Three-dimensional partitioning of resources by congeneric forest predators with recent sympatry.

ABSTRACT: Coexistence of ecologically similar species can be maintained by partitioning along one or more niche axes. Three-dimensional structural complexity is central to facilitating resource partitioning between many forest species, but is underrepresented in field-based studies. We examined resource selection by sympatric northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina), a threatened species under the US Endangered Species Act, and nonnative barred owls (S. varia) in western Oregon, USA to explore the relative importance of canopy heterogeneity, vertical complexity of forest, and abiotic features to resource selection and identify potential differences that may facilitate long-term coexistence. We predicted that within home range selection of understory densities, measured with airborne lidar,

SUBMITTER: Jenkins JMA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6465400 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature