Sudden Oak Death (SOD) has been identified in coast live oak and tan oak woodlands in 12 California coastal counties. Woodlands in several other counties are at risk. This study is part of a collaborative effort in which UC Berkeley researchers are investigating the effects of SOD on vertebrates by comparing data from infected and uninfected counties. This presentation will focus on the objectives, study design, first-year results, and future work in coastal oak woodlands of San Luis Obispo County, an uninfected county with thousands of ha of woodlands at risk. A risk-prediction map was used to place study plots in coast live oak woodlands of high and low levels of risk for SOD. Amphibians and reptiles are sampled with coverboards, while small mammals are live-trapped. Nest boxes and foraging observations are used to study the diet composition and behavioral ecology of insectivorous cavity nesting birds. Sampling for vertebrate species is conducted on 1-ha plots where vegetation is also sampled. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System-identified at-risk wildlife species are of primary interest. Data from San Luis Obispo County will be used to generate habitat models and to evaluate the effects of SOD on wildlife.
