Spotted owls and forest fire: Comment

Jones, Gavin M.; Gutiérrez, R. J.; Block, William M.; Carlson, Peter C.; Comfort, Emily J.; Cushman, Samuel A.; Davis, Raymond J.; Eyes, Stephanie A.; Franklin, Alan B.; Ganey, Joseph L.; Hedwall, Shaula J.; Keane, John J.; Kelsey, Rodd; Lesmeister, Damon B.; North, Malcolm P.; Roberts, Susan L.; Rockweit, Jeremy T.; Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Sawyer, Sarah C.; Solvesky, Ben G.; Tempel, Douglas J.; Yiwan, Ho; Westerling, A. L.; White, Gary C.; Peery, M. Zachariah

doi:10.1002/ecs2.3312

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…Finally, the lack of consistency among Humboldt marten studies is suggestive of imperfect knowledge of what components constitute Humboldt marten habitat. To avoid differing views for rare species conservation (e.g., Gutiérrez, 2020 ; Jones et al, 2020 ), amassing information collaboratively with a goal of prospective meta-analyses and study-level replication will be essential ( Facka & Moriarty, 2017 ; Nichols, Kendall & Boomer, 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicted distribution of a rare and understudied forest carnivore: Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis)

Moriarty

Thompson

Delheimer

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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Background Many mammalian species have experienced range contractions. Following a reduction in distribution that has resulted in apparently small and disjunct populations, the Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) was recently designated as federally Threatened and state Endangered. This subspecies of Pacific marten occurring in coastal Oregon and northern California, also known as coastal martens, appear unlike martens that occur in snow-associated regions in that vegetation associations appear to differ widely between Humboldt marten populations. We expected current distributions represent realized niches, but estimating factors associated with long-term occurrence was challenging for this rare and little-known species. Here, we assessed the predicted contemporary distribution of Humboldt martens and interpret our findings as hypotheses correlated with the subspecies’ niche to inform strategic conservation actions. Methods We modeled Humboldt marten distribution using a maximum entropy (Maxent) approach. We spatially-thinned 10,229 marten locations collected from 1996–2020 by applying a minimum distance of 500-m between locations, resulting in 384 locations used to assess correlations of marten occurrence with biotic and abiotic variables. We independently optimized the spatial scale of each variable and focused development of model variables on biotic associations (e.g., hypothesized relationships with forest conditions), given that abiotic factors such as precipitation are largely static and not alterable within a management context. Results Humboldt marten locations were positively associated with increased shrub cover (salal (Gautheria shallon)), mast producing trees (e.g., tanoak, Notholithocarpus densiflorus), increased pine (Pinus sp.) proportion of total basal area, annual precipitation at home-range spatial scales, low and high amounts of canopy cover and slope, and cooler August temperatures. Unlike other recent literature, we found little evidence that Humboldt martens were associated with old-growth structural indices. This case study provides an example of how limited information on rare or lesser-known species can lead to differing interpretations, emphasizing the need for study-level replication in ecology. Humboldt marten conservation would benefit from continued survey effort to clarify range extent, population sizes, and fine-scale habitat use.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicted distribution of a rare and understudied forest carnivore: Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis)

Moriarty

Thompson

Delheimer

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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“…For example, counter-evidence reviewed here was used to support contentious conclusions in a metaanalysis of the impacts of high-severity fire on California Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis; Lee 2018). The authors of many of the studies included in that meta-analysis subsequently demonstrated methodological weaknesses in the meta-analysis that undermine those conclusions (Jones et al 2020a). Unwarranted uncertainty about the use of high-severity burn areas by California Spotted Owls (Jones et al 2019, Peery et al 2019 has detrimentally impacted the management of this sensitive species (Stephens et al 2019, Jones et al 2020b.…”

Section: Conclusion and Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The authors of many of the studies included in that meta‐analysis subsequently demonstrated methodological weaknesses in the meta‐analysis that undermine those conclusions (Jones et al. 2020 a ). Unwarranted uncertainty about the use of high‐severity burn areas by California Spotted Owls (Jones et al.…”

Section: Conclusion and Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for widespread changes in the structure, composition, and fire regimes of western North American forests

Hagmann

Hessburg

Prichard

et al. 2021

Ecological Applications

197

140

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Implementation of wildfire-and climate-adaptation strategies in seasonally dry forests of western North America is impeded by numerous constraints and uncertainties. After more than a century of resource and land use change, some question the need for proactive management, particularly given novel social, ecological, and climatic conditions. To address this question, we first provide a framework for assessing changes in landscape conditions and fire regimes. Using this framework, we then evaluate evidence of change and lack of change in contemporary conditions relative to those maintained by active fire regimes, i.e., those uninterrupted by a century or more of human-induced fire exclusion. The cumulative results of more than a century of research document a persistent and substantial fire deficit and widespread alterations to ecological structures and functions. These changes are not necessarily apparent at all spatial scales or in all dimensions of fire regimes and forest and nonforest conditions. Nonetheless, loss of the once abundant influence of low-and moderate-KEYWORDS

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“…I evaluated 4 of the most important papers in the ongoing scientific conflict over spotted owls and forest fire, 2 from each side of the issue (Bond et al, 2009; Jones et al, 2016; Jones et al, 2020; Lee, 2020). Forest fire is a natural disturbance event (Marlon et al, 2012) and prominent management issue that can affect habitat of spotted owls, a species that has driven many forest-management decisions over the past few decades (Weatherspoon et al, 1992; USDA, 2018).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Forest fire is a natural disturbance event (Marlon et al, 2012) and prominent management issue that can affect habitat of spotted owls, a species that has driven many forest-management decisions over the past few decades (Weatherspoon et al, 1992; USDA, 2018). In summary, Bond and Lee claim/argue/have concluded that wildfire is not a threat to spotted owl population persistence so logging should not be used to alter vegetation in spotted owl habitat, while Jones et al claim/argue/have concluded wildfire harms spotted owls, so logging spotted owl habitat to reduce fire severity and extent is justified (Jones et al, 2020).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

In-text citation error rate as a scientometric tool for evaluating accuracy and weighing evidence

Lee

2022

Preprint

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Scientists are fallable and biased, but accuracy can be assessed through empirical analysis of published work that quantifies in-text citation (or quotation) errors. In scientific conflicts, it can be difficult for outsiders to know whose evidence or interpretation to trust. In-text citation error rate can assist decision- and policy-making bodies, as well as the courts when conflicts reach the judicial branch of government, by quantifying absolute and relative accuracy of scientists presenting scientific evidence. I propose the use of in-text citation error rates as a scientometric tool to quantify the accuracy of an author's work. In-text citation error rates in excess of an established overall mean (e.g., 11% for minor errors and 7% for major errors in ecology), or differences in in-text citation error rates between opposing groups of scientists could be used to reveal excessive inaccuracies in an author or group. The spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) has been at the center of a multi-decadal conflict caused by competition among people over forest resources, with scientific experts representing opposing stakeholders often presenting conflicting evidence. I applied the in-text citation error rate tool to important papers in the spotted owl and forest fire debate and found evidence of greater error rates in works on one side of this debate. In-text citation error rate can be an effective tool for quantifying accuracy among scientists.

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Spotted owls and forest fire: Comment

Abstract: v Volume 11(12) v Article e03312 COMMENT JONES ET AL.

Cited by 14 publications

References 99 publications

Predicted distribution of a rare and understudied forest carnivore: Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis)

Predicted distribution of a rare and understudied forest carnivore: Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis)

Evidence for widespread changes in the structure, composition, and fire regimes of western North American forests

In-text citation error rate as a scientometric tool for evaluating accuracy and weighing evidence

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