STUDYING HABITAT USE OF THE RIPARIAN BRUSH RABBIT (SYLVILAGUS BACHMANI RIPARIUS) IN SAN JOAQUIN RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WITH CAMERA TRAPS

Celia M Tarcha; CSU Stanislaus Ecology and Sustainability Program; ctarcha@csustan.edu; Patrick A. Kelly

The riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius; RBR) is a state- and federally-listed species found in just a few areas of the northern San Joaquin Valley of central California. It requires the dense brush associated with riparian areas for food and for protection from predators. Loss of habitat to agriculture and urban development restricted its range to two locations in San Joaquin County requiring its reintroduction in 2002 to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). There has been relatively little research on the fine scale behavioral ecology of brush rabbits. This project studied the behavioral ecology of RBR on San Joaquin River NWR using camera traps. The goal was to study their use of refuge habitat, and subsequently their use of feed piles deployed following flooding events during the winter and spring of 2017. We also studied RBR intraspecific and interspecific interactions. Initial results showed an increase in interactions between RBR and other species at feeding locations. There was an increased number of RBR at feed piles when food availability was low. However, there was less visitation to these artificial food sources once the flooding subsided and the natural vegetation recovered. Paper is a work in progress.

Poster Session     Student Paper