE staff will work with Drs. Waits and Nerkowski to sequence and analyze up to 1000 feathers. Waits and Nerkowski will develop and use a GGO SNP panel to carry out population genetic analyses and develop a monitoring protocol for GGOs throughout YOSE.
Furthermore, these data will enable researchers to better understand the past response of this species to large scale changes to historical climate fluctuations and better predict its response to expected future climate changes forecasted for North America