A New Threat for the Spotted Owls

Post by Hannah Maurer ENR 2300 (SU 2013) 

During the first few weeks of class, we learned about the old growth forests and how logging companies are planning to cut them down, ultimately destroying the habitat of the endangered spotted owl. However, in the posted article, I read that humans are not the only threat moving in on this species. It seems that barred owls have been invading spotted owl’s already limited habitat and competing with them for food, as well as making a meal out of them. Eric Forsman, a biologist, describes the situation as "for the last thirty years we've been trying to come up with ways of protecting the spotted owl, and now all of a sudden, this huge monkey wrench gets thrown into the works…now we don't know if spotted owls aren't there because there is no habitat for them or because of the barred owls (Levy 1999)." Other biologists conclude that habitat loss due to logging is still the main reason for spotted owl decline. They say that forest destruction is a far greater threat to the spotted own than barred owls are. One interesting point of the article was the discovery that barred owls actually do quite well in clear-cut forests. They are able to survive and raise their young in the habitats, unlike spotted owls. Spotted owls thrive in old growth forests, and that is why the logging issue is directly related to their survival. Some say that barred owls were encouraged by humans to move into spotted owl territory. People are pointing fingers, and worry about the future of the spotted owl now that there is an extra threat added into the mix. The overall goal is still to protect the old growth forests, even with the barred owls present. An incredibly large amount of species and plant life continue to call old growth areas their permanent home, so we must continue to fight for the sustainable harvesting of forests (Levy 1999). I found it interesting to learn more about what the spotted owl is facing within the trees. To fully understand an ecosystem and its needs, one must understand all aspects of the situation. 

Link to the complete article:http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA54032987&v=2.1&u=colu44332&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w