SUNY Plattsburghhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/232024-03-29T01:38:11Z2024-03-29T01:38:11Z"Deer in the Duff: Does Habitat Impact Deer Activity Patterns? "Fritz, JordanEhrensbeck, EthanBaran, MarkGarneau, DanielleLesser, Markhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/139642023-12-13T06:35:49Z2023-12-06T00:00:00Z"Deer in the Duff: Does Habitat Impact Deer Activity Patterns? "
Fritz, Jordan; Ehrensbeck, Ethan; Baran, Mark; Garneau, Danielle; Lesser, Mark
"Forest communities vary due to patch dynamics resulting from differing successional trajectories following disturbances. The habitat mosaic left behind in the wake of disturbances both biotic (e.g., beaver, forest pests and pathogens) and abiotic (e.g., wildfire, wind, ice storm) can have profound effects on forest structure and composition. These stand-level differences in community composition and age structure can alter browse quantity and quality and limit white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) abundance on a seasonal basis. In fall 2023, we performed a deer pellet count survey to estimate deer density differences across three different forest types 1) recently burned jack pine (Pinus banksiana)-dominated barrens (2018 wildfire), 2) unburned (1957 wildfire since regenerated barrens), and 3) a hardwood forest at the Flat Rock sandstone pavement barrens in Altona, NY. We predicted the highest deer densities would be in the hardwood forest due to the diversity in overstory species and availability of hardwood mast. Concurrent long-term wildlife monitoring surveys across habitats within the Flat Rock offered game camera access in order to compare estimates of techniques in each of the three forest types. Game cameras added behavioral observations of deer diel activity, demographics (e.g., age structure, gender), and abiotic conditions such as temperature and moonphase to our study. Pellet count estimates of deer densities in the hardwood and recently burned stands were 15.88 and 4.76 deer/mi2, respectively. Deer pellets were not detected in the unburned barrens. Game cameras detected three and six times more deer in the hardwood as compared to the burn and unburned stands, providing support for use of pellet count surveys. Behavioral patterns were similar across sites with travel and vigilance being observed more often than browsing. White-tailed deer behavior is largely diurnal at all sites, with additional activity mid-day in the burn, at 6AM and 7PM at the unburn, and 2AM in the hardwood stands. Age structure differed across sites with the unburn having all adult deer and gender ratios of 9.6 and 11:1 adults to juveniles in the burn and hardwood stands, respectively. Average group size was similar across sites ranging from solitary deer in the unburn to average groups of 1.35 and 1.4 deer at the hardwood and burn sites, respectively. Our general habitat-specific deer density estimates were similar for both non-invasive techniques, which provides wildlife managers options that are more cost-effective and less time intensive for surveys across a large study area. White-tailed deer hunting is a major source of revenue in Upstate New York and any efforts to make hunters more efficient at harvest by offering target habitats and times of day are helpful given the lack of top predators available to regulate this abundant resource."
2023-12-06T00:00:00ZThe influence of different silvicultural practices and soil characteristics on herpetofaunal communities in northern New YorkWholey, JamesPalladino, AlexGarneau, Daniellehttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/139632023-12-13T06:36:23Z2023-12-06T00:00:00ZThe influence of different silvicultural practices and soil characteristics on herpetofaunal communities in northern New York
Wholey, James; Palladino, Alex; Garneau, Danielle
"There are many different species of herpetofauna in upstate New York, in part due to our abundance of wetlands. Forested areas with soil rich in organic matter, dense leaf litter, moist soils, and abundant coarse woody debris are particularly suitable. We aimed to compare herpetofaunal communities at two upstate New York sites 1) an experimental forest that underwent a suite of silvicultural practices at the Paul Smiths Visitor’s Interpretive Center (VIC), Franklin County and 2) a managed woodlot (Godwin Woods) in Morrisonville, Clinton County. In fall 2023, we implemented a cover object search of rocks, logs, and coverboards, along riparian habitat at Godwin Woods (Riley Brook) and experimentally manipulated forest patches (FERDA plots) at Jenkins Mountain on the Logger’s Loop trail (Paul Smiths). For each individual, we used ArcGIS Survey123 to georeference, catalog an image, microhabitat, soil type, and metrics such as weight and snout-to-vent length. Soil was sampled from herpetofaunal sites, as well as random points to compare percent moisture and organic carbon, as well as pH differences. Herpetofaunal communities were unique and species richness was low at both sites VIC (S=3) and Godwin Woods (S=2). VIC herpetofauna was dominated by red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), as well as American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) and spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer). Godwin Woods herpetofauna were less abundant and consisted of northern dusky (Desmognathus fuscus) and northern two-lined salamanders (Eurycea bislineata). Herpetofauna were most abundant at sites least disturbed (e.g., individual tree cut and control). In addition, the percent soil moisture at herpetofaunal locations at both the VIC and Godwin Woods was greater than those of random control samples. Soil organic carbon at herpetofaunal sites was higher and lower than random sites at the VIC and Godwin Woods, respectively. All soil variables were significantly different across sites and likely influenced herpetofaunal community composition and abundance. Our findings serve as an important reminder to landowners and foresters of the need to consider the consequences of overstory management practices on sensitive understory wildlife species."
2023-12-06T00:00:00ZDeath in the Fast Lane: Assessing the Variables Surrounding Vehicle Caused Wildlife MortalityGilman, ChristienGarneau, Daniellehttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/139622023-12-13T06:36:43Z2023-12-06T00:00:00ZDeath in the Fast Lane: Assessing the Variables Surrounding Vehicle Caused Wildlife Mortality
Gilman, Christien; Garneau, Danielle
Roads segment Earth’s land surface into ~600,000 fragments. This habitat fragmentation leads to, unsurprisingly, frequent collisions with wildlife. Vehicle collisions are second only to legal harvesting in regards to anthropogenic mortality for numerous vertebrate species. In addition to increased mortality, roads can affect local hydrology, sediment and debris transport, water and air chemistry, microclimate and pollution. Variation in speed limits, road characteristics, weather conditions and fragmentation of existing contiguous habitats are expected to influence wildlife mortality. We hypothesized increased speed limits and roads bisecting developed and undeveloped land cover would lead to increased mortality. We used online data gathering application ArcGIS Survey123 to document and catalog instances of vehicle-caused wildlife mortality in Northern New York and Vermont. For 2023, two routes were driven regularly representing primarily forested and agricultural areas respectively. This was combined with a pre-existing dataset containing observations from across the country. Statistical analysis was undertaken in order to determine species distribution as well as how land cover type, speed limit, and road characteristics relate to wildlife mortality. Our study concluded that mammals accounted for the majority of animals killed on roads. Roadkill events occurred primarily in areas of low intensity development and mixed forests. Increased road speed appeared to correlate with increased mortality. Data from our 2023 sampling regimen parallels that of the national dataset. The most frequently found animals were the common raccoon (Procyon lotor), striped skunk (Mephetis mephetis), and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). This research allows us to see how continued development and habitat fragmentation is directly affecting wildlife populations in areas of human development.
2023-12-06T00:00:00ZBioblitz or Bust: A Biolblitz Survey of Godwin WoodsMcLaughlin, BriannaGrossman, LeslieMurphy, McKenzieCook, IsabellaGarneau, Daniellehttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/139612023-12-13T06:37:13Z2023-12-06T00:00:00ZBioblitz or Bust: A Biolblitz Survey of Godwin Woods
McLaughlin, Brianna; Grossman, Leslie; Murphy, McKenzie; Cook, Isabella; Garneau, Danielle
"A bioblitz is a rapid survey of the living species in a given area; therefore, the main purpose of a bioblitz study is to grasp the biodiversity of an ecosystem. Bioblitzes have become a reliable and effective tool used by government agencies, citizen science projects, and other private groups to collect biodiversity inventories in a short period of time. Even schools, colleges,and other institutions conduct these events as a means of stewardship and engagement. During fall 2023, we conducted a bioblitz of Godwin Woods, a privately owned property, in Morrisonville, New York which is bisected by Riley Brook. We predicted the forested microhabitat would have the highest species richness on the property because of the presence of the riparian area. In order to maximize diversity, we surveyed two different microhabitats, specifically a forest and meadow ecotone. At both sites, a variety of capture methods were used, specifically Sherman live traps for small mammals, minnow traps for fish, and two non-invasive survey methods Merlin smartphone app acoustic detection for birds songs and a game camera for large mammals among other taxa. The species richness was 22 species for the forest and 12 species for the meadow ecotone, indicating 47% similarity between communities. Species shared were white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mice (Peromyscus sp.), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), raccoon (Procyon lotor), coyote (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), brown creeper (Certhia americana), and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Certain species that were unique to the meadow ecotone were the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) in the forest. Largely differences in the community resulted from a rich diversity of birds within the forested microhabitat. Our findings will help inform the landowner of unique species found on his property and better inform his forest management plan to promote a healthier wildlife population and reduce the risk of nuisance species that might increase disease risk (e.g., Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses)."
2023-12-06T00:00:00Z