Northeastern California Research Articles

Northern Flying Squirrel Densities in Fir Forests of Northeastern California

The northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is the primary prey of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) and California spotted owls (S. o. occidentalis) throughout much of the owls' ranges. Flying squirrel abundance patterns, however, are poorly documented. Using capture-recapture techniques to estimate density, we compared flying squirrel densities among 3 types of fir (Abies spp.) forests in Lassen National Forest, northeastern California. We compared densities between 3 each of old and shelterwood-logged fir stands in 1990 and among 4 each of old, shelterwood, and young fir stands in 1991-92. Shelterwood stands had been logged and had undergone site preparation 5 years prior to our study. In 1990 flying squirrel density was greater in old (? = 2.76 squirrels/ha, SE = 0.55) than in shelterwood (? = 0.31 squirrels/ha, SE = 0.11) stands (P = 0.005). In 1991-92 density varied (P = 0.001) among the 3 stand types, averaging 3.29 squirrels/ha (SE = 0.63) in old, 2.28 squirrels/ha (SE = 0.18) in young, and 0.37 squirrels/ ha (SE = 0.17) in shelterwood stands. Body mass of adult males and females and recapture rate did not differ (M, P = 0.438; F, P = 0.983; P = 0.218, respectively) between old and young stands, and percent juveniles captured was greater (P = 0.052) in old than in young stands. Diet analyses were consistent with other studies and indicated that sporocarps of hypogeous fungi were a common food source. Frequency of hypogeous sporocarps was correlated (r s = 0.860, P < 0.001) with flying squirrel density, but cavity density and understory cover were not (P = 0.344 and 0.217, respectively). Flying squirrels were not old-growth specialists; however, low densities in shelterwood stands suggest that heavy logging and intensive site preparation negatively affected flying squirrel populations.

Long-Term Response of Old-Growth Stands to Varying Levels of Partial Cutting in the Eastside Pine Type

Abstract An experiment was started in 1938 to compare methods of harvest cutting in the eastside pine type of northeastern California. The study was designed as a randomized block experiment that included 10 blocks with four to six plots per block. Each plot on which a single treatment was applied is 20 ac. Treatments removed approximately 16, 54, 74, and 95% of the original volume. One uncut control plot was established in each block. The plots were remeasured 5, 10, and 20 yr after establishment and again in 1990-1991. During the last 30 yr growth period, net growth of the sawtimber component increased with the intensity of cut and ranged from -6 ft³/ac/yr in the controls to 28 ft³/ac/yr in the 95% removal plots. Net yield during the 50 yr period was highest in the 74% removal plots and averaged 5351 ft³/ac. The number of stems in the small diameter classes has increased four to five times in all treatment plots. We theorize that this influx of small trees has increased the competitive stress and resulting mortality of the old-growth trees. West. J. Appl. For. 10(3):101-108.

Enlargement of tree-mortality centers surrounding pine stumps infected by Hetetobasidionannosum in northeastern California

Enlargement of 53 tree-mortality centers surrounding pine stumps infected for about 35 years by Heterobasidionannosum (Fr.) Bref, was studied in northeastern California. At the end of the study period (1992), mean area for all centers was 209 m2 (range 16–701 m2), and the mean rate of radial enlargement was 0.22 m/year (0.7 ft/year). Rates decreased over time and center enlargement essentially ceased at most centers 20–30 years after stump infection. However, 7 centers (13%) continued to enlarge into surrounding stands at a mean rate of radial enlargement of 0.39 m/year (1.3 ft/year), and averaged 557 m2 (0.14 acre) by 1992. Continued enlargement of centers and extension of mortality beyond center stump root zones were associated with adjacent dead trees larger than 20 cm DBH. Many individual centers had different rates of enlargement at different points along their boundaries, ranging from 0 to 0.78 m/year (2.5 ft/year).

Tree-ring responses to the 1978 earthquake at Stephens Pass, northeastern California

The 1978 earthquake at Stephens Pass, northeastern California, dropped a series of grabens that average 4.5 m in width, extend up to 1 m in depth, and are found intermittently along a 2-km-long rupture zone. The formation of this graben series killed or otherwise affected many trees growing in or immediately adjacent to the rupture zone. Nine trees responded to the 1978 earthquake with anomalously narrow ring widths, beginning in 1979 and continuing for several years. One tree responded with anomalously wide latewood relative to total ring width. This example of tree-ring responses to a normal-fault earthquake complements other cases of tree-growth responses to earthquakes of thrust and strike-slip tectonic settings. The 1978 earthquake at Stephens Pass was unique in that it caused tree-ring responses even though it was only moderate (magnitude 4.6). This study serves as a specific calibration example for dendrochronologically studying prehistoric earthquakes, as well as eruptions, at the nearby Medicine Lake Highlands. Medicine Lake has been seismically and volcanically active during the past 1000 yr, and it supports a forest of several coniferous tree species that can be used for dendrochronologically studying geomorphological processes.

Analysis of the Early Jurassic Sailor Canyon-Gardnerville Basin (SCGB) of Western Nevada and Northeastern California: ABSTRACT

Analysis of the Early Jurassic Sailor Canyon-Gardnerville Basin (SCGB) of Western Nevada and Northeastern California: ABSTRACT

Sandhill Crane Nesting Habitat, Egg Predators, and Predator History on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

Coyotes (Canis latrans), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and common ravens (Corrus corax) are important predators on greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) eggs at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. Coyotes and ravens occurred historically at Malheur, whereas raccoons were first recorded in 1950. Of 1096 greater sandhill crane clutches (1966 to 1989), coyotes destroyed 214 (20%), raccoons 100 (9%), and ravens 162 (15%). Most cranes at Malheur select coarse, emergent vegetation for nest placement. Nesting success was highest in hardstem bulrush (Scirpus acutus) and lowest in broad-fruited burreed (Sparganium euryvarpum). In bulrush and common cattail (Typha latifolia), there were significantly more well-concealed nests, and success rates were significantly higher than in burreed and meadow. There was no difference in predation rates among concealment categories for raccoons, but ravens took significantly more poorly-concealed nests, while coyotes destroyed more poorlyand fairly-concealed nests than those well concealed. Past predation pressure has likely contributed to the greater use of concealing, coarse, emergent vegetation for nest sites. Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) commonly breed in remote, isolated wetlands of northeastern California, and southcentral and southeastern Oregon. In southeastern Oregon, nesting primarily occurs in closed drainage systems, with water originating from adjoining mountain ranges. One of the largest of these wetland complexes is the MalheurHarney Lakes Basin, in Harney County, Oregon. About 100,000 ha of wetland habitat, from alkali sumps to perennial marshes and lakes, are found within the basin. A large percentage of these wetlands is located on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), in the southern half of the system. A mean of 215 (range = 168 to 236) pairs of cranes have breeding territories on the refuge. Over 90% of these pairs nest among coarse, emergent vegetation, predominantly hardstem bulrush (Scirpus acutus), common cattail (Typha latifolia), and broad-fruited burreed (Sparganium euryvarpum). Large wetland complexes naturally attract predators, and predation rates on both crane eggs and chicks are often high (Littlefield 1976, 1995a). Common ravens (Corrus corax), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and coyotes (Canis latrans) 1 Present address: HCR 4 Box 212, Muleshoe, TX 79347. have been responsible for most losses, with all 3 species taking eggs; coyotes have been identified as the principal predator of chicks (Littlefield and Lindstedt 1992). Such predation pressure is believed to be primarily responsible for the extensive use of concealing vegetation for crane nest placement, which is inconsistent with other western United States nesting areas (e.g., Drewien 1973, Stern et al. 1987, Littlefield 1995b). Historically, predator densities have fluctuated, at least since the establishment of Malheur NWR in 1908. Disease outbreaks, poisoning campaigns, trapping, shooting, and prey availability have contributed to these fluctuations. Accompanying these predator fluctuations, habitat conditions at Malheur have also varied, particularly since the mid-1930's. Grazing cattle numbers peaked in 1973 at 126,593 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) after a steady increase beginning about 1940 (Littlefield and Thompson 1987). Even though grazing was confined to winter, little residual vegetation remained by spring, regularly leaving crane nests completely exposed in April and May. For 1966 and 1967, nest success was 44% (Littlefield and Ryder 1968), even with intensive predator control. After 1972, predator control programs were mostly eliminated, but as AUMs of graz-

The effects of thinning and broadcast burning on sporocarp production of hypogeous fungi

The objectives of our study were to determine the effects of commercial thinning and broadcast burning on sporocarp production of hypogeous ectomycorrhizal (HEM) fungi. At two sites in northeastern California, Jennie Springs (JS) and Swain Mountain (SM), we compared HEM sporocarp production among units that had been heavily thinned, moderately thinned, and unthinned. At one of those sites, JS, we also compared sporocarp production between units that had been broadcast burned and units left unburned. Sporocarps were sampled in 1992, 10 years after thinning and 9 years after burning occurred at JS, and 17 years after thinning occurred at SM. Total relative frequency and biomass of sporocarps did not differ significantly among thin levels at either site, or between burn levels at JS. There was, however, significant association between thin level and frequencies of the most common genera at JS, suggesting that thinning significantly affected the composition of HEM fungi. The association between burn level and frequencies of the most common genera was also significant, but less pronounced than the association between thin level and the frequencies of common genera.

Mallard Recruitment in Northeastern California

Recruitment is a major factor governing mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) populations, yet estimates of this parameter from specific geographic areas are lacking. During 1988-90, we estimated recruitment, proportional change in population size, and number of young fledged for mallards from Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), California. Estimated recruitment (fledged F/ad F in spring) was 0.31 in 1988, 1.26 in 1989, and 0.83 in 1990. The proportional change in population size ranged from 0.78 in 1988 to 1.38 and 1.11 in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Number of young fledged varied from 848 in 1988 to 5,656 in 1989. To accurately estimate recruitment and incorporate variability, reliable estimates of duckling survival are required

EVOLUTIONARY AND HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF PROTEIN VARIATION IN THE BLOTCHED FORMS OF SALAMANDERS OF THE ENSATINA COMPLEX (AMPHIBIA: PLETHODONTIDAE).

Geographic variation in 23 to 29 protein-encoding genetic loci was examined in 48 populations of the Ensatina complex, a "ring species" distributed around the Central Valley of California. The samples span two critical links in the chain of morphologically distinct units: the transition from the unblotched to blotched color pattern types in the vicinity of Lassen Peak, northeastern California, and a geographic gap in the range of the complex in the San Gabriel Mountains, southern California. A general pattern of isolation by distance with a regular buildup of genetic distance correlated with increases in geographic distance characterizes the populations studied, with the exception of a little-differentiated group of populations in the northern Sierra Nevada; this region is postulated to be a zone of genetic reticulation characterized by relatively high gene flow. An adaptively significant color pattern is thought to have spread into the northern Sierra Nevada from the south, but protein variants have been introduced both from the north and the south. Genetic distances across the San Gabriel Mountain gap match expectations from the pattern of buildup of genetic distance as a function of geographic distance elsewhere in the complex. A phylogenetic analysis of the protein data supports the reticulation hypothesis; whereas the southernmost populations currently do constitute a monophyletic assemblage, an "extinction experiment" demonstrates that the distinction could be the result of the recent extinction of populations in a present gap in our sampling. The Ensatina complex appears to be a dynamic entity representing several stages in the evolution of species. It is a ring species, and whereas various taxonomic arrangements are possible, no taxonomic changes are proposed.

Extractable Anions in Soils following Wildfire in a Sagebrush‐Grass Community

AbstractField and laboratory research was conducted to measure changes in extractable anions following wildfire in sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.)‐grass communities. Two sites were studied along the eastern Sierra Nevada front in northeastern California on coarse‐textured Haploxerolls and Haplargids formed from granitic parent materials. Soils were extracted with 0.15% KCl and analyzed with high‐performance anion exchange chromatography. Compared with unburned soils, significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreases in NO−3 and orthophosphate, and significant increases in SO2−4, acetate, formate, oxalate, and glycolate occurred immediately after wildfire in the surface 5 cm of under‐shrub soil. Concentrations of organic acids in burned under‐shrub soils increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the weeks following a wildfire. In shrub interspaces, largely occupied by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), concentrations of anions were similar in unburned and post‐wildfire soils. Laboratory heating of under‐shrub soil indicated that maximum amounts of KCl‐extractable organic anions are produced at temperatures between 150 and 350°C, and that the length of time (up to 30 min) the soil was exposed to a given temperature considerably affected these amounts. Elevated concentrations of organic acids may influence seed germination, plant establishment, and mineral nutrition.

Movements and Habitat Use of Mallard Broods in Northeastern California

To increase recruitment of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), wildlife managers must understand the habitat and space needs of mallard broods. During 1989-90, we examined the movements, home range, and habitat use of 27 radio-marked mallard broods on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, California. Twelve of the 27 broods made 22 relocation movements (>1,000 m in 24 hr) in the first week (n = 6) and after the fourth (n = 16) week of life. Mean home range size was 0.93 km 2 (SE = 0.25) and did not differ between years (P = 0.26). Brood-rearing females selected seasonally flooded wetlands with a cover component and avoided open or permanently flooded habitats

Survival of Radio-Marked Mallard Ducklings in Northeastern California

Estimates of duckling survival are necessary to accurately assess recruitment of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), yet few reliable estimates exist. During 1988-90, we estimated survival rates for 127 radio-marked mallard ducklings from 64 broods on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, California. In 1988, we restricted the survival estimate to the first 10 days post-hatch (S = 0.18, SE = 0.07). Survival from hatching to 50 days was 0.37 (SE = 0.09) in 1989 and 0.34 (SE = 0.07) in 1990. Total brood loss differed among years (P < 0.05); 81.2% in 1988 (n = 16), 36.8% in 1989 (n = 19), and 37.5% in 1990 (n = 24). Ninety-three percent of mortality occurred during the first 10 days of life. We detected no differences in the proportion of radio-marked ducklings fledged from early-hatched versus late-hatched nests (P = 0.74)

Late Quaternary normal faulting of the Hat Creek Basalt, northern California

The Hat Creek fault is a major, young, north-striking, normal fault along the western boundary of extensional Basin and Range deformation in the Lessen region of northeastern California. Volcanic rocks of Quaternary and late Pliocene age are displaced a total of >500 m down to the west along west-facing, en echelon scarps now retreated to ∼35° slopes. Fresh, young scarps as much as 30 m high cut the Hat Creek Basalt (erupted between 15 and ∼40 ka) a few tens of meters west of the retreated scarps. Prior to the late 1980s, these young scarps were interpreted as lava slump scarps formed as the Hat Creek Basalt ponded against the older fault scarps and then drained away to the northwest. Numerous pieces of geologic evidence, however, show that the young scarps formed after the Hat Creek Basalt solidified and cooled and are true fault features formed by the youngest displacements of the Hat Creek fault. Structural details are remarkably well preserved along the series of left-stepping scarps cutting the Hat Creek Basalt. Near the central parts of individual segments, the fault is displayed as a single, vertical scarp. Near the ends of the segments, the scarp decreases in height and becomes a monodinal flexure on which the recent dip separation has been taken up by small-scale offset along columnar cooling joints in the basalt These monodinal flexures commonly rotate into east-west monoclines that join adjacent north-south segments. Displacement of outwash gravel overlying the Hat Creek Basalt shows that vertical separation on the Hat Creek fault has averaged ∼1.3 mm yr −1 for the past 15,000 yr. The Hat Creek fault thus represents a potential earthquake hazard, despite the low level and diffuse nature of modern seismidty in the region.

Revision of the milliped family Paeromopodidae, and elevation of the Aprosphylosomatinae to family status (Julida: Paeromopodoidea)

AbstractThe family Paeromopodidae is comprised of large, agile millipeds that include the longest diplopods in the Nearctic. It is endemic to three regions in the western United States - a large, irregular area extending from the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Monterey Peninsula of California to the northern Puget Sound region of Washington, a small, ovoid area in the Warner Mountains of northeastern California and the adjacent fringes of Oregon and Nevada, and an area in the northwestern interior extending from the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon to Flathead Lake, Montana. Representatives have flat, plate-like gonopods that represent the coxites; the flagellum is absent from the anterior gonopods and the telopodite is lost from both gonopod pairs. The family includes two genera: Paeromopus Karsch, with five species - angusticeps (Wood), eldoradus, cavicolens, and buttensis, all by Chamberlin, and ocellatus Loomis - and Californiulus Verhoeff, with five species - chamberlini (Brolemann), comb. n., dorsovittatus Verhoeff, yosemitensis Chamberlin, euphanus (Chamberlin), and parvior (Chamberlin). The principal taxonomic features involve the configurations of the distal and midlength projections of the anterior gonopods and the terminal or subterminal projections of the posterior genitalia. Californiulus chamberlini, dorsovittatus, and yosemitensis display broad, yellow, middorsal stripes, the last also with a median black line, and the other species exhibit light or dark transverse bands. The following new synonymies are proposed: P. lysiopetalinus Karsch and pistus Chamberlin, and Paeromopellus sphinx Verhoeff, under P. angusticeps; Klansolus zantus Chamberlin under C. chamberlini; C. vicinus Chamberlin under C. dorsovittatus; K. mononus and obscurans, both by Chamberlin, under C. yosemitensis; and K. socius and Aigon rodocki, both by Chamberlin, under C. parvior. The monobasic subfamily Aprosphylosomatinae, accommodating Aprosphylosoma Hoffman, is elevated to family status in the superfamily Paeromopodoidea. Its sole species, A. darceneae Hoffman, known only from Oregon, is smallbodied, dark mottled brown in color, and has a separate coxite and telopodite on the anterior gonopod.

Use of GIS in Optimizing Timber Thinning Strategies in the Eastern Sierra Nevada∗

This paper demonstrates the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to develop timber thinning strategies on the Kyburz Planning Area of the Tahoe National Forest in northeastern California. The primary criteria used in an assessment of selective thinning potential were forest health and fire hazard ratings. By eliminating environmentally sensitive, economically unfeasible, or low fire hazard areas from consideration, the use of GIS reduced the area that was considered appropriate for thinning by approximately 58%. GIS offers considerable potential for improving resource management strategies.

Isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi from the blood of a bushy-tailed wood rat in California.

Borrelia burgdorferi was isolated from the blood of a bushy-tailed wood rat (Neotoma cinerea) from northeastern California, USA. This is the first isolation of live B. burgdorferi spirochetes from a wild animal in California. Spirochetes were observed in stained tissues from the brain, liver, spleen, and kidneys.

Geothermometry and water—rock interaction in selected thermal systems in the cascade range and modoc plateau, western United States

The sulfate—water isotope geothermometer indicates higher equilibrium temperatures than the silica or cation ratio geothermometers for the Na—Cl and Na—Ca—Cl thermal waters of the Cascade Range, Oregon and the Na—SO 4 thermal waters of the Modoc Plateau, northeastern California. Sulfate concentrations in the Na—Ca—Cl waters decrease as σ 18O values of the dissolved sulfate become more depleted; conversely, sulfate concentrations in the Na—SO 4 waters increase as σ 18O values of the sulfate become more depleted. Calculations show that the thermal waters are theoretically saturated with respect to anhydrite (CaSO 4) at temperatures very close to those calculated from the sulfate—water isotope geothermometer.

Holocene slip rate and earthquake recurrence on the Honey Lake fault zone, northeastern California

Research Article| September 01, 1993 Holocene slip rate and earthquake recurrence on the Honey Lake fault zone, northeastern California Christopher J. Wills; Christopher J. Wills 1California Division of Mines and Geology, 185 Berry Street, Suite 3600, San Francisco, California 94107 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Glenn Borchardt Glenn Borchardt 1California Division of Mines and Geology, 185 Berry Street, Suite 3600, San Francisco, California 94107 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1993) 21 (9): 853–856. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0853:HSRAER>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Christopher J. Wills, Glenn Borchardt; Holocene slip rate and earthquake recurrence on the Honey Lake fault zone, northeastern California. Geology 1993;; 21 (9): 853–856. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0853:HSRAER>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Honey Lake fault zone, a major right-lateral fault in the Basin and Range province of eastern California, is one of a broad system of faults that accommodate some of the relative motion between the Pacific and North American plates. These right-lateral faults may have significantly higher slip rates, and thus greater earthquake hazards, than the normal faults for which the Basin and Range is more commonly known. In the Honey Lake Valley, the fault forms a 50-km-long zone of landforms typical of active strike-slip faults. Right-lateral offset of an incised creek channel is used to estimate a Holocene slip rate of between 1.1 and 2.6 mm/yr. A fault exposure in Holocene alluvium shows evidence for at least four late Holocene surface-faulting earthquakes. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Wildfires on big sagebrush/antelope bitterbrush range in northeastern California: implications for deer populations: D. R. Updike, E. R. Loft & F. A. Hall, General Technical Report — US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, INT-276, 1990, pp 41–46

Wildfires on big sagebrush/antelope bitterbrush range in northeastern California: implications for deer populations: D. R. Updike, E. R. Loft & F. A. Hall, General Technical Report — US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, INT-276, 1990, pp 41–46

Seasonal prevalence of Taenia taeniaeformis: relationship to age, sex, reproduction and abundance of an intermediate host (Peromyscus maniculatus).

Livers from 4,501 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) collected from a weedy habitat in northeastern California during 48 consecutive monthly samplings were examined microscopically for Taenia taeniaeformis larva. Although there were pronounced seasonal fluctuations in host density, there were no significant annual or season-related differences in cestode intensities in adult deer mice. There were no significant differences in prevalences associated with sex of the host, nor were there significant changes in level of reproduction noted between infected and non-infected hosts. There were, however, significant differences in prevalences between young (1.2%) and adult (4.2%) hosts. Plausible mechanisms for this age-related difference in prevalence rates include (1) differential susceptibility due to the activity pattern of adult mice and/or (2) passive immunity in neonates as a result of colostrum- and/or transplacentally-transferred immunoglobulins and (3) capture of subadult animals before they had completed the period of highest susceptibility to T. taeniaeformis. Density of larvae per mouse liver was determined during a 21 mo consecutive period. The intensity of T. taeniaeformis larvae was not significantly different between the sexes of the adult mice. The larval stage showed an overdispersion pattern within the adult population. These results suggest that determinations of T. taeniaeformis abundances can be accurately made, at least in this P. maniculatus population, at any time of the year provided adjustment is made for the relative age structure of the host population.