A thorough understanding of the property’s history can provide important context for TNC as they assess the present-day state of the preserve. By comparing the extent and structure of natural habitats today to those in the past, we investigate if any broad habitat types have been lost or degraded, necessitating restoration or monitoring. The property’s historical land use is also relevant to wildlife conservation. Accordingly, we investigate the effects of ranching infrastructure on the distribution of California red-legged frogs at the preserve. Finally, effective conservation planning also requires the consideration and prediction of likely future conditions. Anticipating the effects of climate change on the distribution of species is necessary for setting realistic conservation goals. Therefore, we model the future habitat suitability for four sensitive plant species at the preserve under two climate warming scenarios.
Objectives
1. Identify trends in the extent and structure of terrestrial habitat types on the property since the 1930s.
2. Assess the impact of ranching infrastructure on the California red-legged frog distribution at the preserve.
3. Predict changes in the distribution of sensitive plant species under climate warming scenarios.
1. Identify trends in the extent and structure of terrestrial habitat types on the property since the 1930s.
2. Assess the impact of ranching infrastructure on the California red-legged frog distribution at the preserve.
3. Predict changes in the distribution of sensitive plant species under climate warming scenarios.