[摘要] Pragmatic considerations.—
Monahan and Hijmans (2007) neither mentioned nor, apparently, considered the risks involved in being wrong. Many studies strongly indicate that Barred Owls are negatively affecting site occupancy (
Kelly et al. 2003,
Pearson and Livezey 2003,
Gremel 2005,
Olson et al. 2005), fecundity (
Olson et al. 2004), and survival (
Anthony et al. 2006) of Northern Spotted Owls. The 2007 Draft Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 2007) identified the Barred Owl as a major threat, and
USFWS (2007) and
Buchanan et al. (2007) described various methods under consideration to manage this threat. Barred Owls also are negatively affecting other species in their expanded range, including Western Screech-Owls (
Otus kennicottii; Elliott 2006). The unsubstantiated conclusion in
Monahan and Hijmans (2007) could create serious consequences for Northern Spotted Owls and other species if land managers use it to justify doing little or nothing to alleviate the negative effects of Barred Owls.
