LTEM: Monitoring Northern Spotted Owl Populations in Olympic National Park

Principal Investigator(s):
Dr. D. Erran Seaman, USGS, FRESC, OFS

The primary purpose of this project was to develop protocol for census and long-term monitoring of the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) in Olympic National Park. In 1990 the USFWS listed the northern spotted owl as threatened throughout its range. The reasons for their decline, and subsequent protection, was the loss of late seral forests which they require for most stages of their life cycle. The Olympic Peninsula was cited as an area of "critical concern" for spotted owls due to reduction and isolation of the population through habitat losses due to logging.

Project Status
A handbook for monitoring resident breeding raptors (referenced below) is currently undergoing the peer review process. The handbook should be available in 2003.

Seaman, D. E. and E.G. Schreiner "Designing and Implementing a Program to Survey and Monitor Resident Breeding Raptors: Spotted Owls at Olympic National Park."

Products or Related Links
Seaman, D. E., Fredrickson, R., Houston, D., Moorhead, B., and Hoffman, R. 1992. Northern Spotted Owl Inventory. Olympic National Park, Division of Natural Science Studies. Olympic National Park. Port Angeles, Washington 98362. 42 pages.

Seaman, D. E., Moorhead, B., and Houston, D. 1992. Spotted Owl Inventory and Monitoring in Olympic National Park. Division of Natural Science Studies. Olympic National Park. Port Angeles, Washington 12 pages.

Noon, B., Eberhardt, L., Franklin, A., Nichols, J. and Pollock, K. 1993. Final Report. Scientific Panel Review. A Survey Design to Estimate the Number of Territorial Spotted Owls in Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington. 36 pages.

Seaman, D. E., Gremel, S., Roberts, S. and Smith, D. 1996. Spotted Owl Inventory Monitoring in Olympic National Park. Final Report. February 1992 - September 1995. USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Olympic Field Station, and National Resources Management Division, Olympic National Park. 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, Washington. 98362. 31 pages.

Seaman, D. E., Spotted Owl Monitoring in Olympic National Park. 1996. Annual Report. USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Olympic Field Station. 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, Washington 98362 October 9, 1996. 15 pages.

Seaman, D. E., 1998. Spotted Owl Monitoring in Olympic National Park. Annual Report. USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Olympic Field Station. 600 East Park Avenue. Port Angeles Washington 98362. February 26, 1998. 16 pages.

Seaman, D. E., 1999. Spotted Owl Monitoring in Olympic National Park 1998 Annual Report. USGS Biological Resources Division. Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center. Olympic Field Station, 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, Washington 98362. 15 pages.

U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
URL: http://srfs.wr.usgs.gov/
Contact: fresc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Update: July 23, 2003
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