Santa Cruz Island Reserve

01 Jul, 04 AM - 31 Dec, 06 AM

Population viability of the critically endangered Santa Cruz Island fox is likely to be affected by several extrinsic and intrinsic factors which may modulate the impact of well-documented golden eagle predation (Roemer et al., 2001a; Roemer et al., 2002) or act independently of predation to affect fox population growth. These factors affect the fitness (reproductive success and survival) of individual foxes, which eventually scales up to affect fox population dynamics (e.g, population growth rate). Unless the full spectrum of variables that affect individual fitness are understood, the capacity to make sensible, science-based conservation decisions is narrowly informed. This research is designed to derive predictors of individual fox fitness, and hence, fox vital rates, thus complementing ongoing research on fox population dynamics that focuses principally on the coarse grained effect of golden eagle predation. We propose a program of studies, which can combine with the ongoing monitoring program, to form a comprehensive picture of fox population dynamics. This will better enable management to predict the consequences of management activities such as pig eradication, eagle control, and fennel removal on the wild fox population and to make informed decisions regarding captive-bred foxes. In order to construct a comprehensive picture of island fox short and long term viability, the following gaps in knowledge must be addressed: 1. What are the most accurate estimates of population parameters for population viability analysis (PVA)? 2. What particular variables predict island fox vital rates and in what way? 3. How do changes in one aspect of behavior (e.g., in response to predation) affect another aspect of behavior (e.g., foraging), and how do those changes affect individual fitness? Research will continue to be conducted primarily from roads between Laguna in the west and China Pines in the east.

Visit #11929 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 4491 | Research

Santa Cruz Island foxes: Ecological correlates of individual fitness and population growth rates

graduate_student - University of California, Davis

Reservation Members(s)

Hilary Swarts Jul 1, 2006 - Dec 31, 2007 (549 days)
Group of 8 Research Assistant (non-student/faculty/postdoc) Jul 1, 2006 - Dec 31, 2007 (549 days)
Hilary Swarts Jul 1, 2006 - Dec 31, 2007 (549 days)

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