28th Annual Student Research Conference
Estimating Mammal Species Richness in Two Different Forest Types in Central America
Jacob H. Kaiser
Dr. LaRoy Brandt, Faculty Mentor
Camera traps have been used in a variety of different studies to assess the status of mammal populations. This study used camera traps to determine presence and absence of medium and large mammal species photographed in order to determine species richness at Ometepe, Nicaragua and La Suerte, Costa Rica. Both places experienced different management practices such as clearing of forests for agricultural purposes and reforestation, respectively. Total survey effort was 56 trapnights using nine cameras for six days. No mammals were photographed during the duration of the study except for Equus ferus caballus which in the case of Nicaragua can be attributed to large human presence in the area. However, numerous signs of mammal activity found in the area of La Suerte indicate that medium and large mammal species are present, but more survey effort is required to properly assess the species richness and conservation needs of both study sites.
Keywords: Camera traps, Presence and absence, La Suerte, Costa Rica, Ometepe, Nicaragua, medium and large mammal species, species richness
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 3-1
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30