27th Annual Student Research Conference
Effects of Small-Scale Urbanization on Small-Mammal Distribution and Abundance
Andrew K. Gibson
Dr. Jason Luscier, Faculty Mentor
By understanding how small mammals respond to small-scale urbanization, we can inform future conservation strategies on increasingly urbanized landscapes. We estimated the percentage of sites occupied (i.e., occupancy) by small mammals by surveying with Sherman live traps across five habitat types (number of trap nights): highly urbanized (267), commercial (261), residential (281), managed (220), and remnant (216). We captured eight Peromyscus sp. at McDonalds, four at Thousand Hills State Park, and one in an alleyway, representing a 1.3% capture rate. Three Blarina brevicauda were captured at a residential area. This may indicate that a food source is more important than suitable habitat. The top model for estimating Peromyscus sp. occupancy included the effect [SE] from distance to nearest green space greater than 50m2; however, the effect of this variable on occupancy was minimal (βDistGreen = -0.007 [0.004]). Detectability was constant across all sites. Overall estimated occupancy (SE) was 0.363 (0.191).
Keywords: urbanization, biology, mammal, landscape, trap
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-4
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: 3:30