Keywords
resource selection function, pinyon jay, water use, drought, climate change, machine learning
Abstract
Pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) are flocking corvids native to arid and semi-arid habitats of the western United States. Pinyon jays are declining throughout their range, leading to heightened interest in implementing conservation efforts. However, very little is known about pinyon jays in Utah, and no studies have been conducted anywhere throughout their range on their relationship to water. As drought conditions intensify due to climate change, water availability is declining; this may contribute to pinyon jays’ decline. Based on camera traps placed throughout western Utah, we used a machine learning model to identify water sources used by pinyon jays. We used a resource selection function to predict which water sources pinyon jay flocks will choose to use, and plan to later test this model by monitoring for pinyon jays at previously un-surveyed water sources. We found that pinyon jays tended to use water sources in watersheds with lower mean snowpack duration, lower heat load index, higher maximum summer temperatures, higher distance to the nearest guzzler, and lower distance to potential pinyon jay habitat.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Biser, Audrey H.; Larsen, Randy T.; Petersen, Steven L.; and St. Clair, Sam B., "Using Machine Learning and Predictive Modeling to Understand Water Use by Pinyon Jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) in Utah" (2026). Student Works. 440.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/studentpub/440
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2026-03-12
Language
English
College
Life Sciences
Department
Plant and Wildlife Sciences
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