Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

10 Jun, 10 AM - 14 Jun, 03 AM

Purpose of Visit: Photography of acorn woodpecker granaries in Big Creek Reserve, Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP, and Pfeiffer Big Sur SP. Project Description: Since 2002, we have been measuring tanoak acorn production in SOD-infested and unifested stands in Big Sur, to determine the effects of Sudden Oak Death on tanoak acorn production. We have also been monitoring acorn use by arboreal predators to determine the extent to which they may be affected by changes in acorn production. Our acorn census techniques consist of visual surveys of acorn production that are performed in mid to late summer, and weekly monitoring of seed traps during the fall. This combination of techniques allows us to estimate the number of acorns produced by trees, and the proportion of acorns that are removed by arboreal acorn predators (such as jays and woodpeckers). These measures of acorn production are complemented by photographic censuses of acorn woodpecker granaries, which provide a more direct measure of the effects of SOD on acorn predators. Granaries are photographed in mid to late spring, prior to acorn fall, and again in late fall/early winter, after acorns have been stored. Photographs from the two periods are compared to determine the number of acorns stored during each acorn season.

Visit #7417 @Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 5476 | Research

Effects of Sudden Oak Death on Wildlife

research_scientist - Wildlife Conservation Society

Reservation Members(s)

Leila Hadj-Chikh Jun 10 - 14, 2005 (5 days)
Leila Hadj-Chikh Jun 10 - 14, 2005 (5 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Gatehouse 2 Jun 10 - 14, 2005
Whale Point Researcher Cabin 2 Jun 10 - 14, 2005