California Scrub Jay and Eastern Fox Squirrel Presence Within the Baldwin Hills Area

Overview

I focused on how vegetation type, structure, and landscape modification affected the presence and location of California Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma californica) and Eastern Fox Squirrels (Sciurus niger) in the Baldwin Hills area within Los Angeles, CA. I created modified point count survey routes within three sites: (1) the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, a recovering natural habitat; (2) Culver City Park, a manicured park designed for sports and recreation; and (3) the Culver Crest Neighborhood, a residential area adjacent to the Inglewood Oil fields. Each survey route was designed to encompass areas with varying types of vegetation and landscape modification. Each site contained four points and the vegetation of each point was classified based on structure, cover, and type using satellite imagery and on-site visual assessment. Jay and squirrel surveys were conducted October 2017- March 2018, and site characteristics were assessed in spring 2018. Jays were observed mainly at points that had complex vegetation with a variety of heights, while squirrels were tolerant of sites with less vegetative cover and more homogenous structure. In addition, jays were observed at points containing physical barriers (e.g., fences), steep terrain, and/or dense waist high vegetation, all impediments to human movement. I suspect that the driver of squirrel presence at my points were consistent anthropogenic food sources, though this would require further study for confirmation. Understanding how common native and non-native species use urban areas is necessary in order to understand how to optimize remaining urban open space to support native wildlife populations.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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