Conclusion
Areas for Improvement
Due to unforeseen time constraints and complications, such as having to reorganize and digitize data, some factors were not fully explored. Forest cover data was patchy and incomplete in many databases and would require merging multiple datasets or the use of remotely sensed data. Orchards and plains play a certain role in determining habitat extent, but there was a lack of a comprehensive dataset of all orchard lands. Again, remotely sensed data could be used for locating orchards, but the expertise required surpassed what was possible for undergraduates, as the analysis would require having the spectral signatures of each orchard vegetation specie as well as other data.
To obtain a clearer analysis, several factors could be explored in future projects. Firstly, the factors mentioned above could be included. By finding the required data through databases or remote sensing, those factors can offer more factors to consider. Secondly, analysis should be done at both winter and breeding habitats, as habitat deterioration has a bigger impact during the winter. The overall population decline may occur mostly during the winter, although that is just speculation at this point.
Conclusion
While the analysis performed for this project does not offer a full picture in terms of determining all of the factors that affect the population decline of the Lewis’s Woodpecker, it does offer some insight to some of the factors. However, the truth is that it is very hard to have concrete variables in determining what the species needs. For example, there is no data or literature on what the Lewis’s Woodpecker needs in terms of range of habitat. They may only stay in the vicinity of their nest or they can take up to 15 acres. What we do know is that the species is on a slow decline and while we are aware of the factors that influence their population and livelihood, measuring and having standards to compare future research is what is required.