Pika
Networks and Parks where protocol will be implemented
Upper Columbia Basin Network:
Klamath Network:
Importance / Issues
- Localized extirpations of the American pika (Ochotona princeps) have been documented in isolated areas of the species range, and some scientists believe that these extirpations may be due to increased warming resulting from accelerated climate change.
- Due to a high body temperature and low upper lethal temperature, pikas have difficulty thermoregulating and rely on crevices and cavities in rocks to provide cover and thermal refugia.
- Climate change is predicted to result in high summer temperatures and reduced snowpack in many areas, both of which are expected to negatively impact pikas and their habitat.
- Crater Lake NP and Lassen Volcanic NP contain typical pika habitat comprised of high elevation talus fields. Conversely, Craters of the Moon NM&P and Lava Beds NM have lower elevation lava flows that also provide pika with a unique habitat type.
- The development of a long-term monitoring protocol is essential to enhance our understanding of pika distribution and long-term viability at these park sites.
Monitoring Objectives
- Determine the status of pika site occupancy at selected Pacific West Region parks.
- Determine the trend in pika site occupancy at selected Pacific West Region parks.
Potential Measures
Occupancy, extinction, and recolonization rates of sites in selected Pacific West Region parks.
Management Applications
Information gathered from this monitoring will be used to:- Inform park resource managers of park-wide assessment of species distribution, status, and population trends.
- Identify patterns in site occupancy and covariates influencing occupancy.
Protocol Development & Status
The UCBN and pika planning team plan to submit a draft pika monitoring protocol for peer review in December 2009. Monitoring data will be collected at Crater Lake NP and Lassen Volcanic NP during the summer of 2010.
Contact Information
Mackenzie Shardlow
Upper Columbia Basin Network Research Associate
University of Idaho
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Email
Document Links
- Resource Brief (link to Reports & Pubs page)
- Protocol Development Summary