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19 February 2020 Reproductive success of the threatened San Clemente Bell's Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli clementeae) in recovering habitats is similar to success in historical habitat
Susan T. Meiman, Emma E. DeLeon, Andrew S. Bridges
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Abstract

The San Clemente Bell′s Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli clementeae) is a federally threatened subspecies endemic to San Clemente Island, California. Previous research suggested dependence on boxthorn (Lycium californicum) as breeding habitat and nesting substrate; however, this conclusion was based on data collected when introduced feral ungulates had severely degraded the soil and vegetation cover. Since removal of the ungulates, native vegetation has gradually increased and the San Clemente Bell′s Sparrows have expanded into areas where habitat had been unsuitable. To explore how Bell′s Sparrows use these areas, we examined reproductive metrics associated with habitat covariates gathered at 214 nest sites used by Bell′s Sparrows from 2014 to 2016. We found that nest success in boxthorn habitat, previously considered an essential habitat for Bell′s Sparrow nesting, was similar to success in alternative habitat types. Our findings contradict previous conclusions that Bell′s Sparrows were boxthorn-dependent. We believe this previously documented relationship was likely due to the lack of available alternative nesting habitat following years of feral ungulate degradation, and Bell′s Sparrows now reproduce in multiple habitat types and throughout most of San Clemente Island. Furthermore, our findings illustrate the importance of long-term monitoring and corresponding adaptive management when monitoring species in changing and recovering landscapes.

Copyright © American Ornithological Society 2020. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Susan T. Meiman, Emma E. DeLeon, and Andrew S. Bridges "Reproductive success of the threatened San Clemente Bell's Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli clementeae) in recovering habitats is similar to success in historical habitat," The Condor 122(2), 1-11, (19 February 2020). https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/duz071
Received: 23 August 2019; Accepted: 23 December 2019; Published: 19 February 2020
KEYWORDS
Artemisiospiza belli clementeae
Bell′s Sparrow
habitat expansion
habitat recovery
nest success
Sage Sparrow
San Clemente Island
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