29th Annual Student Research Conference
Mammal Diversity in Central America
Caleb M. Garzanelli
Dr. LaRoy Brandt, Faculty Mentor
Medium-sized mammals are crucial to the survival of an ecosystem because of their role as a consumer. For this research, mammal diversity was surveyed at two locations: Ometepe Biological Field Station, Nicaragua, and LaSuerte Biological Field Station, Costa Rica. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of deforestation rates and human presence has had on the mammal diversity. Trail Cameras were set in several different locations at both field stations. In Nicaragua, photos were captured of a white-tail deer. In Costa Rica, pictures of a Tayra were captured. Our lack of data is likely due to the short duration of our sampling efforts. Additionally, human activity may have also influenced mammal presence as we also obtained photographs of poachers in the area passing through the area around the cameras. As deforestation and human expansion rise, mammal diversity in these places will likely diminish due to habitat loss
Keywords: Mammal Diversity, Deforestation, Human expansion, Habitat loss, Medium-sized mammals, Consumer
Topic(s):Biology
Environmental Studies
Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-9
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30