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Genetic Structure
Our examination of the genetic makeup of northern spotted owls across a significant portion of the subspecies' range allowed us to scrutinize genetic discontinuities and pinpoint landscape elements influencing the genetic structure of the subspecies. While there were no genetic breaks observed in northern spotted owls, landscape features played a crucial role in shaping genetic variation. Dry, low-elevation valleys and the high-elevation Cascade and Olympic Mountains impeded gene flow, whereas the lower Oregon Coast Range served as a genetic corridor, gene flow. Notably, the Columbia River did not act as a barrier, that owls could readily traverse this substantial river. Thus, even in taxa like northern spotted owls, which possess the potential for long-distance dispersal, landscape features can significantly impact gene flow and genetic structure.