Is wildlife in coastal Southern California water limited?

Coastal Southern California is a unique habitat influenced by its proximity to\ud the ocean, annual dry season, periods of drought, and dense human development.\ud This study examined how water availability affects the distribution of mule deer\ud 1\ud ( Odocoileus hemionus) and California quail ( Callipepla califomica) within this\ud environment. The influence of free standing water on the distribution of these species\ud was measured by identifying the most influential landscape variables, including free\ud standing water, affecting the presence of the species. The presence of free standing\ud water was experimentally manipulated by providing supplemental water sources\ud where water did not naturally occur. Mule deer distribution was most affected by\ud elevation while quail distribution was most affected by riparian habitat and proximity\ud to the ocean. Although both species utilized the supplemental water sources,\ud supplemental water did not appear to influence the distribution of deer or quail,.\ud Quail utilized supplemental water sources close to the ocean. Deer utilized\ud supplemental water sources lower in elevation and away from riparian habitat.\ud Predators were more active at water sources with deer and quail, but they did not\ud appear to deter deer and quail at supplemental water sites. Free standing water does\ud not appear to limit the distribution of deer and quail. Food availability and high\ud temperatures may be the limiting factor for deer and quail. Supplemental water\ud sources may be utilized as a conservation tool if placed in the correct location for that\ud species.\ud Keywords: water, California, deer, dove, quail, predator