| Abstract |
Squirrels are widespread in Alaska, yet a science-based conservation management plan (CMP) is absent at the state level. Squirrels are killed year-round with no bag limits, while population metrics remain unknown and conservation statuses disputed. This thesis proposes modern tools and approaches as addons for long-term, sustainable, holistic CMPs for all Alaskan squirrel species in a changing climate. Chapter 1 provides an overview of squirrels' current roles and uses in Alaska alongside existing management practices and regulations. Chapters 2 and 3 conduct thorough conservation assessments by analyzing and predicting current and future distributions of squirrel species across Alaska and a 600 km buffer region, utilizing Machine Learning (ML) and state-of-the-art predictive Big Data methodologies to forecast climate suitability shifts over time. These chapters demonstrate that Big Data Open-Access ML Ensemble Species Distribution Models can reveal landscape and climate change effects on species populations and distributions, strongly recommending their inclusion in future CMPs. Forecasts indicate two species will face severe habitat fragmentation and potential population declines, requiring additional conservation initiatives to prevent extinctions. Chapters 4 and 5 provide additional considerations for holistic conservation management. Chapter 4 analyzes heavy metal and essential element concentrations in Interior Alaskan red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and predicts them landscape-wide on a pixel basis, revealing spatial patterns of concentration hotspots and holding the potential for guiding future ground-truthing and community-focused studies. Chapter 5 analyzes squirrel roles and uses in Alaska Native communities using literature reviews, interviews, and ML data mining. Findings indicate that Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii) play essential roles in Indigenous traditions. Chapter 6 summarizes all findings in an essay format. This thesis's results and openly shared data can guide longterm, sustainable squirrel management in Alaska. The proposed modern assessment procedures and conservation management approaches can be applied to virtually any vertebrate species worldwide.
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