Type: report

Article abstract: This document has been written to satisfy the reporting requirements for Task D, and reports on the completion of data analysis and synthesis tasks for assessing the efficacy of the habitat enhancement experiment. This report is based on a larger collaborative effort with the Institute for Conservation Research (ICR) at the San Diego Zoo. As detailed in the SOW, the results contained in this report include a broad and comprehensive analysis of data collected by SDSU under contract Amendment 1 to contract #5001562 with SANDAG and includes additional data collected by the ICR. Introduction: The Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), is a species of special concern in California, and has been prioritized for study and conservation in the San Diego MSCP. Populations in southern, coastal CA are thought to be smaller and more restricted relative to historical levels. Habitat loss, change in habitat quality, and scarcity of suitable burrows are likely responsible for these declines in burrowing owl.