Five-year resurvey for endangered species on Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, (Elk Hills), Kern County, California
A transect survey of Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1 (NPR-1), Kern County, California, was conducted between July 3 and August 5, 1989 to determine the distribution and relative density of endangered species and other wildlife. Results were compared with other reported results, particularly the 1979 and 1984 surveys of NPR-1. A total of 589.8 miles of transects were walked through approximately 47,235 acres in all or parts of 81 sections. Of the 516 San Joaquin kit fox dens observed, 496 were typical subterranean dens and 20 were atypical dens in man-made structures. Estimated den density was 36.7 [plus minus] 4.1 per square mile; and relative den density was 10.5/1,000 acres for all of NPR-1. Characteristics of typical kit fox dens were comparable to characteristics reported for other studies, except mean number of entrances per den, which was lower. Observers counted a total of 300 dens previously marked with an identification sign, 191 of which contained at least one complete entrance and would have been observed without a sign. Relative densities of preferred kit fox prey, black-toiled jackrabbits (40.1/1,000 acres) and desert cottontails (14.1/1,000 acres), were lower than previously recorded. Five blunt-nosed leopard lizards were observed along the southwest and northeast perimeter of the Reserve. Most of the 59 giant kangaroo rat burrow systems were observed in the flat terrain along the northeast and south perimeters of the Reserve. San Joaquin antelope squirrels were observed in the central and western parts of NPR- 1. A total of 73 antelope squirrels were observed, and the relative density was 1.511,000 acres. A total.of 30 possible environmental hazards were observed during transect surveys. Most of these were oil and water leaks of small size and appeared to pose little risk to endangered species. Results of this survey indicate that NPR-1 is supporting less wildlife than it did during either the 1979 or 1984 surveys.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Goleta, CA (United States). Santa Barbara Operations
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC08-88NV10617
- OSTI ID:
- 6993618
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-10617-2147; ON: DE93001566; TRN: 92-038105
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Biological survey of Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 2 (Buena Vista), Kern County, California
Five-year resurvey for endangered species on Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1 (Elk Hills), Kern County, California
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENDANGERED SPECIES
HABITAT
POPULATION DYNAMICS
US NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
WILD ANIMALS
DISTRIBUTION
FOXES
LEAKS
LIZARDS
PETROLEUM
RABBITS
RATS
SQUIRRELS
SURVEYS
WATER
ANIMALS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
REPTILES
RESERVES
RESOURCES
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
540210 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)