The occurrence of Sudden Oak Death (SOD), a disease resulting from a newly described pathogenic organism, Phytopthora ramorum, provides a unique opportunity to study its effects on the oak woodland ecosystem in California. Few studies have examined the effects of a widespread forest pathogen at the community level but, due to the potentially widespread deleterious affects of SOD, it is important to begin ecological studies early so the effects of SOD can be anticipated, properly interpreted, and minimized.
Our study examines the impact of habitat change caused by SOD on the bird, small mammal, amphibian, and reptile communities in oak woodlands. We have established 1-ha study infected and control plots in the San Francisco Bay. In San Luis Obispo County, out of the current range of SOD, we established control plots for comparison to the Bay area plots and to obtain pre-infection data. We began data collection in the spring of 2002 by using point counts and foraging observations to study birds, live traps to monitor small mammals, and coverboards to monitor amphibians. This collaborative study will use vegetation data collected on the same plots by collaborating researchers (Allen-Diaz and O'Hara labs, UC Berkeley, ESPM) to establish a link between SOD-induced stand structure alterations and wildlife functional and demographic responses. This poster will present background for our project, our methods, and our preliminary results from 2002.
