The California Channel Islands are home to one of the smallest apex predators in the world: the island fox (Urocyon littoralis). On San Clemente Island (SCI), the island fox subspecies (U. littoralis clementae) has been monitored annually since 1988 to track long-term population trends. Annual density estimates in most habitat types across the island range from 2 to 13 foxes/km2, yet unusually high estimates have repeatedly approached 50 foxes/km2 in a unique sand dune habitat area on the island. Although sand dune habitat is restricted to one small area on the island, these estimates suggest sand dune habitat supports one of the highest population densities of any fox species in the world, and it may support > 5% of the SCI fox population. It has been suspected that the sand dunes serve as a key foraging area on SCI, and the extremely high-density estimates reflect foraging behavior rather than a high density of foxes maintaining home ranges within the habitat type. In their study, Gamblin et al. investigate island fox home range size and habitat use in the sand dune habitat area to elucidate patterns of space use within this unique habitat type. Using spatial data from island foxes captured and collared in the sand dune habitat area, they found that island foxes do maintain home ranges centralized in sand dune habitat. Although sand dune habitat comprises just 2% of available habitat on SCI, their research highlights the importance of this unique habitat area for island fox conservation and management initiatives.

Open access paper here. Photo by Destiny Saucedo.

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