Lagomorph Inventory at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 2022 - Open Format Dataset

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) has caused dramatic declines in rabbits and hares on several continents. Recent mortalities have been reported for several rabbit and hare species in the United States, suggesting broad susceptibility of lagomorphs. If this susceptibility extends to the American pika (Ochotona princeps), the most cold-adapted lagomorph, it could compound climate-mediated threats to this species. Due to climate change, American pikas are predicted to experience significant upslope range retraction during this century. To address this concern, we investigated spatial patterns of habitat use by pikas and other lagomorphs in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which borders several counties that have reported RHDV2. In 2022, we surveyed 115 plots of pika habitats in the park, including 48 legacy plots from a pika survey conducted in 2010-2012. Our mean estimate of pika habitat occupancy was at least 95% during 2022 in GRSA, slightly higher than in 2010-2012. Leporid presence at these same plots was 48%. The best model of leporid presence supported a negative effect of elevation. Both models also included a positive effect of incoming solar radiation. Finally, we used our best models of pika habitat occupancy and leporid presence to map the potential for areas of contact and RHDV2 transmission between these taxa. Our results indicate some potential for contact within subalpine forests, specifically in the northern half of the park near the lower reach of the Sand Creek Trail and in the far south just north of California Peak.

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  "https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2304836"
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