Effects of Silvicultural-Based Forest Restoration on Small Mammal Prey of Key Mesocarnivores and Forest Raptors

Project ID: P25AC01024

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Oregon Institute of Technology

Fiscal Year: 2025

Initial Funding: $31,550

Total Funding: $31,550

Project Type: Research

National Park: Lassen Volcanic National Park

Principal Investigator: Farris, Kerry

Agreement Technical Representative: Nordensten, Nancy

Abstract: 

Performance Goals – The goal of this study is to address a key knowledge gap identified by LAVO Resource and Fire staff following the implementation of Phase I of the Northwest Gateway Forest Restoration project (NWG). While quantitative data was collected and analyzed to assess the effects of the NWG on the vegetative community, staffing shortages made evaluating the response of the small mammal prey-base impossible. Understanding how the prey-base of important carnivorous species with federal and/or state species protection status respond to intensive silvicultural treatments like the NWG is important given the interest in replicating these silvicultural treatments in other parks (e.g., currently proposed projects exist at Crater Lake NP and Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP).

Project Objectives – 1) quantify the effects of Phase I of the NWG treatments on the small mammal community through intensive diurnal and nocturnal trapping; and 2) employ existing vegetation monitoring data to determine the relationship between habitat variables and the occupancy and abundance of the small mammal community.